S/S/H or H/S/H Pickup Configuration?

[some_dude]

Trying to decide which way to go.

It's a Strat.

What are your opinions? Any potential drawbacks?

 

[Lewguitar]

Re: S/S/H or H/S/H Pickup Configuration?

Well, since I love Strat and Tele neck pickups for chords and accompaniment, and a bridge humbucker for soloing, it's a no brainer: S/S/H

Pros: The neck and middle pickups will retain the classic Strat tone and the bridge humbucker will let you wail like only a full size humbucker can.

Cons of the H/S/H set up for me is that middle single coil is usually overpowered by the two humbuckers unless the humbuckers are split. Split, most humbuckers don't sound like a Fender Strat single coil anyway...so your Strat won't really sound like a Strat!

Cons for either set up is that humbuckers want 500 K pots and Strat single coils want 250K pots. I'd go with 500K pots with either set up myself, but that means the single coil might be a little brighter than normal.

Lew

 

[tone4days]

Re: S/S/H or H/S/H Pickup Configuration?

i think lew summed it up nicely .. if you bought a strat because you want it to sound like a strat (excepting you want a little humbucking beef in the bridge), the S/S/H will work nicely

if you want the ability to get a little fatter, singing, sustain from the neck, go for the HSH ... with the right pups and wiring choices (splits, combination, etc) you can get a number of strat-ish tones (plus some more) but not ACTUAL strat tones ...

good luck
t4d

 

[some_dude]

Re: S/S/H or H/S/H Pickup Configuration?

Thanks guys.

Just for reference, I have a S/S/H Strat already.

The one I'm modding right now only has one pickup (a JB in the bridge). I'm trying to decide which way to go before I invest in a new pickguard.

And I have a H/H Les Paul Studio on layaway.

 

[Scatterwound]

Re: S/S/H or H/S/H Pickup Configuration?

I have a strat (see signature) with H/S/H configuration. Originally I had lace sensors in them but grew tired of that sound....My taste in music changed over the years which is why I opted for the H/S/H....In my current configuration my middile cool rails matches great with the H's.....I also do not have an issue (even though I do not think it is an issue at all) with the 250 vs 500k pots since I have active electronics....

I would go with whatever you like....Instead of buying a new pickguard why not just cut the existing one if you want another HB?

 

[\m/(00)\m/]

Re: S/S/H or H/S/H Pickup Configuration?

here's what i think:

for a more rock instrument(ie: 80's guitar) HSH, or HH is the ebst for me.

for everything else, an HSS is whats best.

unfortunately i dont have an HSH guitar, so i dont have as much say in this
but i do have an HSS guitar

 

[some_dude]

Re: S/S/H or H/S/H Pickup Configuration?

I would go with whatever you like....Instead of buying a new pickguard why not just cut the existing one if you want another HB?

You mean like this?

Because I can't cut strait and the knob won't fit on the volume pot with the HB mounting ring on it

 

[kaknight]

Re: S/S/H or H/S/H Pickup Configuration?

i love the strat single coil bridge tone!

 

[\m/(00)\m/]

Re: S/S/H or H/S/H Pickup Configuration?

You mean like this?

Because I can't cut strait and the knob won't fit on the volume pot with the HB mounting ring on it

dont use the mounting ring, just use the pickgaurd and screw it in there.

 

[Scatterwound]

Re: S/S/H or H/S/H Pickup Configuration?

Because I can't cut strait and the knob won't fit on the volume pot with the HB mounting ring on it

\m/(00)\m/ is correct. Just remove the mounting ring for the bridge pickup and everything should be fine. As for cutting the bridge I was able to do it fine with a sheet metal trace and a dremel....I will send a pic of my strat when I get back from work.......

 

[Fresh_Start]

Re: S/S/H or H/S/H Pickup Configuration?

Using a Stag Mag humbucker in the neck might be a good compromise. Split, it sounds just like a nice single coil. However, it doesn't have the beef of a regular humbucker when it's on full. There are a couple of guys around here who swear by it for the neck of a Strat though.

Just a thought,

Chip

P.S. I haven't had any issues using all 250k pots on an H/S/S guitar with a Custom-5 bridge, SSL-2 middle and APS-2 neck. The master tone pot was 500k briefly, but everything was too bright for my taste. Just my experience and YMMV.

 

[Empty Pockets]

Re: S/S/H or H/S/H Pickup Configuration?

HSH just doesn't seem "right" to me. Especially with single-coil spaced humbuckers...you may as well just do SSH.

Or just go completely different from your other guitars and rock three singles!

Wait, here it is. HSH, with Phat Cats and a Quarter Pound.

Nevermind..

 

[Robert S.]

Re: S/S/H or H/S/H Pickup Configuration?

I went for a little bit of everything with my Strat. JB in the bridge, a Hot Stack in the middle and a lil59 in the neck.

The Hot Stack and lil59 have a very nice #2 notched position tone that while not exactly vintage, is very believable and very Strat like in tone. The #4 position with the JB and Hot Stack is a little overpowered by the JB, but Im considering a series/parallel switch to tame that down a little.

The JB/Hot Stack/lil59 is a very cool variation on an H/S/S Strat with some excellent tonal options.

 

[Mel]

Re: S/S/H or H/S/H Pickup Configuration?

Jonny Lang has a P-90 between his to hums[and silver duct tape].

 

[some_dude]

Re: S/S/H or H/S/H Pickup Configuration?

dont use the mounting ring, just use the pickgaurd and screw it in there.

\m/(00)\m/ is correct. Just remove the mounting ring for the bridge pickup and everything should be fine. As for cutting the bridge I was able to do it fine with a sheet metal trace and a dremel....I will send a pic of my strat when I get back from work.......

Trust me, if you want that mounting ring removed, it's going to need a new pickguard anyway. It's not pretty under there......

 

[Scatterwound]

Re: S/S/H or H/S/H Pickup Configuration?

Trust me, if you want that mounting ring removed, it's going to need a new pickguard anyway. It's not pretty under there......

Well...That is up to you I guess....Anyway here is a pic of my H/S/H strat without mounting rings...Just for info.........

 

[Empty Pockets]

Re: S/S/H or H/S/H Pickup Configuration?

I like that Strat, the green finish is awesome.

 

[Scatterwound]

Re: S/S/H or H/S/H Pickup Configuration?

I like that Strat, the green finish is awesome.

Thanks for the comment!

Actually the official colour (back in '89) was called 'Gun Metal Blue' I guess it just looks green from the pic. :smack:

 

[edi_87]

Re: S/S/H or H/S/H Pickup Configuration?

what are the pu's??

 

[Scatterwound]

Re: S/S/H or H/S/H Pickup Configuration?

what are the pu's??

For the pu's just check out my signature......

Originally when I bought it it had a white pickguard and three gold lace sensors.....It has evolved over the years..........