Strat single-coil configuration

[JerardoHead]

Hello,

I just bought a Mexican Strat. I've read a lot of debates about Mexican vs. American, and all I can say is I got a good Mexican at a good price. Artic White with a rosewood neck like Hendrix/Beck/Blackmore. The neck is great, clear tones everywhere on the fretboard. The guitar sounds good without being plugged in - something I believe is the key to a good electric guitar.

Anyway, I bought this guitar with modification in mind. I don't 'hate' the pickups but I know there are better options. I have a Jazz in the neck and a Custom in the bridge on my Ibanez hybrid and it sounds awesome. So I have some experience with Duncan upgrades.

I'm looking for a full set, bridge-middle-neck that has (less or zero hum) and works well together.

For the bridge pickup I'm looking for more warmth and gain when it's time to burn, but not a pure distortion PUP. From the research I've done it sounds like the Lil 59 or the JB Jr. could be the one.

For the middle I like the classic bell-tone Strat sound with that pop.

In the neck I like the Hendrix sound like on "The Wind Cries Mary". At least it sounds like the neck pickup to me.

Opinions???

Thanks

 

[Hecubus]

Re: Strat single-coil configuration

I have a JB Jr. in my Basswood Charvel Fusion and "warm" is probably the last word I would use to describe it. It gets that tele twang on clean but is perfect for shred leads with some gain. The Lil '59 sounds more like what you want, but I have no experience with that pickup.

 

[JerardoHead]

Re: Strat single-coil configuration

Yes Master! "Master of funk... and EVIL!!!

Thanks for your advice. I have been reading that the JB Jrs are a bit bright and not as warm as what I think I'm looking for.

 

[Benjy_26]

Re: Strat single-coil configuration

Lew seems to really dig the new Stack Plus pickups in the neck and mid and the full sized JB in the bridge. Do a search and get the full scoop.

 

[Hecubus]

Re: Strat single-coil configuration

There is a great post in the Tips and Clips section demonstrating the stack plus set on various pickup and gain settings. Check it out.

 

[JerardoHead]

Re: Strat single-coil configuration

Thanks but who is Lew?

 

[JerardoHead]

Re: Strat single-coil configuration

I went to the Tips and Clips section and found what you were talking about. I was very impressed.

Thanks

 

[Hecubus]

Re: Strat single-coil configuration

Lew is a forum member who also happens to be a Seymour Duncan dealer. From the posts I've read, he is a very knowledgeable and reliable source.

 

[Benjy_26]

Re: Strat single-coil configuration

Thanks but who is Lew?

Lew is a forum member who also happens to be a Duncan dealer. He also has some of the best ears on the forum and helped Duncan beta test the new duncan stacks.

 

[JerardoHead]

Re: Strat single-coil configuration

Thanks guys. I was at my guitar guy's house earlier tonight getting a quick set up done on my Strat. I replaced the factory 9s with Ernie Ball 11s and the tremolo needed another spring and the neck some adjustment. I'm getting the neck peaked and polished next week.

I asked him about PUPs. He say's he doesn't recommend PUPs to anyone. Too risky. There is too much involved in making up sound.

He did say he's not opposed to non-hum single coils. He said those old pickups are part of the sound and you just work your volume more - if a Strat is what you want. I may just stay traditional with this Strat, even with upgraded Duncans, and build a custom guitar with humbuckers down the road. Part of the reason I bought this Mexican Strat was to get a feel for a Strat and see if that's what I wanted my custom guitar to be. No worries.

 

[jammertom]

Re: Strat single-coil configuration

Congrats on scoring a good Mexican! Like you, I stumbled across a deal too good to pass up. My black Mex had been hanging up in this pawn shop for several months, all dirty and neglected, with five rusty ol' strings. It really hurt to see a perfectly good blues axe so unappreciated--I just had to have it. Man, did it clean up nice! I sold the complete pick guard assembly on eBay to a guy in France from $25 and put the money toward its replacement--a set of SSL-6 custom flats mounted in white mother-of-toilet-seat. I wired 'em to the 5-pos switch first, then to master volume & tone controls and an S-1 switch. Topped it off with a set of 3/4" diameter knurled chrome knobs. Finally, I took it to a local tech for a set-up--AWW RIGHT!! Man, you couldn't have punched the smile off my face when I got it back and plugged it in for the first time! Took it to a jam a couple weeks ago and got some nice compliments on its look and sound--yeah!--and some of the guys there really playing some expensive stuff! I'm running it through a Mesa MKIII Simul and a pair of 112SX Single 12" cabs with just a touch of chorus and reverb. You know something? I'm having more fun learning how to be a Strat player after all these years of playing various Gibson and Hamer humbucking guitars. This baby likes to be spanked! Again, congrats bro'...........keep rockin'....

 

[JerardoHead]

Re: Strat single-coil configuration

Thanks man. Congrats to you too. Nice job customizing it. That's where I'm headed. It plays great now, it just needs a few more tweaks. I'm new to Strats. Whenever I played them, I never liked them. The ones in stores are never set up unless you're playing the ones over a grand.

I started to look at them again and found this cheaper Strat. I don't care about how many pieces of wood it's made out of, this guitar looks good, plays and sounds good unplugged. It has it's own character and it's different than my humbucker guitars. It's got some bite and punch. I'm liking Strats.

This is going to be a guitar I play and have fun with, not a guitar I'm going to baby and over-protect it. I want it to be a battle-axe. LOL