HSS Strat Pickup Combining Help

[Zeus Mutation]

Hello,

I spent about 45 minutes typing a complete post... only to find I was logged out and the page was lost. My apologies if this is short and lacking some info to best assist me.

I need assistance to better understand combining pickups. I want to replace whats in my guitar... and yet, now I wonder if I have the wrong one to start with?

American Fender Stratocaster HSS configuration w/N3 Fender pups.

This started over the bridge... before I had an understanding that bridge tone isnt my thing... issue one is replace that. Second is the middle ... it sounds lifeless. Maybe middle isnt supposed to have any character? Neck, I guess this is the Strat sound... cuz it warm, full, and sounds really good.

Because this is the nicest guitar I've ever owned... I'm trying to find a reason to keep it.

I play a 2017 Epiphone LP Custom Pro - I love the tones. My initial thought was to make my Fender sound as warm and full as my Epi... but now know mahogany is a difference maker. Still, do I get rid of this beautifully crafted and acoutically amazing guitar or find the best pickups for me and play the crap outta it?

I'm having trouble understanding the difference between the neck & middle pickups... the descriptions arent exactly cohesive. YJM Fury by example is sold as a set or individually... it states neck but description says best for middle... so... I'm overthinking & confused.

My Strat
S-1 Volume Pot - This places pickups into Series or Parallel
5 Position Blade Switch

In Parallel:
1=Neck
2=Neck & Middle
3=Middle
4=Middle & Bridge
5=Bridge

In Series:
1=Neck(Parallel) - Middle(Series) - Bridge(Out of Phase)
2=Neck & Bridge Out of Phase
3=Neck & Middle
4=Middle & Bridge
5=Neck, Middle, Bridge

and of course the bypass lane button... bypassing volume & tone giving full bridge pickup.

After using the SD website sound files I've narrowed down a few. Asking if I'm overlooking critical info or how the tech functions? Do these combine well or have I missed something obviouse?

Neck:
YJM Fury STK-10n
Custom Stack Strat Plus STK-S6

Middle:
Cool Rails SCR-1n
Red Devil - Billy Gibbons model

Bridge:
Duncan Custom SH-5
Invader SH-8b


I've found that clean I like the perception of clarity and headroom from an option like the Vintage Staggard SSL-1. Which sound significantly nicer than say the Hot Rails do... but, distorted the HR sound better than the Vintage... expected yet, how do I find compatibility?

Do I look for a humbucker in the middle position to be closer to that LP sound or just go with two single coils that sound great... do I ditch this guitar and get a telecaster. lol Arggg...

Thank you for reading! I'll greratly appreciate any advice given...

 

[Zeus Mutation]

Re: HSS Strat Pickup Combining Help

Oh.. I usually play Tool, Queen of the Stone Age, and Sublime...

 

[Teleplayer]

Re: HSS Strat Pickup Combining Help

The Duncan Stacked humbuckers you mentioned for the neck position will be much warmer sounding than the N3 you have at the moment. So I'd suggest a Stk-S4 for vintage tones, or possibly stk-S7 vintage hot if you change the controls to 500k. The Stk-S6 is a hotter pickup that is more commonly used in the bridge position. The SCR-1n is also an interesting option for a versatile tone from the middle position.

For the bridge position I'm not really sure what you are looking for. The Tool and Queen of stone age tones that I know seem reasonably bright to me. I thought that a sh-14 or sh-16 may be possible options as well as the sh-5.

 

[Mincer]

Re: HSS Strat Pickup Combining Help

I agree on the STK-S4 instead of the S7. The Fury is a good choice too, especially with Marshall-type distortion. You don't seem to be using for Marshall distortion, though- Tool is much heavier. But you would get the clean sound. If you want the Tool thing, a Hot Rails neck is a good choice. For the middle, a Cool Rails is a good choice, but you will lose any sort of Fender-ness 'quack'. If you want to keep it, I'd suggest that Classic Stack in the neck and middle and leave the bridge Custom for the super distorted parts. You will get a really cool, versatile guitar.

 

[Zeus Mutation]

Re: HSS Strat Pickup Combining Help

Hi,

Thank you for the feedback... I'll definitly revisit and see what tickles my fancy.

I know Troy Van Leeuwen (qotsa) uses an Invader at his bridge.

Anyone have experience with the YJM? I like the idea of pairing a YJM with a Classic Stack ... certainly no idea which configuartion works best Classic Stack Neck & YJM Middle??

 

[Mincer]

Re: HSS Strat Pickup Combining Help

The YJM is great for Marshal Plexi levels of gain, and clean country twangy stuff. I like the Classic Stack a little better, but it is really up to you.

 

[Zeus Mutation]

Re: HSS Strat Pickup Combining Help

I purchased:

Neck
Classic Stack Plus Strat - STK-S4n

Middle
Cool Rails - SCR-1n

Bridge
Duncan Custom - SH-5

Thanks again!

 

[Mincer]

Re: HSS Strat Pickup Combining Help

Let us know how it works out!

 

[Teleplayer]

Re: HSS Strat Pickup Combining Help

I just want to add a comment about the wiring for this setup. It may be possible to keep the stock controls. However for a brighter tone you could consider changing the tone controls to 500k.

The recent Fender USA HSS strats with the Shawbucker bridge pickup include a dual gang 250k/500k volume control. If that's the case in your guitar, you can probably leave the stock tone control for the bridge pickup and only change the tone control for the neck pickup if desired.

 

[yerkool]

Re: HSS Strat Pickup Combining Help

Are you playing in a band? and if you are, then what style does the band do,metal pop rock, blues rock etc.. what kind of wood body is your strat? and what kind of neck wood is it?

 

[Zeus Mutation]

Re: HSS Strat Pickup Combining Help

Hey,

Thanks for contributing!

I'm looking at complete new electronics in the 'loaded' pickguard sense. Keeping the original intact, creating a new one with the goodies. That said, I'm actually reseraching wiring options. Current S1 serries/parallel and such... 'passing lane' button for the humbucker. So, nothing is solid yet. Wont have all parts until 1/2/19 anyways.

I do play in a band... as the drummer. lol. I'm also a bassist in a small ensemble. The guitar is all personal and just for my own attempt at writting stuff.

The guitar is American Deluxe, today's Elite line. Maple/Maple w/Adler body in three color sunburst.

 

[Zeus Mutation]

Re: HSS Strat Pickup Combining Help

A quick update...

Everything wired and setup. Went with a basic setup over what came stock... The pickups are perfect, however I ended up choosing the combo, it's worked out better than expected! The guitar sounds beautiful... evenyone has been impressed with the clarity and tone accross the board. Significant upgrade, I finally like this guitar. I had to do a little something to make it mine, hense the red pup.

I thank everyone who helped me get this project completed.

 

[Gtrjunior]

Re: HSS Strat Pickup Combining Help

Much better with the black guard.

 

[Mincer]

Re: HSS Strat Pickup Combining Help

Wow, congrats on a very unique looking (and sounding) guitar! I am happy this project worked out!

 

[Teleplayer]

Re: HSS Strat Pickup Combining Help

Nice one. Is it all 500k controls?

 

[vel0c1ty]

Re: HSS Strat Pickup Combining Help

The Classic Stack and Cool Rails is an amazing combo. Position 4 is killer.

Sent from my LG-TP260 using Tapatalk

 

[Mincer]

Re: HSS Strat Pickup Combining Help

The Classic Stack and Cool Rails is an amazing combo. Position 4 is killer.

Sent from my LG-TP260 using Tapatalk

You know, they really are great together.

 

[Adieu]

Re: HSS Strat Pickup Combining Help

N3 are sad booring pickups, lose all character in the name of noiselessness...

Imho you neee to try something balanced and classic first before going down the mix things up route. Two good true singles (I like Fender CS69's, ymmv) and a popular familiar sounding bucker - so PAF-type for milder tones (PG, '59, 36th, PAF Pro, etc.), or JB / DD / SD for hotter genres


Oh well too late I guess.

 

[Gtrjunior]

Re: HSS Strat Pickup Combining Help

N3 are sad booring pickups, loose all character in the name of noiselessness...

Imho you neee to try something balanced and classic first before going down the mix things up route. Two good true singles (I like Fender CS69's, ymmv) and a popular familiar sounding bucker - so PAF-type for milder tones (PG, '59, 36th, PAF Pro, etc.), or JB / DD / SD for hotter genres


Oh well too late I guess.

The noiseless design are a tricky proposition.
On one hand the fact that they are noiseless is fantastic. But I’ve yet to hear a noiseless pickup that has the same liveliness and character as a true single coil.