Low output bridge humbucker for strat

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I just recently acquired a highway one strat, and am considering putting a humbucker in the bridge to you get it a tad bit more versatility. With it being a strat I’m cool with it being a tad more mellow than otherwise, and am looking at PAF styles on the lower end of the spectrum. Most of my playing is on the weekends at church gigs, and a handful of session work throughout the week.

Current options are:

1) Seth Lover
2) 59’ (because they’re everywhere)
3) Suhr Thornbuckers
4) Lollards Imperials

Only reason I’m not including antiquities are for the lack of 4-conductors.

Thanks for the help!

 

[Mincer]

Re: Low output bridge humbucker for strat

You might also consider the Jazz bridge, which would work well- and it has 4 conductors.

 

[Chistopher]

Re: Low output bridge humbucker for strat

What single coils are we talking about? Without any prior knowledge of your rig the best I can say is that the Seth Lovers bridge is a phenomenal pickup and the 59b can sound a bit scooped. I haven't tried either of the others.

But hey, if you're church is anything like mine, you could choose any of them or even a Duncan Distortion and no one would be able to tell the difference!

 

[metlking]

Re: Low output bridge humbucker for strat

Fender used to put a Pearly Gates "plus" in their Lonestar Strat. Its basically a PG with an A5 magnet. I think it sounds fantastic in a Strat!

 

[Boogie Bill]

Re: Low output bridge humbucker for strat

I might go with something like the Lil' 59 or the Lil' Pearly. I've also used the JB,Jr. It did not work well with other pickups in that guitar though, so I went back to the stock pickup. I did like the thicker tone.

I'd try these before I'd pay for routing and a new pickguard.

Bill

 

[\m/(00)\m/]

Re: Low output bridge humbucker for strat

THanks for the replies everyone! Sorry for The lack of information. ��
Strat is a highway one with maple/rosewood neck, and i believe the pickups currently are CS 69 from fender. I haven’t opened it up yet to completely verify though. From what i gather, all highway ones are routed to HSS, so it shouldn’t be a problem tossing an HB in there.

Regarding the style of music, it’s pretty high energy, but dependent on mellower, chimey, low gain stuff a lot of the time, so clarity and things like pick attack are important. My overall style of playing is pretty dynamic as well, and my MAIN guitar is a Hamer Studio Custom with a Custom/59 and PC(a3/5) in it FWIW.

Thanks y’all

 

[Silence Kid]

Re: Low output bridge humbucker for strat

and it has 4 conductors.

But not my JMBJ I really do like the Jazz Bridge, it's my sort of go-to right now along with the Demon; they're pretty similar pickups, but the Jazz bridge has a somewhat wider, more harmonic-rich sound to the bass.

 

[dystrust]

Re: Low output bridge humbucker for strat

Fender used to put a Pearly Gates "plus" in their Lonestar Strat. Its basically a PG with an A5 magnet. I think it sounds fantastic in a Strat!

It does sound fantastic in a Strat, but it's also wound hotter than a typical PG in addition to having an A5 magnet. Those extra mids really help as I find a 59B to be bright and very scooped in a Strat. If you have the budget, a 78/EVH is amazing in the bridge of a Strat and not too hot to balance with single coils.

 

[Christopher Caruana]

Re: Low output bridge humbucker for strat

Suhr Thornbucker is an awesome low wind PAF type bucker. The Fender Shawbucker is an AWSOME option as well.

 

[Jeff_H]

Re: Low output bridge humbucker for strat

Of the SD pickups you mentioned, I think the Seth would give you just what you want. If for some reason you found the Seth TOO bright, I can also wholeheartedly endorse the APH (Alnico Pro Humbucker) I the bridge of a Strat. I find it to be warmer in a great way, but it doesn't have the chime of the Seth.

 

[Lewguitar]

Re: Low output bridge humbucker for strat

Of the SD pickups you mentioned, I think the Seth would give you just what you want.

Me too.

But then, the OP didn’t mention the Antiquity, which I like even a little more.

Seems to have a little more growl...more of that Jeff Beck Truth thing that I love.

They’re both great choices though.

 

[SavageRiffer]

Re: Low output bridge humbucker for strat

Out of those, the Seth Lover. Not because it's better than the others because it's not, but it is indeed great. It can be the most mellow of them in my opinion. Don't choose a pickup just because its ubiquitous, and the 59 isn't a great choice for what you want anyway. The Thornbucker is great, but let's face it, the dude has technique and those pickups aren't as forgiving. Pete Thorn also has an edgy tone, so mellow isn't what I'd equate with those pickups. Lollar Imperials are some of the best out there, but they really don't get discussed much for whatever reason. The Imperials are pretty versatile pickups. I've got a set in a strat and I'll take them out if I ever sell that strat. However, for you, the Seth sounds the most appropriate.

 

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Re: Low output bridge humbucker for strat

Out of those, the Seth Lover. Not because it's better than the others because it's not, but it is indeed great. It can be the most mellow of them in my opinion. Don't choose a pickup just because its ubiquitous, and the 59 isn't a great choice for what you want anyway. The Thornbucker is great, but let's face it, the dude has technique and those pickups aren't as forgiving. Pete Thorn also has an edgy tone, so mellow isn't what I'd equate with those pickups. Lollar Imperials are some of the best out there, but they really don't get discussed much for whatever reason. The Imperials are pretty versatile pickups. I've got a set in a strat and I'll take them out if I ever sell that strat. However, for you, the Seth sounds the most appropriate.

Totally understand your point. I would like to hear more about the Imperials in your strat, since i have a high regard for them. Regarding the Thornbuckers, they were on the list for a few reasons. He plays strats, they are low output, and “sound” like what I’m looking for.