Middle single coil sized HB to match with Aldrich and Satch Track

Nagisa

Nagisa

New member
I have an Ibanez AZ HSS that I am slowly turning into HHH.

I have an aldrich bridge and satch track that work well together. One small gripe with the satch track is its ceramicness is apparent - which makes me want to avoid the same for the middle.

I have a True Velvet sc in the middle now. While it’s fine on its own, it doesn’t really mix well with the HBs in the 2/4 positions. I have a strat, so I don’t really need more single coils actually. I just play at home, so it’s no problem to just change out guitars.

I’m thinking about what would have a neat usable sound in the 3 position, and what would also mix in 2/4 positions. I am also hoping for an alnico solution if possible. In the best scenario, I could use the Satch Track for my wilder soloing and the middle pickup for more low-gain and cleans.

I’ve been eyeing the red devil. Also the cruiser bridge (ceramic though) would probably do the trick for the 2/4 positions. Any others I should look into?

Thanks!
 
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Re: Middle single coil sized HB to match with Aldrich and Satch Track

I have some questions about your application. 1) Do you intend to use the split bridge humbucker for position 2? 2) Is this guitar body made from alder or basswood?

I found that either Fast Track1 or Cruiser Bridge can work very well as a middle pickup. My concern is the Cruiser bridge may be a little bit too low output for your application. Its also possible the brightness of the Cruiser bridge may be an advantage if your guitar is basswood. The Fast track 1 may make more sense if you are satisfied with the relatively high output Aldrich humbucker in the bridge.
 
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Re: Middle single coil sized HB to match with Aldrich and Satch Track

Thanks for your reply. As of now, position 2 uses the split bridge. It doesn’t sound too good though. I can change that if you think I should.
I have an alder guitar.

I think high output is fine, but I do like Andy Timmons so getting some of that vibe also would be neat. What could I expect from the ft1?
 
Re: Middle single coil sized HB to match with Aldrich and Satch Track

Nagisa said:
Thanks for your reply. As of now, position 2 uses the split bridge. It doesn’t sound too good though. I can change that if you think I should.
I have an alder guitar.

I think high output is fine, but I do like Andy Timmons so getting some of that vibe also would be neat. What could I expect from the ft1?
Click to expand...

I'm not sure if you get a lot of AT vibe from the middle position. You would need the cruiser bridge in the neck slot for that. The cruiser bridge and Fast track 1 have a lot of similarity in the middle position. Relative to the neck position its a clearer tone that is good with crunch and mild drive in a blues context.

The Cruiser bridge has less mids than the Fast track 1, so its closer to doing an impression of a strat. Fast track 1 is just a bit fuller and has more sustain. Fast track 1 seems to have bit more grind and texture to the tone, or possibly it just comes though more because of the increased mid output relative to the cruiser bridge. Both of these are dual-resonance pickups, where the Cruiser bridge has an unusually large difference between the coils (approx. 1.7k north coil vs 4k south coil).

I would probably use the split tone from the Aldrich in position 2, but I don't have great expectations as I think its still going to be a bit to warm and thick when combined with any type of single sized HB middle pickup. If it was a Suhr SSV+ in the bridge, the split tone would be brighter and probably combine better with a single sized HB in the middle slot.r
 
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Re: Middle single coil sized HB to match with Aldrich and Satch Track

I have tried both the cruiser & ft1 in the middle with a chopper in the neck. The cruiser has to be raised high to balance with the neck or bridge HB, you might find that your pick is hitting the blades giving a static/click sound when that happens. The ft1 balances a bit in the middle but neither of them are very SC sounding in the middle if you are looking for strat middle sounds.

Play with the height of the ST neck, small adjustments will help in making it sound less ceramic like, unless you had spare strat lying around to compare with, in that case forget it, even in parallel mode you'll find the top end different from true singles. In a mix though & with gain these rails seem to shine favourably. Good luck experimenting.
 
Re: Middle single coil sized HB to match with Aldrich and Satch Track

I just ordered the FT1. Thanks guys. I’ll report in when it’s here and tested.
 
Re: Middle single coil sized HB to match with Aldrich and Satch Track

It’s in!

This guitar is amazing now! The 4th position is some really texas-rock-blues soloing perfection now. The middle by itself is also great overdriven. I knew it wouldn’t match my strat clean, and it doesn’t, but cleans are pretty good. They work well with arpeggios and single notes
 
Re: Middle single coil sized HB to match with Aldrich and Satch Track

I like the FT1 for gain everytime, neck or middle, alot more than I like the cruisers. But the cruiaers are a bit strattier than it for strat sounds. The cleans dont suck on the Ft1 but nothing extraordinary either, useable definitely.
 
Re: Middle single coil sized HB to match with Aldrich and Satch Track

Yea in the end I figured this guitar is 100% for soloing and I already have a strat so I might as well go the higher output route of the ft1. So glad I did.

One note: Dimarzio rails are not good split imo. Both the st and ft1 sound super weak when split
 
Re: Middle single coil sized HB to match with Aldrich and Satch Track

Hank- said:
I like the FT1 for gain everytime, neck or middle, alot more than I like the cruisers. But the cruiaers are a bit strattier than it for strat sounds. The cleans dont suck on the Ft1 but nothing extraordinary either, useable definitely.
Click to expand...

Which bridge pickup did you pair the FT1 with? I have been using them with a Chopper in the bridge, but I'm thinking the FT1 will have enough output and brightness to pair with the Fred. Maybe I will try that next.
 
Re: Middle single coil sized HB to match with Aldrich and Satch Track

I have an HSS route, so the Suhr Aldrich. Currently my favorite bridge pickup. Works great for both Satriani and Megadeth tones. That said, if you don’t get too heavy maybe the fred is your friend
 
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