Upgrading Squier HSS Bridge - Everything from Pearl Jam to Chevelle (Heavy Rock)

[hawk45]

Hi all,
Looking to replace my stock squire HSS bridge with something with more output and thicker tone but with some clarity. Right now the stock pickup feels under powered and like it has a blanket over it, even when properly setup. The body is poplar and has hardtail bridge.
I love to play heavy/hard rock in standard and drop turnings. I like a thick sustaining chord, but also like the to be able to roll off the volume knob and clean things up at lower gain levels with some slight break-up.
I've listened to the SD playlist on YouTube about 20 times and am getting ear drunk. I think I'm leaning towards the Custom SH-5 or Invader SH-8 but might have to take a break and listen again.
I don't want anything too thin as I'm more a rhythm player as I suck at shred and leads at this point.
What would you recommend as a good replacement?
Thanks for the feedback.

 

[weepingminotaur]

Custom would be a nice choice. You might consider the Screamin Demon. I've got one in an HSS Sterling Cutlass and it sounds great. It's moderate output, but it cuts through very nicely.

 

[Mincer]

Welcome to the forum!

The Custom is a good choice, and if your tone leads toward more modern gain, I'd suggest a look at the Black Winter, too. The BW isn't just for crazy gain, though...it sounds good at all gain levels, and has more 'body' than the Custom.

 

[hawk45]

How does the Alternative 8 fit in with the Custom and Black Winter? Duncan Support said that might be a good option also.

 

[Mincer]

The Alt 8 has more highs than anything, and 'feels' more compressed than the Custom or Black Winter. I don't know if it is as good of a choice for something that might require touch-sensitivity.

 

[Securb]

Another +1 for the Black Winter

 

[GuitarStv]

Before you swap anything . . . what's the wiring look like in your guitar right now? Are you running 250k tone/volume pots? That will make the single coils sound great and the humbucker sound dull/crappy.

 

[hamerfan]

Just a hint for listen to pickup clips.

Don't do it longer than 20 min a day.
Use speaker or professional earphones.
Write down your findings Last point is to compare your favs one to one

 

[hawk45]

Right now I just got stock Squire HB which is on a 250K pot. If I move up to a higher output pickup I plan to replace the pot with a 500K.

I've got a pretty extensive spreadsheet where I've been ranking them and trying to listen to them blind and in random order as not be let my mind trick my ears. Also using high quality headphones I use for production work and a nice set of JBL powered monitors to get in the ear and in the room sounds.

Thanks for all the replies so far!

 

[Mincer]

Keep in mind that how a pickup performs is not only how it sounds, it is how it feels. Compression isn't as easy to hear as it is to feel. Higher output pickups sound great for huge power chords and monster sustain, but not so good at subtle shades of dynamics (if that is important to you).

 

[Frater106]

What’s the deal with the Custom 8? Anybody have one for sale?

 

[Mincer]

What’s the deal with the Custom 8? Anybody have one for sale?

It is a Custom with a swapped magnet. You can get a Custom, order different magnets and swap them yourself.

 

[Frater106]

It is a Custom with a swapped magnet. You can get a Custom, order different magnets and swap them yourself.

How does it compare/contrast with the Custom and Alternative 8? What does it excel at? Thanks!

 

[Mincer]

I'll let someone else answer that, as I have limited experience, and I don't particularly like those magnets. The EQ doesn't work for me.

 

[Frater106]

Before you swap anything . . . what's the wiring look like in your guitar right now? Are you running 250k tone/volume pots? That will make the single coils sound great and the humbucker sound dull/crappy.

I’m not sure of the pot or tone cap. values, but it came as an HSS stock, so I would think Fender/Squier would have taken that issue into consideration when designing the guitar. In other words, I’m assuming whatever I have should work alright. Could be wishful thinking, but let’s hope not!