Lefty HSS Soloist pickup suggestions(think maiden or twin guitar leads)

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MadaxeMatt

New member
Hey guys new to the forums been using this site for a while tho. Looking to upgrade my lefty soloist from the "duncan design" to something a little more legit. I have a spare dimebucker i was gonna slap in the bridge not sure if its the right move but saves me some money to put into the single coils middle and neck was thinking a JB jr for the middle(à la dave murray) or texas special (adrian) and maybe hot rails for the neck (1b or 1n?) Wondering if that will all jive on a 1vol 1 tone 250ks (should i use 500k?) and if any alternative suggestions im open to them trying to go with the rails theme but not married to the idea either thank you
 
Re: Lefty HSS Soloist pickup suggestions(think maiden or twin guitar leads)

DiMarzio Super Distortion

Hot Rails for the neck.

Middle does not matter, but I'd probably go with a DiMarzio Chopper.
 
Re: Lefty HSS Soloist pickup suggestions(think maiden or twin guitar leads)

Yeah super d for sure im gonna see how the dimebucker sounds in the bridge first cause i have no other use for it atm but im sure the super d is closer to what im looking for. The chopper is cheaper than the jb jr and easier for me to aquire atm (im a remote canadian lol) hows it sound? Can i use a brige hotrails for the neck, not that i want too but the neck models sold out nearby. Im assuming the brige model will be too aggressive. Anyone have experience with the super d S(single coil version) thanks
 
Re: Lefty HSS Soloist pickup suggestions(think maiden or twin guitar leads)

gregory said:
DiMarzio Super Distortion

Hot Rails for the neck.

Middle does not matter, but I'd probably go with a DiMarzio Chopper.
Click to expand...

exactly what i was thinking, except i dont give a **** about middle pickups lol
 
Re: Lefty HSS Soloist pickup suggestions(think maiden or twin guitar leads)

MadaxeMatt said:
Yeah super d for sure im gonna see how the dimebucker sounds in the bridge first cause i have no other use for it atm but im sure the super d is closer to what im looking for. The chopper is cheaper than the jb jr and easier for me to aquire atm (im a remote canadian lol) hows it sound? Can i use a brige hotrails for the neck, not that i want too but the neck models sold out nearby. Im assuming the brige model will be too aggressive. Anyone have experience with the super d S(single coil version) thanks
Click to expand...
The Chopper is like a cross between a single coil and a humbucker. It is powerful and fairly bright with a focused midrange and lean bottom end.

If you can't get a Hot Rails Neck then go for a Cool Rails bridge. Air Norton S would be good too. The Fast Track 2 is a flame thrower in the neck position; probably hotter than what you're looking for.
 
Re: Lefty HSS Soloist pickup suggestions(think maiden or twin guitar leads)

dxlxntxxlxr said:
exactly what i was thinking, except i dont give a **** about middle pickups lol
Click to expand...

Haha i dont think iv ever really used my stock middle either just being thorough lol this maybe a question for a different thread but are my stock pots good enough to accomodate or should i invest in some better pots (suggestions?)
 
Re: Lefty HSS Soloist pickup suggestions(think maiden or twin guitar leads)

gregory said:
I'd go with 500k pots.
Click to expand...

Thanks for the tips man ,ill check out those pickups as well, cool rails bridge in the neck interesting .... lol what styles would the "flamethrowers" be best suited for just curious lol
 
Re: Lefty HSS Soloist pickup suggestions(think maiden or twin guitar leads)

Just as a side note, the Dave Murray pickguard has a JB Jr with 2 Hot Rails on either side. I know you have an HSS, but this will get you the 2 SS positions. Honestly for more Maiden-y kind of sounds, I dig the Custom Custom.
 
Re: Lefty HSS Soloist pickup suggestions(think maiden or twin guitar leads)

Classic Maiden is Super-D, period. Why anyone would choose a Custom over that for Maiden is anyone's guess.

It's like if someone had a V and wanted to sound like Schenker, I wouldn't recommend a Super Distortion; I'd recommend a Custom.

They are different pickups which have their own sound. If I were to pick between the two it would be a Custom. It wouldn't keep me from channeling Adrian Smith or Glenn Tipton, but I don't expect to get their sound, because I wouldn't.

To me it seems like the OP is interested in getting *that* sound and not necessarily in order to play Maiden riffs.
 
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Re: Lefty HSS Soloist pickup suggestions(think maiden or twin guitar leads)

MadaxeMatt said:
Man those ft2s do sound pretty sweet to me. And theyre available.

Super distortion S vs fast track 2? (neck)

And last but not least. Ideal capacitors for 500k pots? Cts or bourns?

Thanks again
Click to expand...
.022 uF caps. Brands mean zip.

I wouldn't get either a Super-D S or FT-2, personally. If you can't get your hands on either of the two Duncans I mentioned then I'd probably go for a Satch Track, Pro Track or Air Norton S, depending on how bright or dark you like it and what role it is to play against the bridge. These are also in the order of increasing output. People will argue the point, but I think the Satch Track sounds most like a PAF-style humbucker. The high end of the Pro Track is too smooth. The Air Norton S will give you more of a liquid, singing quality. The AN-S and Pro Track have a bit more output than the Satch Track (which is by no means a weak pickup), but all three are closer in output compared to the FT2. The FT2 is significantly hotter/thicker. The Chopper is also bright, and it's focused mids will also give it a vocal, singing quality. It's a bit rough around the edges (or has sharp corners, depending on how you look at it). Ron Thal uses a Chopper in the neck in case you're looking for samples.

Fast Track 1 might make better sense for the middle than the Chopper if you want something weaker with more single coil character.
 
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Re: Lefty HSS Soloist pickup suggestions(think maiden or twin guitar leads)

gregory said:
.022 uF caps. Brands mean zip.

I wouldn't get either a Super-D S or FT-2, personally. If you can't get your hands on either of the two Duncans I mentioned then I'd probably go for a Satch Track, Pro Track or Air Norton S, depending on how bright or dark you like it and what role it is to play against the bridge. These are also in the order of increasing output. People will argue the point, but I think the Satch Track sounds most like a PAF-style humbucker. The high end of the Pro Track is too smooth. The Air Norton S will give you more of a liquid, singing quality. The AN-S and Pro Track have a bit more output than the Satch Track (which is by no means a weak pickup), but all three are closer in output compared to the FT2. The FT2 is significantly hotter/thicker. The Chopper is also bright, and it's focused mids will also give it a vocal, singing quality. It's a bit rough around the edges (or has sharp corners, depending on how you look at it). Ron Thal uses a Chopper in the neck in case you're looking for samples.

Fast Track 1 might make better sense for the middle than the Chopper if you want something weaker with more single coil character.
Click to expand...

Right on man lots to think about. Yeah im looking for something liquidy with good output for the neck doesnt have to scream just needs that smooth bubblyness with some gain on it im gonna check all those itll come down to whatevers closest to a hot rails and available to ordered.

Capacitors
.o22uf/ 200-400-600? Do those numbers play a factor just wanna do it right.

Thanks
 
Re: Lefty HSS Soloist pickup suggestions(think maiden or twin guitar leads)

I prefer the standard poly film caps because they are stable and resilient. I don't buy into the hokum about oil and paper.

200, 400 and 600 refers to voltage? It doesn't matter. I'd go with the smallest voltage available since it will be smallest in size.
 
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Re: Lefty HSS Soloist pickup suggestions(think maiden or twin guitar leads)

gregory said:
I prefer the standard poly film caps because they are stable and resilient. I don't buy into the hokum about oil and paper.

200, 400 and 600 refers to voltage? It doesn't matter. I'd go with the smallest voltage available since it will be smallest in size.
Click to expand...

Yeah theyre a voltage number from my understanding. Good enough for me chum lol thanks again for your help. If anyone wants to throw their ideas out there i enjoy the info. Pretty much covered it all but im open to everything. Ill post my results when its done (itll be a while tho) time to lisne away till i cant tell whats what lol
 
Re: Lefty HSS Soloist pickup suggestions(think maiden or twin guitar leads)

MadaxeMatt said:
If anyone wants to throw their ideas out
Click to expand...
+1

I do my best to address the needs of the original poster in most situations, but I'm nowhere near as diverse or as experienced as a lot of other guys. You need help with your Tele or play something other than rock, hard rock or old-school metal? I'm not your guy, lol.
 
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Re: Lefty HSS Soloist pickup suggestions(think maiden or twin guitar leads)

gregory said:
I'd go with 500k pots.
Click to expand...

Probly a silly question because i never hear of anyone doing it but my stock 5 way switch is fine correct? No need to swap it as they only control power flow and if its not broke dont fix it?
 
Re: Lefty HSS Soloist pickup suggestions(think maiden or twin guitar leads)

If it ain't broke...

Using 500k pots over 250k pots will make the tone brighter. 500k is generally used wih humbuckers and typically as a starting point. If the pickups are too bright then switching the volume to 250k can often fix that. If you find that you like it but don't like when the tone is at 10, then you can change the tone control to 250k as well.
 
Re: Lefty HSS Soloist pickup suggestions(think maiden or twin guitar leads)

gregory said:
If it ain't broke...

Using 500k pots over 250k pots will make the tone brighter. 500k is generally used wih humbuckers and typically as a starting point. If the pickups are too bright then switching the volume to 250k can often fix that. If you find that you like it but don't like when the tone is at 10, then you can change the tone control to 250k as well.
Click to expand...

So turns out my jackson stock pots are A500k vol and tone already the capacitor says 223j on it is that ok or should i replace with .22uf
 
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