Fender HM strat neck pickup

[RaS]

Dear experts,

I own a 1991 Fender HM strat, it is made of basswood body, maple neck & rosewood finger board; 24 frets (25" scale) ; original floyd rose ; and H/S/S pickup configuration.

It has a Dimarzio (super 3) humbucker at the bridge and 2 fender single coils in neck and middle.

I am looking to upgrade the neck pick-up as it is very low in output compared to the humbucker and buzzes a lot.

I am considering a humbucker (SC size). What do you recommend?

I want to play leads on the neck, so the pickup should have enough power for legato and tapping.

Is the lil'59 a good option? I was thinking about the Dimarzio Pro Track also.

Thanks for your input.

 

[Funkfingers]

Re: Fender HM strat neck pickup

IMO, the Li'l '59 would be a good choice - even with a 24 fret fingerboard. If you wish to stay with DiMarzios, the Pro Track is fine too.

FWIIW, I think that you should upgrade the centre PU too. Those underslung ceramic magnet single coils leave much to be desired.

 

[RaS]

Re: Fender HM strat neck pickup

Thanks for your reply!

The Dimarzio Super3 is know for it's huge Mid boost and treble cut-off. Would it balance well with the Lil'59? I am mostly concerned about the output level, the Super3 is 25k in resistance while the lil'59 is about 9k.

 

[Funkfingers]

Re: Fender HM strat neck pickup

Depends upon how closely to the strings each of them is adjusted.

The statistic that you actually need for the DiMarzio is its output expressed in millivolts. The DiMarzio website also gives another figure to enable direct comparisons between models.

The mid enhanced, treble reduced tone of the Super 3 is to compensate for the basswood and the FR double locking vibrato. It is possible that the SD Li'l '59 may prove too trebley for your instrument.

 

[Benjy_26]

Re: Fender HM strat neck pickup

When I had my HM, I tried a Lil 59, Custom Shop Lil PG, a FastTrack 2, and a Fast Track 1 in the neck. Out of those, the Fast Track 1 sounded the best. It had the most clarity, had enough output to keep up0 with the Super 3, and had one of the mest metal lead tones I've heard. It's big, expressive, and legato playing is a breeze.

Too bad I had to sell that guitar. The ultra flat fingerboard allowed me to play insanely fast, but it was giving me CT. Oh well. Back to the drawing board.

 

[Benjy_26]

Re: Fender HM strat neck pickup

FWIW, the HM has the same alnico singles as an Am Std of the time. I see no need to replace the middle singe, especially if you're splitting the neck and bridge with the included split switch.

 

[Funkfingers]

Re: Fender HM strat neck pickup

FWIIW, I think that you should upgrade the centre PU too. Those underslung ceramic magnet single coils leave much to be desired.

FWIW, the HM has the same alnico singles as an Am Std of the time.

I rest my case.

Within the last fortnight, somebody posted about not liking any Fender plastic-bobbined pickups. When I thought about it, I had to agree with him.

Sorry.


EDIT: For any UK forum members who are fans of Fender Am Std single coil PUs, I have a set stashed away in my parts drawer. PM me an offer.

 

[RaS]

Re: Fender HM strat neck pickup

My guitar doesn't have the splitting option.. just a volume and tone (TBX) knob.

I usualy keep the tone on 5 (middle)or 6 (slight boost on treble).

Thanks for your input! is fast track 1 stronger (in output) than the lil'59?

 

[Benjy_26]

Re: Fender HM strat neck pickup

It's about the same output wise, but I feel that it's clearer and has a deeper, tighter bottom.

 

[RaS]

Re: Fender HM strat neck pickup

ok, one more question.. which is brighter? the lil'59 or the fast track 1? I don't want a pickup to play metal, just some experimental stuff like fusion or satriani stuff..

 

[Benjy_26]

Re: Fender HM strat neck pickup

The Fast Track 1 is a bit brighter and tighter. It sounds more like a single, where the Lil 59 is trying it's hardest to be a humbucker when it grows up.

 

[Farkus]

Re: Fender HM strat neck pickup

When I was using the HM Strat, I switched over to a Duncan setup. It sounded great with a hot rails in the neck position and a JB in the bridge. I left the Fender single in the middle for when I got the urge for some single coil tones.

 

[Luca75]

Re: Fender HM strat neck pickup

Dear experts,

I own a 1991 Fender HM strat, it is made of basswood body, maple neck & rosewood finger board; 24 frets (25" scale) ; original floyd rose ; and H/S/S pickup configuration.

It has a Dimarzio (super 3) humbucker at the bridge and 2 fender single coils in neck and middle.

I am looking to upgrade the neck pick-up as it is very low in output compared to the humbucker and buzzes a lot.

I am considering a humbucker (SC size). What do you recommend?

I want to play leads on the neck, so the pickup should have enough power for legato and tapping.

Is the lil'59 a good option? I was thinking about the Dimarzio Pro Track also.

Thanks for your input.

Did you upgrade the bridge yourself? I'm just curious since I owned a 1987 Strat HM and there's also a friend of mine who owns 6 or 7 of them but all with the Kahler Spider bridge.

 

[Fusion1]

Re: Fender HM strat neck pickup

IIRC the later HM models around 90 or 91 started including the OFR instead of the Kahler Spyders. They also have the more futuristic stencil Fender "Strat" logo

 

[Diocletian]

Re: Fender HM strat neck pickup

Hot Rails.

 

[BluesGuyJ]

Re: Fender HM strat neck pickup

I've been told the cool rails is a good option for this purpose