TB-11/STK -S1N combo in H/S Strat w/ Floyd

[jhale667]

So I finally got around to swapping out the EMG 89/SA combo I had in my 1-piece Koa bodied, Ebony-fingerboard Floyded Warmoth parts Strat today for a TB-11/STK-S1N set-up. I had long since grown tired of the EMGs and wanted something more organic and responsive.

I'm quite pleased with the results thus far, though I'm reserving final judgment until I get to try it out at something exceeding apartment volume..:nana:
I'm not sure what the bigger standout is at the moment...how surprisingly Strat-like the newer STK-S1N is (than I remember, at least), or how well the Custom Custom splits - thus working well with the neck stack in the middle position, and how again surprisingly well it cleans up with the volume knob. The only (possible) drawback - I can kind of see where some on this board are coming from on tightness of low end... it didn't seem to like palm-mutes at first (not that it's a deal-breaker, or that's a HUGE part of my playing needs), though a polepiece and pickup-height tweak seems to have bolstered that response enough. Harmonics that weren't translating with the EMGs (that seemed especially apparent after Big-Blocking my Floyd Rose recently) seem much easier, though again, until I try a higher volume test, won't go so far as to say 'effortless'.
Overall, so far I like it. A LOT. I'm glad too, I didn't want it to turn out to be one of these moments...

Mr. Horse, anyone? C'mon, it's Saturday night, I make joke with you! :lol:

This is also good, because I didn't want to end up being bummed out and putting the old pickups back in...plus wiring the coil-split on an 89 is waaaaaaay more of a pain than it is for the TB-11 (which comparatively, is NOT a pain, actually). :chairfall I have another 1-piece (Ash, in this case) H/S Floyded Strat that's getting the same treatment (or will be once I get the body finished, lol), sticking with the TB-11 in the bridge slot (found an older, Lydia (?) wound one on Ebay that apparently specs a little hotter than the current offering?), but I'm going to A/B a Dimarzio HS-3 against the STK-S1N, however - unless it sounds way better than I remember it sounding (was in that guitar until my original mass-EMG swap in the early '90s), probably will get yanked for a Classic Stack shortly thereafter...

 

[Iron Horse]

Re: TB-11/STK -S1N combo in H/S Strat w/ Floyd

I didn't like that pic at all..
Cool axe and those pups should rock yer pants.

 

[jhale667]

Re: TB-11/STK -S1N combo in H/S Strat w/ Floyd

I didn't like that pic at all..

That's the spirit! "No, sir --"

Cool axe and those pups should rock yer pants.

Thanks. Like I said, so far so good. Here's a kinda cool ( a bit blurry, sorry) "before" shot of it with the previous EMG set, and the other one that's about to be finished..

I'm thinking of direct-mounting the bridge pickup in the ash one, too... good/bad idea?

 

[jhale667]

Re: TB-11/STK -S1N combo in H/S Strat w/ Floyd

...After further more extensive (read:LOUD) testing, I've decided I already have a love/hate thing going with the TB-11. I looooove how well it cleans up, splits etc., but I am not necessarily digging the lack of definition on the lows. It's very clean and articulate to a certain point then just kinda tubs out. It's a heckuva trade-off too, because like I said, I love everything else about it. Chords sound huge, and I like the lead voicing so far. Every time I go for a palm-mute or low-end percussive thing it's not quite there, and that is THE single thing that is annoying me...:wrf:

Would swapping the magnet for an A8 make a difference, or would it rob the pickup of the tonal qualities I'm appreciating about it thus far?

 

[jhale667]

Re: TB-11/STK -S1N combo in H/S Strat w/ Floyd

Bueller bump? Anybody?

How can I keep the qualities I'm liking about this puppy, and yet tighten the low end? Would a magnet swap be overkill? I actually like the less-pronounced treble of the pickup, and would like to keep the overall response in the same ballpark...just 'mo betta bass...:jester:

The more I think about it, think I'm going to go with the Alt 8 in the Ash one, and I'll throw this TB-11L in the spare drawer for a rainy day...:wave:
I'm going to give the one that's in the Koa guitar a bit longer to see if it grows on me. Overall, I love it, works great under clean and moderate gain settings, but some of the high-gain (lead channel on a 1986 Simul-Class Boogie Mk III) low-end applications, palm mutes, low-string John-Sykes-esque squealing and slurring...not cutting it. If it did do all that, it would probably be my ideal pickup...

 

[jerryjg]

Re: TB-11/STK -S1N combo in H/S Strat w/ Floyd

interesting thread. Youve about got my dream start with that KOA guitar. I woulnt bother with the HS-3, it sint going to sound as Stratty as the StK.If anything try a HS-2-very Strat like pickup.
I hope you get answers cuase Id like to know about the bass also. I dont need that much bass personally because all my amps are bass heavey(except the Marshall).
maybe you can pick up an A8 and give it a go and let us know what you think. There are also some few threads recently on the ALT8.
Anyways, kilelr Koa and I love the H-S configuration.

 

[Rydock]

Re: TB-11/STK -S1N combo in H/S Strat w/ Floyd

Man that guitar is simply beautiful.. Also for H/S guitars, I'm a big fan of the Hot rails in the neck. It has a really nice solo tone. Have you consider a Distortion for the bridge?

 

[jhale667]

Re: TB-11/STK -S1N combo in H/S Strat w/ Floyd

Thanks for the compliments, guys. The Koa sounds as good if not better than it looks. Actually, the Distortion would have been my go-to choice in the old days, just thought I'd try something different this time. I think I may leave the CC in the Koa guitar until I get the Ash one back from getting finished, and then maybe try a shootout with the Alt 8.
I'm starting to agree about the HS-3 in the ash one...the main reason it was going (back) in that instrument was because it was the original neck pickup in it, and I still had it lying around. Can't see it standing up to the STK-S1N, though, or even a Virtual Vintage for that matter...
My amp is pretty bass-heavy itself...this is the first time I've ever had to dial IN bass, instead of out, which concerns me. It all goes back to the 'tightness' factor, and I'm not quite feeling it with the TB-11 yet.

 

[jhale667]

Re: TB-11/STK -S1N combo in H/S Strat w/ Floyd

Alright, I said the heck with it, already bidding on another STK-S1N... Can't see the HS-3 surviving the shoot-out, so may as well already have it's (potential) replacement on hand...:lmao:

I should just bite the bullet and get a TB-15, too... if I like that better, will probably be swapping out the A2 in the Custom-Custom for an A8 promptly...:werd:

 

[jhale667]

Re: TB-11/STK -S1N combo in H/S Strat w/ Floyd

NECRO-BUMP! :lol:

So I won the 2nd STK-S1N yesterday...the HS-3 is already looking nervous...I decided I'm going to give the CC a couple of more weeks (and louder testing sessions) to see if it grows on me - finding it hard to believe it shines so well is certain aspects, yet seem to completely lack in that one area (bass), but at any rate then will compare/contast it to the TB-15...

 

[jhale667]

Re: TB-11/STK -S1N combo in H/S Strat w/ Floyd

So it's looking more like a CC/Custom 8 shootout in these two guitars. Liked the STK-S1N so much I am putting that in the neck slots of both, but as far as the CC/C8 thing, it'll be interesting to see whether or not the CC holds its own enough to be left in this guitar as a slightly different color in the sonic palette to have on hand, or I'm going to be so knocked out with the Custom 8 I'll want it in all three (okay, 3 out of 4) of my humbuckered, Floyded guitars. Time will tell...

 

[jhale667]

Re: TB-11/STK -S1N combo in H/S Strat w/ Floyd

Self-BUMP!!

Alright, the "How loose is the CC?" Thread reminded me of this, and since I've had some more time to test it, and a regular Custom to compare it against the past few weeks, why not bump this thread...lol.

So in the interim since posting in this thread last, I installed a TB-5 Custom in my #1 baby, a Northern-Ash bodied beast with a Vintage Charvel neck, and have been recording heavily with both. They BOTH have their strong points. The Custom definitely shines for dropped-tuning, as its low-end is like a sledgehammer. LOVE it.

The CC needs some volume before it really starts to speak, but when it does, WOW is it cool...the low-end has a "bloom" thing going on; again it takes a bit of volume to appreciate, but it is WAY organic sounding. The highs aren't as sharp as the regular Custom, they're smoother, and more pleasant sounding (which is not to say the highs on the regular Custom are 'un'pleasant, mind you) overall. You couldn't go wrong having a guitar with each. Keeping that in mind, the CC is staying in the Koa Strat and the regular Custom shall remain in the Northern Ash one.

NOW the burning question still remains...what do I do with the Charvel rebuild with the 1-piece Swamp Ash body? I could put the other CC I got off Ebay in it, or a Custom, or a C8, or an Alt 8...:smash:

The neck position in this one is for certain going to be the other STK-S1N I picked up...loooove the way it sounds with the CC split in the Koa guitar...

 

[Iron Horse]

Re: TB-11/STK -S1N combo in H/S Strat w/ Floyd

I'd say put a Custom 8 in it, though Alt 8 would prolly be good, too

 

[kjrocks]

Re: TB-11/STK -S1N combo in H/S Strat w/ Floyd

I'm still impressed with the Alt 8. Give it a shot and see. I'd take it over any Custom any day.

 

[Fusion1]

Re: TB-11/STK -S1N combo in H/S Strat w/ Floyd

Jhale did you ever try that CC with an Alnico 8 mag yet?

 

[jhale667]

Not yet, I'm procrastinating...lol.

Not yet, I'm procrastinating...lol.

Jhale did you ever try that CC with an Alnico 8 mag yet?

Not yet, liking the CC and the Custom too much in their respective locations currently...lol. I was originally going to swap mags on this Custom I won then decided to try the Ceramic mag first since the guitar it was going in was my Drop-tuned workhorse, and was like "Wow!" :rambo:
This next beast should be the test platform, as I know I probably couldn't go wrong with the either the CC or Custom in it; I should try making the spare CC into a C8, order an Alt 8 then compare and contrast the two...