Mini humbucker bridge with Fat 50's neck and middle??

[tinman1]

Hi guys

I'm asking this fairly reluctantly as I really like the full SSS fat 50's set in my American standard strat....

However, I do a lot of classic rock covers (AC/DC, Zeppelin, Free etc) and the bridge fat 50 pup isn't quite thick enough. It manages ZZ Top stuff quite well through a TS808 or RAT but isn't quite in the right ballpark for the other stuff.

My options are 1) Get another strat and have a true HH or HSS or 2) Save money, compromise slightly with the loss of the single coil bridge option and go for a mini-humbucker in the bridge.

I think the 2nd option is more realistic due to cost. I have a Flying V with a 59 neck/ Custom bridge configuration so really high gain stuff is covered. I've also found it impossible to find a Genuine Fender HSS parchment pickguard replacement therefor I'd probably go for a mini 'bucker with my current pickguard.

What would go best with Fat 50's?.. Ll '59? Hot Rails? I don't want too much of a volume jump...

Thanks.

 

[Lake Placid Blues]

Re: Mini humbucker bridge with Fat 50's neck and middle??

The Hot Rails in my opinion will be too hot for that application. The Lil Demon gets better reviews for doing a proper HBer voicing than does the Lil 59, but the Lil 59 will do what you need as well. You can auto split the Lil HBers just like the full sized HBer to more or less retain your 2 position sound.

On Edit: Another thing try switching the 2nd tone pot over to the bridge pickup to make what ever bridge pickup you have more managable.

 

[tinman1]

Re: Mini humbucker bridge with Fat 50's neck and middle??

Realised that I had a full 59 bridge pickup in my Gibsons bridge and didn't like it- too bright and spikey and lost clarity under higher gain. Therefore prob no point considering the lil 59!

I've listened to a lot of YouTube vids and dig the hotrails bridge....just ordered from the states in cream (hard to find that colour in UK and want to match what's there already).

If it's too hot/ loud I'll try lowering. Im sure I could sell on at not much of a loss if it doesn't suit.

 

[Johnny the Kid]

Re: Mini humbucker bridge with Fat 50's neck and middle??

The Hot Rails is pretty hot, but you can make it work honestly.

I would have gone with a hot P90 in the bridge, but that's just me. I think you'll dig it. If the Hot Rails isn't your thing, then go with a Cool Rails. Same sort of sound just waaaaay less power and it'll be able to work more into a classic rock setting.

 

[chadd]

Re: Mini humbucker bridge with Fat 50's neck and middle??

Realised that I had a full 59 bridge pickup in my Gibsons bridge and didn't like it- too bright and spikey and lost clarity under higher gain. Therefore prob no point considering the lil 59!

I've listened to a lot of YouTube vids and dig the hotrails bridge....just ordered from the states in cream (hard to find that colour in UK and want to match what's there already).

If it's too hot/ loud I'll try lowering. Im sure I could sell on at not much of a loss if it doesn't suit.

The Hot Rail could work for you but if you need more clarity, the demon has that in spades. On the DiMarzio side of things, I would think that the Air Norton would get you in the right neighborhood as well.

 

[tinman1]

Re: Mini humbucker bridge with Fat 50's neck and middle??

Had a last minute change of thought and cancelled the hotrails order....just too hot and would unbalance the guitar. I'm gonna try a Dimarzio Chopper instead.

If it doesn't work out next on the list is a lil 59 or screaming demon.

 

[chadd]

Re: Mini humbucker bridge with Fat 50's neck and middle??

That was probably a good call on your part.