Next build is going to be a Strat - HH or HSH?

[ThreeChordWonder]

I just bought a used S-D TB4 bridge pickup in zebra (? - parchment / cream cover over the screw type pole pieces, black over the plain ones).

I will be looking out for a partner soon.

I was wondering what the opinion is on HH vs. HSH. ?

Is the middle pickup actually useful?

If so, what would you partner with the TB4s?

 

[Mincer]

Well, the middle pickup can get in the way of picking (it does for me)...I'd try one out and see if that is the case for you. For a neck pickup, the natural choice is the Jazz. How do you use your neck pickup? What do you want out of it?

 

[ThreeChordWonder]

^ Something closer to an SG or Les Paul. Yes, I know they're never going to sound exactly alike, and I already have an SG anyway.

The Jazz is a lot lower output (impedance) than the TB4, 7.5 kohm vs. 16.6 kohm, so how would they fare in parallel?

 

[PFDarkside]

For most people, the main purpose of going from HH to HSH is to add those position 2/4 notch tones. Since you are asking, I assume you have at least some interest in those tones. They will never sound like a Strat, but they will get a little clucky and can be very useful. For example, the intro to Steve Vai’s “Answers”, especially live typifies that tone for me. If that’s what you are going for, it’ll work great. Of course, if you want the middle S tone, you need that pickup!

On the other hand, players like Mincer remove the middle S. He likes to use combos of the split neck and bridge to get some brighter tones. If split inner coils and outer coils will satisfy your needs for those tones, omitting the middle S can be good.

I’ve got SSS, HSS, HS, HH and H guitars. I’m planning a HSH to fill in that last spot.

If you decide to go HSH, the important questions are:
-Will you use it by itself or only in combo with other pickups?
-Does it need to be noiseless on its own?
SSL-1/2, SSL-5/6, STK-S4 or STK-S7 could all be possibilities.

 

[ThreeChordWonder]

While I've been sitting here in the Sam's Club parking lot waiting for a AAA tow truck, a few things have crossed my mind:

1. I need a new car.
2. HH with two volumes, and 1 master tone or one volume and two tones.
3. Copy fancy Les Paul wiring so I get full humbucker series or parallel, inner coils or outer coils split.
4. 3 way switch.

 

[PFDarkside]

What do you think of a rear routed Strat body (Charvel style) with Triple Shot rings and a three way switch?

 

[jeremy]

why three way?

 

[Securb]

I have HHH (Gibson), HSH (Fender), and HSS (Parker) I have found the middle pickup is not a problem unless I fixate on it. I am picking on top of the strings the pickup is under the strings, no problem.

 

[ThreeChordWonder]

why three way?

On a two pickup guitar neck, neck + bridge in parallel or series, bridge.

I could also use a four way for the "four way Tele mod": neck, neck and bridge in series, neck, neck and bridge in parallel (not necessarily in that order), or even a five way megaswitch with a half out I f phase, but that would be overkill, methinks.

 

[Liam1963]

I have HHH (Gibson), HSH (Fender), and HSS (Parker) I have found the middle pickup is not a problem unless I fixate on it. I am picking on top of the strings the pickup is under the strings, no problem.

Same here, although my HHH is a Dean Cadillac, but same principle applies...

 

[jeremy]

i was thinking of the HHH setup, not HH

 

[Mincer]

^ Something closer to an SG or Les Paul. Yes, I know they're never going to sound exactly alike, and I already have an SG anyway.

The Jazz is a lot lower output (impedance) than the TB4, 7.5 kohm vs. 16.6 kohm, so how would they fare in parallel?

The Jazz and JB work well together. The neck position has a lot more string vibration, so you can use a lower-output pickup there. If you want a warm sound, go for either a Slash or Alnico II Pro.

 

[ThreeChordWonder]

The Jazz and JB work well together. The neck position has a lot more string vibration, so you can use a lower-output pickup there. If you want a warm sound, go for either a Slash or Alnico II Pro.

^ Thanks

 

[CaptainWhizz]

JB or Distortion with Jazz or 59 in the neck - with the wiring to split or go parallel on each humbucker - gives a pretty damn versatile Strat IMHO.

The videos for Charvel demonstrating their “6 pack of sound” (JB&59 and Distortion set) will give you a good understanding of what the JB and 59 can do full and split.

I think that either Jazz or 59 will give you a great counterpart to a JB, I would take the 59 for purely playing rock, but a Jazz for versatility, especially if I was going to split it.

 

[ThreeChordWonder]

For wiring I found an S-D wiring diagram with two volumes, a master tone and push-pulls for coil splits, phase switch and series/parallel, and a three way blade switch, that I intend to use.

 

[Mincer]

Keep in mind that multiple options for wiring usually results in the player favoring just a few of those sounds. The issue is in getting from one sound to another quickly usually requires a few different moves. It is best to figure out what you like and hardwire those sounds in, if possible.

 

[ThreeChordWonder]

The player, aka yours truly, likes to experiment.

 

[ThreeChordWonder]

Here she is.

Allen Eden HSH body in Fiesta Red
Mighty Mike 22 fret 9.5 inch radius maple and rosewood neck
Fender 2-point tremelo block, decked with 5 springs
Fender regular tuners for now, Kluson locking tuners later
S-D Trembucker SD-4 in the bridge, S-D Jazz in the neck
Fender 3-way switch wired the usual way
2 volumes, 1 master tone
Push-pushes for coil splits (both at the same time) and series /parallel
Cream pickguard - and backing plate once I find it

Neck and intonation were a doddle to set up, and intonation is almost perfect, maybe a few 0.001"s to sand off the bottom of the nut, probably won't bother.

 

[Mincer]

HH Strats are my favorite, and that one looks like an indy car! Congrats on a successful build.

 

[David Garner]

I tend to prefer either HSS or HH. To me, HSH is too much of a compromise on the Strat tones, so I’d rather just go HH if I want a humbucker in the neck.

My only Superstrat is an HSS, but I’ll probably build an HH eventually.