Need some advice on single coils...

T

TS2

New member
Hey guys, I recently installed a Custom Custom into my HSS strat (maple neck, alder body) and it sounds F-in amazing. Now I am looking to add the two single coils to the setup. I am going for that vintage bluesy tone from the neck postion and either the same for the middle, or a good intermediate. I don't want the pickups to distort the amp either (If I want distortion, I'll use effects). As far as hum-cancelling versus normal single coils....which ever one sounds better for my applications. I really want to maintain that "quack" sound from positions 2 and 4 too. Anyone know of some good matches? Thanks.
 
Re: Need some advice on single coils...

Flat or staggered for the A2 pro singles? Anyone else out there have any suggestions? Classic Stack, Vintage rails, Vintage singles, etc???
 
Re: Need some advice on single coils...

I like the option of either two Classic Stacks or two SSL-1's with the CC to get a nice bluesy tone. The SSL-1 would be your straight up vintage single coil, but it tends to like rosewood fretboards more than an all maple neck... Granted I used mine with a maple neck with no complaints, but once I slapped a rosewood/maple neck on my Alder strat the SSL-1 wasn't too much treble anymore (nothing that couldn't be rolled back though with your maple)

So with that in mind... the A2 pro singles would definitely be a better option with your maple neck.

The Classic Stacks are OUT OF THIS WORLD THOUGH!! I highly suggest you check them out. They are perfect for HSS applications. I have the STK-S4 as my middle pick-up and it sounds bluesy, vintage correct and COMPLETELY hum free (compared to a single coil)!
 
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Re: Need some advice on single coils...

I gotta say I really like staggered for single coils... They just have a tighter balance from string to string (most evident through sweep picks).

TS2 said:
Flat or staggered for the A2 pro singles? Anyone else out there have any suggestions? Classic Stack, Vintage rails, Vintage singles, etc???
Click to expand...
 
Re: Need some advice on single coils...

I like the SSL-4 and SSL-5s for a little more warmth. They are much hotter than the A2s or SSL-1s, but less than the SSL-3s.
 
Re: Need some advice on single coils...

I had an SSL-1 in the neck and an SSL-5 in the middle in my MIM Fat Strat. The SSL-1 had the classic SC sound and the SSL-5 was a little hotter. They were a nice mix. I had a Distortion in the bridge and I didn't like it much - I was thinking of replacing it with a CC. Anyway, the two SSl's are listed on the Trading Post right now. (I'm selling the strat, so I took the pickups out.)
 
Re: Need some advice on single coils...

I love my Distortion, but I agree it doesn't fit with these singles. A Pearly Gates wold be a bettr choice with the SSL-1.
 
Re: Need some advice on single coils...

I have a C5 with a pair of SSL-1's in the Quilt Maple over Mahogany Sunburst Washburn USA MG 120n in my avatar.
To me the SSL-1's are ok but a little thin and weak. I wish now I had gone with the Alnico II's. I have a pair of Dimarzio Blue Velvets with a Crazy8 in my Swamp Ash bodied MG 100 that are fantastic!! IMO the Velvets NUKE the SSL-1's!!
 
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