Middle pup choice

[Darran]

I'm about to install a strat-size JB junior in the bridge and a Lil '59 in the neck on my strat. I want to install a middle pup but wondered if there was any point given that I usually sink the middle pup nearly flush with the pickguard, consequenly lowering its output significantly. I love the sound of the middle pup but its completely out of balance with the other 2.

Can anyone recommend a higher output middle pup that would still offer a decent output even when flush with the pickguard? Would a hot rails work for instance?

Thanks for your help

 

[stevie_bees]

Re: Middle pup choice

What do you have in there at the mo? A Duckbucker goes well with those 2 pups, but it's not a high output pup.

 

[Darran]

Re: Middle pup choice

What do you have in there at the mo? A Duckbucker goes well with those 2 pups, but it's not a high output pup.

I've got a cool rails there at the moment

 

[baritone]

Re: Middle pup choice

Those 3 pickups seem like they would be an awesome combination. If your middle pickup is really low, try lowering the neck pickup and raising the middle pickup a little.

 

[Robert Delahunt]

Re: Middle pup choice

Why do you lower the middle pickup that far?

 

[Darran]

Re: Middle pup choice

Why do you lower the middle pickup that far?

It just gets in the way of the pick!

 

[Robert Delahunt]

Re: Middle pup choice

It just gets in the way of the pick!

Have you ever thought of changing your pick attack and technique? Mine use to as well until I realized I was digging way into the strings.

 

[Darran]

Re: Middle pup choice

Have you ever thought of changing your pick attack and technique? Mine use to as well until I realized I was digging way into the strings.

Its just a personal thing really. I know a lot of players who won't have a middle pup because it gets in the way, and lots of others for whom it makes no difference.

I just miss those in-between sounds on my guitars without a middle pup, but not enough to modify my picking style!

 

[Robert Delahunt]

Re: Middle pup choice

Its just a personal thing really. I know a lot of players who won't have a middle pup because it gets in the way, and lots of others for whom it makes no difference.

I just miss those in-between sounds on my guitars without a middle pup, but not enough to modify my picking style!

My philosophy is to set up the guitar and modify my playing technique to it (assuming it's properly setup), not the other way around. At first I hit the middle pickup (the cover, mind you) a bit while playing, but after new picks and new technique due to The Guitar Grimoire, I now do not hit it.

I'm not trying to derail your thread or say your technique sucks, so I apologize if this is how this sounds. I just hope you'll reconsider changing the pickup, that's all. Have a good day!

 

[uOpt]

Re: Middle pup choice

Blackmore lowers the thing to the deck, too.

I found the Quarter-Pounder to work well in the middle and I think it should be quite a bit louder.