Mixed Stack Pickups - SSS

[Dudeman7]

I have a couple SD Classic Stack Plus pickups in my HSS Strat and they are great. They really give me exactly what I want from that guitar.

Recently, I bought an SSS Strat and the stock single coils (MIM) sound pretty good, but they're not in the same league as the SDs.

I came across a pre-wired pick guard that has an STK-S7 neck, STK-S4m middle and STK-S6 bridge pickup. The price was much cheaper than I could have bought just the pickups for so I jumped on it.

Now, I expect that the bridge pickup will be powerful with healthy output and it will certainly be louder than the Classic Stack in the middle. That's what I want. But what about that neck pickup? There isn't nearly as much discussion about it as there is about the Classic and Custom Stacks. What should I expect from it?

Also, has anyone ever mixed and matched SD noiseless pickups in the same guitar? If so, what was your experience?

 

[jeremy]

i really like the vintage hot stack plus but have only used it in the bridge with cs+ neck and middle, its a fantastic pup so it might be great in the neck with a hotter bridge pup

 

[solspirit]

I have a couple SD Classic Stack Plus pickups in my HSS Strat and they are great. They really give me exactly what I want from that guitar.

Recently, I bought an SSS Strat and the stock single coils (MIM) sound pretty good, but they're not in the same league as the SDs.

I came across a pre-wired pick guard that has an STK-S7 neck, STK-S4m middle and STK-S6 bridge pickup. The price was much cheaper than I could have bought just the pickups for so I jumped on it.

Now, I expect that the bridge pickup will be powerful with healthy output and it will certainly be louder than the Classic Stack in the middle. That's what I want. But what about that neck pickup? There isn't nearly as much discussion about it as there is about the Classic and Custom Stacks. What should I expect from it?

Also, has anyone ever mixed and matched SD noiseless pickups in the same guitar? If so, what was your experience?

It was fine, I even put bridge pickups in the neck pos. I adjust the output with the pickup height

 

[Synapsys]

Last year I got an Ibanez S761FM, an HSS model which came stock with DiMarzios (a Tone Zone and two True Velvet), all of which I hated.

Replaced the stock set with Duncans, a '59/Custom in the bridge, and two Vintage Hot Stack Plus in the middle and neck.

The Vintage Hot Stacks have a lightly overwound tone, but depending on amp and touch they can get very close to classic Fender tones, although they are a bit darker than the Classic Stacks..

They do match better, output-wise, with the '59/Custom, when compared with the Hot Rails / Classic Stacks Plus I have in an ESP LTD Strat clone (SSS) that I own.

 

[Mincer]

I think that's a rockin pickup combo. I'd love to hear what you think about it when it is installed.

 

[Dudeman7]

I think that's a rockin pickup combo. I'd love to hear what you think about it when it is installed.

Just got the shipping confirmation today. I'm hoping that they show up this week.

I'm really excited to try these pickups out since, on paper, they sound exactly like what I'm looking for.

 

[Mincer]

Just got the shipping confirmation today. I'm hoping that they show up this week.

I'm really excited to try these pickups out since, on paper, they sound exactly like what I'm looking for.

I gotta say, I love mine.

 

[Demanic]

Post some sound clips when you get them installed. I'd be interested in hearing them.

 

[Dudeman7]

I gotta say, I love mine.

Do you have the same set?

 

[Mincer]

Do you have the same set?

I have several Classic Stack pickups and have played a guitar with the exact set you describe.

 

[Dudeman7]

I have several Classic Stack pickups and have played a guitar with the exact set you describe.

Cool! I have been super happy with my Classic Stacks so I have high hopes for these ones.

I am hoping that they sound like a punchier, more powerful Strat while still retaining the single coil Strat response and dynamics.

Hopefully that makes sense!

 

[Mincer]

They don't have the chime of the Classic Stacks, but they still sound firmly like Strat pickups. There are slightly less highs and more mids, but you get that bloom like you get from singles.

 

[Dudeman7]

Perfect! That sounds like exactly what I need.

Thanks for your input and expertise!

 

[Dudeman7]

Pickups are installed! I spent a bit of time experimenting with height adjustments and dialing them in.

So far, I'm liking what I'm hearing. The neck and bridge both have more guts and mids than the middle pickup, which is what I expected. Definitely still sounds like single coils and it definitely sounds like a Strat.

I'm happy so far. These pickups are very touch responsive! I need more time with them for sure but initial impressions are very positive.

 

[Mincer]

Thanks for the update!

 

[donaldr]

Late to the party! I had a STK-S7 neck and found it to dark with 250k pots. I moved it to bridge with a STK-S4 neck (dummy middle) and it's a perfect match, I will never touch that combo.
Will probably try a STK-S7 neck with a PATB-3 bridge and 500k pots in a future project.

 

[Artie]

Nice review, but I'd love to hear what you like, or don't, about that STK-7 in the neck. That's an odd pairing.

 

[Dudeman7]

The STK-S7 in the neck spot on my Strat is a little hotter and livelier than a typical, "vintage" single coil. It sounds like a great Strat neck pickup plus a little extra.

The Custom Stack Plus in the bridge spot is great too but it has a more forward, aggressive thing going on. There are plenty of mids so the ability to cut through is amazing. Since I use a lot of effects, typically quite a few at the same time, it works great for me. Instead of little technique variations becoming blurred by the rest of the signal chain (like the stock single coils), details shine right on through. I fully understand why David Gilmour used the standard version of this pickup.