Fender Duo Sonic HS upgrade

[Volusia333]

Hi,
I'm a long time reader of the forum and really appreciate the knowledge that's shared here. I recently picked up a used Fender Duo Sonic HS. It's a stock set up with a tone push/pull coil split, 1 volume knob and 3 way toggle switch. I would like to replace both pickups, the toggle switch and pots. I came into a Seymour Duncan JB SH-4 cream/black years ago that's still new in box so I'll be using it for the swap but would like recommendations for a single coil that would pair nicely with it. The type of tone I'm looking for in a neck pickup is an Audley Freed "Cry Of Love" era tone. I also need to know which pots 250/500 to use. I appreciate any suggestions you all have.
Thanks,

 

[Blille]

Fender Duo Sonic HS upgrade

Welcome to the forum!

I would recommend Texas special.

I would try whatever you have first in terms of pots. If I had to choose I would go 250k since the JB takes it well IME.

Note that even if you have Texas special and JB like he did (I believe), he had a strat and the shorter length of the Duo sonic makes a huge difference in the tone.

I’ve been tempted by the HS duo sonic. Hope you’re liking it!

 

[Mincer]

Re: Fender Duo Sonic HS upgrade

That sound is a typical modern Strat sound, so my thought is something a little more powerful and something silent to go with the JB. The Classic Stack is a good choice here. I think a typical single coil would get obiterated by the output of the JB. He also sounds a little 'rounder' than a vintage Strat sound, to me.

 

[ItsaBass]

Re: Fender Duo Sonic HS upgrade

You might like the Twang Banger or DiMarzio Red Velvet. Good, aggressive yet "old school" Tele sound – beefier than a "vintage" Strat pickup, yet still has classic '60's flavor. Should play very nicely with a split JB.

 

[Volusia333]

Re: Fender Duo Sonic HS upgrade

That sound is a typical modern Strat sound, so my thought is something a little more powerful and something silent to go with the JB. The Classic Stack is a good choice here. I think a typical single coil would get obiterated by the output of the JB. He also sounds a little 'rounder' than a vintage Strat sound, to me.

Thanks so much for this and everyone's recommendation and sorry it's taken me so long to get back to this thread. I checked out some videos on you tube of the STK-S4N and it's the tone I'm looking for. Would you have recommendations on pot sizes for both the JB and STK-S4N?

 

[Clint 55]

Re: Fender Duo Sonic HS upgrade

500k linear volume and 250k no load tone.