Moderate output bridge humbucker in HSS Mexican strat

STLMTLHD79

Active member
I know this has been covered probably a ton of times on here, but i am sort of in a loss for ideas.

I have the following pickups in my inventory that could work for a moderate output HSS Mexican strat:

Gibson Dirty Fingers (single conductor unfortunately-80s vintage)
SD Custom 5 (standard space)
SD Distortion (trem spaced)
SD Full Shred (trem spaced)
SD PA-TB1
Dimarzio FRED

I think the SD Distortion is a no-go. So my choices are PA-TB1, Full Shred, Custom 5 or Dirty fingers. I really like the FRED but it doesnt quite have enough punch for what i am looking at. I really want to try a PA-TB3 but they are somewhat difficult to find. Of these, what would you guys pick? I will be also using a SD Hot Rails in the neck.

thoughts? please share.
 
Re: Moderate output bridge humbucker in HSS Mexican strat

PA-TB1 would be my first choice, followed by the Custom 5

The PA-TB1 is punchy, but not quite as hot as a JB and not as mid-scooped as the Custom 5.
 
Re: Moderate output bridge humbucker in HSS Mexican strat

If it's any help I recently took a PAT3B out of the brigde of my hss (alder bodied strat copy, currently with all maple neck).

I found the bass really defined and the highs clear and loud without any brittleness. I found that fantastic but took it out though as I don't like the scooped nature. For me the lack of mids didn't suit what I wanted, in retrospect I probably should have payed more attention to the tone chart. If you are after a mid-scooped sound with clear, musical highs and lows I'd say it's a great pickup.
 
Re: Moderate output bridge humbucker in HSS Mexican strat

If it's any help I recently took a PAT3B out of the brigde of my hss (alder bodied strat copy, currently with all maple neck).

I found the bass really defined and the highs clear and loud without any brittleness. I found that fantastic but took it out though as I don't like the scooped nature. For me the lack of mids didn't suit what I wanted, in retrospect I probably should have payed more attention to the tone chart. If you are after a mid-scooped sound with clear, musical highs and lows I'd say it's a great pickup.

That is sort of exactly the tone i am searching for. I really dig the Screamin' Demon, which has sort of that tone, but i already have one in another guitar that i do not want to touch.
By any chance you want to part with said PATB3?
 
Re: Moderate output bridge humbucker in HSS Mexican strat

PA-TB1 would be my first choice, followed by the Custom 5

The PA-TB1 is punchy, but not quite as hot as a JB and not as mid-scooped as the Custom 5.

This is exactly what I would choose, and in the order I'd choose them.
 
Re: Moderate output bridge humbucker in HSS Mexican strat

That is sort of exactly the tone i am searching for. I really dig the Screamin' Demon, which has sort of that tone, but i already have one in another guitar that i do not want to touch.
By any chance you want to part with said PATB3?

I may well do, although in principle I'd be more interested in trades if you happen to have anything interesting. Feel free to PM me.
 
Re: Moderate output bridge humbucker in HSS Mexican strat

Ok so i am going to go with the PATB1 in this guitar with a GFS Lil' Killer in the neck. Its a really nice 2003 Mexican strat and i have some upgrades planned for it-Super Vee bridge, locking fender tuners, Switchcraft output jack, Graph Tech nut. I am looking forward to this build!
 
Re: Moderate output bridge humbucker in HSS Mexican strat

err scratch that. I just tested the GFS Lil' Killers and they are the 6k ones. I dont think they would be a good match for the PATB1. May need to find a used cool rails or something along those lines.
 
Re: Moderate output bridge humbucker in HSS Mexican strat

Unless you want something hotter, I'd look into a pair of DiMarzio Cruisers (bridge model).

The market is not without a large abundance of great single-sized humbuckers.
 
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Re: Moderate output bridge humbucker in HSS Mexican strat

Unless you want something hotter, I'd look into a pair of DiMarzio Cruisers (bridge model).

The market is not without a large abundance of great single-sized humbuckers.

Thanks for the tip but im trying to use something from the stockpile of pickups i have waiting to go into guitars. If i were to go with the PATB-3, i would probably use one of these Lil' Killers since it would compliment it well output wise.
 
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