Pick up configutation in custom strat build

[ggidzinski]

I am putting together a Warmoth based super strat build. My style includes EVH, ZZ Top, AC/DC so a Seymour Humbucker in the bridge position is a given along with a tremelo bar. Currently looking at the '78, custom custom, pearly gates, etc.

I also play some Hendrix and so it's tempting to think about single coils as well in one or both of the remaining positions. I need some advice:

1) Is it rationale to try to make guitar that can properly serve all of these styles? IOW, do humbucker/single coil guitars work?

2) If so, what configurations makes the most sense - HSS, HSH, HHS, etc?

3) Does a four wire bridge PU help you switch in the strat sound?

4) Would you go for traditional fender single coils or a modern SD solution?

Thanks,

George

 

[Matzanias]

Re: Pick up configutation in custom strat build

Good luck with your project. Warmoth necks and bodies are top quality, so you're starting with a solid platform. I've got a strat -style I put together several years ago. It's got 2 hum buckers (JB bridge, AII neck) and a Floyd Rose.

1. I think it's difficult to set up one guitar that has great humbucking and single - coil tones.

2. As noted, I think H - H makes more sense. If you do choose an HSS or HS set up, you'll have to work hard to balance the output of the humbucker with the single coils.

3. In my opinion, no.

4. Both Fender and SD have excellent single coil options. From Fender, you might consider the Texas specials. If they sell the Eric Johnson pickups after market, I have an EJ Strat and I love them. SD has a lot of great single coils.

Good luck with your build. Please post pictures when it's done.

 

[ggidzinski]

Re: Pick up configutation in custom strat build

Can you cover your bets some by doing a H-H with a 4 wire in the neck position so that you can run a single coil neck? How Strat like does a Humbucker in single coil sound, I have never tried it?

Thanks,

George

 

[ehdwuld]

Re: Pick up configutation in custom strat build

I have a jazz neck the i can split to either coil or parallel
The split sounds are single coil sounding
All humbucker don't do this
My Carvin s22 just sound lower in volume

*(Sent from my durned phone!)*

 

[treyhaislip]

Re: Pick up configutation in custom strat build

HSS with a JB and Hotrails in Alder with a Maple top with a Maple+Rosewood neck can get you amazing Blues to Metal tones...great versatile pickup combo in my opinion...

 

[ggidzinski]

Re: Pick up configutation in custom strat build

HSS with a JB and Hotrails in Alder with a Maple top with a Maple+Rosewood neck can get you amazing Blues to Metal tones...great versatile pickup combo in my opinion...

How do you like to switch this set up?

Thanks

 

[treyhaislip]

Re: Pick up configutation in custom strat build

How do you like to switch this set up?

Thanks

I've always used it in the same way as the Jackson SL3:

Position 1. Bridge Pickup
Position 2. Bridge and Middle Pickup
Position 3. Middle Pickup
Position 4. Middle and Neck Pickup
Position 5. Neck Pickup

I personally have not delved into the world of pull push knobs and such but I'm sure some folks on here could give some cool coil splitting options for this setup

 

[ggidzinski]

Re: Pick up configutation in custom strat build

I've always used it in the same way as the Jackson SL3:

Position 1. Bridge Pickup
Position 2. Bridge and Middle Pickup
Position 3. Middle Pickup
Position 4. Middle and Neck Pickup
Position 5. Neck Pickup

I personally have not delved into the world of pull push knobs and such but I'm sure some folks on here could give some cool coil splitting options for this setup

I am very interested in opinions on push-pull knobs/toggles vs the traditional 5 way slide switch

 

[ehdwuld]

Re: Pick up configutation in custom strat build

the above switching
remove one tone, make it master tone / master volume
add in a three position (on/off/on) toggle in place of the second tone control
make the middle position of the switch (off) the standard switching above
wire one position where the bridge is always on
this give you:

Position 1. Bridge Pickup
Position 2. Bridge and Middle Pickup
Position 3. Middle Pickup----and Bridge Pickup
Position 4. Middle and Neck Pickup----and Bridge Pickup
Position 5. Neck Pickup----and Bridge Pickup


the other side of the switch
wire it for Bridge pickup split and always on

you get the same switching as above but now the bridge is split

 

[chadd]

Re: Pick up configutation in custom strat build

I like to go with an HSS setup that has one tone on the bridge and one on the neck. With a lower output middle, I get a good enough strat bridge tone for me, since I don't like it to be too piercing.

 

[Jeffblue]

Re: Pick up configutation in custom strat build

If you really want to shake things up and cover way more guitar tones, do what I do and mix it up a little.
Seymour Duncan Antiquities P90, Strat and Tele pickups.
Seymour Duncan Antiquities P90, Strat and JB (not shown in the photo/old photograph before the swap)
The sky is the limit so you can try anything you like. I have a carved top Warmoth Tele that has a pair of P90s and a Bill Lawrence humbucker between the two.

 

[Lazarus1140]

Re: Pick up configutation in custom strat build

The arrangement I prefer is HSS with one volume, two tones, and a standard 5-way switch ... no push/pulls or toggles. The bridge humbucker must have four wires so it can work like this:

1. Bridge humbucker with rear tone control
2. Auto split humbucker in parallel with middle single coil (with rear tone control)
3. Middle single coil with no tone control
4. Middle and neck single coils in parallel with front tone control
5 Neck single coil with front tone control

SL2
SL2
Custom/Custom

 

[PFDarkside]

Re: Pick up configutation in custom strat build

I'd do Lazarus' suggestion as well. 4 of the 5 tones are truely authentic, and a passable position #2. Definitely consider vintage spec singles as well, SSL-1s, Fender CS69s, etc. Nice and spanky for Jimi.

 

[NoobLuthier]

Re: Pick up configutation in custom strat build

I'd go with the HSS configuration described by Lazarus. I had a guitar with an HSH configuration a while back (I think it was a Jackson Dinky DK3); it was an interesting guitar and I'm sure it would've been fine for a lot of the tones you're going for, but I doubt the lone single coil will be enough to give you many convincing Jimi-like sounds.