Neck and middle singles to match Dimarzio Chopper bridge

[donaldr]

I'm contemplating putting a Dimarzio Chopper into the bridge of my LTD ST-213 (SSS) strat copy for a long time. I really like Ritchie Kotzen telecaster with the Chopper bridge (I know it will sound different in a strat and I'm million miles from Ritchie's playing) but looking for that kind of sound with the LTD. Not to hot, just enough. I want to keep her SSS. This LTD is a natural swamp ash beauty and the maple/rosewood neck is like a glove to me.
I already have a Gibson Les Paul, a Godin Exit 22 HSS (EMG active) and a Fender SSS strat (currently HS but I will move the STK-S7 neck to the bridge and put SSL2/STK-S4 neck and middle). I want that LTD to sit between the Godin and the Fender.

What single coil pickups (noiseless or not) to put in the neck and middle to match the Chopper (at least volume wise)? Maybe no middle at all to err on the telecaster side? Maybe put the STK-S7 I already have and get a STK-S4 bridge for the Fender?

I play blues/classic rock/hard rock through an Avid Eleven Rack (mostly JCM800/Plexi/Matchless models) or a Boss Katana combo.

 

[Teleplayer]

Re: Neck and middle singles to match Dimarzio Chopper bridge

Its quite difficult to find single coils that match the chopper. Most vintage single coils don't really do it IMO, although I haven't tried really overwound single coils. The only neck pickup I found that matches decently with the Chopper is the Fast track 1 DP181. I used the Fast track for a while in the neck, but found I actually prefer it in the bridge as its more single coil like than the chopper.

 

[Mincer]

Re: Neck and middle singles to match Dimarzio Chopper bridge

Well, YJMs would work if you still want it to sound Stratty. A Quarter Pound if you want more mids and lows. A Red Devil if you want it to sound like a hotter PAF.

 

[KNUCKLHEAD]

Re: Neck and middle singles to match Dimarzio Chopper bridge

donaldr , DO IT ! I'm using a Chopper Now in my main Tele since 2015 and it's the best Shapes i've had to Date 40+ yrs as singles ( with my Tube amps) used ALL of the Rails for years and the Chopper is the end -road for searching to me ~ period , Wonderful pickup for Strat or Tele . I wouldnt even comment on other pickups once someone mentions Chopper for Bridge , Seriously

 

[donaldr]

Re: Neck and middle singles to match Dimarzio Chopper bridge

Well, YJMs would work if you still want it to sound Stratty. A Quarter Pound if you want more mids and lows. A Red Devil if you want it to sound like a hotter PAF.

Don't like YJM nor QP, but Red Devil might works.

Any other suggestion? A Dimarzio '61?

 

[TVFV]

Re: Neck and middle singles to match Dimarzio Chopper bridge

You could try some Cruisers or the Fast Track 1. On their site they recommend matching Fast Track 1's in the neck and middle or a Cruiser Bridge in the middle.

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[Teleplayer]

Re: Neck and middle singles to match Dimarzio Chopper bridge

I still think the Fast track 1 is the best option, but you can try Duncan single coils if you don't mind having a boost in output from the bridge pickup. Since you mentioned you were interested in Duncan STK S-4 neck and SSL-2 middle (Non rw/rp version), why not try them with the Chopper before changing to the STK-S7 bridge. STK-S7 vintage hot is a nice bridge pickup as well.

 

[Hank-]

Re: Neck and middle singles to match Dimarzio Chopper bridge

Two FT1s will balance well with the chopper tonewise. The Area61s will balance well too output wise but they are much brighter & single coilish in their character. The Injector neck will be darker than a A61 but brighter than the FT1 & also balance well. A complete rails setup looks wise is neat if thats a concern otherwise pick what sounds right in that guitar. The cruiser bridge can also work provided you keep the chopper away from the strings, I like the chopper closer to the strings so the cruiser didnt work for me.

 

[donaldr]

Re: Neck and middle singles to match Dimarzio Chopper bridge

You could try some Cruisers or the Fast Track 1. On their site they recommend matching Fast Track 1's in the neck and middle or a Cruiser Bridge in the middle.

On every thread I found, Dimarzio was always recommending Cruiser/Fast Track 1. Will check but was not really looking for a blade type neck pickup.

 

[donaldr]

Re: Neck and middle singles to match Dimarzio Chopper bridge

I still think the Fast track 1 is the best option, but you can try Duncan single coils if you don't mind having a boost in output from the bridge pickup.

Was thinking Duncan single coils to be lower in volume, that's why I was looking for something else.

Since you mentioned you were interested in Duncan STK S-4 neck and SSL-2 middle (Non rw/rp version), why not try them with the Chopper before changing to the STK-S7 bridge. STK-S7 vintage hot is a nice bridge pickup as well.

STK-S4 or SSL-2 neck (don't mind the noise), no middle as I want to get a more Telecaster vibe. I have STK-S7 in the neck and I also think it might be nicer in the bridge.

 

[donaldr]

Re: Neck and middle singles to match Dimarzio Chopper bridge

Two FT1s will balance well with the chopper tonewise. The Area61s will balance well too output wise but they are much brighter & single coilish in their character. The Injector neck will be darker than a A61 but brighter than the FT1 & also balance well. A complete rails setup looks wise is neat if thats a concern otherwise pick what sounds right in that guitar. The cruiser bridge can also work provided you keep the chopper away from the strings, I like the chopper closer to the strings so the cruiser didnt work for me.

Thanks regarding the Cruiser, will look elsewhere. Will look into FT1, but will definitely check Injector neck.
How does Ritchie Kotzen manage to have the Twang King output (low single coil) to match Chopper output?

 

[Teleplayer]

Re: Neck and middle singles to match Dimarzio Chopper bridge

If you are looking for a more vintage tone, you could consider the Duncan Cool Rails neck as an alternative the Fast track 1. However it won't be as close to matchong tone of the chopper. The Cool Rails is a bit brighter and has marginally more output than the FT1 (at the same mounting height). The Cool Rails neck will work with either 250k or 500k controls, whereas the FT1 is best with 500k when used in the neck position. If combining the Cool Rails neck with Chopper bridge I would use 250k volume and 500k tone. For the combination of FT1 neck and Chopper bridge, I previously used 500k volume and tone, with a 510k load resistor on the hot wire of the Chopper, to ground.

 

[donaldr]

Re: Neck and middle singles to match Dimarzio Chopper bridge

Honestly I'm not a big fan of Duncan rails pickup and Duncan offering of hot single coils for neck is a bit limited. Maybe an SSL5 in the neck with 500k pots might work with the Chopper bridge.

 

[Teleplayer]

Re: Neck and middle singles to match Dimarzio Chopper bridge

Interesting idea with SSL-5s. I would still put a 510k parallel load resistor on the Chopper with 500k pots.

 

[KNUCKLHEAD]

Re: Neck and middle singles to match Dimarzio Chopper bridge

Thanks regarding the Cruiser, will look elsewhere. Will look into FT1, but will definitely check Injector neck.
How does Ritchie Kotzen manage to have the Twang King output (low single coil) to match Chopper output?

like I said before ( not sure on Kotzen) A5 in my twisted T and the chopper Blend together Primo , i just remember adjusting the traditional mounted Twisted in relation to the Height ( calibr. output a bit ) before twisting down the pickguard for good - that was all . think I put a Nissei .027 jap cap in there