HS-3 - True Strat sound?

[Kermit]

I can't seem to decide what kind of pickups I want in my 60's Strat. I know a guitarist who played with the HS-3 in bridge position, and it's his sound I'm trying to replicate. I'm just not sure if the HS-3 has that right strat sound. Can anybody tell me if it still sounds like a Strat with an HS-3 in bridge?

Oh, and what would you recommend for using in middle and neck position? The obvious choice would be the YJM, but I'm not sure I want to go down that road although it's the common choice.

I play rock ala Foo Fighters, AC/DC and Pearl Jam

 

[Benjy_26]

Re: HS-3 - True Strat sound?

The HS-3 sounds weak, flat, and lifeless, IMHO.

If you want a noiseless set from Dimarzio, I'd go with a Virtual Vintage Solo, a VV 54, and a VV Blues. I had that set in my 62 RI and it sounded great clean or driven.

 

[Inge Malmstein]

Re: HS-3 - True Strat sound?

Hm, the HS-3 doesn't sound so bad. It still sounds stratty, it still is bright, but the highs are rounded and it has less twang. Compared to other single-coils the HS-3 is weaker. It is more suited with a lot of gain if you still want to have a glassy, but not shrill strat pickup.

 

[Kermit]

Re: HS-3 - True Strat sound?

What would be the SD equivalent for the HS-3?? The SSL-3 hot? Soundwise, I know the SSL-3 isn't humcancelling.

 

[Zerberus]

Re: HS-3 - True Strat sound?

The HS-3 sounds about as much like a TRUE strat single coil as a PAF

Seriously, you´ll NEVER get perfect Single coil tone from a Noiseless pickup... but pickups like the New Duncan Stack Plus (should be shipping to dealers as we speak) are about as close as it gets

 

[Kermit]

Re: HS-3 - True Strat sound?

I ended up going home with an Antiguity Texas Hot for the neck an an SSL-3 Hot for the bridge

 

[Inge Malmstein]

Re: HS-3 - True Strat sound?

What would be the SD equivalent for the HS-3?? The SSL-3 hot? Soundwise, I know the SSL-3 isn't humcancelling.

The SSL-3 isn't only humcancelling, it even is the opposite of the HS-3! The HS-3 has low output - The SSL3 is named "hot" (and not "cool" or "low") and very middy.