Stratocaster Lonestar HSS - Help

[edgar_rua]

Hello, this is my first message. First of all, excuse my english, it's too bad, i'm from Spain.

I have a Fender American Lonestar Stratocaster that comes with 2 texas specials and a Fender/Duncan Pearly Gates+.

The texas don't sound like a classic stratocaster, too much output and mids... I want in the neck and middle positions a classic stratocaster sound, with the typical quack or twang, low output pickups with the typical fender sound (think in early Knopfler sounds, for example). But in the brigde position i want a rock or hard/rock sound with the humbucker and the PG+ sounds too classic for that. I have other guitar with a SD 59n/JB and i want something like the JB bridge sound but less agressive and with less treble to put in my strat.

I'm thinking in that set-up:

Neck: SSL-1 or SSL-2
Middle: SSL-1 or SSL-2 (RW/RP)
Bridge: SH-11 Custom Custom *

*i want to put a 'on-on-on' switch for single-series-parallel

The SH-11 have about 14k and in single coil mode with 7k i think that may have a compensated sound with the other single coils.

I think in the SH-11 because i want a similar sound to a SH-5 Custom but for a Stratocaster (bright tone instrument) the SH-5 sounds with a lot of treble.

Basically, i want this:

neck & middle: classic stratocaster sound (Knopfler, Hendrix, Rory Gallager... )
brigde: rock, hard rock sound, modern sounds... (AC/DC, G&R, Dream Theater, Muse, Satriani, Vai ...)

What do you think about my choice for that styles?

My guitar have a 12" fretboard radius, vintage staggered or flat poles for single coils?. So, SSL-1 or SSL-2?

Thanks a lot for your time.

Regards.

 

[MikeRocker]

Re: Stratocastes Lonestar HSS - Help

Re: Stratocastes Lonestar HSS - Help

Hello and welcome.

I have experience with two of the pickups you mentioned, I have a Strat with an SSL-1 in the neck and an SSL-1 RW/RP in the middle. They sound great, what I think of as a classic Strat sound. Both the neck and neck/middle postitions are excellent (who ever really uses a Strat middle pickup by itself?). I like them so much that I put the same two pickups in my homemade baritone Strat (with a Custom Shop humbucker in the bridge). In my opinion, that's your best bet, short of spending more for Surfers (which I haven't heard, but I plan to put in a new Strat I'm building).

I'm sure someone will chip in soon about the humbucker. Good luck!

 

[edgar_rua]

Re: Stratocastes Lonestar HSS - Help

Re: Stratocastes Lonestar HSS - Help

Thanks Mike, how about the staggered or flat poles?

 

[MikeRocker]

Re: Stratocastes Lonestar HSS - Help

Re: Stratocastes Lonestar HSS - Help

Thanks Mike, how about the staggered or flat poles?

Well, my Strat has a 9.5" radius, and my baritone is compound (10" - 16"), and the pickups sound great in both guitars. I'm kind of a traditionalist, and I favor vintage-style pickups, parts, etc. I also notice that Eric Johnson has staggered pickups in his new signature Strat, and the radius is 12". I vote for the SSL-1s (staggered), but others may have differing opinions.

 

[edgar_rua]

Re: Stratocaster Lonestar HSS - Help

Thanks! :dance:

 

[Benjy_26]

Re: Stratocaster Lonestar HSS - Help

Only staggered pickups will give you the proper early strat tone, which is why I vote for the SSL-1's. The CC is also a great choice, especially if you're splitting it.

 

[kjrocks]

Re: Stratocaster Lonestar HSS - Help

I think you've made some very good choices.Those pup's should get you what you want t hear or least very close.Do it...

 

[edgar_rua]

Re: Stratocaster Lonestar HSS - Help

Thanks a lot!! I'll go for 2 SSL-1 and a CC.