Humbucker for Alder Strat

[thompson182uk]

Hi folks,
I’m looking for a great rock sounding humbucker to put in my Strat.
Something good for modern hardcore punk and post-hardcore, such as power cords, low riffs, and the occasional drop D tuning etc…

I have a MIM Fender Lonestar Strat. This has a HSS configuration with a Seymour Duncan Pearly Gates Plus humbucker in the bridge position.
The PG+ is not quite cutting it for me, so I’m looking for something with more punch and drive, to suit my musical tastes.

I was originally inspired by Simon Neil of Biffy Clyro, he has an American Special HSS Strat, which has the Fender Atomic Humbucker bridge pickup.
I’ve read the PG+ and the Atomic Humbucker both have Alnico 5 magnets, but the DC resistance of the PG+ is 8.65k vs 16.4k for the Atomic Humbucker. So this makes sense why I’m not 100% satisfied with the sound of the PG+.

I’ve been tempted by SH-4 JB or the SH-5 Custom, the SH-6 Distortion leans too much towards a metal sound for me.
I want the humbucker to sit nicely with the 2x single coil Texas Specials, it is a Strat after all and I’m looking for heavy rock guitar over a metal one.

The Lonestar is made of alder with a tinted maple neck and rosewood fingerboard.

The problem I have is that I’ve read the JB is too inconsistent and picky with the wood it’s in.
I am concerned the JB could be too bright, thin or shrill, based on other posters comments of putting it in an alder Strat.
However, I think the Lonestar pots are 250k, so maybe this will help.

I also read the JB is best when pushed, such as in live set up cutting through the mix of a band.
I am a bedroom player with a Hughes & Kettner TubeMeister 18 combo, I have this turned down to 5 watts, so maybe the JB is not right for me.

I love the idea of getting the character the of JB but I’m concerned I won’t get that in a softer wood like alder.
I know the Custom can be punchy and drive but does it have the JB’s character? Which concerns me the Custom could be too bland in comparison.

Can you guys help me decide once of for all… will the JB give me what I need in an Alder Strat, maybe a Custom is a safer bet, or should I look for something else completely?

Thank you in advance.

 

[TVFV]

Re: Humbucker for Alder Strat

A JB will work fine.

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[SweetClyde99]

Re: Humbucker for Alder Strat

The PATB1 is the most satisfied I’ve been with my Strat so far.

 

[BeKindRewind]

Re: Humbucker for Alder Strat

I have an alder fender Strat , HH, with the JB / Jazz combo. 500k pots. The JB sounds phenomenal in that guitar. Both dirty and clean, no problems at all in my experience. Packs a hell of a punch if it needs to and has a really organic woody tone to my ears. Make sure you set the height correctly that's all.

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[ErikH]

Re: Humbucker for Alder Strat

The JB will work fine as mentioned, even with 250K pots. I actually like it better with 250K pots although I don't use the JB at all anymore, but last time I did 250K worked better for me.

 

[Mincer]

Re: Humbucker for Alder Strat

It looks like the JB would do it, and another choice might be the 59/Custom Hybrid. Keep in mind that SD's and Fender's pickups are generally out of phase, so you would have to flip the hot and ground wire on any SD humbucker.

 

[LonePhantom]

Re: Humbucker for Alder Strat

I love the DiMarzio Tone Zone for that, and I play punk/hardcore/metal on stage. I swapped out the filister screws for hex head and tightened up the low end just a little more too, raise the pole pieces slightly. fantastic tone.

 

[STLMTLHD79]

Re: Humbucker for Alder Strat

I have a JB in a strat and its great! I also DO like the PG+ quite a bit for non-heavy stuff. IT does great for classic rock and cleans up nicely IMO. Other very good Alder body strat pickups I have had experience with are Custom Custom, Screamin' Demon (250k pots), and Dimarzio FRED (500k pots)

 

[thompson182uk]

Re: Humbucker for Alder Strat

Keep in mind that SD's and Fender's pickups are generally out of phase, so you would have to flip the hot and ground wire on any SD humbucker.

Thanks for the info. It's my first time trying anything like this, so I'm a bit of a novice.

Could you please explain "out of phase" and "flip the hot and ground"?

The Lonestar has a Seymour Duncan already in, so I can just swap like for like right?

Thanks

 

[GuitarStv]

Re: Humbucker for Alder Strat

A Tone Zone works great in an Alder strat at the bridge. Does the whole rock -> metal gamut pretty well.

 

[Big Mike Blues]

Re: Humbucker for Alder Strat

JB should work great.

 

[Mincer]

Re: Humbucker for Alder Strat

Thanks for the info. It's my first time trying anything like this, so I'm a bit of a novice.

Could you please explain "out of phase" and "flip the hot and ground"?

The Lonestar has a Seymour Duncan already in, so I can just swap like for like right?

Thanks

All it means is that you have to flip 2 wires on the SD: black goes to ground (back of pot), and green goes to the switch.

 

[thompson182uk]

Re: Humbucker for Alder Strat

All it means is that you have to flip 2 wires on the SD: black goes to ground (back of pot), and green goes to the switch.

Thank you for the info. This makes sense to me!
I’ve watched videos the other way around so would’ve totally got this wrong. I’m hoping to just follow the wiring from the SD on there already

 

[Dave Locher]

Re: Humbucker for Alder Strat

Why two threads asking the same question?
JB should sound great, Custom also would work, Dimarzio Tone Zone or Super Distortion. For the Turnstyle tone you mentioned in your other thread the Invader could also work well.
I think the JB might fit better with the neck & middle pickups you have but really any of these options can do wonders.
If you have never changed pickups before prepare to be amazed by ANY of those choices. A nice powerful bridge humbucker is a revelation for playing hard/heavy music.

 

[thompson182uk]

Re: Humbucker for Alder Strat

Why two threads asking the same questioning?
JB should sound great, Custom also would work, Dimarzio Tone Zone or Super Distortion. For the Turnstyle tone you mentioned in your other thread the Invader could also work well.
I think the JB might fit better with the neck & middle pickups you have but really any of these options can do wonders.
If you have never changed pickups before prepare to be amazed by ANY of those choices. A nice powerful bridge humbucker is a revelation for playing hard/heavy music.

Thanks Dave. I wanted to asked the same question but without an influence from myself as to what suggestions. Thanks to you guys I’ve bought a JB and will be installing it today!