Middle Pickup for Strat

[jazzems5150]

I finally decided to take the shot on an American Standard Strat with a maple board(ngd post coming after Christmas), so I'm starting to think about pickups. I'm not a huge fan of the fat 50s, so I decided I'll Seymourize my strat. I'm primarily looking to get some 60s style strat tones out of this guitar. I've already bought pickups for the neck and bridge, but I don't know what to get for the middle.

So far I have an SSL-2 for the neck and an SSL-5 for the bridge. I'm a huge Floyd fan so the SSL-5 was a must, and I've read enough good stuff about it, I'm all set there. I'm not so sure about the SSL-2, but I'm a huge fan of the SSL-1, but I prefer flat poles in the neck.

I'm looking for a RW/RP middle pickup that will stay with the same theme, stratty but handles OD well, something that will complement the SSL-2 and SSL-5. I'm looking for something with a little more or even power compared to the SSL-2, but I still want a very moderate output, and a true single coil.

At the moment, I'm mostly considering the Five-Two or an APS-1.

 

[LReese]

Re: Middle Pickup for Strat

Both of those pickups you mention would be slightly less power than your present pickups. Weaker pickups = slightly rounder sound and less output. The issue with the 5/2 would be that you would need to balance the Alnico V strings with the Alnico II strings.

Its a case of splitting hairs though - I think you would be fine with either in the big scheme of things. If you like flat poles, I'd go SSL-2 though.

 

[Despair]

Re: Middle Pickup for Strat

SSL-5 [or SSL-6] bridge and a pair of SSL-1 [or SSL-2] pickups in the middle & neck is the standard set for Gilmour fans.

A warmer middle may sacrifice a bit of 2/4 position quack, but you may prefer that. If so, either of the 5/2 or APS-1 are nice choices.

The Five-Two is a neat pickup, keeps the punch of an A5 under the wound strings, but makes the high strings smoother.

Not sure which way I'd go, all 3 [including the middle SSL option] are great pickups.

If you want a flat pickup in the middle, I'd go with an APS-2 instead of the APS-1, SSL-2 instead of SSL-1, but I don't know if the Five-Two comes in a flat model. Seems an odd omission if not...

 

[jazzems5150]

Re: Middle Pickup for Strat

I definitely want to keep some quack in the 2 and 4 positions but I don't want it to be overly bright. I don't want a lot more power in the middle position, but I still want a different tone compared to the neck.