WTB for a HSH mahogany strat. 78 in bridge for sure.

[Bo-Hawk]

I got a great deal on this Warmoth mahogany body strat (with spalted maple top in transparent amber, see pictures) and plan on adding a maple neck with pau ferro fingerboard to it. It's going to be top routed for HSH and I want to go with all humbuckers.

The wiring will be unique. It will have a 4 way blade switch and a push pull pot and I figured out a way to wire it up to get the following combinations

With Push/Pull In
1 - Bridge
2 - Bridge/Neck Parallel
3 - Bridge/Neck Parallel (yes I know this position is redundant)
4 - Neck

With Push/Pull Out
1 - Bridge/Middle Parallel
2 - Middle
3 - Bridge/Middle/Neck Parallel
4 - Neck/Middle Parallel

Just like all my other electrics, I will have an EMG SPC mid booster.

I definitely want a Custom Shop 78 in the bridge.

I am highly leaning towards a little screaming demon neck model for the middle slot.

The neck humbucker is what I can't fully decide and need some of your thoughts and opinions. I can see a few ideas work, but I don't want it to be too overpowering. Definitely want something a little smoother for soloing. I had my eyes a few models.
Alnico Pro 2 HB (Neck or Bridge model?)
Slash Neck
Pearly Gates neck,

I am leaning against the 78 neck model because I like having a different flavor neck humbuckers

Your thought?

 

[Snake Aces]

That is gorgeous! I love Warmoth. I am actually going to be using a Custom Shop 78 set in one of my upcoming Warmoth builds.

I like your plans for this one. Sometimes the decisions can be difficult!

 

[Lewguitar]

That's going to be pretty!

The 78 is an alnico 2 pickup with a DCR of about 9K. I've owned that pickup. Loved it.

A hot Antiquity bridge pickup reminds me of the 78 once you remove its cover. Antiquitys seem to be wound hotter than 59's and Seth Lovers. Some are close to 9K.

I have a 8.76K Alnico 2 bridge model Antiquity in a guitar with a 7.69K Antiquity neck pickup and they work great together.

I've also tried Alnico 3 in that same neck pickup and IMO, Alnico 2 gives nice clean tones and better overdriven neck pickup tones than Alnico 3, while Alnico 3 does jazz chords and clean and chimey tones better than Alnico 2.

I'd get an Antiquity neck model and remove the cover.

Do you need 4 conductor cable? That might be a Custom Shop deal.

 

[Bo-Hawk]

That's going to be pretty!

The 78 is an alnico 2 pickup with a DCR of about 9K. I've owned that pickup. Loved it.

A hot Antiquity bridge pickup reminds me of the 78 once you remove its cover. Antiquitys seem to be wound hotter than 59's and Seth Lovers. Some are close to 9K.

I have a 8.76K Alnico 2 bridge model Antiquity in a guitar with a 7.69K Antiquity neck pickup and they work great together.

I've also tried Alnico 3 in that same neck pickup and IMO, Alnico 2 gives nice clean tones and better overdriven neck pickup tones than Alnico 3, while Alnico 3 does jazz chords and clean and chimey tones better than Alnico 2.

I'd get an Antiquity neck model and remove the cover.

Do you need 4 conductor cable? That might be a Custom Shop deal.

I have to have humbuckers that are wax potted. It's all going through a modded JCM800 and a tube screamer. I don't want to deal with microphonics

 

[Bo-Hawk]

Bump

 

[esandes]

Nice build. What fret material and size are you leaning towards? I like the pickup toggles.

a 78 set would be my first choice.

 

[Bo-Hawk]

Nice build. What fret material and size are you leaning towards? I like the pickup toggles.

a 78 set would be my first choice.

I am going for tall and narrow nickel frets, it's their second largest ones. I'm waiting to get the neck until one pops up on their discounted showcase.

​​I have considered a 78 set, but I am leaning towards something a little smoother sounding in the neck. One reason I was considering the Slash Neck or the AP2.

 

[Mincer]

Wow, that's pretty! I like the Alnico II Pro neck for the neck, but I really love that sound. It will match well with the 78, too.

 

[esandes]

I am going for tall and narrow nickel frets, it's their second largest ones. I'm waiting to get the neck until one pops up on their discounted showcase.

​​I have considered a 78 set, but I am leaning towards something a little smoother sounding in the neck. One reason I was considering the Slash Neck or the AP2.

I had a custom guitar built by G&L and I opted for stainless jumbo frets. So much easier for bending. The neck also has a satin finish that is easier playing than glossy. It feels sanded down.

Your Warmoth body is mahogany so a Slash pickup would be just right. If you want more mids go for the Slash. Less, A2P. Both are A2 so there are some deep mids already.

 

[beaubrummels]

A Pearly Gates neck would be a good match for a 78 model. A literal Custom Shop 78 neck would be better, but more expensive.

 

[Snake Aces]

A Pearly Gates neck would be a good match for a 78 model. A literal Custom Shop 78 neck would be better, but more expensive.

I've been out of the loop so long that I did not even know non-Custom Shop 78s were available. I love the newer Custom Shop ordering form, when I order my 78 set, I am going to get them from the CS for sure.

 

[Top-L]

I got a great deal on this Warmoth mahogany body strat (with spalted maple top in transparent amber, see pictures) and plan on adding a maple neck with pau ferro fingerboard to it.

Your thought?

Is there any reason in particular you want Pao Ferro? I bought a guitar with a Pao Ferro Neck. It (can be) the same color as rosewood, but the grain is much tighter and you can see this while playing. IOW, from a distance it looks the same as rosewood, but while playing you can tell a difference.


Even though its the same color as Rosewood, it looks bland in comparison. It doesnt have a rich look like ebony. IMO, its not as good as rosewood, although you can find light colored pieces that may better suit what you have in mind.

 

[Bo-Hawk]

Is there any reason in particular you want Pao Ferro? I bought a guitar with a Pao Ferro Neck. It (can be) the same color as rosewood, but the grain is much tighter and you can see this while playing. IOW, from a distance it looks the same as rosewood, but while playing you can tell a difference.


Even though its the same color as Rosewood, it looks bland in comparison. It doesnt have a rich look like ebony. IMO, its not as good as rosewood, although you can find light colored pieces that may better suit what you have in mind.

I love the tone of Pau Ferro. It's a nice in-between of Ebony and rosewood. And with Warmoth's showcase. I get to see what I buy. My first guitar build was 15 years ago and the grain of the Pau Ferro was originally blonde and it tarnished and it is gorgeous.