[greekdude]

Dear friends,
I got this new strat (partscaster), asian mahogany body, all maple scalloped neck, floyd rose trem (schaller).  At first this will be equipped by an old pair of ancient Seymour Duncan Livewires , the normal on the neck, the metal on the bridge, those are the ones with the 100k pots. So, I am looking for a nice HSH set that will replace the livewires, which are temporary. I already got :
1) A kramer 210, with original Seymour Duncan livewires (the regular ones, non-metal) , again with 100k pots
2) Ibanez ARZ800 with EMG81/60
3) Ibanez UV70p with Dimarzio Blazes
4) Aria Strat with Dimarzio Fast Track 2, Fast Track 1, The chopper, I have series/parallel push pull on both neck / bridge, + an "add bridge" switch which can produce a nice Telecaster tone (bridge + neck), especially on parallel mode.
5) Carvin DC135 with Dimarzio Super Distortion, original middle, Air Norton S , again neck and bridge have series/parallel push/pull
6) a partscaster with EMG 85/S/81 (85 in the bridge)

So this new one 7) will also be a partscaster , all maple scalloped neck, double locking, with some other goodies, such as nice heel access.

I would like to have standard strat tones + plus all the classic shred. I am not sure what to put in there. I don't want active again, not practical with a standard strat. What would you guys recommend ? any brand ? Just a nice balanced yet powerful HSH set.

[nienturi]

My standard HSH superstrat with versatility formula is as follows: Neck: A clear PAF with A2 or A4 magnets.  Middle: A 6.5K A5 single-coil. Bridge: A hot PAF-style pickup

If choosing from DiMarzio: Neck: PAF Pro, Middle: True Velvet,  Bridge: Would consider Fortitude, Norton, Super Distortion, Air Zone or Tone Zone

That said, the guitar's own tone plays a major role in my choices. If it's too warm or overly bright, I'd adjust my selections to compensate for the tone.

[greekdude]

So so true, and thank you for your fine suggestions.

I will try to feel the guitar in my hands for quite some adequate period and then re-assess !

Dimarzio rules, so I'd prefer Dimarzio !

[gregr]

How do you plan on using the middle pickup? If you use it by itself is it in stark contrast with either of the humbuckers, or would you like it to work in harmony with the humbuckers?

[greekdude]

How do you plan on using the middle pickup? If you use it by itself is it in stark contrast with either of the humbuckers, or would you like it to work in harmony with the humbuckers?

Thanks! just some quack in positions 2 and 4 , with the HBs in either split or parallel, i'd expect equal output with the HB in parallel or split mode! But also in live performances I use the middle as a quick and predictable volume cut.

[nienturi]

So so true, and thank you for your fine suggestions.

I will try to feel the guitar in my hands for quite some adequate period and then re-assess !

For my custom guitars, at first i always go with pickups very generic like Jazz/JB or PAF Pro/S.Distortion etc. They are relatively easier to find as used and to be sold. So i put them on the fresh guitar that i'm not very sure about its final tone. When it is complated, i can decide better with the pickups i do know like "there is mud on the neck, i need to go from paf pro to humbucker from hell".

[darkbluemurder]

The only HSH I ever set up for myself had a Bluesbucker in the neck, an Injector neck (permanently wired as single coil) in the middle and first a Norton in the bridge, then a SD Custom 5 and finally (and my favorite in this guitar) a Mo' Joe. 500k pots (master volume, neck tone, bridge tone) and a Schaller/Eyb Megaswitch type E which gave me

1 - bridge HB
2 - split bridge neckside coil + middle, humcancelling
3 - split bridge bridgeside coil + split neck, humcancelling
4 - split neck neckside coil + middle, humcancelling
5 - neck HB

I later wired the neck tone pot as auto split for the neck humbucker so that I could also have the neck single coil (of course not humcancelling but the split Bluesbucker sounds excellent).

Very simple but still versatile set up. There is a more detailed thread on that guitar (you will find it when you search for threads I started).

Cheers Stephan

[greekdude]

Great suggestions I'll keep coming back to this thread as the thing progresses!

[gregr]

I haven’t found a better split coil sound than a JB. I also find that position 2 quack sounds better when splitting to the outer coil.

My HSH is The Breed Neck in the bridge with a PAF Pro in the neck and a Fast Track 1 in the middle. The switching is as follows:
1: bridge
2: middle
3: bridge and neck inner coils connected in series with a passive filter to reduce bass and midrange.
4: middle and neck outer coils; again, connected in series and filtered.
5: neck or neck in parallel with the bridge. There’s a push-pull on the tone control to add the bridge to the neck, which only works in this position.
All positions are hum-cancelling.

If I had a second HSH it would be as follows, borrowing from things I’m already doing in other guitars:

Bridge: JB/Screamin’ Demon hybrid; JB coil on the outside in parallel with the middle for position 2.

Middle: A traditional single coil, perhaps a True Velvet, but that would depend on what magnets I use in the humbuckers. The middle would only get used in positions 2 & 4. Position 3 would combine bridge and neck humbuckers.

Neck: Screamin’ Demon/Full Shred Neck hybrid; Demon coil on the outside in parallel with the middle for position 4.

[greekdude]

Hi again,
I think I will transfer the existing EMG 85/S/81 over to the new one, maybe. And just put an old FLEOR-loaded (similar to WAAAH), single coil alnicos, and just reassess.
Or just wait to get the guitar in my hands, and see !

thank you guys!

@gregr it is great that you commented in favor of some duncan pups, just proves that this forum is truly exceptional . I will have everything in mind!

[darkbluemurder]

I also find that position 2 quack sounds better when splitting to the outer coil.

Agreed. It has just that little bit of extra glass compared to the inner coil.

My HSH is The Breed Neck in the bridge

Great choice.

The switching is as follows:
1: bridge
2: middle
3: bridge and neck inner coils connected in series with a passive filter to reduce bass and midrange.
4: middle and neck outer coils; again, connected in series and filtered.
5: neck or neck in parallel with the bridge. There’s a push-pull on the tone control to add the bridge to the neck, which only works in this position.
All positions are hum-cancelling.

If I had a second HSH it would be as follows, borrowing from things I’m already doing in other guitars:

Bridge: JB/Screamin’ Demon hybrid; JB coil on the outside in parallel with the middle for position 2.

Middle: A traditional single coil, perhaps a True Velvet, but that would depend on what magnets I use in the humbuckers. The middle would only get used in positions 2 & 4. Position 3 would combine bridge and neck humbuckers.

Neck: Screamin’ Demon/Full Shred Neck hybrid; Demon coil on the outside in parallel with the middle for position 4.

Nice switching ideas, thanks for sharing.

Cheers Stephan

[gregr]

Nice switching ideas, thanks for sharing.

Thanks. I like yours as well.