HSH middle pickup advice for Charvel?

[PanterA571]

Hey everyone, I'm looking for a little bit of advice. I've had my new MIM Charvel So-Cal for about a month now, and the other day I was very pleased to find an HSH route in the body under the pickguard. It has a pair of Duncan Distortions already, and I'm loving them, now I'm looking for a middle single coil to add in there. I've had my eye on the SSL-6, but I'm open to other ideas. Something that will sound decent as a single and keep up output-wise, but I'm changing to a 5 way switch and maximum Strat-like quack from positions 2 and 4 are what I've been missing the most. This is my first post here on the forum, but I've been following advice on here for years, so I know I'll come away with a few good ideas. Any help is appreciated!

 

[IMENATOR]

Re: HSH middle pickup advice for Charvel?

Dude, I ordered my SoCal in December and can't wait for it (should arrive end of march), thanks for confirming the route! I was thiking on changing it to HSH myself, I haven't tried Distortion bridge but I know it is even louder than JB (which can live fine with an SSL-5 or even SSL-1 in the middle) so I was thinking myself to try something louder like a Duckbucker or a Vintage Rails. Here I found a super duper demo with Vintage Rails neck and middle, I was surprised to hear how good VRails sound

Honestly i already have an SSL-1 and SSL-5 (no RWRP needed if using inner coils from HBs when spilt) and I am gonna try those first but if not loud enough to match the Distortions then I may try the vintage rail.

Let us know which one worked for you.

 

[Brian Griffin]

Re: HSH middle pickup advice for Charvel?

I have a Vintage Rails in the middle, and Hot Rails in the bridge, but when in position 2, the sound leans more toward a humbucker with the mighty power toned down, than a single coil.

I also have an INF3/INF4 combo (Ibanez stock pickup) in another guitar, and the sound on position 2 (in clean) is definitely Stratty, which is not most people would expect from stock pickups.

 

[darthphineas]

Re: HSH middle pickup advice for Charvel?

the Vintage Rail is pretty low output and I always found it to be overpowered by a JB in the bridge. I've gone with the STK-S4 model, which still gives me a classic single coil tone while being noise cancelling and it's loud enough to not be totally ran over by louder pickups in the same guitar.

 

[PanterA571]

Re: HSH middle pickup advice for Charvel?

Those Vintage Rails do sound pretty nice, I hadn't even looked at them. My only concern is that I went a little overboard drawing up a scheme with a Super Switch and a DPDT toggle, and I don't know if I have enough terminals left anywhere for another humbucker. It's true about the Distortions, the output is very high, I think louder than the EMG 81/85 combo I have in another guitar. I originally looked at the SSL-3 and the a Quarter Pounders, but I'm thinking that might be overkill and not have the real single coil vibe anymore. I have plenty of experience with JBs though, maybe if the SSL1s and 5s can keep up there, then I can sneak them in here as well.

 

[Scott Olson]

Re: HSH middle pickup advice for Charvel?

Normally just for balance I'd say the Hot Stack but if you really want to find a balance and keep more of that 'quack' the SSL-6 should be a fine choice.

 

[jeremy]

Re: HSH middle pickup advice for Charvel?

to get the most quack, split the coils on the distortions when used with the middle single coil

 

[IMENATOR]

Re: HSH middle pickup advice for Charvel?

I had forgot myself about ssl-3 or the quarter pound, interesting.

Enviado desde mi XT1032 mediante Tapatalk

 

[PanterA571]

Re: HSH middle pickup advice for Charvel?

Alright, an SSL-6, switch, pickguard, and some odds and ends have been ordered. We'll see how it turns out!