Most versatile config for Super Strat

[JPH118]

Hey everyone!

Starting to get the gears turning on my first superstrat build... it'll be an ash american deluxe body, nitro finish, maple neck/fingerboard. i'm going for the utmost in versatility here, as I play a bit of everything, from Metallica & Ozzy to 60s fuzz to blues to redneck chickin picken to jazz dabbling... i've been using the Suhr Guthrie Govan model as a reference, since he goes from one extreme to the next all the time, but i'm a big SD fan and would like to get some thoughts on versatile combos.

HSH? HH w/coil taps? SSH?

For the bridge, I've got a spare JB and could play around with the magnets... CC is also on my mind... maybe paired with a Jazz or '59 neck. Do ya'll think the single coil in the middle adds much in HSH? That's one config i've never owned.

Thanks!

[darthphineas]

HHH with this ( http://www.seymourduncan.com/support..._2t_5w_3splits ). The hums can be full hums or the single-space hums or a combination. that's a great wiring option that offers a more traditional strat-type set up or a hot-rodded strat set up with the pull of a knob. I have that on my Strat and like it a lot (but just a single push/pull volume pot and no tones).

for the guitar you are talking about, a stock JB or a stock CC would be great, depending on the tone you are looking for. something cool could be using both of them, one in the bridge and one in the middle (I'd consider the CC in the bridge and the JB in the middle for starters), with the Jn or the '59n to finish it off (both are good with A4s, or you can also make them a J/59n Hybrid - which is also awesome with an A4). that'd be a little similar to the config on the old Richie Sambora Kramer, which is a versatile and under-rated axe.

[JPH118]

I like that wiring diagram a lot... might make more sense than my original plan, which was separate switches for the neck & bridge. Gotta think it over a bit. i've got a JB in the bridge of my SG and actually prefer it tapped most of the time, go figure.

I'll def be wiring the 2nd tone as a blender pot for neck & bridge... did it on my G&L and LOVE it.

I'll prob go mini HB in the middle since the Am Dlx body is an HSH route already... i'd assume this should be wired in reverse like a typical strat config?

and lastly, think the 59N is more versatile than a Jazz neck? any thoughts on the 59 in the middle?

[PonyKiller]

In a HSH config, a true singe coil in the middle lets you get Strat-like "quack" sounds in the 2 and 4 positions. Like on a Strat, those positions are humbucking 'cause the single coil is being paired with ONE coil of the humbucker. Really useful to get a brighter and cleaner sound compared to the other 2 humbuckers.
However, I don't find the single coil by itself to be too useful because it will be running thru the same 500k pots as the humbuckers. Most single coils tend to be overly bright and shrill sounding in this setup. It'll be a lot better if it can run thru its own 250k volume pot.

[ehdwuld]

A 250k resistor in parallel to ground on the hot leg of the singles switch position
Would make the single see a 250k pot rather than the 500k

[lazyfinger]

Here's a JB in a strat:



Pearly Gates go very well with singles neck and middle:

[ItsaBass]

Some combination of Stag Mags and P-Rails in three Triple Shot rings? Three Stag Mags, two Stag Mags and a P Rail, two P Rails and a Stag Mag, or three Stag Mags. Plus a neck on or bridge on switch.

[totergecko]

one thing I like doing on my strats is using the extra tone knob for a spin-a-split pot if it has humbuckers in it. it gives you a lot more versatility than a push pull switch does, since with the switch you only get the tone when the switch is up versus when it is down. there is a whole spectrum of sound in between the two switch settings, and I've found that they often have sweet spots in between that sound incredible and would be impossible to get otherwise. if you haven't tried that out already I would highly recommend it for your project.

[JPH118]

Great stuff guys, i'm loving the ideas... never tried spin-a-split, i'll look into that! Might be cool to go HSH with the middle pos of a 5-way being neck & bridge together, then use the 2nd tone for splitting. I do love the blender pot though, adding a touch of neck into bridge or vice versa is very cool on my G&L.

Tell me more about P-Rails... what kind of full humbucker is it closest to? Might be really cool in the neck with a traditional HB in the bridge, i like P90 neck tones.

Btw, Jazyfinger, great playing & tones! The JB is clearly a JB, thats for d@mn sure. Both guitars going thru same rig?

[Gypsyblue]

Seems to me that the majority of really experienced players who play Strat like guitars (EVH, Satriani, SRV, Malmsteen, etc.) forego the "utmost in versatility" thing and go with a simpler pickup and controls layout.

I suspect that some went through that phase, as I did, and came to the conclusion that the "utmost in versatility" is really the utmost in compromise.

I keep it simple and own and play more than one guitar.

[JPH118]

I completely understand what you're sayin Gypsy, but those cats all have their own unique sound happening... i'm not really searching for that. I just want one guitar that i can take to any gig, basically. Can't take more than one bc i'm usually also carrying pedals and sometimes a combo amp onto NYC subways & cabs. Can't tell you how many times i've had my LP but wished i could get a strat tone for a certain song, etc.

[Gypsyblue]

I understand. There's a very few great guitarists who do that "utmost in versatility" thing to their main guitar and pull it off, but not many. Steve Morse comes to mind as well as Steve Vai. But as much as I like those two as players, I don't really like the sound of their guitars when they split humbuckers for a Strat or Tele sound - it's a thin tone to my ears that doesn't really sound like a Strat. I just bring two guitars to the gig: a Gibson and a Fender.

[King IzzO)))]

Single humbucker with a single volume knob.

[lazyfinger]

Btw, Jazyfinger, great playing & tones! The JB is clearly a JB, thats for d@mn sure. Both guitars going thru same rig?

Should've had a disclaimer, not me!

If you click on his channel, it's listed there, I think he was using Line 6 spider amp.

[JPH118]

I think i've settled on a wiring scheme... HSH with a true single in the middle, 5-pos switching with Guthrie's Suhr wiring.

btw, speaking of guys who get great diversity from one instrument, check out his demo: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RD1BreeMzGA

there will be a coil split switch, likely a push-pull.

Likely starting out with a JB and either 59N or Jazz, any suggestions for a good true-single middle?

[Varg]

Seems to me that the majority of really experienced players who play Strat like guitars (EVH, Satriani, SRV, Malmsteen, etc.) forego the "utmost in versatility" thing and go with a simpler pickup and controls layout.

I suspect that some went through that phase, as I did, and came to the conclusion that the "utmost in versatility" is really the utmost in compromise.

I keep it simple and own and play more than one guitar.

+1 All those options end up being forgotten because they just dont sound as good as the regular ones you get with a 5 way!

[orpheo]

If i may, take a look at the topic i just opened. Will work in a superstrat too.

[JPH118]

I like that idea for a Black beauty or scenario where you're already stuck with a middle HB, but i dont think the middle pickup by itself is a tone for me, so that would kinda be too much. After listening to a ton of examples, i'm happy with a SC in the middle to add to splits of the Neck & bridge HBs. No need for solo.

Looks like my jump off point will be: JB bridge, '59 neck, and still debating which SC will work best... any thoughts?

[Grindspine]

one thing I like doing on my strats is using the extra tone knob for a spin-a-split pot if it has humbuckers in it. it gives you a lot more versatility than a push pull switch does, since with the switch you only get the tone when the switch is up versus when it is down. there is a whole spectrum of sound in between the two switch settings, and I've found that they often have sweet spots in between that sound incredible and would be impossible to get otherwise. if you haven't tried that out already I would highly recommend it for your project.

+1

Spin-a-split wiring is great on high output humbuckers. I can actually get some great not-quite-humbucking sounds out of a Dimebucker in a mohogany guitar with the spin-a-split turned about half way down on a 500k audio taper pot.

[Grindspine]

Also, for versatility, keep in mind that it is really hard (even possible?) to get three full humbuckers on a 24 fret guitar. For a 24 fret fingerboard, or for a shorter than 25.5" scale, you definitely want the HSH route. Whether the middle single coil is a stacked single or true single coil is up to you. Of course coil splitting or spin-a-split is possible if it is a stacked single.