Strat pup set-up

Cerrian

New member
I'm looking for a new sound in my strat, more of a metal/heavy rock tone (coming from jazz/blues). I want a most versitile yet heavy sound. Right now I get way too muddy in the neck with distortion but a very clean bridge sound. I was wonding what type of sound I would get with Hot Rails in the bridge, a '59 in the neck, and I can't decide between a Duckbucker or the Vintage Rails for the middle. Anyone have any experience with something like this? :bowdown:
 
Re: Strat pup set-up

A set that I've installed for other people's strats that's a good all around set is the Cool Rails in the neck, Vintage Rails in the mid and a Hot Rails in the bridge.

Use a pair of 500k push/pull pots to switch the CR & HR from series to parallel and a third 500k push/pull to get two additional switching options (N/B & all 3 together). This will give you a strat that can go from country to metal, be hum free, and look wicked cool to boot.
 
Re: Strat pup set-up

Ya I was unsure about mixing and matching the different sets (although I see no reason why not, I've never bought Seymour Duncan pickups before). I wish my speakers were good enough to hear the samples :eek13:
 
Re: Strat pup set-up

How radical do you wanna get?

I would say Route the neck and bridhe and put in a Alnico 2 Pro and CC, they sound great in strats. In the middle you can use a cool rail, lil 59, or go heavier if you want.
 
Re: Strat pup set-up

I’ve never used a Duckbucker, but if I’ve read reviews right, it sounds like it’s basically a VR with poles instead of rails. If that’s the case, the VR gets my nod for the middle.

And this isn’t the first time I’ve ever said this, but the CR is, IMO, the best single coil sized humbucking pickup that you can put in the neck of a strat. Smooth, warm, and clear. It sings under gain and clean.
 
Re: Strat pup set-up

What amp are you playing through and do you have a DS-1 or other distortion pedal? With a DS-1 and a good tube amp you can get some really great heavy tones as I discovered last weekend. Look Here My results were using 3 single coils using HB's you cold get really heavy duty. But of course, YMMV. ;)
 
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Re: Strat pup set-up

I am looking for a pretty radical sound. The amp I'm using is a Marshall vs100 combo, although that may change with the x-mas season. The distortion I use is the Boss MT-2 Metal Zone (if anyone has a suggestion on a better distortion then let me know as well, I grow weary of this one).
 
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