Middle S pickup for HSH guitar with JB / 59 set

[Overlord]

I usually play guitars without a middle pickup, or take the middle pickup out completely.
But I'm working on an 80's metal style HSH guitar project and already have a JB and 59 ready to throw in it.

What middle pickup would go good with that combo?

I was thinking maybe a Classic Stack Plus Strat or a JB jr?
Saw the Duckbucker, but I already have a Tele style guitar for those kind of sounds.
Mainly just looking for good alternate options for positions 2 and 4 for soloing and clean stuff.

 

[beaubrummels]

I was going to suggest Classic Stack Plus Strat. Depends on the guitar though. The stacks didn't fit the route in my Jackson, FYI.

 

[Mincer]

I suggest the Classic Stack, as well, since it is dead quiet. But you have to dig Strat sounds. What do you want out of a middle pickup? What is more important: volume balance with the other pickups or authentic Stratty sounds?

 

[Masta' C]

Little '59 perhaps? It's a bit more "Stratty" than the full-sized '59, but notably fuller than a traditional single coil. Nice mix for the middle position unless you want something with more spank?

A Little Screamin' Demon would sit nicely between a '59 neck and JB bridge, also!

 

[Clint 55]

Yeah there are several approaches to the single coil in an HSH. You'll want to decide which approach you want and then choose a pickup to suit that. Authentic stratty sounds will be a volume imbalance with the hums on full - either stack or true single coil. Hot strat pickups are more middy but will balance volume wise. Or you can just throw a single coil size humbucker in there. The bridge version will balance volume wise the best, a neck version will be quieter unless you crank it all the way up.

 

[Overlord]

I'll mainly be using the middle pickup on positions 2 and 4 mixed with the full neck or bridge humbuckers to add some clarity, a little harmonics. and a slight volume boost for solos and clean stuff.
So nothing with too much low end or woofy bass.
I already have a strat and a tele for straight single coil sounds.
Thanks for the suggestions!

 

[Mincer]

Adding a pickup in parallel with one of the other pickups won't add a whole lot of volume, unless you also step on a boost pedal. For the middle, I could also suggest the Red Devil.

 

[beaubrummels]

FWIW I ended up putting a DiMarzio Injector neck in the middle of my Jackson. To my surprise, it sounds like a Gibson neck pickup by itself in the middle, which gave me the option between two neck sounds, Strat and Gibson, in the same guitar.

 

[Overlord]

I was looking at the Injector as well and thought it might be a good option.
But I ended up going with the Little '59 Bridge for now.
I usually prefer alnico over ceramic, so we'll see how it sounds.
Figured it might sit well eq and volume wise, plus splitting options.
Thanks for all the suggestions!