Talk me out of a HSS (as opposed to SSH) strat

[homesick345]

Hi - I always wanted for one of my Strats to have a Humbucker in the neck - then singles in middles & bridge

Contrary to many here; my favorite strat blues tones at gigs ; is the bridge pickup! (also love the cray tone in position #2 & 4)

I'm also tired of the Hendrix/SRV thing on the neck pup - so I'm thinking low output humbucker

Tell me your experiences & what you think

THanks!!!

PS: I will never go HSH

 

[waltschwarzkopf]

I actually did that not long ago. I converted my HSS strat into a SSH. The singles are 5k and the humbucker 14k, it gave me a very thick and low sound oj the neck, I loved it. I don't know what you mean by "low output", but I also ordered an AlNiCo II 8k humbucker for the neck, but in my opinion didn't havr as much contrast at the other. But again, I was going for loud on neck, moderate on bridge and quite on middle. So this maybe what you're after. I did try it HSH with the 8k on the neck and 14k on the bridge, but I didn't like it.

What exactly do you have in mind? I don't think there are SSH guitars on the market... Are yo planning on buying and modding or on modding your current guitar? Either way, knowing the other pickups models (magnets and DCR too) may help us advise you better.

 

[homesick345]

I actually did that not long ago. I converted my HSS strat into a SSH. The singles are 5k and the humbucker 14k, it gave me a very thick and low sound oj the neck, I loved it. I don't know what you mean by "low output", but I also ordered an AlNiCo II 8k humbucker for the neck, but in my opinion didn't havr as much contrast at the other. But again, I was going for loud on neck, moderate on bridge and quite on middle. So this maybe what you're after. I did try it HSH with the 8k on the neck and 14k on the bridge, but I didn't like it.

What exactly do you have in mind? I don't think there are SSH guitars on the market... Are yo planning on buying and modding or on modding your current guitar? Either way, knowing the other pickups models (magnets and DCR too) may help us advise you better.

Well I'm into vintage tones, so all pickups will be on the lower side. In other words no more than 8k for the neck humbucker, and no more than 6-7K for the singles.

The idea is to preserve clarity and brightness of the neck position, but sounding deeper and different, to avoid the now boring (to me at least) SRV/Jimi thing..

That's the idea

 

[waltschwarzkopf]

Ok, so an AlNiCo II may be best for the neck in your case. How much do you want to spend? I believe Seymour Duncan makes awesome pickups for the use that you want to give them, but if price is an object Tonerider makes similar ones that are a great bang for the buck?

Do you already have the guitar? If so, what is it? If not, what do you plan to buy?

 

[howlin]

Talk to Elliot Randall.

 

[homesick345]

Ok, so an AlNiCo II may be best for the neck in your case. How much do you want to spend? I believe Seymour Duncan makes awesome pickups for the use that you want to give them, but if price is an object Tonerider makes similar ones that are a great bang for the buck?

Do you already have the guitar? If so, what is it? If not, what do you plan to buy?

It's an 89 American Standard Strat (with the swimming pool routing - so no problem there)

Ideally I would by a pre-routed black pickguard (11-hole) & fit the pickups & hardware (I already have many pups & the pots/caps etc..)

I was thinking actually alnico 5 in the neck to preserve super clarity (but I do love/prefer alnico IIs in Gibsons)

 

[Tonetele]

No. I won't talk you in or out of any of your choices, that's not fair from me.
A great , late, mate of mine :Andrew Durant equipped his Strat with a middle h/b and he wrote many great songs before dying of cancer at 25. See Andrew Durant Memorial Concert on youtube. Very rare, early 80s but features the best of Aussie musicians. PLEASE check it out as Andy wrote all the songs- I played with him in a band briefly- lovely guy.

Back to your guitar- it worked for him but what works for you is your choice. If you can get REAL vintage wide range p/ups then do so- they are really good. JMHO

 

[homesick345]

No. I won't talk you in or out of any of your choices, that's not fair from me.
A great , late, mate of mine :Andrew Durant equipped his Strat with a middle h/b and he wrote many great songs before dying of cancer at 25. See Andrew Durant Memorial Concert on youtube. Very rare, early 80s but features the best of Aussie musicians. PLEASE check it out as Andy wrote all the songs- I played with him in a band briefly- lovely guy.

Back to your guitar- it worked for him but what works for you is your choice. If you can get REAL vintage wide range p/ups then do so- they are really good. JMHO

Yup, I like the idea of middle HB as well.

 

[waltschwarzkopf]

This may help you decide on which humbucker you want for the neck:

http://www.seymourduncan.com/blog/the-tone-garage/the-best-guitar-neck-pickups-humbucker-edition

 

[Zepfan]

Try a series/parallel mod for the #2 and #4 positions or just the #4 position. You may be very happy with it, I sure am.

 

[GuitarPix]

I had an HSH s-style guitar with split wiring on the humbuckers for positions 2 and 4 - choosing the right humbuckers that split well could give you some great options.

 

[Praxis]

Forum member Zhangliqun (of Zhangbucker pickups) winds a pickup he calls a "Telebucker," to match tele bridge pickups in output. I'm sure he could create one for a strat as well, and he's great to work with. You may want to check his site out and shoot him an email.


Edit: Oops, semi-zombie thread. Sorry...

 

[Tele-phone man]

The GFS Classic II Alnico II is a bright, moderate output humbucker that I found to be clearer than the SD59. The only SD humbucker I would recommend for your purpose is the Jazz. Bright, clear and not too much bass or output.

 

[Zhangliqun]

Forum member Zhangliqun (of Zhangbucker pickups) winds a pickup he calls a "Telebucker," to match tele bridge pickups in output. I'm sure he could create one for a strat as well, and he's great to work with. You may want to check his site out and shoot him an email.

It can be done...

 

[Hirschguitar]

I reversed on my strat from HSS to SSH and wihout any problems, got a thick and very nice jazzy sound. Originally on my square were installed Seymour Duncan Pickups. All what I did: just physically reversed the pickups and resold the two wires on 5 positioning switch without adding or exchanging any components, it is easy, you can follow the wires from the pickups to reverse switch. WORKS GOOD.

 

[surfco]

Don't.

 

[Grateful Ape]

Although it worked for Elliott Randall