I've got a MIM Strat from 2001 - 2002 era. Fender Texas Special pups in the neck and middle, currently a Dimebucker in the bridge. I hate the Dimebucker. Shrill, icepicky, and thin. Did I mention that I hate it ? Anyway, it's got to go. I've got a Custom in another guitar that I love. I was thinking maybe a Custom 5, or a 59 / Custom hybrid for the Strat. What do you think ?
HSS Strat
- Thread starter RB522
- Start date
eclecticsynergy
Well-known member
For a precise player, the Perpetual Burn is super responsive, a wonderful pickup.
Custom Custom is great in Strat types too - smoother, looser and more forgiving.
If you want fat low mids and rich tone even high up the neck, DiMarzio AT-1 is worth considering too.
Maybe not the best choice for a midrangey guitar, but a very nice contrast to singlecoils.
Custom Custom is great in Strat types too - smoother, looser and more forgiving.
If you want fat low mids and rich tone even high up the neck, DiMarzio AT-1 is worth considering too.
Maybe not the best choice for a midrangey guitar, but a very nice contrast to singlecoils.
Robbiedbee
New member
I can't find anything to beat the DiMarzio Super Distortion for that application. But that's just to my ears. I don't have experience with the Duncan Custom, so given that you like it, that should definitely be your starting point.
ThreeChordWonder
New member
Benjy_26
25's Nemesis
Agreed. I have a PG Trembucker with a pair of Tex Mex singles in the neck and mid. I have it set up to auto-split in position 4. It blends very well with the singles and gets along great with 250k pots.
Yes, balance is important. The pickups must play well together without having any Jeckel / Hyde moments. I need to go from Blues to classic rock to old school metal. And whatever curveball the band is going to throw at me........
ThreeChordWonder
New member
The other thing is if you go with the 59/Custom Hybrid is that it coil splits very nicely.
My favorite is to auto coil split in P2, leaving the humbucker north (slugs) coil active. As a bonus, and as regular SD single coils are usually "souths", you'll benefit from hum canceling in P2. (If you're just replacing the bridge and keeping the Fender single coils, coil split in favor of the south (screws) coil instead, as Fender single coils are "norths".)
More on that, if you need it, later.
My favorite is to auto coil split in P2, leaving the humbucker north (slugs) coil active. As a bonus, and as regular SD single coils are usually "souths", you'll benefit from hum canceling in P2. (If you're just replacing the bridge and keeping the Fender single coils, coil split in favor of the south (screws) coil instead, as Fender single coils are "norths".)
More on that, if you need it, later.
Ashurbanipal
Well-known member
ThreeChordWonder
New member
Oh. Church music.
Pearly Gates then
Did I mention the last time I went inside a Church The Big Fella sent down a lightning bolt and zapped the elastic in my undercrackers?
Pearly Gates then
Did I mention the last time I went inside a Church The Big Fella sent down a lightning bolt and zapped the elastic in my undercrackers?
59/Custom Hybrid for me too. Paired mine with STK-S4 Stacks in the neck and middle positions.
This is a super flexible arrangement and the best part is that it sounds like a Strat on every switch position.
FWIW, I have an HH Strat too. That one has a Custom Custom bridge and a Pearly Gates neck. The CC is absolutely incredible for that spot and it is a perfect match/complement to the PG.
This is a super flexible arrangement and the best part is that it sounds like a Strat on every switch position.
FWIW, I have an HH Strat too. That one has a Custom Custom bridge and a Pearly Gates neck. The CC is absolutely incredible for that spot and it is a perfect match/complement to the PG.
spartandawg2004
New member
My vote is for the JB. One of the best sounding bridge pickups I've ever heard. Sounds good both clean and dirty. Very articulate.
The issue with a JB is that the volume is really a lot more than any single coil pickups.
ThreeChordWonder
New member
PS there are still a few trembucker versions of these SDs floating about on reverb, eBay, etc.
Shop around.
Shop around.
Aceman
I am your doctor of love!
As much as I like the Pearly Gates and think you should get that...given this, I have to say: Just get a 59 and call it a day.
Blues? What do you think old Gibson Blues players played?
Classic Rock? Like putting a Gibson 59 in a Strat?
Metal? You souped up scooped miss metal?
And be not-too-hot for Tejas Specials? Which are not hot at all compared to any hum bucker?
I am assuming that you are getting your cleans/slight grit/ Overdrive/Distortion from say the amp/TS9/Blues Driver/Rat etc...and that there is no need for the pup to punch an amp in the tubes.
Just get a 59 and a couple of righteously set pedals. Good to go.
Benjy_26
25's Nemesis
Not putting a Texas blues humbucker with a pair of Texas blues singles would be a sin and you know it.
Aceman
I am your doctor of love!
OK - FINE!!!!
You want to be that way? Let me tell you what I really think. I have a Pearly Gates Plus in my Lone Star Strat and everyone else should too!
There. Happy?
