Looking for a "better" middle pickup

gripweed

Jolvisologist
I want a middle pickup for Strat that sounds "better" by itself, but doesn't entirely compromise the 2 and 4 positions. By "better" I mean a little fatter and less "anemic". I'm not looking for a hot pickup, something in the vintage range would do. I realize that the biggest issue is the position of the pickup itself. I'm currently considering the Five Two, Alnico II Pro, and the Antiquity Texas Hot. I prefer Duncans, especially since I will be using them in the neck and bridge positions.
 
Yeah, I'd suggest the Five Two, Alnico II, the Antiquity Surfer or the Hendrix. All of those should sound great in the middle by themselves.
 
I went a different direction for this on my Jackson. I put a DiMarzio Injector neck in the middle. It gives me a Gibson neck sound by itself, but still quacks in the 2-4 positions. This way I get both Fender neck sounds from the neck pickup and Gibson neck sounds from the middle.
 
my go it is the surfer in the middle. there are a bunch of strat players who use the middle pup alone a lot, its got its own sound, but it can be great.
 
I have not tried it myself, but I STK-S7 comes to mind with that description. I am myself more trying an SSL-3 in the middle and really lowering it to compensate for its higher output and be out of the way of the pick.
 
I recommend a little bit hotter pickup like another bridge pickup, but set lower to the pickguard.
 
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