STK-S2 Opinions

[Monsta-Tone]

I've always been curious about this pickup. Can't find very many reviews at all, so I thought I would ask here.

I have an ESP ST-1 with a Hot Rails in the neck, STK-S4 middle, and Custom in the bridge.
I really like the Hot Rails, but it's not mine, I borrowed it from a friend.

I'm torn between an STK-S6 or Hot Rails for my guitar, but am wondering if the STK-S2 would be a better fit for me.
I really like the tone of the HR in this guitar, but it's just a hair too hot I think.
I'm really digging the distorted tones, and the sustain and harmonics are off the charts! I would like something that is similar, but maybe a little more Strat-ish sounding (I fully understand it won't be very Strat-like if it's high output) and more chime on the cleans.
A little less (not too much less) output might be nice as well.

Guitar specs:
Alder body, 1/4" thick maple cap
Maple neck, maple fretboard, 24 fret
Floyd Rose tremolo
25.5" scale

 

[BriGuy1968]

Re: STK-S2 Opinions

I've got the STK-S2 in the center position of The Phoenix and like it a lot. It gives a nice quack paired with either the JB Bridge or Jazz Neck that it resides with. Sounds great by itself too... very single-coilish. I wanted something completely different sounding than the JB and Jazz and got exactly what I was hoping for.

Unfortunately I have no experience with the STK-S6 in order to draw a comparison, but in my opinion comparing a Hot Rails to one of the stacks is apples and oranges. The Hot Rails is a full humbucker while the stacks are essentially hum-canceling single coils.

Guitar specs:
"The Phoenix" is a 1985 Westone Spectrum LX, mahogany body, maple bolt-on neck, rosewood fingerboard, 22 fret, 25.5" scale with a blocked Floyd Rose copy that went through a house fire about twenty years ago and has been restored.

 

[Monsta-Tone]

Re: STK-S2 Opinions

Thanks! Can the S2 keep up with the JB?

Cool guitar! A friend of mine in high school had the Westone V. It was bad ass!

 

[BriGuy1968]

Re: STK-S2 Opinions

It's not quite as loud, but then too it's more like a single coil on steroids than a typical humbucker. It holds its own pretty well all in all and has more output than the JB in split mode. As a center position pup I usually just use it to add character/quack to the other HBs, but it's also a great sounding single coil when I want it. Admittedly, it's not that popular of a pickup, but I have found it to be a diamond in the rough!


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[Monsta-Tone]

Re: STK-S2 Opinions

Right on, thanks!
Maybe I'll pick up an STK-S2. If I like the Hot Rails more in the neck, I'll put the S2 in the middle.