New Memeber / HSS advice

[Bucko]

Hello folks! It's great to be learning all about Seymour Duncan products, the man and the company. I'm really impressed with what I see! I've been playing rock, metal, psychedelic blues and such since 1988 and only recently got into the advantages of swapping pickups in my guitars.

I scored an 83 Kramer Focus 3000 (HSS) for cheap, but these stock pickups are pretty bad, especially the humbucker and I need to swap them all out. I love the sound of the SD '59 Trembucker and I'm curious if the Little '59 will be a good match for the neck. The Trembucker resistance is listed at 8.5 while the Little '59 is 9.8. Is that going to be too hot? I want to keep output levels close and from what I have learned the neck should have a lower value not higher.

I understand the JB TB is super popular but it's not for me, too much midrange and too hot. I want this guitar to be more versatile, like a power strat, not a shredder.

I'm eager for some help and it seems this is the right group of people. Thanks!:14:

Bucko

 

[gregory]

Re: New Memeber / HSS advice

Yes, the Little 59 Neck should be perfect.

Comparing DCR between a single-sized HB and a full sized HB is meaningless. It only applies when the wire gauge and magnet are the same and is still only a rough/crude metric.

 

[Mincer]

Re: New Memeber / HSS advice

Welcome to the forum!

Those 2 pickups should balance just fine. DCR is really only good for comparing 2 pickups of the same type, which they aren't. Just balance them with pickup height. BTW, I like the 59 better than the JB myself, so I understand.

 

[Chistopher]

Re: New Memeber / HSS advice

Are you at all interested in changing the middle pickup?

 

[Ayrton]

Re: New Memeber / HSS advice

The '59 bridge would work with any of the SSLs as well.

The JB can quite the versatile pickup mind you. Keep in mind who was the first to use it.

 

[gregory]

Re: New Memeber / HSS advice

The JB has the best split performance to pair with an SSL-1/-2 out of the entire SD line, AFAIC.

 

[Bucko]

Re: New Memeber / HSS advice

Are you at all interested in changing the middle pickup?

Yeah, I'm considering it. What do you suggest?

 

[gregory]

Re: New Memeber / HSS advice

What do you expect to get out of positions 2, 3 and 4?

I'd recommend either a Cool Rails, or a DiMarzio Area 67. I also recommended the Area 67 in this other topic. The Area 67 is my favorite middle pickup for quack, period.

 

[Aceman]

Re: New Memeber / HSS advice

I ran an X2N/Chopper/Chopper one of those for a long time. But that is over-the-top power.

Might try a 59/Custom for Power Strat without being a shredder.

 

[Chistopher]

Re: New Memeber / HSS advice

Yeah, I'm considering it. What do you suggest?

An STK-S4m would work pretty well, it's the noiseless version of the SSL-1 which is arguably Seymour Duncan's most popular single coil. There are plenty of reviews of them on YouTube if you are interested.

 

[Mincer]

Re: New Memeber / HSS advice

An STK-S4m would work pretty well, it's the noiseless version of the SSL-1 which is arguably Seymour Duncan's most popular single coil. There are plenty of reviews of them on YouTube if you are interested.

This is a great choice, and it is one of my favorite pickups overall.

 

[STLMTLHD79]

Re: New Memeber / HSS advice

The 59 is a fantastic neck pickup, but i have never tried a bridge model.

I have a late 80s Kramer F3000 (somewhat similar to what you have) with a 59/Custom Hybrid in the bridge. This pickup has a tad more output than the 59 but nowhere near a JB or standard Custom. I highly recommend this pickup in a strat HSS format.

 

[Bucko]

Re: New Memeber / HSS advice

Considering the little '59 neck and a cool rails middle, do you recommend 500K volume and tone pots too?

 

[Mincer]

Re: New Memeber / HSS advice

Considering the little '59 neck and a cool rails middle, do you recommend 500K volume and tone pots too?

Well, these were sort of designed to drop right into a Strat, with 259k, but pots are cheap, and there are no rules here. Try both, and see what you like!

 

[Ascension]

Re: New Memeber / HSS advice

I have a late 80s Kramer F3000 (somewhat similar to what you have) with a 59/Custom Hybrid in the bridge. This pickup has a tad more output than the 59 but nowhere near a JB or standard Custom. I highly recommend this pickup in a strat HSS format.

I second this! I have a 59/Custom hybrid in the bridge of my Modern player Tele and it has been a huge surprise at just how well it performed in that guitar. Open with the nasty harmonics that come with the mismatched coils but super clear and articulate at the same time. Made my JB's in my super strats sound constipated and constricted on solos. Not super hot but sounds HUGE at gain and will do metal amazingly well also. IMO t is the most versatile pickup in the Duncan line up and is the perfect bridge bucker in a H/S/S guitar!

 

[Lewguitar]

Re: New Memeber / HSS advice

Yeah, I'm considering it. What do you suggest?

Another Little 59n is what I’d try.

Two Little 59’s and a 59TB.

Haven’t owned a 59/Custom....but I’d love to try one.