Which pickups should I use in my fretless Strat experiment build?

[ChrisJoyeMusic]

I'm in a very unique (lucky?) position in that I inherited a bunch of pickups and odds and ends guitar parts. I also just bought an ebow and write music for film. I thought it would be fun to have the frets removed on a spare neck I have and build a fretless Strat for ebow fun/viola-like glissando stuff. I have a plethora of pickups that I got in this bundle and I need some suggestions!

The Strat body is routed for HSH, but I assume could do HSS, too, or even SSS.
These are the pickups available (so many choices!). I guess I'm looking for a nice all around sound. Since it's fretless, I won't be playing metal power chords or burning lead stuff, just lots of melodic lines and plenty of ebow swells.

This was the build I was going for, but don't know enough about all of these tones and sounds of each pickup:

Seymour 59 Model (SH-1n) - neck
Seymour Custom for Strat (SSL-5 custom staggered for Strat - was going to use this in the middle position)
Seymour JB Model HB (SH-4)

Also available:
DiMarzio Super Distortion S DP218
DiMarzio DP175 (3x)
DiMarzio AT-1 HB

I know people love that AT-1, too.
Any suggestions? Thanks!

 

[Mincer]

Re: Which pickups should I use in my fretless Strat experiment build?

Welcome to the forum!

A fretless can really benefit from the Fernandes Sustainer system. People that use a fretless professionally (Adrian Belew, etc) says they are essential to getting rid of the 'plinky' sound a fretless has, as well, of course, as the complete lack of sustain. Other than that, some higher output pickups with a good compressor is a great idea. Notes on a fretless just sort of die there, so anything that helps keep the strings ringing is a great idea.