HSS Pickups recomendation in Strat. for Jazz, Blues and Rock?

[Xiquet]

Hi guys,

Could someone help me choosing new pickups for my guitar? I have very few knowledge on pickups… and I have read some articles, but with my poor knowledge I’m still confused.

I have a Yamaha Pacifica HSS, I feel that the original pickups have poor sound definition and I would like to improve my sound.

With my band, we usually play Jazz, Funky, Pop, Blues and some Rock.

Due to we play some Jazz and Pop songs, I would say that I need defined clean tones.

Additionally, for Rock songs like “Sweet Home Chicago” or “Old Time Rock&Roll” I would need a good Humbucker with fat tones.


For the Bridge I have thought a Seymour Duncan Seymour Duncan TB-4 WH.

For Middle and Neck…
Seymour Duncan Vintage Staggered SSL-1 in Neck?
Seymour Duncan Vintage Flat SSL-2 in middle position?

Little 59 Strat? (I’m not sure if it is too high for Jazz songs…)

I have read that I should take care about compensation sound regarding diferent pickpus… and I have absolutely no idea.


I would agree your recommendations!

Many thanks!

 

[Chistopher]

Re: HSS Pickups recomendation in Strat. for Jazz, Blues and Rock?

I read the title of your post and I was immediately about to recommend that same set, get the STK-S4 if you want the same thing but noiseless.

One thing I will say, you may not like the JB as is. But you may love it. It's a fairly polarizing pickup. If you find the upper midrange too harsh, put an A2 magnet in it instead of the stock A5.

 

[gregory]

Re: HSS Pickups recomendation in Strat. for Jazz, Blues and Rock?

My recommendation:

bridge: Duncan 59/Custom Hybrid

middle: Duncan STK-S4N or DiMarzio Area 67, depending on what you want. The Duncan is fuller for the middle-only position, Area 67 offers better quack for positions 2 and 4.

neck: DiMarzio Virtual Vintage 54 Pro or Injector Neck, depending on how full you want the neck position to be.

I can offer suggestions/assistance on wiring so all 5 positions are noise free, specifically in reference to position 2 (split bridge + middle). If you go with the STK-S4N in the middle I'd split both it and which ever DiMarzio is being used in the neck in order to get the best quack in position 4. With the Area 67 in the middle no splitting would be required for position 4. If you don't care if position 2 is noiseless, just split the bridge humbucker and leave the middle alone (either the Area 67 or STK-S4N). The brightness of the spit humbucker should get you by.

Using SSL-2s will also work fine, but I think you'll get a better jazz tone with either of the DiMarzios in the neck spot. Between the reduced string pull, body, high-end and feel (especially of the VV 54 Pro), they are better than anything comparable that Duncan has to offer, AFAIC.

 

[Chistopher]

Re: HSS Pickups recomendation in Strat. for Jazz, Blues and Rock?

An STK-S7 in the neck will also offer excellent Jazz tones, but the important thing about getting a good tone for Jazz is choosing the right location on the neck to play as well as effective use of the tone control.

 

[Mincer]

Re: HSS Pickups recomendation in Strat. for Jazz, Blues and Rock?

I'd go for a Little 59 for the neck, a STK-S4 for the middle, and maybe a 59/Custom Hybrid for the bridge. You'd get a good, versatile set that works for all levels of gain, and will be completely noiseless.