HSS Strat

[Benjy_26]

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?

Yes. Quite satisfied.

FWIW, I have a PG+ in a HS strat and a normal PG in a HSS. Both sound great for pretty much everything you'd use a strat for.

 

[ErikH]

My vote would be for the Whole Lotta Humbucker or the Screamin Demon.

 

[beaubrummels]

I'll throw out one more odd suggestion, because I'm using it right now in my Jackson, you could also try a StagMag in the bridge. Same heat as a Custom, sounds something like a Distortion (or maybe Distortion neck in the bridge) in series coils, sounds like a Tele with parallel coils and sounds like a Strat split to single coil. No bad positions, plays well with all singles. If you are really really sensitive to string balance, then you'll want to either adjust the poles or get the custom shop to make an old "The Mag" which is flat poles.

 

[Benjy_26]

I'll throw out one more odd suggestion, because I'm using it right now in my Jackson, you could also try a StagMag in the bridge. Same heat as a Custom, sounds something like a Distortion (or maybe Distortion neck in the bridge) in series coils, sounds like a Tele with parallel coils and sounds like a Strat split to single coil. No bad positions, plays well with all singles. If you are really really sensitive to string balance, then you'll want to either adjust the poles or get the custom shop to make an old "The Mag" which is flat poles.

I wonder how The Mag or the Stag Mag compares to Rio Grande's Muy Grande.

I had it in a Mexi strat for a while. Thick and kinda dark in series, but nice and quacky when used in an auto-split configuration when combined with the middle pickup.

It matched the output and character of the old Mexi ceramics quite well.

 

[beaubrummels]

I wonder how The Mag or the Stag Mag compares to Rio Grande's Muy Grande.

I had it in a Mexi strat for a while. Thick and kinda dark in series, but nice and quacky when used in an auto-split configuration when combined with the middle pickup.

It matched the output and character of the old Mexi ceramics quite well.

The StagMag is definitely not dark. I have it wired to a 5-way to do no-tone, tone, parallel coil, split to bridge side, split to neck side. Every position is unique and useful. I actually prefer it with a tone to tame the high end, but occasionally straight out without a tone is useful for pinch harmonics and some chunk/chug little bit of finger noise.

Also, the StagMag is A2 poles, The Mag is A5 poles.

 

[RB522]

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.

I just happen to have both a Rat and a Tube Screamer !

 

[Aceman]

I just happen to have both a Rat and a Tube Screamer !

The you will just happen to do just fine with a 59.

Or a PG. Or a PG+

 

[RB522]

The you will just happen to do just fine with a 59.

Or a PG. Or a PG+

Ok, I'm not seeing a PG+ in the line up. Is that a Custom shop offering ?

 

[Mincer]

Ok, I'm not seeing a PG+ in the line up. Is that a Custom shop offering ?

The PG+ was a pickup available as an OEM part in Fender Lonestar Strats. It was like a PG, but slightly hotter, and an A5 instead of an A2 magnet. It was wound to be in phase with current Fender pickups, unlike normal aftermarket SDs. You can buy them used if you search, but the only other option is the Custom Shop.