[Armando1228]

Good morning everyone I'm new here. If I'm in the wrong please I apologize. Wanted to inquire on some HSS help and suggestions. Currently own Nick Johnston Diamond series and although pickups are ok the bridge pickup is less desirable and a bit muddy and clear. Driving it isn't all to great either I simply can't get it capture a good pinch harmonic or push the mids and highs the way I want them. I do currently have a Mo joe new in box and would appreciate any advice since more than likely would be changing all three. The neck single coil I'd like to have a clean but bell like quality when I switch to neck position . The middle subtle but quiet in 2nd and 4rth positions . Only thing I can thing of is area 58 and 61 to perhaps match mo joe without a sudden increase or drop in volume. Tone volume is a push pull as well. Thanks in advance

Armando

[darkbluemurder]

Hi and welcome to the forum!

Since you already have a MoJoe I recommend trying that in the bridge. I never played one but I have played the PAF Pro and the Fred, and both work well in HSS applications as their output is only moderate which works well with single coil pickups. If you are not satisfied with it and found out what you want more or less of, we can take it from there.

For neck/middle, the most important aspect (to me) is whether I want humcancelling and if so, for which positions. For the neck I would definitely want that as I play the neck pickup a lot with gain. Area 67 is my favorite there but Area 61 and Virtual Vintage 54 Pro can work well there, too. If you play the neck only clean, this may not be as much of an issue.

If you play the middle pickup a lot by itself, then a humcancelling model would be good here as well. But if you split the humbucker at the bridge for #2 (bridge plus middle), then the middle pickup must be split as well but this is easy with the Areas. Area 58 is my favorite for the middle position, and that is what I recommend. Personally I use the middle pickup for overdriven things so I would want a humcancelling pickup there.

If you don't play the middle by itself you could also use a non-humcancelling pickup (the existing stock pickup may work for this). Depending on the polarity of the active humbucker coil, #2 will have at least reduced hum, sometimes virtually none at all. You will, however, have to split the neck pickup to get things quiet in #4  (neck + middle).

Cheers Stephan

[buddroyce]

Welcome to the forum Armando!

I agree with Stephan. I'd give the Mo Joe a shot to see if you like it or not. For the neck and middle positions, the Area pickups are great but I have a thing for the Cruisers myself.

[greenlion]

Mo Joe bridge, Area 61 middle, Cruiser neck will do what you described.

[Charvelman]

I have to admit that I REALLY don't get on with singlecoil pickups, which is why these days I play exclusively humbucker guitars but I do remember that I was very tempted to keep a Strat I once hade with Area pickups in it. They really were absolutely stunning!