Full Set of the Classic Stack Plus... Sort Of

[Syscokid]

Long time ago, I installed a set of Fender Custom Shop 69's in my '01 American Deluxe. Later I replaced the bridge with an SD Classic Stack Plus STK-S4b (DCR 8.6)... love it! Recently, the neck pup got accidently demagnetized. Just replaced it with an SD Classic Stack STK-S1n. Don't think SD makes this one anymore. Can't find it anywhere on their product pages. A2 mags, 4-conductor, and it's suppose to have a DCR of 9.6 but I'm measuring 12.3... WTF? For what I like to hear, this one is much nicer that the Fender '69.

Now I'm thinking of replacing the middle pup (Fender '69, too) with an SD Classic Stack Plus middle STK-S4m (RWRP). As is now, it all sounds real groovy in all 5 positions thru a blackface style amp. Just wanted to see if anyone has a Strat with a full set of the SD Classic Stack Plus and how they feel about the combination. At the same time, I'm determined to keep the STK-S1n in the neck... :feedback:

 

[Mincer]

Re: Full Set of the Classic Stack Plus... Sort Of

The STK-S4 is my favorite Strat pickup...of any kind. I wouldn't hesitate to use a set of them. Once I got used to noiseless pickups (and the softer high end), I realize how much I have trouble going back to 'normal' singles.

 

[SDK2]

Re: Full Set of the Classic Stack Plus... Sort Of

My 2 cents. My set is:
- neck pickup for an Seymour Duncan Vintage Hot Stack Plus Strat STK-S7
- middle pickup for an Seymour Duncan Classic Stack Plus Strat STK-S4m
- bridge pickup for an Seymour Duncan Custom Stack Plus Strat STK-S6

Love the STK-S6 one. If you are going for the Strat tone those will do you good. If you are going for more Rainbow/Blackmore kind a stuff may want to place a STK-S4n in the neck as well. As Mincer said that is one hell of a pickup.
Just an FYI coil split doesn't make any difference, so don't expect to get a different sound.

I think these two videos will give you good overview:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sCfhQ85AQrs
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3i_Zhs3vUvg

I love the set and it does everything it is supposed to do very good. As i'm playing less and less bluesy/groovy/funky stuff i'm currently planning to to the following change & swap:

- neck pickup for an Seymour Duncan YJM STK-10n
- Middle pickup for an Seymour Duncan Vintage Hot Stack Plus Strat STK-S7
- bridge pickup for an Seymour Duncan Custom Stack Plus Strat STK-S6

 

[jeremy]

Re: Full Set of the Classic Stack Plus... Sort Of

i have two strats with classic stack+ setups. one has stks4n, stks4m, stks7 bridge and it sounds fantastic. the other has stks4b in the neck, stks4m, stks9 bridge and is much thicker sounding and not as stratty.

i dont believe that the stks1n should be 9k it should be higher since its the older stack design, i think mine was around 13k so yours sound like its normal.

 

[gregory]

Re: Full Set of the Classic Stack Plus... Sort Of

S7/S4/S4
S4b/S4/S4
S4b/S4/S7
S6/S4/S7
S6/S7/S7

all seem like good choices for sets

S7/S10/S10 could work too, I suppose.

I wasn't too impressed with the sound of the S10b and fear the S4n would be too strident in the bridge position against a pair of S10s.

 

[Syscokid]

Re: Full Set of the Classic Stack Plus... Sort Of

Really appreciate the feedback. Thank you.

Looks like an SD STK-4m is going to go in there now.

 

[Syscokid]

Re: Full Set of the Classic Stack Plus... Sort Of

This old thread of mine is almost 2 years old, but I have another question regarding the SD stack single coils...

Has anybody here had any experience using a 500k volume pot with these types of pickups? I prefer 250K with regular Strat-style single coils, but was wondering if the stacked design behaves a little different.

 

[jeremy]

Re: Full Set of the Classic Stack Plus... Sort Of

itll sound brighter, if you want more high end than you can give it a try

 

[Mincer]

Re: Full Set of the Classic Stack Plus... Sort Of

This old thread of mine is almost 2 years old, but I have another question regarding the SD stack single coils...

Has anybody here had any experience using a 500k volume pot with these types of pickups? I prefer 250K with regular Strat-style single coils, but was wondering if the stacked design behaves a little different.

One of my Strats uses a humbucker and 2 Stacks, and I use 500k pots all around. What Jeremy said is true. It is a little brighter. Very little.

 

[Tomax]

Re: Full Set of the Classic Stack Plus... Sort Of

My 2 cents. My set is:
- neck pickup for an Seymour Duncan Vintage Hot Stack Plus Strat STK-S7
- middle pickup for an Seymour Duncan Classic Stack Plus Strat STK-S4m
- bridge pickup for an Seymour Duncan Custom Stack Plus Strat STK-S6

Love the STK-S6 one. If you are going for the Strat tone those will do you good. If you are going for more Rainbow/Blackmore kind a stuff may want to place a STK-S4n in the neck as well. As Mincer said that is one hell of a pickup.
Just an FYI coil split doesn't make any difference, so don't expect to get a different sound.

I think these two videos will give you good overview:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sCfhQ85AQrs
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3i_Zhs3vUvg

I love the set and it does everything it is supposed to do very good. As i'm playing less and less bluesy/groovy/funky stuff i'm currently planning to to the following change & swap:

- neck pickup for an Seymour Duncan YJM STK-10n
- Middle pickup for an Seymour Duncan Vintage Hot Stack Plus Strat STK-S7
- bridge pickup for an Seymour Duncan Custom Stack Plus Strat STK-S6

Hello SDK2

I am very intersted in the setup you describe stk-s7n /stk-s4m / Stk-s6. I am looking for a set that gives me versatility and warms up a bit the hight end while keeping a strat tone / spank. I mostly play clean or light bluesy crunches.
- are your clean tones stratty and slightly warmer than true single coils?
- with stacked coils do you still get the quacky sounds in position 2 and 4
- do you think this set would do well on a gilmour style 7 way wiring

I am hesitating between a combination like your set or sl-52n/SSL-52m/SSL-6 on 7 way

The main wish is to warm up a bit the sound while remaining stratty, noiseless would just be cherry on the cake.

Thanks in advance

 

[EC Strat]

Re: Full Set of the Classic Stack Plus... Sort Of

1. Yes but I would call the tone really well balanced with a chimey / round high end and not spikey. I had a set of fender vintage Noiseless PUPs prior and I would definitely call those a warm stratty tone. The stacks are more chimey and true single coil sounding by contrast. But the top end is rounded and not ice pick like your Tex mex pups are. Some overwound single coils can really be harsh on the top end
2 yes but not as much as true singles.
3 yes absolutely. I actually have mine wired for 7 way and they’re fabulous in all positions I especially like the B and N and all 3 on I’d use a 250k tone pot too.

I also have a Clapton mid boost and this set (Classic Stack +4) works great with the mid boost. They stay articulate and don’t get muddy

 

[Tomax]

Re: Full Set of the Classic Stack Plus... Sort Of

1. Yes but I would call the tone really well balanced with a chimey / round high end and not spikey. I had a set of fender vintage Noiseless PUPs prior and I would definitely call those a warm stratty tone. The stacks are more chimey and true single coil sounding by contrast. But the top end is rounded and not ice pick like your Tex mex pups are. Some overwound single coils can really be harsh on the top end
2 yes but not as much as true singles.
3 yes absolutely. I actually have mine wired for 7 way and they’re fabulous in all positions I especially like the B and N and all 3 on I’d use a 250k tone pot too.

I also have a Clapton mid boost and this set (Classic Stack +4) works great with the mid boost. They stay articulate and don’t get muddy

Thanks a lot for this feedback. Do you hace as well a coil split for the option to use them as true single coil? Do you think it could be usefull to get better quack in 2 and 4?

 

[EC Strat]

Re: Full Set of the Classic Stack Plus... Sort Of

Thanks a lot for this feedback. Do you hace as well a coil split for the option to use them as true single coil? Do you think it could be usefull to get better quack in 2 and 4?

I didn’t bother booking up the coil split option. Many have said it doesn’t sound any different. As far as more quack in 2 and 4
Maybe. Mincer might have a better idea on that than I do.

 

[EC Strat]

Re: Full Set of the Classic Stack Plus... Sort Of

I didn’t bother booking up the coil split option. Many have said it doesn’t sound any different. As far as more quack in 2 and 4
Maybe. Mincer might have a better idea on that than I do.

One option would be to wire the set so positions 2 and 4 are automatically spilt and leave the rest Noiseless Not sure how it would affect a potential 7 way wiring though I have my master tone control as a push pull for bridge always on