Low or high output bridge pickip for HSS ?

[Benjy_26]

Hello all.

I'm in the process of converting a Washburn Mercury II guitar from an active pickup set to a passive set. I've got some pickups layong about that I want to try, but after metering them on my Fluke, I've decided to seek your advice.

The guitar iself is a 25.5" scale super strat with a (I believe) ash body, flamed sycamore top, chunky maple neck, rosewood fingerboard, 24 frets, and a floating wilkinson trem.

I plan on installing a pair of Carvin AP11 singles in the neck and mid. These pickups have large twin ceramic magnets, 11 adjustable poles, and measure around 4.5k. They are supposed to be a bit darker than traditional strat pickups.

As far as bridge pickups, I have a M22N available and a M22SD. Both are alnico V with 22 adjustable hex poles. The 22n is wound to around 8.5k and is supposed to be similar to a PAF in sound and output. The 22SD is Carvin's high-output pickup, wound to around 14k.

Would the 22SD overpower the singles? Would the 22N be a better blend if I plan on splitting?

 

[Mincer]

Re: Low or high output bridge pickip for HSS ?

I would think that there is gonna be a compromise, here. The M22SD will be better split, and when split, will blend better with the singles. The M22n when full will blend better with the singles and I think, sound better overall. I'd try both. Leave each pickup in for a week or so, and do a few recordings.

 

[Benjy_26]

Re: Low or high output bridge pickip for HSS ?

Good idea! Thanks!

 

[AlexR]

Re: Low or high output bridge pickip for HSS ?

There really is no downside to experimentation. Even if we'd done the exact same experiment, all our test could ever tell you what is best for our ears and likes.