Pickup Suggestion... Humbucker for Strat

[clund]

Okay... So I have a MIM Strat... that has gone thru 4 different pickup changes. The Bridge got replaced by a GFS 10k lil' Killer, Then that left for a full set of Fender Custom shop 69's - Neck and Mid improved GREATLY... so they stay. But Bridge still was not what I wanted. SO I put in a DiMarzio Pro Track... Better, but still not completely there.

I'm thinking of getting a new pick-guard and going with a full size humbucker, but need suggestions.

I LOVE THIS LOOK! So I want a Nickel cover humbucker... Maybe a Gibson Burstbucker? How would that sound?

Any other suggestions on a Nickel Covered Humbucker?!?!?!?!

Other Suggestions I have gotten...

Seymour Duncan antiquity pickup, or their Pearly Gates, Alnico II Pro.
Gibson 498T
Seymour Duncan SH-14 Custom 5
Screamin' Demon

The main thing I want to it match the Output level on the Fender Custom 69's.

What do you all think!?!?!?!?

 

[jeremy]

Re: Pickup Suggestion... Humbucker for Strat

youll want something at the lower end of the output spectrum if you dont want too much of a jump in output from the single coils to the bucker. im a big fan of the pearly gates in the bridge of a strat

 

[clund]

Re: Pickup Suggestion... Humbucker for Strat

I really like the Pearly Gates as well... and would LOVE to go with it... only problem, they don't have the Nickel Cover option in a Trembucker. I would prefer the pole screws to line up with the strings.

I might end up going with the Duncan TB-12 The George Lynch Screamin Demon Trembucker NC (Nickel Cover) - Has a 10k output, so a Little hotter than the Pearly Gates, but only by about 1.5k. Still a Med Output pickup.

- Corey

 

[jammertom]

Re: Pickup Suggestion... Humbucker for Strat

You may not need a trembucker for a MIM strat! I could be wrong, but I think I remember reading that the Mexican Strats have a narrower E-to-e distance than either the vintage U.S. or 80's Japanese Strats...carefully measure the distance E-to-E in the area along the strings where the pole pieces will be lined up--If you get 2", then a standard-spaced pup will line up with the strings better than the 2-1/16" TB'r will. Or, I could be accidentally talking out of my dirt hole again..........I will measure my MexiStrat when I get home from work and re-post...

 

[Dirtbagg]

Re: Pickup Suggestion... Humbucker for Strat

Depends how how you want the pickup to be. there is also the 59 pickup. which is really nice

 

[kjrocks]

Re: Pickup Suggestion... Humbucker for Strat

If you want that cover I wouldnt worry about it being tremspaced so much. Standard spacing will work fine. The one in your photo is a standard spaced HB.

 

[Fender_Punk]

Re: Pickup Suggestion... Humbucker for Strat

Duncan Custom, JB and Pearly Gates all sound REALLY good in the bridge of a Strat. Phat Cats are my favourite Duncans so I gotta say give that a try (it'd keep the nickel look).

 

[Benjy_26]

Re: Pickup Suggestion... Humbucker for Strat

If you dig the Pro Track, I think you'll dig the Demon. It'll be a bit airier on the top with more growl to the mids and a tight, chunky bottom that'll twang beautifully when played through a clean, high headroom amp.

 

[clund]

Re: Pickup Suggestion... Humbucker for Strat

I ended up ordering the Screaming Deamon Trembuckerand a new Pickgaurd from GFS.... I didn't get a chance to measure since the guitar is at my Drummer's house. I will post again with pictures and a review... Thanks for all your suggestions.

 

[jammertom]

Re: Pickup Suggestion... Humbucker for Strat

Last night I compared a standard-spaced Custom and a JB Trembucker by holding each of them next to the strings on my own MIM...even though the standard-spaced is probably close enough, I think the trembucker will probably look a little more at home on your axe. Looking forward to reading your review!

 

[clund]

Re: Pickup Suggestion... Humbucker for Strat - INSTALLED!!!

Re: Pickup Suggestion... Humbucker for Strat - INSTALLED!!!

Okay... So I completed my Screaming Demon install Yesterday, and have some pictures. Let me tell you, this thing sounds GREAT! Definitely a big improvement over the Fast Track that was in there. Love the aggressive grind this pickup puts out, not high output, but a nice mid-range growl. It even sounds very good clean! Slightly higher output than the Fender CS 69's, but they mix pretty well. I will say that the 4 position sucks though, it sounds hollow with the mid and bridge pickup mixed, but I can live with that. Never really used it anyway. Might get a 5-way superswitch down the road so I can find something useful at that spot.

So here are the pictures:

Pre-Install

Because it is a Trembucker, it didn't fit in the standard Bridge spot of the pickguard I ordered, had to get the dremel and sandpaper out. But after a little work, it slid right in.

Here it is installed... Just some screws and strings and put back the knobs, and I am done:

All strung up and ready to play... and it was a Definite improvement!!!! As much as the single coil sized humbuckers are great... You CAN'T beat the real thing!

 

[telemike]

Re: Pickup Suggestion... Humbucker for Strat

Cool

 

[Yngwiestein]

Re: Pickup Suggestion... Humbucker for Strat

Sounds fantastic but you must have spent a lot for that pickup with the nickel cover. I wouldn't have paid extra for the nickel cover in a strat but that's just me. Now you should just go all the way and put some lipstick tubes in there!

 

[clund]

Re: Pickup Suggestion... Humbucker for Strat

The Screamin' Demon was $94... So it was a little more than I wanted to spend... but I think the looks are well worth it! And the sound is Amazing! I'm going to keep the White Covered Fender CS 69's in it... Love the sound I get from them!

 

[Yngwiestein]

Re: Pickup Suggestion... Humbucker for Strat

The Screamin' Demon was $94... So it was a little more than I wanted to spend... but I think the looks are well worth it! And the sound is Amazing! I'm going to keep the White Covered Fender CS 69's in it... Love the sound I get from them!

The Fender pickups are fantastic. I like the Custom Shop 57 & Texas Specials a lot for singles. Recently I've been jonesing for Diamondback humbuckers so I ordered a pair for my Charvel.

 

[Benjy_26]

Re: Pickup Suggestion... Humbucker for Strat

Try flipping the ground and hot on the Demon. Should get you your bass back when in the #4 position.

 

[clund]

Re: Pickup Suggestion... Humbucker for Strat

Try flipping the ground and hot on the Demon. Should get you your bass back when in the #4 position.

Thanks for the suggestion... I will give that a try. Will I loose anything by doing that on the Humbucker? Or does it not matter which way the Hot and Ground Go? If that is the case... You think I could maybe swap the Middle Pickup instead? Or are single coils different?

One issue that I have is the Fender CS 69 I have in the MID is not Reverse Wound... The set comes with all 3 pickups exactly the same, so I don't get that nice Noise Cancelling in the 2 possition.

 

[NoOnesFang13]

Re: Pickup Suggestion... Humbucker for Strat

Thanks for the suggestion... I will give that a try. Will I loose anything by doing that on the Humbucker? Or does it not matter which way the Hot and Ground Go? If that is the case... You think I could maybe swap the Middle Pickup instead? Or are single coils different?

One issue that I have is the Fender CS 69 I have in the MID is not Reverse Wound... The set comes with all 3 pickups exactly the same, so I don't get that nice Noise Cancelling in the 2 possition.

nope u wont have to worry about loosing your sound, and as for the hum cancelation it shouldnt present too much of a problem, i always use clean in my 2 pos. but that may just be me

 

[Techy Beccy]

Re: Pickup Suggestion... Humbucker for Strat - INSTALLED!!!

Re: Pickup Suggestion... Humbucker for Strat - INSTALLED!!!

Okay... So I completed my Screaming Demon install Yesterday, and have some pictures. Let me tell you, this thing sounds GREAT! Definitely a big improvement over the Fast Track that was in there. Love the aggressive grind this pickup puts out, not high output, but a nice mid-range growl. It even sounds very good clean! Slightly higher output than the Fender CS 69's, but they mix pretty well. I will say that the 4 position sucks though, it sounds hollow with the mid and bridge pickup mixed, but I can live with that. Never really used it anyway. Might get a 5-way superswitch down the road so I can find something useful at that spot.

So here are the pictures:

Pre-Install

Because it is a Trembucker, it didn't fit in the standard Bridge spot of the pickguard I ordered, had to get the dremel and sandpaper out. But after a little work, it slid right in.

Here it is installed... Just some screws and strings and put back the knobs, and I am done:

All strung up and ready to play... and it was a Definite improvement!!!! As much as the single coil sized humbuckers are great... You CAN'T beat the real thing!

Most of the modern humbuckers suck as far as output level with the Custom Shop 69's! I have this configuration but with the lil screamin deamon in the bridge. Awesome and versatile pickup but personally I don't think it works that well with the 69's. Im thinking of changinh my 69's with Texas specials or fat 50's.
If you want good humbucker to pair with the 69's I would suggest a TV Jones filterton TV classic