Ultimate Super Strat? 2: Stack Plus & 1: JB

[Lewguitar]

PART I: A customer dropped off his Tom Anderson SuperStrat so I could replace the existing Tom Anderson pickups with a pair of the new Seymour Duncan Classic Stack Plus noiseless "single coils" and pair them with a Seymour Duncan JB bridge humbucker that another shop had installed previously.

I completed the job and spent a few hours yesterday and this morning comparing this guitar to my own Strats... one with Antiquity Surfers and one with a Custom Custom bridge humbucker.

The Tom Anderson has some clever and complicated wiring:

1. master volume and master tone...250K pots with bleeder resistor/cap on volume control to retain highs when volume is turned down.

2. push/pull on the tone pot to add bridge pickup to neck pickup.

3. mini switch to split humbucker when combined with neck or middle pickup...bridge humbucker remains in series/humbucking when used alone.

So I opened it up and replaced the two Tom Anderson single coils with Duncan Classic Stack Plus pickups and checked the wiring on the JB to make sure it was installed correctly...it was.

I reinstalled the pickguard and installed only the low E string. I always do it that way with just the low E because if I made a mistake or there's some kind of problem I don't want to kill a new set of strings if I have to remove the pickguard again and redo some wiring.

BIG SURPRISE...and not a good one. The JB and the new Duncan Stack Plus pickups are OUT OF PHASE!!!:smack:

Apparantly the magnet in this particular JB was installed backwards by mistake as it appeared to be stock and unaltered.

Lew

 

[Benjy_26]

Re: Ultimate Super Strat? 2: Stack Plus & 1: JB

Completely aggree. It's a pain in the @ss if your pickups are out of phase, especially if they are from the same manufacturer.

 

[Lewguitar]

Re: Ultimate Super Strat? 2: Stack Plus & 1: JB

PART II: So I removed the pickguard. I figured the easiest way to handle this would be to remove the JB and flip the magnet to get it in phase with the Duncan Stack Plus pickups. This was a real pain in the butt and cost the customer an additional $40 shop time.

I had to remove the black cloth covered tape around the coils, back out all six of the polepiece screws until they were not threaded into the baseplate and then loosen the four phillips head screws that hold the coils to the baseplate, and then untangle the waxy mess of wires inside the pickup and under the coils and then push the magnet out and spin it around 180 degrees and reinstall it.

Then I put the guitar all back together again and this time all of the combinations worked perfectly and none were out of phase.

Lew

 

[Pierre]

Re: Ultimate Super Strat? 2: Stack Plus & 1: JB

That's not fun. However I do believe there is a reason... Fender and SD pickups are out of phase. Since those new stacks are primarily drop in, noiseless but still Stratish replacements for Strats, I believe SD simply thought they'd make it the same phase as Fender pickups and not as SD.

 

[Lewguitar]

Re: Ultimate Super Strat? 2: Stack Plus & 1: JB

PART III: So onto the good news!:dance:

The guitar sounds FABULOUS!

The Duncan Stack Plus pickups sound as good or better than any of the single coils in my other Strats, and they compliment the JB bridge humbucker better than any other single coil size Strat pickups I have ever used with a bridge humbucker.

And when the JB is split and combined with the Stack Plus neck or middle the tone is very Stratty and Knopfler-esque.

Also: I like the way the JB sounds with 250K pots. It's not as bright as with 500K pots but the tone is extremely pleasing and exhibits none of that upper mid range "spike" we hear people complaining about when it comes to the JB.

I've tried the JB with real '63 Fender Strat pickups, Duncan SSL-1's, Lindy Fralin Blues Specials, and several other models as well.

NO OTHER SINGLE COIL SIZE PICKUP HAS SOUNDED THIS GOOD TO ME WITH THE JB! NONE. All have sounded weak, thin and not strong enough...except for these new Classic Stack Plus pickups.

For that reason, I'm going to come right out and make this statement:

This pickup combination makes for MY FAVORITE S/S/HB pickup combination in a Strat that I have ever heard. I highly recommend it.

Lew

 

[Lewguitar]

Re: Ultimate Super Strat? 2: Stack Plus & 1: JB

PART IV: So I did want to mention the results of a few comparisms I made while I had this guitar.

I have three Strats with just a bridge humbucker and my favorite is the one with a Custom Custom and a 500K volume pot. I wanted to compare it to the JB in this Tom Anderson with a 250K volume pot.

What I found is that the JB is louder. But with a 250K pot, the JB is not as bright as a Custom Custom is with a 500K pot.

I also wanted to compare one of my Strats with Duncan Antiquity Surfers to the Duncan Classic Stack Plus pickups.

When I first plugged in the guitar with the Classic Stack Plus pickups I liked it right away...but I had the sense that they were not as bright and glassy as the Ant Surfers.

Not true! When I made a direct comparism they were extremely similar in tone!

What I found is that I like the Classic Stack Plus pickups just as much as the Antiquity Surfers and that they are similar in terms of tone and output, but that the Classic Stack Plus pickups seem a little more focused.

When I'd switch back and forth between guitars, I never prefered the Ant Surfers...if anything, I prefered the Classic Stack Plus pickups.

Lew

 

[Lewguitar]

Re: Ultimate Super Strat? 2: Stack Plus & 1: JB

PART V: So I've decided to put a set of Stack Plus pickups with a JB Trembucker in my '88 MIJ Strat that currently has Surfers combined with an alnico 2 Duncan CS Tapped Tale Hot.

I'm going to go with:

1. master volume (250K)

2. master tone (250K) but I'll use a no-load pot to remove the pot from the circuit when it's turned to 10.

3. .02 Orange Drop tone cap

4. 50's mod: tone cap connected to the output of the volume pot (the middle terminal) to brighten up the guitar and retain highs without resorting to a bleed cap across the volume pot.


5. mini-switch for splitting the two Stack Plus pickups...when they are combined they will still be humcancelling as the middle one is RW/RP to make this possible.

6. mini-switch for the JB to allow: single/series/parallel

7. Blender pot to allow blending the bridge pickup into the neck pickup and blending the neck pickup into the bridge pickup.

I'll let 'cha all know next week how it turns out...

Lew

 

[Johtosotku]

Re: Ultimate Super Strat? 2: Stack Plus & 1: JB

Thanks for the great review! I was wondering, is the output considerably different between the new stacks and the old ones? As I have a JB/CS/CS set right now with the older ones and a 500k pot, and I'm not really that keen on any of the sounds. The JB sounds too screamy and the CS's aren't that inspiring either. The ouput difference is too big too, imo.

 

[jpage]

Re: Ultimate Super Strat? 2: Stack Plus & 1: JB

Great review Lew! As I posted yesterday, I'm building a mahog body strat with a conversion neck and am currently pondering my pickup choices. Sounds like the stacks look and sound like real single coils without the hum! Phenomenal. Can you tell me more about the JB tone alone? You mentioned that it wasn't too bright. I like a relatively open and clear (usually low to moderate output) humbucker tone and I'm thinking that even with a 500k pot the JB won't be bright enough. What are your thoughts on a 59, A2 or PG as a bridge humbucker in this guitar (with a tap)?

I want you to ponder this as I will probably just have you build the entire pickguard for me since you are right there in Boulder. Do you sell pickguards? I can replace a humbucker but one we start talking pots, resistors, push pulls, etc. I start to fade out...

 

[Lewguitar]

Re: Ultimate Super Strat? 2: Stack Plus & 1: JB

Thanks for the great review! I was wondering, is the output considerably different between the new stacks and the old ones? As I have a JB/CS/CS set right now with the older ones and a 500k pot, and I'm not really that keen on any of the sounds. The JB sounds too screamy and the CS's aren't that inspiring either. The ouput difference is too big too, imo.

Seymour uses the JB with 250K pots and I think that's how it should be used if you like it otherwise but find it to bright. With 500K pots, to many players complain about it being to bright or "screamy" as you put it, and using 250K eliminates that "screamy" quality 100%.

I don't have much experience with the earlier version of the Classic Stack...sorry.

 

[gripweed]

Re: Ultimate Super Strat? 2: Stack Plus & 1: JB

I curious about how well the JB cuts through with 250k. I expect a full report Lew! :lmao::laugh2:

 

[Johtosotku]

Re: Ultimate Super Strat? 2: Stack Plus & 1: JB

Seymour uses the JB with 250K pots and I think that's how it should be used if you like it otherwise but find it to bright. With 500K pots, to many players complain about it being to bright or "screamy" as you put it, and using 250K eliminates that "screamy" quality 100%.

I don't have much experience with the earlier version of the Classic Stack...sorry.

Ok, thanks a lot! I quite like the JB, it has a very nice singing lead quality and I don't find the rhythm lacking either. It's just a bit too much sometimes. I'll check it out with 250k pots instead of a new pup now, the axe could use them too. Maybe I'll find a way to balance the pups together too.

 

[Lewguitar]

Re: Ultimate Super Strat? 2: Stack Plus & 1: JB

I curious about how well the JB cuts through with 250k. I expect a full report Lew! :lmao::laugh2:

I dunno how well it cuts since I didn't get to try this guitar with my band...in fact, the guy came and picked it up a few minutes ago so it's gone.

But I'm going to wire one of my Strats up the same way.

That'll also let me find out if the out-of-phase JB I experienced was a fluke or if they are all out-of-phase with the new Stack Plus pickups.

I thought the JB in this guitar sounded great with the 250K pots...had a real nice bounce to it too!

But as I mentioned, my other Strat with the normally smooth and midrangely Custom Custom with a 500K pot was brighter, though not as loud, when I compared it to the JB in this Tom Anderson.

Normally, I think the JB would be brighter than the Custom Custom...but not so with the JB using 250K pots instead of 500K.

I did most of my testing through my Matchless Chieftan and I did crank it up...played it at about volume 6 or 7 with the master on 10...I also tried it with the master turned down and preamp gain up.

All I can say is that after I corrected the phase issue, this pickup combination blew me away!

I truly think that for those looking to create a SuperStrat and looking for the ultimate in a pickup combination that the Stack Plus pickups are the best single coil size pickups I've ever used with a powerful bridge humbucker.

Previously, I've always liked the 59B with SSL-1 type pickups...but this new set I like alot more!:dance:

Lew

 

[Gearjoneser]

Re: Ultimate Super Strat? 2: Stack Plus & 1: JB

There's nothing that makes me angrier when installing pickups than running into phase issues. SD really should have chucked the tradition and gone with one universal SD polarity, wind direction.

Lew, is it possible to correct the problem by swapping the neck and middle, and reversing the leads on the JB? Or, is the magnet flip absolutely necessary?

I actually like the JB in strats, and have a JB/2 Surfers in my blueburst right now. I took out the Jazz B and will be covering it with nickel and using it as a neck pickup, along with my new Brobucker......Brobucker/Jazz B is what I'm trying out in my LP Goldtop.

By the way, I do something similar to your low E method. When I wire up a guitar, first I tap on the poles with an allen wrench to make sure it's all working, then turn up the amp to hear for hum cancellation, THEN put on the low E. If it passes, then all the strings go on.

 

[Lewguitar]

Re: Ultimate Super Strat? 2: Stack Plus & 1: JB

There's nothing that makes me angrier when installing pickups than running into phase issues. SD really should have chucked the tradition and gone with one universal SD polarity, wind direction.

Lew, is it possible to correct the problem by swapping the neck and middle, and reversing the leads on the JB? Or, is the magnet flip absolutely necessary?

I actually like the JB in strats, and have a JB/2 Surfers in my blueburst right now. I took out the Jazz B and will be covering it with nickel and using it as a neck pickup, along with my new Brobucker......Brobucker/Jazz B is what I'm trying out in my LP Goldtop.

By the way, I do something similar to your low E method. When I wire up a guitar, first I tap on the poles with an allen wrench to make sure it's all working, then turn up the amp to hear for hum cancellation, THEN put on the low E. If it passes, then all the strings go on.

Joe, that's exactly how I do it too! :smokin:

As for the magnet reversing thing: I didn't want to have to unsolder and resolder everything. And when the JB was split, I didn't want to change the coil that was left on to the other coil, which is what would have happened had I made the green hot and the black ground.

So I opted for the magnet reversal instead since all that was wrong was polarity.

I'm glad I did it that way...it was easier and at 56, my eyesight and brain gets fried with those tiny solder connections on those Super Switches with two wafers and all the tiny terminals like Tom Anderson uses.

Lew

 

[Lewguitar]

Re: Ultimate Super Strat? 2: Stack Plus & 1: JB

I compared the Classic Stack Plus to several Duncan humbuckers this morning and it appears that the JB that was in the Tom Anderson guitar had the magnet installed backwards when it was manufactured. Not a serious defect and one fairly easily rectified.

It would appear that combining the Stack Plus Pickups with Duncan humbuckers shouldn't be a problem in the future and that the problem I had with this particular JB had to do with this particular JB only.

Lew

 

[bkd_guitarist2]

Re: Ultimate Super Strat? 2: Stack Plus & 1: JB

So I'm the lucky customer with the Tom Anderson SuperStrat, and I have to FULLY agree with Lew's take on the Classic Stack Plus / JB combination. These pickups sound incredible. I got the guitar home last night and proceeded to sit there playing it, grinning like a fool, for the next two hours.

A little history...Anderson makes great guitars, but I was pretty unhappy with the stock TA pickups. The stock humbucker was very "honky" and harsh in the midrange, and the neck and middle single coils, while sounding great, had such powerful magnets that they caused serious "stratitis," resulting in an unpleasant warbling sound with notes above the 12th fret. This even with the pickups backed down flush with the pickguard.

So, I had the stock HB replaced with the JB4 a month ago. I was happier with this, but it sounded bad in combination with the single coils (now I know why, the out of phase issue)! Still had the warbling going on with the single coils, so I had Lew replace them with the Classic Stack Plus pickups.

The guitar now sounds PHENOMENAL. I love single coil tones that are kind of round on the high end, throaty and vocal sounding, particularly with a lightly overdriven amp. These pickups nail that. When combined with the JB, they retain their focus in the midrange while adding a nice bite that cuts through without being harsh - as Lew said, Knopfler-esqe. I played them in all combinations through both my Fender Pro Reverb and my Marshall JMP-1 based rack setup, and there is just not a bad sound to be had with these pickups.

Big thanks to Seymour and Evan for making the pickups, and big thanks to Lew for a great recommendation and a job well done on my guitar! If you live in the Denver/Boulder area and need some work done, Lew is the man!!!

 

[Lewguitar]

Re: Ultimate Super Strat? 2: Stack Plus & 1: JB

So I'm the lucky customer with the Tom Anderson SuperStrat, and I have to FULLY agree with Lew's take on the Classic Stack Plus / JB combination. These pickups sound incredible. I got the guitar home last night and proceeded to sit there playing it, grinning like a fool, for the next two hours.

A little history...Anderson makes great guitars, but I was pretty unhappy with the stock TA pickups. The stock humbucker was very "honky" and harsh in the midrange, and the neck and middle single coils, while sounding great, had such powerful magnets that they caused serious "stratitis," resulting in an unpleasant warbling sound with notes above the 12th fret. This even with the pickups backed down flush with the pickguard.

So, I had the stock HB replaced with the JB4 a month ago. I was happier with this, but it sounded bad in combination with the single coils (now I know why, the out of phase issue)! Still had the warbling going on with the single coils, so I had Lew replace them with the Classic Stack Plus pickups.

The guitar now sounds PHENOMENAL. I love single coil tones that are kind of round on the high end, throaty and vocal sounding, particularly with a lightly overdriven amp. These pickups nail that. When combined with the JB, they retain their focus in the midrange while adding a nice bite that cuts through without being harsh - as Lew said, Knopfler-esqe. I played them in all combinations through both my Fender Pro Reverb and my Marshall JMP-1 based rack setup, and there is just not a bad sound to be had with these pickups.

Big thanks to Seymour and Evan for making the pickups, and big thanks to Lew for a great recommendation and a job well done on my guitar! If you live in the Denver/Boulder area and need some work done, Lew is the man!!!

Wow...thanks Brandon! I had a great time working on your guitar and learned alot about the Tom Anderson wiring scheme. Very clever! And I loved playing your guitar afterwards...I was kinda sad to see it disappear from my life again! :laugh2: But I'll be rebuilding one of my Strats for almost the exact same set-up...with a couple of improvements. For one thing, instead of a single mini switch I'll use two in my guitar: one to split the Classic Stack Plus pickups and one to allow series/parallel or single from the JB. And I'll probably add a Fralin Blender Pot to allow blending the neck and bridge pickups. Thanks again!

 

[Vasshu the humanoid typhoon]

Re: Ultimate Super Strat? 2: Stack Plus & 1: JB

Great stuff Lew
I have always used 250 pots with JB's, never understood why people disliked it so much??
I had a Levinson Superstrat once, it was outfitted with two old classic stacks and a JB.
No troubles.

 

[Empty Pockets]

Re: Ultimate Super Strat? 2: Stack Plus & 1: JB

So would you say changing the 60's strat PUPs in my Fender to Classic Stacks would be a GOOD move or unnecessary?

I'm really only looking for excuses to use my soldering iron tho...heh.

-X