Mahogany Strat HSS suggestions

[\m/(00)\m/]

I recently acquired a Fender USA limited mahogany strat (through GC I think a few years ago), and would like to do some work to it. It currently has two Tex Mex’s in it and a Diamondback HB in bridge. It plays decently well, but overall the tones are kind of just lackluster.

Most of my guitar have vintage output style pickups (Antiquities HB, Lollar P90’s, 59’s, etc...) and am contemplating making this more of a versatile - Rock guitar. Most of my music work involves playing in churches, session work, rock/country/alternative gigs, etc...

I recently played a Knaggs that had a JB and two A2 staggered neck/middle pickups that really sung! It got me considering maybe going with a high output bridge humbucker and the. Standard Strat neck/middle pickups. I’m not a huge fan of the JB (but maybe in the mahogany it might be different [emoji2371]), and was considering something like the custom custom, 59/custom and perhaps the A2 staggered Strat pickups.

I appreciate the help!

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[hamerfan]

Re: Mahogany Strat HSS suggestions

My to go strat has a Screaming Demon A8 and two Texas Specials, recently i checked a PG A8 too.

 

[Jack_TriPpEr]

Re: Mahogany Strat HSS suggestions

I recently acquired a Fender USA limited mahogany strat (through GC I think a few years ago), and would like to do some work to it. It currently has two Tex Mex’s in it and a Diamondback HB in bridge. It plays decently well, but overall the tones are kind of just lackluster.

Most of my guitar have vintage output style pickups (Antiquities HB, Lollar P90’s, 59’s, etc...) and am contemplating making this more of a versatile - Rock guitar. Most of my music work involves playing in churches, session work, rock/country/alternative gigs, etc...

I recently played a Knaggs that had a JB and two A2 staggered neck/middle pickups that really sung! It got me considering maybe going with a high output bridge humbucker and the. Standard Strat neck/middle pickups. I’m not a huge fan of the JB (but maybe in the mahogany it might be different [emoji2371]), and was considering something like the custom custom, 59/custom and perhaps the A2 staggered Strat pickups.

I appreciate the help!

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Does that one have a black headstock, and a S1 switch? I have that type of mahogany Fender strat. I know i am in the minority on this opinion, but i actually like the tones that come from having the S1 switch engaged - partixualrly positions 2, 3 and 4. Those S1 tones combine the singlecoils in series - so the sound is fatter, which is what you said you are after...

 

[Gransen]

Re: Mahogany Strat HSS suggestions

Any plans for them outgoing Tex Mex's...??? If you're getting rid of them, feel free to PM me...

 

[Despair]

Re: Mahogany Strat HSS suggestions

I tend to prefer flat over vintage stagger, so I'd go for the APS-2 over the APS-1. Might also consider the 5/2, if you want a bit more bite on the low strings, but smooth fat high string tones.

TB4 may sound a bit different in your guitar, compared to the alder or swamp ash Knaggs used in the most likely model. Perpetual Burn might be a better compromise, and shouldn't be too bright (given it's a bit like an underwound JB) if the mahogany body runs warm. Might be a bit more versatile, but if you want a rocker, you may prefer the JB.

Or if you aren't hung up on appearances, a PATB-3 Blues Saraceno is a '59 with boosted output without rolled off highs like most hotter pickups.

Given you liked the TB4/APS/APS set, I'd probably try something like that first.

 

[Ascension]

Re: Mahogany Strat HSS suggestions

I recently acquired a Fender USA limited mahogany strat (through GC I think a few years ago), and would like to do some work to it. It currently has two Tex Mex’s in it and a Diamondback HB in bridge. It plays decently well, but overall the tones are kind of just lackluster.

Most of my guitar have vintage output style pickups (Antiquities HB, Lollar P90’s, 59’s, etc...) and am contemplating making this more of a versatile - Rock guitar. Most of my music work involves playing in churches, session work, rock/country/alternative gigs, etc...

I recently played a Knaggs that had a JB and two A2 staggered neck/middle pickups that really sung! It got me considering maybe going with a high output bridge humbucker and the. Standard Strat neck/middle pickups. I’m not a huge fan of the JB (but maybe in the mahogany it might be different [emoji2371]), and was considering something like the custom custom, 59/custom and perhaps the A2 staggered Strat pickups.

I appreciate the help!

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Have a 59 Custom hybrid in my Modern player Tele with an Alnico II Pro tele neck then a Alnico II Pro in the middle and it sounds really good. Have another Hybrid in a KOA Carvin with a Sentient in the neck.
With the mahogany body I would look at the SSl-1 as they are a little snappier but the Hybrid should work really well in that set up. If you want some thing more aggressive an Alt 8 would likely kill in one of those. Sounds like what you are doing is pretty similar to what I do. Modern worship with a pretty good circle of folk a home Church gig then a little session stuff at times.

 

[Ascension]

Re: Mahogany Strat HSS suggestions

TB4 may sound a bit different in your guitar, compared to the alder or swamp ash Knaggs used in the most likely model. Perpetual Burn might be a better compromise, and shouldn't be too bright (given it's a bit like an underwound JB) if the mahogany body runs warm. Might be a bit more versatile, but if you want a rocker, you may prefer the JB.

Or if you aren't hung up on appearances, a PATB-3 Blues Saraceno is a '59 with boosted output without rolled off highs like most hotter pickups.

Given you liked the TB4/APS/APS set, I'd probably try something like that first.

I have never really loved the JB in mahogany. Would shy away from the Perpetual Burn in one of those as have a pair of them and those guitars tend to be pretty dark would think a Perpetual would be lifeless and a little undefined in that guitar. Would personally go with a Hybrid or a Alt 8. The alt would be a really cool pickup I should think in that guitar. The Alt is very defined and explosive harmonically but in a bright guitar can be a little harsh. However in a darker guitar they really sound good.
This is an Alt 8 in my Koa Carvin I pulled it for a Hybrid which is more mellow and balanced but miss this tone. I needed the more balanced Hybrid in this particular guitar but am trying to decide where the Alt is going because I miss it.

 

[\m/(00)\m/]

Re: Mahogany Strat HSS suggestions

Does that one have a black headstock, and a S1 switch? I have that type of mahogany Fender strat. I know i am in the minority on this opinion, but i actually like the tones that come from having the S1 switch engaged - partixualrly positions 2, 3 and 4. Those S1 tones combine the singlecoils in series - so the sound is fatter, which is what you said you are after...

It does! The black headstock is actually one reason why I went with it [emoji23]

The S1 switching is cool, and I like the idea of having that switch in that position, but feel like it would be better suited to something like a boost or just pickup splitting


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[\m/(00)\m/]

Re: Mahogany Strat HSS suggestions

Any plans for them outgoing Tex Mex's...??? If you're getting rid of them, feel free to PM me...

I’d be glad to offload them! Might help me fund a pair of antiquities or something [emoji23] shoot me a message and let’s talk!


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[Gransen]

Re: Mahogany Strat HSS suggestions

I’d be glad to offload them! Might help me fund a pair of antiquities or something [emoji23] shoot me a message and let’s talk!

I shot you the message, no reply, and nothing in my outbox. Didn't go through...??? Hit me back...

 

[\m/(00)\m/]

Re: Mahogany Strat HSS suggestions

I shot you the message, no reply, and nothing in my outbox. Didn't go through...??? Hit me back...

Sorry! I’ve been on and off lately. Check your PM’s in a minute [emoji23]


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[\m/(00)\m/]

Re: Mahogany Strat HSS suggestions

Now that I think about it, a scooped sounding humbucker might be the ticket for this guitar. I have a few 59’s laying around that might work well. I also have a 59 with an A4 in it, might give that a shot and see how well it works.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[Mincer]

Re: Mahogany Strat HSS suggestions

The JB is a great pickup but not a very versatile one. I'd opt more for a 59/Custom Hybrid with 2 Classic Stacks. Versatile and quiet. They will sound great at all gain ranges, with preamp or power amp distortion, with pedals or dead clean.

 

[htwheelz67]

Re: Mahogany Strat HSS suggestions

I have a couple mahogany strats, both HSH one with a dimarzio AT-1 and one with a virtual hot PAF in the bridge both sound great and the AT-1 is like a JB with 250k pots and in parallel sounds much like the VHPAF.
As far as SD I agree with the 59/cust hybrid a custom/custom with series/parallel/split would sound excellent too I ALWAYS use a treble bleed on mine, I do hard rock and worship. Frankly I think the diamondback humbucker if thats what you have is one of Fenders best sounding humbuckers, a bit of height adjustment and maybe screw pole adjustment can make a big difference, I have a MIJ floyd strat I threw an AM std loaded PG in with a diamond back and every time I think I want to swap the bridge pup out I plug it in and it sounds too good to change, they are much like the pearly gates plus which is one of my fav HB's in a strat.
If your up to swapping pickguards, I'd go HH pearly gates plus and reverse polarity 59 with the big apple wiring (I just happened to have an extra set) The AT-1 bridge and EJ custom neck are a great combo too.