Heavy Metal Fender Stratocaster Project

[risingforce]

Hello everybody,

I have 2 MIA Fender Stratocasters and I want to change their pickups for heavy metal. Generally I love Iced Earth, Iron Maiden, Megadeth something like that.

For the first guitar which has rosewood fingerboard, I want to install Seymour Duncan Hot Rails set for all positions. At that point I want to ask a few questions.

* Should I change my pots 250k to 500k ? If yes, is it enough to change volume pot only ? Or do you recommend to change volume and tone pots ? Which product ( Fender, CTS, DiMarzio ) should I have to choose ?

* What do you think about this setup ? Hotrails SHR1b for the bridge, Vintage Rails SVR-1n for the middle and Cool Rails SCR-1n for the neck position.... Another option is Hot Rails for all positions.

My another guitar has maple neck and I want to install " everything axe set " with 250k pots.

Please don't recommend me to use real humbucker guitars, because I'm a real fanatic of Fender Stratocasters...

Thanks in advance...

[DonP]

Don't change the pots unless your ear tells you too. If muddy, go to a higher value pot. If it sounds to bright, go to a lower value pot.

Pickups choices are a personal matter. Use your best judgement on what you think will give you the tone you are looking for.

[Jeff5]

I actually had a Hot Rails bridge with a Vintage in the middle while back and honestly the Vintage was just too low output for the Hotrails. Great pick up though. The Cool Rails would be great in the neck and probably in the middle too, and all Hot can work although it might be a bit over the top. But maybe that's what you want!

[saladin]

I think all hot is the best. You can balance them by adjusting the height.
I tried the Cool Rails but they sounded kinda anemic to me.

[Jocelyn]

I think a balanced set would be nice.