I'm new here, and need some help. I'm turning my alder-bodied S/S/S Strat into a Double Fat Strat, and need to decide on which SD pups to use. I know that the Fender Big Apple model uses the '59 neck and Pearly Gates Plus bridge. What else would sound good in an alder body? I've listened to samples here on the SD site, but I think the clips are recorded using LP type guitars, so that won't help too much. I like the sound of the JB bridge and the Jazz neck. But, I've read here that the Jazz might be too bright in a Strat. Maybe a JB and a '59 neck? Or is the PG Plus the best bet for the bridge? I'll want a nice, full clean sound, and distortion would be along the lines of classic, southern, and blues rock, with MAYBE a touch of metal. Thanks!
Pup Suggestions for a Double Fat Strat
- Thread starter Stratfan
- Start date
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HeadBanginologist
Re: Pup Suggestions for a Double Fat Strat
the JB's great in strats and the jazz is a great neck pickup
the JB's great in strats and the jazz is a great neck pickup
Jeff_H
Dean Hardtail Fanologist
Re: Pup Suggestions for a Double Fat Strat
I have a double fat strat, and the best pickup combo I've found so far for rock and blues is the CC/APH. I started off with the CC/PG, but tired of the upper mids of the PG for my guitar. The APH and CC are both so smooth and sweet. I really think that strats benefit from A2 mags, since they are naturally bright guitars to begin with. Of course each guitar is unique. I'd also consider the PG bridge, 59' bridge, Blues Trembucker and EVH in a strat bridge. Seth neck, 59' neck would be decent also.
I recorded a couple of cover tunes with my CC/APH guitar. Click on my soundclips in my sig....Heavens Door uses the CC for distorted rythym and the APH for clean and leads. All Right Now is the CC all the way through.
I have a double fat strat, and the best pickup combo I've found so far for rock and blues is the CC/APH. I started off with the CC/PG, but tired of the upper mids of the PG for my guitar. The APH and CC are both so smooth and sweet. I really think that strats benefit from A2 mags, since they are naturally bright guitars to begin with. Of course each guitar is unique. I'd also consider the PG bridge, 59' bridge, Blues Trembucker and EVH in a strat bridge. Seth neck, 59' neck would be decent also.
I recorded a couple of cover tunes with my CC/APH guitar. Click on my soundclips in my sig....Heavens Door uses the CC for distorted rythym and the APH for clean and leads. All Right Now is the CC all the way through.
L
Lewguitar
Guest
Re: Pup Suggestions for a Double Fat Strat
Jazz & JB would be great! That's what Jeff Beck used in the Tele/Gib Seymour put together for him that he used on Blow By Blow. A pair of 59's would be cool. So would the set I use: PGN and 59Trembucker. Lew
Jazz & JB would be great! That's what Jeff Beck used in the Tele/Gib Seymour put together for him that he used on Blow By Blow. A pair of 59's would be cool. So would the set I use: PGN and 59Trembucker. Lew
Artie
Peaveyologist
Re: Pup Suggestions for a Double Fat Strat
Hey Stratfan; If you've got your mind set on converting an SSS into an HH, then what everyone said above is good advice. But let me just plant another thought in your head . . .
It would be a shame to lose the unique "Strat" sound, and it would be, pretty much, a whole new guitar after you're done. You may want to consider just getting another guitar to mod. There's a great selection of decent guitars on eBay. Here's a Peavey Patriot, (like mine), that went for $64 bucks . . . thats the cost of a humbucker.
Peavey Patriot
Or, as another alternative, convert it to a HSS configuration. I just got one of those and its fast becoming my favorite combo. Lots of options and you can still maintain that unique neck/middle SC Strat sound.
Like I said . . . just a thought.
Hey Stratfan; If you've got your mind set on converting an SSS into an HH, then what everyone said above is good advice. But let me just plant another thought in your head . . .
It would be a shame to lose the unique "Strat" sound, and it would be, pretty much, a whole new guitar after you're done. You may want to consider just getting another guitar to mod. There's a great selection of decent guitars on eBay. Here's a Peavey Patriot, (like mine), that went for $64 bucks . . . thats the cost of a humbucker.
Peavey Patriot
Or, as another alternative, convert it to a HSS configuration. I just got one of those and its fast becoming my favorite combo. Lots of options and you can still maintain that unique neck/middle SC Strat sound.
Like I said . . . just a thought.
Re: Pup Suggestions for a Double Fat Strat
ArtieToo, I'd never give up my "Strat" sound! I just bought a new American Series S/S/S, so I decided to mod my old Texas Special. I'll be happy (for now) with 2 guitars: one with single coils, and one with humbuckers. I tried to find an inexpensive mahogany double cutaway H/H guitar, but couldn't find one that was more comfortable than my Strat.
BTW, thanks for the replies but it's still too hard to decide!
ArtieToo, I'd never give up my "Strat" sound! I just bought a new American Series S/S/S, so I decided to mod my old Texas Special. I'll be happy (for now) with 2 guitars: one with single coils, and one with humbuckers. I tried to find an inexpensive mahogany double cutaway H/H guitar, but couldn't find one that was more comfortable than my Strat.
BTW, thanks for the replies but it's still too hard to decide!
Metalman_666
Well-known member
Re: Pup Suggestions for a Double Fat Strat
Get some Fender pups for that strat!
Get some Fender pups for that strat!
Troy T. Blues
New member
Re: Pup Suggestions for a Double Fat Strat
Hi Stratfan! Funny, I'm doing the same to one of my Strats...See my thread "Humbuckers for Strats". Seems like we are throwing around the same pup ideas, etc...BTW, yes....you can use a regular humbucker in the neck. Measure over your bridge pup from E-E. If it measures 2" or a little over, you will need a "Trembucker"
I think I'm going for the '59 neck and the JB Trembucker bridge for that Strat. Good luck!
Stratfan said:
Hi Stratfan! Funny, I'm doing the same to one of my Strats...See my thread "Humbuckers for Strats". Seems like we are throwing around the same pup ideas, etc...BTW, yes....you can use a regular humbucker in the neck. Measure over your bridge pup from E-E. If it measures 2" or a little over, you will need a "Trembucker"
I think I'm going for the '59 neck and the JB Trembucker bridge for that Strat. Good luck!
mrfjones
New member
Re: Pup Suggestions for a Double Fat Strat
i like alnico 2 magnets in the pickups in my strats so i think Jeff H's idea is great with a custom custom in the bridge and an APH in the neck it would really get smooth cleans but for the southern rock you were talking about you might want to use a PG in the bridge or even a PG set.
i like alnico 2 magnets in the pickups in my strats so i think Jeff H's idea is great with a custom custom in the bridge and an APH in the neck it would really get smooth cleans but for the southern rock you were talking about you might want to use a PG in the bridge or even a PG set.
dr.barlo
New member
Re: Pup Suggestions for a Double Fat Strat
PG+ that comes in fender strats is NOT a trembucker, but a regular good old gibson sized HB. Just that you know.
My fat strat has a5/a3 modded antiquities. I LOVE them! I think the closest one would be (as Lew said) 59b or PG+ in the bridge. And for the neck well that's a tough one! Dunno! :smack: a 59n with an a3 would come close, but would be different. My ears tell me none of the production line SD's are as open-smooth (one word
) as the ant even with the same magnet.
B
PG+ that comes in fender strats is NOT a trembucker, but a regular good old gibson sized HB.
Just that you know.My fat strat has a5/a3 modded antiquities. I LOVE them! I think the closest one would be (as Lew said) 59b or PG+ in the bridge. And for the neck well that's a tough one! Dunno! :smack: a 59n with an a3 would come close, but would be different. My ears tell me none of the production line SD's are as open-smooth (one word
) as the ant even with the same magnet. B
Empty Pockets
BadHairDayologist
Re: Pup Suggestions for a Double Fat Strat
My dubba-fat has a 59 in the neck and I'm putting a Super Distortion in the bridge...haven't heard it yet but it's what the guy from Weezer uses sooo...
There's about a trillion ways to get a good-sounding, diverse Strat...you just gotta tell us what "good-sounding" is in your ears.
Just assuming you're lookin for a straightforward rockin tone, I don't see how you could go wrong with a set of 59's. I also know one of the Custom pickups is voiced to sound like a 59 with more OOMPH (C5?) so that might be a good bridge pickup...
-X
My dubba-fat has a 59 in the neck and I'm putting a Super Distortion in the bridge...haven't heard it yet but it's what the guy from Weezer uses sooo...
There's about a trillion ways to get a good-sounding, diverse Strat...you just gotta tell us what "good-sounding" is in your ears.
Just assuming you're lookin for a straightforward rockin tone, I don't see how you could go wrong with a set of 59's. I also know one of the Custom pickups is voiced to sound like a 59 with more OOMPH (C5?) so that might be a good bridge pickup...
-X
Re: Pup Suggestions for a Double Fat Strat
I know I'll go with a '59 in the neck; and probably a JB in the bridge. As far as wiring, how does this sound:
Position 1 - Bridge only
Position 2 - Bridge + Split Neck
Position 3 - Bridge + Neck
Position 4 - Neck + Split Bridge
Position 5 - Neck
I have no idea how the full humbucker + split humbucker would sound. I did listen to sound clips for the SD single coil sized humbuckers, and liked the tones when the SC sized humbucker (neck or bridge) was mixed with the middle SC pup. I imagine it would work with the full size humbuckers, too. The one thing I don't need on this guitar is a single coil only sound. I have another Strat for that. Or, I could just go the simple route: 2 humbuckers and a 3-way switch.
I know I'll go with a '59 in the neck; and probably a JB in the bridge. As far as wiring, how does this sound:
Position 1 - Bridge only
Position 2 - Bridge + Split Neck
Position 3 - Bridge + Neck
Position 4 - Neck + Split Bridge
Position 5 - Neck
I have no idea how the full humbucker + split humbucker would sound. I did listen to sound clips for the SD single coil sized humbuckers, and liked the tones when the SC sized humbucker (neck or bridge) was mixed with the middle SC pup. I imagine it would work with the full size humbuckers, too. The one thing I don't need on this guitar is a single coil only sound. I have another Strat for that. Or, I could just go the simple route: 2 humbuckers and a 3-way switch.
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