Adding middle strat pickup

[GuitarJonz]

I may want to add a strat pickup between a set of Hamel single coil tele pups, these ones are RWRP in the middle position.

A few questions: since I'd probably go with a megaswitch, the only thing the middle pup would provide is #2 & #4 quack tones, (in addition to keeping then neck/bridge position) so I don't want to spend $100 for a Hamel middle strat pup. Whats a good middle pup for this application? I'm thinking something bright, for maximum quack, maybe like a Duncan SSL-1.

Also, since the existing pups are RWRP, I assume that only one of the new positions (#2 & #4) will be RWRP, the other will have 60 cycle hum, is that right?

What if I used a noiseless middle pup, would #2 and #4 both be noiseless?

Thanks

[Darrell]

That to get quack, the bridge pu has to be brighter than the middle pu. I have no facts to substantiate this. But that is what I am told.

[TheGoodTexan]

Originally Posted by GuitarJonz

A few questions: since I'd probably go with a megaswitch, the only thing the middle pup would provide is #2 & #4 quack tones, (in addition to keeping then neck/bridge position) so I don't want to spend $100 for a Hamel middle strat pup. Whats a good middle pup for this application? I'm thinking something bright, for maximum quack, maybe like a Duncan SSL-1.

Either that or a Duncan APS-1. Both would be great choices. If your set up is currently on the bright side, you may want to consider the APS-1. Since you'd always be using it in conjunction with another pickup, you probably wouldn't notice as much of a difference.

Originally Posted by GuitarJonz

Also, since the existing pups are RWRP, I assume that only one of the new positions (#2 & #4) will be RWRP, the other will have 60 cycle hum, is that right?

Right.

Originally Posted by GuitarJonz

What if I used a noiseless middle pup, would #2 and #4 both be noiseless?

Nope - neither would be noiseless. You only get humcanceling when you combine two opposite wound and opposite polarity single coils. So what you'd get with your scenario would be humcanceling+hum....which equals hum.

[pc]

Just an additional note from a guy who loves his 3-pup Tele:

Think about getting the Stew-Mac Mega-Switch. It allows you to have the three pickups but still have access to the neck & bridge combo, instead of the middle-pup-only option on a standard Strat switch.

[Bill E.]

I put one between two Bardens, and I'm very impressed. Sounds great, plenty of 'quack', RWRP (not an issue w/ Bardens, but good nonetheless), and the added bonus that because it's more powerful than a standard strat mid pickup, I can move it further down towards the pickguard (it's almost flat against it) and it still sound terriffic without getting in the way of my pick.
BTW, I have it wired so that it will work with the other two, or on it's own - it sounds great on it's own!
Best of luck...let us know how it turns out.

Bill

[TheGoodTexan]

Just had a thought...because I'm currently doing something similar to this...

How about using a good stacked single-coil sized pup, like say a Duncan Classic Stack for Strat, but accessing the coils seperately. That way, you can combine the appropriete coil with your existing pickups, and always have hum canceling, and still retain the look of a Nashville Tele.

You can use that Stew-Mac Mega Switch to do this, and still keep your current bridge+neck traditional Tele tons.

[Darrell]

I don't know if it is not hum cancelling. To be honest I don't think it is. I am using the top coil with a blender though. Good pup. Not overwhelmingly stratish. Moderate to low quack when combined with a 52ri bridge pup.

[GuitarJonz]

Thanks guys. My other option is to put a Barden Strat deluxe between my tele bardens on this tele, which already has a big old universal rout, and I have a spare barden strat pup. Maybe I'll leave the Hamel tele alone, since it is the most vintage-like one I have, and not molest that 60s style body. decisions..decisions.

[GuitarJonz]

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[TheGoodTexan]

Originally Posted by GuitarJonz

My other option is to put a Barden Strat deluxe between my tele bardens on this tele, which already has a big old universal rout, and I have a spare barden strat pup. Maybe I'll leave the Hamel tele alone, since it is the most vintage-like one I have, and not molest that 60s style body. decisions..decisions.

Oh wow....I think that's exactly what I'd do. Not only is it a ton easier, I think you'd be a lot happier with the results. I love a Barden Strat pup, plus - just about the only thing that would match up well with a set of Bardens...is another Barden!