Help Please

[ZachRiggs101787]

I’m wanting to change my pickups in my Fender MIM strat. It is an hss model. Musical interest are something from ZZ Top, Joe Bonamassa, Allman Brothers type sound. I was thinking of doing a JB at the bridge with A JB jr in the neck. Would it be ok to put a JB jr in the middle as well?

 

[ExplorersRock]

Re: Help Please

On the bridge pickup... If you like the ZZ Top and Bonamassa, I'm not sure the JB would suit them. For ZZ Too, I'd go Pearly Gates. Wouldn't be bad for Bonamassa either. I'd rather go with a '59 for Bonamassa. But if you want more output, the JB will serve well in a Strat.

 

[Thundermtn]

Re: Help Please

Don't get a JB. All of those guys are famous for playing real Bursts. Get an Antiquity, as close as you'll get pickup wise.

 

[ZachRiggs101787]

Re: Help Please

So I have two questions and then I will have to make a decision. I like the Pearly Gates at the bridge. How would it sound to do a pair of little 59s in the neck and middle? Option number two is to do single coils in the neck and middle. I like the antiquity Texas hot strat in the neck and middle, but I really want to keep the pickups all white. What is an alternative?

 

[VinceT]

Re: Help Please

I’m wanting to change my pickups in my Fender MIM strat. It is an hss model. Musical interest are something from ZZ Top, Joe Bonamassa, Allman Brothers type sound. I was thinking of doing a JB at the bridge with A JB jr in the neck. Would it be ok to put a JB jr in the middle as well?

I’d also suggest taking a look at the 59/Custom Hybrid in the bridge. I have one in a Starfield T-type and it’s amazing.




Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

 

[Clint 55]

Re: Help Please

They have white JB Jrs. I'd say put a JB Jr in the neck, an ssl2 in the middle, and the 59/Custom in the bridge, that way you can have both.

 

[Mincer]

Re: Help Please

I think a Little 59 in the neck, Classic Strat Stack in the middle, and a Pearly Gates can get you everything you need while being quiet, and suitable for everything up to metal-levels of gain.

 

[ZachRiggs101787]

Re: Help Please

Mincer, I took your advice, but I went ahead a put a duck bucker in the middle. Now the debate is whether or not to have 920d custom do the project and add switched to split the coils and to use the bridge and neck.

 

[Clint 55]

Re: Help Please

Use your 2nd tone as a neck bridge blender to get 7 way switching. Sc sized hbs with screws don't sound that great split.

 

[ZachRiggs101787]

Re: Help Please

So don’t split, just leave it in position 2 or 4 to tie the two together with tone knobs?

 

[Clint 55]

Re: Help Please

Yes and no. Splitting won't be very useful because it won't work with the duckbucker individually, will sound bad with the lil 59 individually, and will introduce hum in positions 1, 2, 4, and 5. Positions 2 and 4 will sound good as is with the outside humbuckers series and the duckbucker parallel. What you could do is use push pull pots to switch the pickups between series and parallel if you want extra sounds.

The purpose of the blender knob is to use a knob instead of a switch to enable bridge and neck position or all 3. When you're in positions 1 and 2 rolling back the blender brings in the neck, and when you're in positions 4 and 5 it brings in the bridge.

 

[GuitarDoc]

Re: Help Please

I don't know what has come over me lately, but I find that I am agreeing with Clint more and more.

Yes, forget about splitting any of those pups, but parallel is a good idea if you want more tonal variety. The blender is also a good idea.

However, I don't think I would split OR parallel the Pearly, it's already a pretty bright pup and either of those options will make it sound even brighter.