Looking for Opinions on Pickup Options I'm Considering

[transient1]

Hi,

I realize this is very subjective question with a lot of variables so I'm going to try and provide as much info as possible. I'm not very knowledgeable about guitar hardware, models, or anything. I'm pretty much a plebeian when it comes to this stuff, which is why I'm turning to you fine folks for assistance (and gonna take it in to a shop to get the pups actually replaced when ready).

I play a Fender Standard HSS. The specs are pretty standard I think): alder body, maple neck, rosewood fret, vintage tremolo bridge. Don't know what the pups are; I guess standard Fender? I use a Mustang III for an amp.

I want to upgrade the pups because I want a louder, punchier sound on the heavier stuff I play, and I've started getting a fair amount of buzzing and feedback when playing the neck and neck/mid. I also simply want to make my guitar sound as good as possible but can't afford a high-end instrument (and honestly don't play well enough to warrant it). The Seymour-Duncan pickup picker recommended this combination of pups:

Bridge 1 SJBJ-1 JB Jr.
Bridge 2 SSL-6 Custom Flat
Neck 1 SDBR-1 Duckbuckers
Neck 2 STK-S4 Classic Stack Plus
Middle 1 SVR-1 Vintage Rails
Middle 2 SDBR-1 Duckbuckers

I liked the sound of the SJBJ-1 JB Jr for the bridge, but wasn't thrilled with the neck and middle suggestions because they don't sound quit as bright as clean as I might like. I also got two other configuration recommendations from this site:
SCR-1n in the neck position along with an SHR-1b Hot Rails in the bridge and an SVR-1n Vintage Rails in the middle
SJBJ-1b JB Jr. in the bridge, an SDBR-1n Duckbuckers in the middle and an SL59-1n Little '59 in the neck.

Can I get feedback on these options, or even other suggestions? I'm really pretty lost and the only one I'm sure about is the bridge option (although again I'm open to suggestions). I'm also not wedded to SDs, but every Google road led here (and Dimarzio but I think I like those less).

To give you an idea of the sound profile I'm going:
http://www.cdbaby.com/cd/sixtimesseven/Closer This track here has the lighter sound I use sometimes. Looking for clarity, brightness, pretty. The verse is more surfy than the normal, but the overall clean is a normal thing for me.
http://www.cdbaby.com/cd/sixtimesseven/TheDevilRise This one is as hard and dark as I've gone.
http://www.cdbaby.com/cd/sixtimesseven/Somnambulist Kind of poppy. A brighter distorted sound.


Thank you.

 

[Funkfingers]

Re: Looking for Opinions on Pickup Options I'm Considering

Welcome to the forum.

First of all, I am wondering why the Pickup Pickup suggested single coil-sized replacement pickups for your HSS guitar?

Secondly, I am wondering whether you would be content with a non-buzzing guitar that happens to be a Stratocaster or whether you expect an authentic Fender sound?

Fender Standard Series guitars feature single coil pickups that utilise stud polepieces and underslung bar magnets. Not fatal but not the traditional construction method either.

If your chief concern is the hum, I would be tempted to suggest leaving the guitar stock for now and introducing some form of Noise Gate to your rig. Either edit the noise gate Threshold parameter in the Fender Mustang III presets or upgrade to a better amplifier and use a noise gate pedal.

 

[transient1]

Re: Looking for Opinions on Pickup Options I'm Considering

Crap. After reading your comment I went back and looked at the picker. I didn't realize there was an option for an HSS. I honestly just found out what HSS stood for as I was writing my first question. Doh!

So, the revised suggestion was:
Bridge 1 SH-1B '59 Model
Bridge 2 APH-1B Alnico II Pro
Neck 1 STK-S2 Hot Stack
Neck 2 Antiquity Strat Texas Hot
Middle 1 STK-S2 Hot Stack
Middle 2 SSL-1 Vintage Staggered

I'm gonna go listen to those. I'm also gonna Google noise gate.

Thanks.

 

[Demanic]

Re: Looking for Opinions on Pickup Options I'm Considering

Crap. After reading your comment I went back and looked at the picker. I didn't realize there was an option for an HSS. I honestly just found out what HSS stood for as I was writing my first question. Doh!

So, the revised suggestion was:
Bridge 1 SH-1B '59 Model
Bridge 2 APH-1B Alnico II Pro
Neck 1 STK-S2 Hot Stack
Neck 2 Antiquity Strat Texas Hot
Middle 1 STK-S2 Hot Stack
Middle 2 SSL-1 Vintage Staggered

I'm gonna go listen to those. I'm also gonna Google noise gate.

Thanks.

How about a Custom Custom in the bridge? It would be a bit more juicy than the AIIpro. Then I'd go for a couple of Quarterpounders to go with. Or maybe Cool Rails for something a bit different.