Middle Pickup for HSSH (HHH) Guitar?

[Spidouz]

Hi Guys,

First of all, it's my first post here. I did some search here and there, but haven't find much info, so I subscribe here to post my little question.

I would like to have a new guitar (build by a good luthier I know) and I wanted to use a HHH setup. Since the number of switch, knob or even pickup isn't a issue, I thought I could go with a HSSH setup instead.

Having splitter for each PU, I could have any kind of setup from SSS, HSH, HSS, and so on. It would allow me a lot of flexibility (which is very important for me).

I want to be able to cover a large variety of sounds such: Country, Pop, Jazz, Funk, Blues, Classic Rock, Heavy Rock and Metal.

I might be wrong, but I would like to have two different middle PU I could switch at any time in any combination. One more 'strat-like', very smooth and regular, and another one more punchy...

So, far I think I could use a '59 Model SH-1 for the Neck and JB Model SH-4 for the Bridge.

What do you recommend me for the middle PU?

What do you think about:

- The SDBR-1 Duckbuckers for the Middle-Bridge?
- The STK-S10N YJM Fury Neck for the Middle-Neck?

- Do you think they would act weirdly together?

In the other hand... Do you recommend to place them side by side (such an Humbucker), or have them such the Steve Morse setup (by Music Man)?


I know, that a long first post, with lot of questions... but as said, I did search and found almost nothing for middle pickup choice for HHH and even less for HSSH

In the ideal deal, I could switch everything in single coil and find a very "Strat" sounds.... and then switch bridge and neck in humbucker, use them for "Les Paul" sounds... well, you get the idea

Thanks in advance,
Phil

 

[Funkfingers]

Re: Middle Pickup for HSSH (HHH) Guitar?

Welcome to the forum.

The Seymour Duncan Stag Mag is, literally, two single coil pickups mounted together on a regular humbucker baseplate. The realism of the "in-between" Strat sounds will depend on the distance between the coils that you use.

 

[Spidouz]

Re: Middle Pickup for HSSH (HHH) Guitar?

Hi Funkfingers,

Thanks for the welcoming message

Regarding the distance between coils, I was thinking about those three possible setup:

Regular HHH Mode:

Steve Morse HSSH Mode:

Reversed Steve Morse HSSH Mode:

Is that what you mean? Which setup do you think would be the more optimal for what I'm looking for?

Thanks,
Phil

 

[Funkfingers]

Re: Middle Pickup for HSSH (HHH) Guitar?

My short answer to your PU layout question is the first illustration, the HHH variant.

*

I am intrigued as to how it would be possible to cram so many coils between the bridge and the end of the fingerboard and still have room for a plectrum or fingertips?

Also, from a purely constructional perspective, I would be worried about hoping to extract realistic Les Paul and Stratocaster tones from a mostly mahogany, set-neck 24.75" scale length guitar.

In my opinion, the ingredients that are necessary to obtain a Les Paul type sound are almost exactly the wrong characteristics to obtain a Stratocaster sound (and vice versa). I write this as a PRS owner!!!

I have a modified USA PRS EGII - Alder body, screwed on maple neck, rosewood fingerboard - in which I have installed three humbuckers; HFS (bridge), Artist Treble (centre), Artist Bass (neck). No coil taps! This guitar is constructed like a Stratocaster from materials strongly associated with the Stratocaster. It should come as little surprise that it sounds like a (slightly fatter than average) Stratocaster.

The PRS model that sounds like a Les Paul is the one that is constructed like one - the Singlecut.

So, my point is, if you want both Les Paul and Stratocaster sounds, the easiest route is to buy one of each.

 

[Spidouz]

Re: Middle Pickup for HSSH (HHH) Guitar?

From One PRS Owner to another

I currently play with a Custom 24, and do have access to my friend's studio to a 513, Santana II, Strat Custom Shop and a Masterbuilder John Cruze, and other Gibson Les Paul... So, I don't want (or need) to buy one of each... which is, I agree, the best solution.

I actually try to build a "perfect" compromise and "close enough" guitar, to be able to play with it for some quick prod or for jamming live with friends.

I also do know I can't have a 25" 1/2 scale and 24" 1/4 scale in the same time on the same 22 frets guitar...

So far, it's just a brain storming before to give the project to the luthier... So, I try to define what would be the best solution and even try to think to the unthinkable, but still have something rock solid before to give it to the luthier

My current thoughts would go between the 513 scale (25" 1/4) and SingleCut scale (24" 1/2)... probably (24" 3/4 but it will be up the luthier), with a regular HHH PU disposition... Since I'm trying to find the perfect balance and flexibility, I still do search alternative... the reason of my thinking about HSSH setup and having then two different middle PUs instead of one such the 513 (and that's also where I found the Steve Morse PU layout).

If I can get something that is close enough for live jamming, and building some demo tracks... it will be perfect. I could then access quickly to a lot of sound variety, without changing axe, or even without going with some modeling crap. I know it will never be exactly like a Strat or even a Les Paul, but it will still get pretty decent sounds.

I don't know if I do myself clear (it ain't easy to explain). But I hope it helps to understand my thinking and what I'm looking for my Middle Pickup

Thanks again,
Phil