H/S/S or H/S/S?

[Neo Fender]

I have a Strat Plus that currently has three gold Lace Sensor pickups. My plan is to go with either an H/S/S or H/S/H setup using full-sized buckers. I’m not sure which way I want to go. I have one Strat and I want to keep it as flexible as possible. I like neck humbuckers but I notice (at least on Les Pauls) that they tend to get dark and loose articulation around the low E string. On the flip side, I can’t do without the glassy tone you get from the neck pickup on a single coil Strat. My guess is that even if I put a humbucker at the neck spot and split the coils, it still won’t get that tone that a single coil pickup does.

For the bridge, I’m looking for something middle-of-the road as far as output is concerned. Something that has good, thick harmonic overtones and will easily do pinch harmonics but still useable through a clean amp on occasion. I like something with a "honk" to it, like a Pearly Gates, etc.

Middle pickup? I hardly use it. I’m one of those rare people that don’t get much mileage out of positions 2 and 4 on a Strat. Anything there would be OK I guess – just something to match the neck and bridge pickups…although an H/H/H Strat would be unique.

Anyway, feedback would be appreciated.

 

[Jay 77]

Re: H/S/S or H/S/S?

Just swap the pickguard, and go with H/H, since you wouldn't use the middle pickup anyway. The PGn/CCb combo seems to be a big favorite around here, so that could be a decent option to cover plenty of ground.

 

[aerial7]

Re: H/S/S or H/S/S?

For what it's worth, I went H/S/H in my American Standard strat, and I am still getting over the surprise at which pickup is my favorite: the middle position Hot Rails. I only put it in because I had just ripped it out of another guitar (that went with actives), but it's in there to stay.....

(Yeah, I know, technically this means my guitar is H/H/H, but whatever....just trying to be helpful.)

 

[Artie]

Re: H/S/S or H/S/S?

You might also try a Stag Mag in the neck. Its designed to be split. Its really just two singles on a common base. I love mine in my Tele. (In the neck.)