Looking for new pups for a mahogany super strat

[TheLivingDead]

Here's what I've got in there now...

DiMarzio D-Activator X (Might stay as I really dig it. Curious about how a PAF Pro would do in mahogany though.)

DiMarzio Tone Zone S (m) (Definitely needs to go, want something more traditional SC sounding but with hum-canceling; mainly going to be used for cleans.)

DiMarzio X2N (b) (It's just too damn much; need something cleaner with a unique character instead of just raw power.)

So... I play mostly metal oriented stuff. No drop tuned 'chugga chugga breakdown' crap, mainly 80's metal and some even higher gain stuff. I think Racer X style describes what I like to do the most. Definitely like to have a nice clean sound out of all positions too.

This is a thick mahogany body so I can't just throw a Tone Zone in there and be done with it... Oh and the neck and bridge are wired up to a push-pull tone pot, so pups that sound good split get extra points.

I'd like to keep this guitar DiMarzio oriented but I'm open to some Duncans.

Any suggestions are greatly appreciated!

 

[LatsMcGee]

Re: Looking for new pups for a mahogany super strat

I would go with some Air Nortons or Breeds considering the tone you want, a liquifire might work too.....

 

[TheLivingDead]

Re: Looking for new pups for a mahogany super strat

I've got a few locals telling me Breeds as well. I might be able to try some around here somewhere.

 

[TheLivingDead]

Re: Looking for new pups for a mahogany super strat

Any other suggestions?

 

[IanBallard]

Re: Looking for new pups for a mahogany super strat

I used my Tone Zone S in parallel in the neck for a while, and it was great. Very "notch"-like Strat tones with a bit more mids. I'd keep it and try it in parallel.

 

[TheLivingDead]

Re: Looking for new pups for a mahogany super strat

Hmm, interesting. I may try that, tonight; thanks!

 

[Nagash]

Re: Looking for new pups for a mahogany super strat

If you're open to some Duncans, I'd suggest you to get a JB in the bridge. Does it all.

 

[TheLivingDead]

Re: Looking for new pups for a mahogany super strat

If you're open to some Duncans, I'd suggest you to get a JB in the bridge. Does it all.

Thanks, but I should've mentioned that I don't like the JB. Although, to be fair, I've never tried it in mahogany.

 

[Despair]

Re: Looking for new pups for a mahogany super strat

There's a pile of Duncans that could work, depending on exactly what you want out of the guitar. PATB-1b or PATB-3 are great for singing leads and crunchy riffs, and for maintaining definition under gain.

PATB-1n in the neck works great with either, covers both great cleans, great low gain, and great high gain soloing tones.

[I'd suggest PATB-2 as another bridge option, except for the cleans requirement, it's cleans are best described as unique...]

There a particular example of Racer X? A lot of their lead tones you can get with an EQ or an OD that rolls off bass in front of a fairly gainy amp. Pickup isn't the most important element for what I'm hearing on youtube. A not too bassy low to medium output neck pickup will help, though.