Middle Humbucker for an HHH

[DLrocket89]

Hi everyone,

Newbie to here, but not to the DIY realm. I'm building a Warmoth that is meant to be a "do pretty much everything I want" type guitar. HHH config, with some pretty insane switching that I'm not going to go into here (it involves a Freeway blade and push/pull pots).

Regarding pickups, I have a pair of P-rails on a donor guitar that I like, set up HxH with Triple Shots. It's a lot of possibilities, but I've gotten used to reconfiguring it to get the tone I'm looking for. So those are coming off of that guitar onto this one.


What should I do for the middle pickup on this new one? I have another Triple Shot sitting here, and would love to put something in that would make sense to have a triple shot around. Not necessary though.

Things I've come up with so far:

-Another P-Rail (maybe a Hot one, but bridge or neck?)
-59/Custom Hybrid
-Phat Cat (bridge or neck?)

Anyone else try something this over the top before? Would it make sense to put my current P-Rails in neck and middle and put something else in the bridge?

Thanks in advance!

Dustin

 

[jeremy]

welcome to the forum!

i think prails neck and bridge is a fine plan. if youre going to use another tripleshot, i might do a 59/custom hybrid

 

[beaubrummels]

I think it depends on which coils you plan to mate with which coils of the outer P-Rails. Also, I would avoid putting anything hotter than a neck model in the middle if I can. Though things like a 59/C or Custom-family that split/parallel really well might be ok.

 

[DLrocket89]

welcome to the forum!

i think prails neck and bridge is a fine plan. if youre going to use another tripleshot, i might do a 59/custom hybrid

Thank you!

Good to know I'm not totally off base, lol.

 

[jeremy]

yeah with the hybrid and triple shot, you get a 59 coil, custom coil, then series and parallel. i think there could be some good sounds in there

 

[DLrocket89]

I think it depends on which coils you plan to mate with which coils of the outer P-Rails. Also, I would avoid putting anything hotter than a neck model in the middle if I can. Though things like a 59/C or Custom-family that split/parallel really well might be ok.

Sounds good.

I found some random gibberish on the internet that said that the middle position is actually weaker than the bridge or neck in terms of string motion dynamics, and you should run a bridge in the middle to make up for that. Which...none of that makes sense to me.

I don't have much experience with Seymour's pickups, really just the P-Rails, so if a "moderate humbucker" works, awesome.

The 59/C only comes in a bridge, right?

 

[beaubrummels]

Sounds good.

I found some random gibberish on the internet that said that the middle position is actually weaker than the bridge or neck in terms of string motion dynamics, and you should run a bridge in the middle to make up for that. Which...none of that makes sense to me.

I don't have much experience with Seymour's pickups, really just the P-Rails, so if a "moderate humbucker" works, awesome.

The 59/C only comes in a bridge, right?

Yeah, that's why I said what I said. Neck pickups are easier to raise and lower and mix to get whatever useful tone you want in the middle. Bridges either work or they don't in the middle.

 

[jeremy]

yes, there is only one 59/c hybrid model

 

[DLrocket89]

Yeah, that's why I said what I said. Neck pickups are easier to raise and lower and mix to get whatever useful tone you want in the middle. Bridges either work or they don't in the middle.

Gottcha.

Worst case, if the 59/C doesn't work out, I can put it in a different guitar.

 

[Mincer]

Maybe also look at a Stag Mag, which is a unique pickup that sounds good split and in parallel. It will sound great split in conjunction with one of the other pickups, too.

 

[DLrocket89]

Maybe also look at a Stag Mag, which is a unique pickup that sounds good split and in parallel. It will sound great split in conjunction with one of the other pickups, too.

Didn't know that one existed. Thanks!!

 

[Chistopher]

So long as we are building a guitar that is doomed to be ugly (on account of the P-Rails), why not lean into it and throw a Screamin Demon in the middle?

I've seen one used to great success in an xHH in both positions.

Also, out of curiosity, what body shape are we looking at?

 

[DLrocket89]

So long as we are building a guitar that is doomed to be ugly (on account of the P-Rails), why not lean into it and throw a Screamin Demon in the middle?

I've seen one used to great success in an xHH in both positions.

Also, out of curiosity, what body shape are we looking at?

Lol, nice. I actually like the look of P-Rails myself.

https://warmoth.com/guitar-bodies/kns-6-string#instock

They have a blue one in stock right now, going to be a shade darker blue, roasted maple neck, and black hardware.

 

[Chistopher]

Hell yeah, that looks cool

 

[DLrocket89]

Hell yeah, that looks cool

This is the blue:

https://thespraysource.com/products/mystic-blue-guitar-paint-kit?variant=42222591443062

 

[DLrocket89]

Quick update, I ordered a 59/Custom just now. Will post pics when done. 2,560 possible switch position combinations, lmao.

 

[jeremy]

and youll find 12 you really like

 

[DLrocket89]

and youll find 12 you really like

Yup. No worries. This is who I am, I do weird stuff like this...and this isn't meant to be practical in a "use this in gigs" way, it's just something I've always wanted to do.

Honestly will be surprised if it's a dozen, expecting less, lol.

 

[jeremy]

with that many coils, youll find at least 12. switching wont be practical, but a fun project and recording tool

 

[DLrocket89]

The victim arrived today...