HSS and pot configuration to get that perfect 80s New wave tone

[STLMTLHD79]

Been listening to alot of The Fixx, Device, Tears for Fears and Mr. Mister lately. I am really wanting to cop the tone of those sounds. I know that SSS is probably the way go but i currently dont have a guitar with that configuration.

I have a 1990 HRR Fender Strat (basswood) with a Dimarzio FRED and 2 USA fender single coils in mid/neck tone. It gets close to the tone, but not quite. I have a 500k volume pot on the guitar with 250 tone (including the coil tap push/pull pot).

What IS the perfect pickup and pot configuration to get this tone out of an HSS strat?

 

[Mincer]

Re: HSS and pot configuration to get that perfect 80s New wave tone

I would think the closest would be any vintage-output single coil, paired with a PAF-type pickup. SSL-2s and a '59 would work. That tone has a lot to do with effects and a clean, clear amp, too. Great guitar work on those records.

 

[Adieu]

Re: HSS and pot configuration to get that perfect 80s New wave tone

I think the rest is up to your amp and/or pedals

 

[Tone Meister]

Re: HSS and pot configuration to get that perfect 80s New wave tone

I have a guitar configured for the same tones. I have a pair of AP2s with a TB-11 in the bridge with a 500K volume and 250K tone. I love how the AP2s sound with the 500K pot (bright but full) but the TB-11 is just a tad dark for this particular role in THIS guitar. BTW: It is wired where the humbucker splits to the slug and is in parallel with the middle pickup in position 2, and THAT sounds really good.

I do want a brighter bridge humbucker, however, and am looking at either the custom 5, custom, or the 59 custom hybrid to get that bright humbucker and killer coil split with the middle pu. Otherwise, I think I'm on to something.

 

[Mincer]

Re: HSS and pot configuration to get that perfect 80s New wave tone

I really like the Custom Custom, but if I were combining it with single coils, I'd either swap the magnet out for a ceramic or some type of A5, or go for the Hybrid. The Hybrid is a great pickup to blend with single coils, and is about as close as you can get to a 'do-it-all' humbucker for many styles.

 

[Tone Meister]

Re: HSS and pot configuration to get that perfect 80s New wave tone

The body and neck are made of maple and I thought the warm A2 custom custom would mitigate some of the brightness I expected. Don't get me wrong, the custom custom is a great pu, but for the setup I'm wanting here I want a livlier humbucker that splits great when paired with the AP2 in the middle. I already have the 500K volume pot and love what it does for the AP2s so that isn't the "problem" here.

By changing the TB-11's magnet to an A5 or ceramic wouldn't I effectively be making either a custom or custom 5 or are those winds different?

 

[Mincer]

Re: HSS and pot configuration to get that perfect 80s New wave tone

Yes, Custom is a CC with ceramic, and with an A5, it is a Custom 5.

 

[Tone Meister]

Re: HSS and pot configuration to get that perfect 80s New wave tone

Yes, Custom is a CC with ceramic, and with an A5, it is a Custom 5.

Good info to know going forward. I just dug up a forgotten TB-5 that I had long thought was something else. I will try that first to see if it's a bit brighter/livelier than the custom custom. My only two concerns will be the clean tones and how well it splits and pairs with the AP2 middle pickup.

I am looking toward the TB-14 also but the mid scoop has me a bit hesitant. Anyone want to chime in with some direct experience for a similar scenario?

If the TB-5 doesn't work out, I have the 59/Custom pegged to be the Goldilocks in that spot.

 

[rainsong86]

Re: HSS and pot configuration to get that perfect 80s New wave tone

I can attest that the custom 5 trembucker sounds great in an HSS setup! I don't have any 80's new wave bridge pickup riffs in my head right now besides the choppy delayed verse riffs of "and I rannn" but it can definitely sound like that. And it's not a very high output bridge pup so it'd match your neck and middle choices well

I don't know how it sounds split with the middle pickup. I have mine as still a humbucker in position 2

 

[Tone Meister]

Re: HSS and pot configuration to get that perfect 80s New wave tone

... And it's not a very high output bridge pup so it'd match your neck and middle choices well

I don't know how it sounds split with the middle pickup. I have mine as still a humbucker in position 2

Presumably the split sound would be identical to that of the 59/Custom, or would it? Same coil, same magnet.

 

[Mincer]

Re: HSS and pot configuration to get that perfect 80s New wave tone

^Yeah, it does.

 

[oilpit]

Re: HSS and pot configuration to get that perfect 80s New wave tone

I think a CC would work well since I assume your amps EQ will be pretty high end heavy and the guitar being maple I don’t think the would be too much, and extra output can help with long effects chains (another thing I assume you use for that kind of time, and at the end of the day probably the most important part of that sound)

 

[Tone Meister]

Re: HSS and pot configuration to get that perfect 80s New wave tone

I think a CC would work well since I assume your amps EQ will be pretty high end heavy and the guitar being maple I don’t think the would be too much, and extra output can help with long effects chains (another thing I assume you use for that kind of time, and at the end of the day probably the most important part of that sound)

I have already tried using the CC/AP2/AP2 setup on a couple of shows and the CC is most definitely too dark for what I want from this guitar. I am playing vintage Fender and JCM800 amps which are notoriously bright, so no doubt the pickup is the wrong choice for this configuration

 

[STLMTLHD79]

Re: HSS and pot configuration to get that perfect 80s New wave tone

I have already tried using the CC/AP2/AP2 setup on a couple of shows and the CC is most definitely too dark for what I want from this guitar. I am playing vintage Fender and JCM800 amps which are notoriously bright, so no doubt the pickup is the wrong choice for this configuration

Very cool where this thread has gone. I am sort of surprised that the CC is too dark. Even when split, it doesnt meld well with the AP2? The TB11 was one of my top pics for a split setup.

this raises the question-to get that bright "snap/whap" tone, would A5 single coils do the trick? i was thinking about SSL-1/2 in middle /neck
for the bridge, either a TB14 or Stag mag. 500k Volume, 250k tone. Thoughts?

 

[NegativeEase]

Re: HSS and pot configuration to get that perfect 80s New wave tone

TS, you are taking the wrong approach for New Wave.

getting the New Wave tone starts with your hairdo and the colors (or lack of) in you wardrobe and the blackness in your heart.

hairspray, pleated pants, business loafers or combat boots, pastels and black -these are what truly shape your tone.

pickups have nothing to do with it.

now get back to the mall food court and work on that tone.

 

[Tone Meister]

Re: HSS and pot configuration to get that perfect 80s New wave tone

Very cool where this thread has gone. I am sort of surprised that the CC is too dark. Even when split, it doesnt meld well with the AP2? The TB11 was one of my top pics for a split setup.

this raises the question-to get that bright "snap/whap" tone, would A5 single coils do the trick? i was thinking about SSL-1/2 in middle /neck
for the bridge, either a TB14 or Stag mag. 500k Volume, 250k tone. Thoughts?

Actually the br/m split is quite good with the TB-11/AP2, maybe just a tad darker than I want.

I was thinking earlier today that I should have clarified the details of my guitar. Maple body, rock maple neck, rosewood fretboard, 24.75" scale, Mannmade tremolo, 500K volume, 250 tone.

The CC is a standard in a Strat for good reason, and the 25.5" scale and different body woods could play a big part in that. In this guitar, the CC overpowers the single coil with too much midrange information, which translates into perceived volume. For my tastes, in this guitar, the CC is much too dark. I had removed a 36th in favor of the CC and took things too much in the wrong direction.

I love the AP2 single coils and plan to try a PAF Pro to see if it will produce the frequency response and br/m split I'm looking for. Keep in mind that I am splitting hairs here. The 36th was incredible, but I didn't care for the way it matched with the Dimarzio singles that were paired with it - I am finding out now that I just didn't care for the noiseless Dimarzios in this role. This is a perfect example of getting just the right pickups to match a particular guitar.

I expect the PAF Pro to be just the trick and will report here once I gig with it tonigjt.

 

[Tone Meister]

Re: HSS and pot configuration to get that perfect 80s New wave tone

I had the AP2s on hand which is why I used them. Yes, absolutely if I were starting fresh I'd be using SSL-2 for the single coils. The more I scrutinize the PAF Pro the more optimistic I am that it'll be the right pickup to complete this otherwise excellent setup.

 

[Aceman]

Re: HSS and pot configuration to get that perfect 80s New wave tone

Spent yesterday checking where the Fixx and Berlin are playing....FYI there is a cruise where you can catch both!

You need this:

Plus these:

But, as for the HB....I'm not even gonna get into that discussion. Like having a conversion about how to get that Pantera tone with a Tele.


I've got a whole other suggestion: Get a Duncan Pickup Booster and use the Res switch to sim a Single from a bucker.


No applause - just throw money.....

 

[NegativeEase]

Re: HSS and pot configuration to get that perfect 80s New wave tone

In all seriousness, a lot of the classic New Wave tones are accomplished with breathy crispy lower output high head room pickups -like Filtertrons, DeArmond Single Coils, Vintage Fender Tele and Strat Single Coils etc.

 

[STLMTLHD79]

Re: HSS and pot configuration to get that perfect 80s New wave tone

So...I think i found the perfect guitar to give me the tone i am searching for. It appears to be a late 90s Fender USA Strat Plus Deluxe body, which has the Fender lace pickups and the somewhat oddball Fender mini floyd rose. I think its a parts caster, because the neck has a 2000 serial number and no roller nut/locking tuners. Probably a parts caster but i got it pretty cheap (money down at the moment-in colorado you have to wait a month to make sure its not a hot guitar). It needs a minor fret level/crown job and setup then it will be set!

Now time to get a good chorus and compressor pedal. i will keep you posted after i get the guitar.