Malmsteen Strat PU change

brylord

New member
I'm looking to change the pickups in a YJM Strat. It's the "Duck" clone one that they sell. The Dimarzio's aren't bad but I'd like something with vintage tone yet more beef. Maybe it's the hum canceling design but I don't think the HS-3's sound very Strat like. I have a set of Texas Specials in another guitar that sound great but aren't high enough output for this guitar.
I've put a little 59 and a Hot Rails into the bridge but really wasn't thrilled with either. The 59 was a little too dark and the HR's was SCREAMing HOT!

I'm trying to get more of Blackmore sound before he switched to Lace Sensors. That sound where you can tell it's definitely a strat, but has a big ballsy sound.
 
Re: Malmsteen Strat PU change

Yea, the Quarter Pounders have that sound. It says you can get a calibrated set. Any idea where you can buy a calibrated set? AMS and MF just have single PU's.
 
Re: Malmsteen Strat PU change

I have a Malmsteen Strat. Suprisingly, the tone changed alot and became alot more strat-like when I installed the Fender 5 way switch. More versatile too.

One of Blackmoore's Fender signature strats had Duncan Quarter Pounders in it.

Personally, I just use a Zakk Wylde overdrive- turn the drive down and crank the level up to give the stock dimarzios better drive. The stock dimarzios are great pickups, no real reason to change them, just put a good overdrive pedal or booster after them. The reason you don't think the Dimarzio HS-3's and YJM's aren't very strat like is they're low output. The Texas Specials are overwound.

Just use a booster- either Seymour Duncan pickup booster, or Zakk Wyle overdrive. I tried a TS-9, it didn't seem to agree with these pickups, too muddy. And forget the DOD YJM pedal.
 
Re: Malmsteen Strat PU change

The STKS-1 hum canceling , alnico 2 , is a surprising versatile pickup ; from country to rock , and very GOOD shred pickup à la Malmsteen .
The neck model delivers well in the middle position .
In the neck the same one or a true single coil , and for bridge maybe a Little Screaming Demon or 59' ?
 
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