Hot pickups in middle??

[lsms]

Hey guys quick question.
So I've been really thinking about putting a hot rail, hot stack etc in the middle position in a HSH strat, but everyone I've said this to has not recommended it.
Why?
I understand that in the middle position, thee is less disparity between each rail as there would be in the bridge (which is where it is typically put) and I'm sure that has a lot in the tone. But I've always loved the way they sound in the middle, ???
Or is it's because it'd be between 2 'hotter' humbuckers?

Oh and a quick recommendation. Which Seymour Duncan single coil would be closest to a texas special? I would love to just put one of those in there, but it would probably be hard to find one not in a set. Thanks everyone!

Also has anyone heard of those mid boost tone pots? They sound pretty neat
http://www.musiciansfriend.com/accessories/fender-pre-amp-mid-boost-kit-25-db

 

[Silence Kid]

Re: Hot pickups in middle??

If you're fine with any volume differences between pickups, just do it.

 

[jeremy]

Re: Hot pickups in middle??

theres no reason you cant put a hot rails or hot stack in the middle, you wont get the typical strat quack in pos 2 & 4 but that isnt necessarily a bad thing.

the fender clapton boost is cool. i have one in a strat with some duncan stack plus pups but ive used it with plenty of other pups as well. there are actually two boosts in that unit. an always on preamp boost and the adjustable mid boost. watch any modern clapton show on youtube and you can see what it does

 

[gregory]

Re: Hot pickups in middle??

I'm pretty sure you were being discouraged from using a side-by-side humbucker* in the middle position. The output level had nothing to do with it.

FWIW, I like having a humbucker in the middle position (but not for every guitar with a spot for a middle pickup), so I'm also curious why anyone might be so dead-set against it.

(*) Vintage Rails or Duckbucker being the obvious exception.

 

[Adieu]

Re: Hot pickups in middle??

Hey guys quick question.
So I've been really thinking about putting a hot rail, hot stack etc in the middle position in a HSH strat, but everyone I've said this to has not recommended it.
Why?
I understand that in the middle position, thee is less disparity between each rail as there would be in the bridge (which is where it is typically put) and I'm sure that has a lot in the tone. But I've always loved the way they sound in the middle, ???
Or is it's because it'd be between 2 'hotter' humbuckers?

Oh and a quick recommendation. Which Seymour Duncan single coil would be closest to a texas special? I would love to just put one of those in there, but it would probably be hard to find one not in a set. Thanks everyone!

Also has anyone heard of those mid boost tone pots? They sound pretty neat
http://www.musiciansfriend.com/accessories/fender-pre-amp-mid-boost-kit-25-db

Actually, ONE fender CS single coil is usually pretty easy to find.

Plenty of people with stock or upgraded Texas Specials, CS69's, etc. end up installing a bridge hotrail, stacked bucker, or switching to HSS on swimming pool routs.

 

[eclecticsynergy]

Re: Hot pickups in middle??

I've had a QuarterPound Strat pickup in middle position on one of my Floydcasters for more than 35 years. It doesn't quack much in positions 2 & 4 (I think partly because the two humbuckers aren't wired for autosplit, just plain old 5-way Strat wiring). But it balances really well with the humbuckers level-wise and still has nice singlecoil attack when used on its own.

 

[The JEM Ghost]

Re: Hot pickups in middle??

you wont get the typical strat quack in pos 2 & 4

That's the main reason I would not use a real hot single sized pickup in the middle position, I never use the middle pickup by itself and really like the Strat-style quack in position 2 and 4. But if you are not after that sound in position 2 and 4 and you like the sound of a really hot pickup in the middle position, there is no reason not to put one in. Just don't combine it with a lower output (lower in output than the middle pickup that is) pickup at the bridge to keep the output balanced.

 

[treyhaislip]

Re: Hot pickups in middle??

theres no reason you cant put a hot rails or hot stack in the middle, you wont get the typical strat quack in pos 2 & 4 but that isnt necessarily a bad thing.

This.

I've used hot rails along with other humbuckers in the middle position before with great results.

 

[gregory]

Re: Hot pickups in middle??

The Dave Murray set (HRb, JB Jr. Bridge, HRn) is pretty sweet, though there's no resemblance to a traditional Strat. While maybe not as hot as a HR, the JB Jr. is still pretty hot.

 

[Mincer]

Re: Hot pickups in middle??

I think there is no reason not to try it if you have the pickups. Otherwise, we have to know our expectations. Hot pickups in the middle (or neck) won't really sound Stratty at all, and those quacky sounds are more or less gone. But hey, Dave Murray doesn't need or use those sounds, and he does pretty well, so it all depends on the application.