Pickup advice needed.

[fnesnor]

I'm new and I need advice about pickups. I recently purchased a Samick with a humbucker at the bridge and two pickups (one at the neck and one in the middle) I want to upgrade them. I play mostly blues. I am leaning toward getting a SH-1'59 humbucker at the bridge and two (2) SSL-1's for the middle and neck. I have a Fender Acoustasonic Junior amp. I've been playing acoustic for the past several years...this is my first electric. Thanks for your help.

 

[STRATDELUXER97]

Re: Pickup advice needed.

I'm new and I need advice about pickups. I recently purchased a Samick with a humbucker at the bridge and two pickups (one at the neck and one in the middle) I want to upgrade them. I play mostly blues. I am leaning toward getting a SH-1'59 humbucker at the bridge and two (2) SSL-1's for the middle and neck. I have a Fender Acoustasonic Junior amp. I've been playing acoustic for the past several years...this is my first electric. Thanks for your help.

Excellent choices and a great starting point for great tones based on your styles....If the SSL1s are too toppy(bright)for you....Go with the APS1s...These are A2 poles and are warmer and less toppy...The SSL1s are A5 pole...The 59 is just a very versatile and outstanding pickup overall..It's warm,chimey,and always articulates very well and covers lots of styles..

John

 

[Lewguitar]

Re: Pickup advice needed.

Ditto! That's a great combination...the SSL-1 and 59B are two of my favorite pickups. You might want to consider a 59TB...the polepieces are spaced wider to accomodate the wider string spacing at the bridge of most Fender Strats.

Lew

 

[fnesnor]

Re: Pickup advice needed.

Thanks John & Lew,
Lew, the 59TB is too long for the opening in the chrome plate for a humbucker. My strings at the bridge are 2 3/32" apart but I'm going to be stuck with the "standard" humbucker size. Would a APS1 at the neck make more sense than an SSL-1 since the strings are a little more loose up there and I can get a "fatter" sound?

 

[STRATDELUXER97]

Re: Pickup advice needed.

Thanks John & Lew,
Lew, the 59TB is too long for the opening in the chrome plate for a humbucker. My strings at the bridge are 2 3/32" apart but I'm going to be stuck with the "standard" humbucker size. Would a APS1 at the neck make more sense than an SSL-1 since the strings are a little more loose up there and I can get a "fatter" sound?

I wouldn't say the APS1 would be fatter but it is less toppy and warmer..If you want really vintage go with the SSL1s....If you think this would make things too bright,go with the APS1s....I use em both...I'm not sure but normally the A2 Poles makes us percieve more mids?

John

 

[midnite_man]

Re: Pickup advice needed.

I'm new and I need advice about pickups. I recently purchased a Samick with a humbucker at the bridge and two pickups (one at the neck and one in the middle) I want to upgrade them. I play mostly blues. I am leaning toward getting a SH-1'59 humbucker at the bridge and two (2) SSL-1's for the middle and neck. I have a Fender Acoustasonic Junior amp. I've been playing acoustic for the past several years...this is my first electric. Thanks for your help.

It sounds like you, John, and Lew are right on the money, IMO. I'm getting ready to put a SSL-1 in the neck of my black Strat, plus an APS-1 in the middle. I think those, along with the SSL-3 (S-S-S routed) will make that axe get up and go. If I had space for a 'bucker I'd probably go with a '59 or possibly a JB.
The Hot Stacks in it have been nice, but it's time to move on.