HSH Brent Mason Setup - Series/Parallel Middle Pickup Recommendation

[cactus jack]

I'm in the process of building a new HSH style Telecaster. The humbuckers are Suhr Thronbuckers, which will be wired up via Triple Shot rings. For controls, I'm going with Brent Mason's setup. As most know the unique feature of his controls is the independent middle pickup push-pull volume control with series/parallel switching. Between the Triple Shots and the push-pull, there will be tones galore.

Regarding the middle pickup, I'm not sure which model would sound best with the Thornbuckers. I'd say Thornbuckers fall into the vintage PAF zone, but with near single-coil clarity when desired. Of all the humbuckers I've tried, in my opinion, they are right up there with the best. I know DC ratings don't matter but for context, the neck is Alnico V with a rating of 7.3, and the bridge is Alnico IV with a rating of 9.1.

As I want to take advantage of the series/parallel switching I want a single-coil size, 4 wire, humbucker. Ideally, I'd like to approach the Strat 2 and 4 position when paired with the split Thornbuckers, but I certainly don't need era accurate tones. I know Brent uses the STK-S2 in his guitar, but not sure if that would be a good match for full-size humbuckers as he uses a mini-humbucker neck and Tele bridge. I also looked at the STK-S4, but not sure if it can do series/parallel.

Anyway, I'd appreciate any/all insight into middle pickups to try. Since the pickup is wired to its own volume pot it can be blended into the various combinations so I'm not overly concerned with output, but I don't want something so weak that I can't hear it's color in the mix. Thanks for your time, and I appreciate the recommendations.

 

[Teleplayer]

Re: HSH Brent Mason Setup - Series/Parallel Middle Pickup Recommendation

There are two approaches I'd have in mind:
1) SSL-2 neck pickup so that it will cancel hum when paired with the Split coil humbuckers. This will be a bright combination with 500k pots which is ok if you are aiming for Strat-like tones.
2) Duncan Cool Rails neck is likely to pair pretty well with the Neck Thornbucker (both in series humbucker), and provide a brighter but lower output tone when used by itself. With this combination I only recommend master 500k volume and 500k tone, as the cool rails is more of a bluesy humbucker and not truly strat-like. If you pair the Cool-rails middle (series humbucker), with coil-split bridge Thornbucker, you will also have some quack and brightness. If choosing the Cool Rails, I would avoid adding an extra volume control since the resistive loading will dampen out the brightness and it would not be as strat-like.

I have no experience with the STK-S4 "classic stack plus", but its possible that it could work with your original concept in your post (although not suitable for parallel wiring). The extra volume control for the middle pickup is a concern if its going to add additional loading on the Thornbucker pickups when wired as humbuckers. IMO, the Thornbuckers really need to be used with just the 500k master volume and 500k master tone when working as full series humbuckers.

 

[cactus jack]

Re: HSH Brent Mason Setup - Series/Parallel Middle Pickup Recommendation

Thanks for the reply.

I need to do a deep dive on the wiring, but below is an example of the controls. It's my understanding that the Thornbuckers will be wired to the 500K master volume and tone pots. They should have zero interaction with the middle pot, which will also be 500K. The middle pickup is isolated to the middle volume and has no interaction with the other pots. It's essentially always on, and only turned off by turning the volume down. In this case will the Cool Rails and STK-4 still be better by dropping the middle pickup volume pot?

Thanks again, I appreciate your insight.

 

[Teleplayer]

Re: HSH Brent Mason Setup - Series/Parallel Middle Pickup Recommendation

You mentioned the middle pickup is always on and is only turned off (or faded out) by using the volume control. I see in the "best case", the extra volume control would add a 500k parallel load to the other pickup combinations. If you are going to add the extra volume control I think it needs to be switched by the pickup selector or another means. Instead of fitting a Volume control into the middle of the Tele control plate like Brent Mason, I'd personally prefer to install a mini-toggle there, to allow the middle pickup to be either ON or OFF. It would be possible to use a 3-position toggle switch if you want to do something more complicated than just ON or OFF.

The Cool Rails will be 100% fine with two 500k controls and no "middle volume". I have used it as a middle pickup in a HSH setup using Duncan SH-2 Jazz neck, and Suhr SSV+ bridge pickup. If choosing the STK-S4 "Classic stack plus", the only risk is that it may be brighter than intended if you are thinking of using it as a middle pickup alone, when not in combination with the other pickups.

 

[mapletop1]

have a telecaster with a 4 mounting screw mounting bridge.where can i get a bridge with humbuckermade in bridge with 4 hole mount.i think thats a vintage bridge right?