Strat metal tone

[fred]

hello,

I'm a diehard Strat lover but I also play heavy metal (Mercyful Fate/King Diamond, Iron Maiden, Judas Priest, NWOBHM, etc.) The Strat just has "that sound" that I love.

I just bought a Carvin Bolt Strat copy (AWESOME guitar for the $$$!!!) but the stock single coils are too weak and thin for metal. the guitar has a maple neck, alder body, ebony fingerboard, Sperzel locking tuners, and a Wilky tremolo (blocked for diving only).

Could I get some recommendations for a new set of pups (Seymour Duncan or DiMarzio)?

thanks bros

 

[southadc]

Re: Strat metal tone

hello,

I'm a diehard Strat lover but I also play heavy metal (Mercyful Fate/King Diamond, Iron Maiden, Judas Priest, NWOBHM, etc.) The Strat just has "that sound" that I love.

I just bought a Carvin Bolt Strat copy (AWESOME guitar for the $$$!!!) but the stock single coils are too weak and thin for metal. the guitar has a maple neck, alder body, ebony fingerboard, Sperzel locking tuners, and a Wilky tremolo (blocked for diving only).

Could I get some recommendations for a new set of pups (Seymour Duncan or DiMarzio)?

thanks bros

What's the current set-up, is it 3 single coils? If so, are you prepared to mod the guitar, or are you looking to retrofit the new pickups without modifying the guitar?

 

[fred]

Re: Strat metal tone

What's the current set-up, is it 3 single coils? If so, are you prepared to mod the guitar, or are you looking to retrofit the new pickups without modifying the guitar?

3 single-coils

what mods would be needed?

thanks

 

[southadc]

Re: Strat metal tone

Well, for a Strat copy, if you were to put a full-size humbucker in at the bridge (say), then at the least you would need to enlarge the hole in the pickguard for the pickup,or buy a new pickguard. If you pop the pickguard off next time you have the strings are off, you can take a look at how the guitar's routed. The bridge may be routed to take a humbucker, although only a single coil is fitted. that being the case, then having a humbucker fitted isn't too difficult. If, however, it's only routed to take a single coil, then you would have to have the body routed to take a full-size humbucker.

I'd be tempted to install some single coil sized humbuckers, but I haven't really tried enough of them to advise which. I've got a Squire strat with a Seymour Duncan Hot Rails at the bridge, and that sounds pretty good (iit could probably be improved by modifying the circuit so that a tone pot acted on it though)

 

[fred]

Re: Strat metal tone

Well, for a Strat copy, if you were to put a full-size humbucker in at the bridge (say), then at the least you would need to enlarge the hole in the pickguard for the pickup,or buy a new pickguard. If you pop the pickguard off next time you have the strings are off, you can take a look at how the guitar's routed. The bridge may be routed to take a humbucker, although only a single coil is fitted. that being the case, then having a humbucker fitted isn't too difficult. If, however, it's only routed to take a single coil, then you would have to have the body routed to take a full-size humbucker.

I'd be tempted to install some single coil sized humbuckers, but I haven't really tried enough of them to advise which. I've got a Squire strat with a Seymour Duncan Hot Rails at the bridge, and that sounds pretty good (iit could probably be improved by modifying the circuit so that a tone pot acted on it though)

oh no no I should have specified in my original post, I want to keep the 3 single coil setup. I don't like full-size humbuckers.

 

[Blue Calx]

Re: Strat metal tone

Hot rails, man! That'll metal ya right up! won't have to modify your guitar's routing either.














.....

...I'm gonna vote again for the hot rails because they just kick that much ass!

 

[Number One]

Re: Strat metal tone

Hot Rails. No question. Same thing that most everyone else will probably say.

 

[Empty Pockets]

Re: Strat metal tone

Metal = Hot Rails

 

[rhmcfarland]

Re: Strat metal tone

The Hot Rails bridge has a ton of output, and should do well. Some people also like them for the smooth high output that the neck and mid positions offer. If you want a more clear tone from the neck and mid, you could try the Cool Rails, or a DiMarzio Fast Track.