Pickup selection help

[EvanAsh8]

Hey I need some advice on what pickups to get. I have a fat strat with the single-single-humbucker configuration. I'm looking to play some blues/rock like hendrix, zeppelin, etc. I was thinking about getting two alnico II's but I need help with the humbucker. Do you think a pearly gates or alnico II humbucker or something completely different will be better?

[Armotron]

APS's would be pretty good for Hendrix, but i prefer, SSLs for Hendrix and Vintage Strat tones, although APSs are great too. Any Alnico 2 Humbucker would probabally work for the bridge, Pearly Gates, APH, or 59.

If it were MY strat, id go with SSLs and a 59.

[hacker]

I think an A5 humbucker would be much better in a strat. I would go with either a '59 for an EVH-like tone or a JB for an 80s metal tone. Zepplin would sound good on either.

If it was my guitar, i'd throw a JB in there, no question. I have a tele with a JB in the bridge-you can check it out in the 'tips and clips' section. That is an older JB (from an 80s Kramer), but sounds great for and rock or blues music.

[EvanAsh8]

thanks for the suggestions

[joelap]

Yeah, definately SSL-1's for the hendrix thing and a 59 for the bridge. Stick with Alnico 5 magnets for those sounds you're looking for. (my opinion)

[Luke Duke]

I'll be the voice of dissent. I really like the Alnico 2 pros for strat. The flat polepiece version is fatter than the stagger FYI. I like the smoothness of the A2 magnet.

For the humbucker I figured I should ask you whether you want a higher output pup to drive you amp harder if not:

Alnico 2 pro humbucker---fat, great string to string definition with great mids. It's as warm as can be, but still jangly when brightened with the tone knob.

Pearly Gates---More mids than the A2P and high mid push, the sizzle you read about is the frequencies that the prescence or cut knob affects

59---A tried and true PAF style bucker with a scooped mid and big lows and cutting highs. Of the SD regular line I think it would get you closest to the bright Page sound.

If you DO want to push your amp harder

Custom Custom---a strat favorite with tons of mids and a smooth top. It also use the A2 magnet

Custom 5---Very similiar tonally to the 59 but with higher output

The JB---a high output pup with a large upper mid spike and good articulation this pup cuts through mix like no other

Hope that helps!

Luke

[Lewguitar]

APS's would be pretty good for Hendrix, but i prefer, SSLs for Hendrix and Vintage Strat tones, although APSs are great too. Any Alnico 2 Humbucker would probabally work for the bridge, Pearly Gates, APH, or 59.

If it were MY strat, id go with SSLs and a 59.

Me too. That SSL-1/'59 Trembucker combo is my fave.

The APS-2's that I use with the Twangbanger have a thicker, chunkier tone than the SSL-1. They're great too!

Lew

[EvanAsh8]

Again thanks for all the suggestions guys. I guess I'll go with a '59 in the bridge since everyone seems to agree that's a good choice. I was wondering if maybe a alnico 2 single coil in the neck would give me a nice warm tone and then I could have a ssl in the bridge. Would that give me good versatility or would they not sound well together?

[Lewguitar]

Again thanks for all the suggestions guys. I guess I'll go with a '59 in the bridge since everyone seems to agree that's a good choice. I was wondering if maybe a alnico 2 single coil in the neck would give me a nice warm tone and then I could have a ssl in the bridge. Would that give me good versatility or would they not sound well together?

Personally, I'd use the same model pickups for the neck and middle...though the SSL and APS would probably sound good together.

If you want a warmer tone for the neck than I'd go for two APS-2 pickups and a humbucker in the bridge.

Lew

[EvanAsh8]

sorry about the above post i meant ssl for the middle pickup

[Lewguitar]

sorry about the above post i meant ssl for the middle pickup

I knew that.