Fattening up a Strat w/9's - Suggestions?

[rts99]

Re: Fattening up a Strat w/9's - Suggestions?

Go to the GuitarFetish website & check out the in-guitar boost circuits. They require an on-board 9V or an external battery box. I have two in my Strat & they are both great. They fatten things up just great. I won't play without it now.

I have slight arthritis in both hands so I understand your need for light strings.

Good Luck.

 

[ImmortalSix]

Re: Fattening up a Strat w/9's - Suggestions?

Also, look into a Little humbucker --- I had a neck model Little '59 in my Strat and I loved it.

 

[WhoFan]

Re: Fattening up a Strat w/9's - Suggestions?

i do like the Lil'59 i threw in one of my MIM strats... it's also not so hot it extremely over powers the stock Mid and Neck cheapie singles... in fact i like that strats pu's a lot

but to make a stock strat sound better without going to a humbucker a different amp could be the trick

 

[blueman335]

Re: Fattening up a Strat w/9's - Suggestions?

Then again, have you thought about selling the Strat & getting an SG? mahogany & HB's will give you a fatter tone.

 

[WhoFan]

Re: Fattening up a Strat w/9's - Suggestions?

Then again, have you thought about selling the Strat & getting an SG? mahogany & HB's will give you a fatter tone.

the other bonus of this would be the fact the Gibson scale length is easier on players hands when someone has health issues...

 

[blueman335]

Re: Fattening up a Strat w/9's - Suggestions?

the other bonus of this would be the fact the Gibson scale length is easier on players hands when someone has health issues...

I'm thinking why try to make a bright guitar warm, when you can start off with a warm guitar? And like you said, with an easier scale length. And better neck access...

 

[Kosh Naranek]

Re: Fattening up a Strat w/9's - Suggestions?

If it's gotta be a Strat tone, but with more fullness, a Duncan Custom single (SSL-5 or SSL-6) is another great choice for a bridge pickup.
Also, if for you "only a Gibson isn't good enough", then what about a Strat type S-S-S guitar with a shorter scale length? There aren't many, but there are a few. I think the PRS EG bolt on, made in the 90's and which had three PRS single coils, had their 25" scale.
I just remembered, you could even get an SG with 3 single coils! Gibson makes, or made such an animal. Of course, a new guitar is more expensive than just swapping pickups in your Strat.
And I'm sorry to hear about your carpal tunnel syndrome. That is something I hope I never get. Good luck and props to you for pressing on and making music anyway.

 

[marcg71]

Re: Fattening up a Strat w/9's - Suggestions?

Thanks everyone for the great ideas, feedback and kind words. First, I have actually been playing an SG with a hybrid set 9s-46. I grabbed this strat because I play in a blues rock band and some songs call for the difference in sound. To answer the setup questions:

The strat is a custom shop 57 maple neck/ash body heavy relic, which I am running thru a 64 Fender bassman with 2 x12 cab (jensen Neodymiums). I use an assortment of pedals, I have a keely boost I use for soloing, I'm gonna move that up in the chain and see how it goes.


Again many thanks!

 

[Stratman]

Re: Fattening up a Strat w/9's - Suggestions?

Change the bridge pup to a SSL-5.

Purchase just the Vibrato / Tremolo Replacement Block from Callaham (either 60 or 80 bucks) http://www.callahamguitars.com/partsstr.htm

Rewire your selector switch to permit the second tone control to be used with the bridge pup and change that capacitor to one that has tone control to your liking. (0,22, 0.47. 0.1. etc...)

Last and this is not a joke... Take up knitting - knitting has a counter-effect for guitar players and is used by cello players in Washington and NYC symphonies as a fix for car[al tunnel.
http://www.mycarpaltunnel.com/knitting-hobbyist-carpal-tunnel-syndrome-pain.shtml

 

[eschoendorff]

Re: Fattening up a Strat w/9's - Suggestions?

Honestly, the best way to fatten up your sound is to simply hit the strings harder and more precisely.

You can use all the boost pedals you want, but it always comes back to technique. I should know... I'm struggling with the same sort of issues right now (basically my technique is the hold up).

 

[WhoFan]

Re: Fattening up a Strat w/9's - Suggestions?

Thanks everyone for the great ideas, feedback and kind words. First, I have actually been playing an SG with a hybrid set 9s-46. I grabbed this strat because I play in a blues rock band and some songs call for the difference in sound. To answer the setup questions:

The strat is a custom shop 57 maple neck/ash body heavy relic, which I am running thru a 64 Fender bassman with 2 x12 cab (jensen Neodymiums). I use an assortment of pedals, I have a keely boost I use for soloing, I'm gonna move that up in the chain and see how it goes.


Again many thanks!

well that should be a quality set all around, amp and guitar are of pretty great quality... then ya maybe a thicker sounding Bridge PU will do the trick in this case... My Custom Shop 66 strat is great but that Bridge PU seems a little weak and bright to me in these modern times... i've been sitting on the fence as to what to do with it... part of me wants a 5 way switch and a hot bridge PU... part of me wants to keep it stock since a Vintage style strat is what i was looking for...

 

[Stef]

Re: Fattening up a Strat w/9's - Suggestions?

maybe jensen neodymiomeneses could be blamed

Try it first with 4 (2) Greenbacks (blackbacks)- g12m - they work well with jawaboost -very full and sweet sounding