Looking for pickup suggestions for my HSS strat...

[gybe!]

As the title says, I am looking for pickup suggestions for my HSS strat. Its an ash body w/ a rosewood board and has stock pickups in it currently, which are pretty bland sounding. I am looking for something that will get me great clarity for high gain in the bridge and my ultimate goal would be to get a piano like clean from a neck/middle combo and something that is really touch responsive in the neck (i.e., will respond well to really digging in and is probably hotter than the middle position).


I am currently thinking of a bare knuckle VHII for the bridge and a set of Irish tours for the neck and middle but am more than open to suggestions (aside from a Duncan JB or 59 for the bridge!). I just haven`t had a whole lot of experience with a bunch of different pickups and hate to rely on a manufacturer description. Oh, and if you have something that you think will fit my needs, feel free to send me a PM!

 

[gybe!]

one bump, then it can fall into oblivion

And anybody have any experience with Suhr DSV bridge humbucker and Fletcher Landau single coils? I have a set being offered to me...

 

[AmpliFIRE]

How about a Duncan Custom for the bridge and Cool Rails for the neck/middle? It's a great pickup combo and will cover all of the bases you listed...

 

[gybe!]

How about a Duncan Custom for the bridge and Cool Rails for the neck/middle? It's a great pickup combo and will cover all of the bases you listed...

Thanks and it is definately something I will look into. I don`t really know much about the cool rails as I was under the impression (not experience of course) that they were less than favorable. I will definately do some more research into them though!

 

[danhops]

How about a Duncan Custom for the bridge and Cool Rails for the neck/middle? It's a great pickup combo and will cover all of the bases you listed...

I use that combo in my GMW. Works wonderfully although some days I think I may switch to a regular single in the middle so when I split the neck and bridge I can get the cool in between tones.

 

[gybe!]

How about a Duncan Custom for the bridge and Cool Rails for the neck/middle? It's a great pickup combo and will cover all of the bases you listed...

I use that combo in my GMW. Works wonderfully although some days I think I may switch to a regular single in the middle so when I split the neck and bridge I can get the cool in between tones.

That is something that is important to me as well, as I tend to do a fair amount of playing between the neck and middle combo (I guess position 4 (or 2?) on a standard 5 way selector)

 

[danhops]

How about a Duncan Custom for the bridge and Cool Rails for the neck/middle? It's a great pickup combo and will cover all of the bases you listed...

I use that combo in my GMW. Works wonderfully although some days I think I may switch to a regular single in the middle so when I split the neck and bridge I can get the cool in between tones.

That is something that is important to me as well, as I tend to do a fair amount of playing between the neck and middle combo (I guess position 4 (or 2?) on a standard 5 way selector)

Then I'd suggest a true single in the middle, and you can split the neck and bridge in 2 and 4. You'll only hum in position 3.

 

[BURNTHISCORPSE]

dimarzio steve's special (bridge)(also sounds very nice coil tapped) , duncan quarter pounder in the middle, and a lil' 59' neck or lil' screamin' demon neck (if your playing heavier stuff)

 

[Drew]

I like the SSH pickup combination of DiMarzio Virtual Vintage Blues in the neck and middle and an Anderson H2+ in the bridge.

 

[Telephant]

A few questions first:

1. What kind of music do you play?
2. how much output do you want from the singles? Usually, the more output, the less they will have that bell/piano like sound.
3. Noiseless singles only or can you handle the hum?

 

[gybe!]

A few questions first:

1. What kind of music do you play?
2. how much output do you want from the singles? Usually, the more output, the less they will have that bell/piano like sound.
3. Noiseless singles only or can you handle the hum?

From the singles I am going for more explosions in the sky type of stuff when played in between (maybe with the volume rolled off a bit and a delicate touch) and preferably for the neck to have the ability to get a little grittier when hammered on by its own. For the bridge, probably looking at Undertow era Tool, the Cancer Conspiracy, AIC, Circle takes the Square, Coheed and cambria, etc... Amp wise Cameronized Marshall and a makoplex, so not looking for can-o-bees fizz type of thing...

I don`t care about noiseless...