Strat middle position sounds too honky...anything I can do?

sleejay80 · #1 01-17-2011, 12:23 AM

I've been playing for years now... 15 years to be exact.
But I've been mostly an acoustic player, been playing various electric on/off and I got my 1st Strat last year.

I've come to notice the middle pickup sounds funny...
But the problem is, I don't know if that's normal or not, since it's my 1st strat.

The middle position sounds honky, focused only on the mid-highs, and very little bottom end (less than bridge position).

Is that how a strat middle pickup is SUPPOSED to sound?

So,
1. can anyone point out a audio/video which clearly defines the signature strat middle position tone?
(I searched YouTube, "stratocaster middle position demo" with no luck)

2. and if my strat DOES sound too honky compared to it, what can I do to help it? raise/lower pickup height?

Oh, I have the Squier Deluxe Stratocaster btw, I know it's a cheap guitar, but it's supposed to sound like any other strat (from what I've read in reviews and such).

funkycam · #2 01-17-2011, 10:35 AM

this is a strat on the middle p/u straight into a blackface fender twin. (p/u is a di marzio area)

http://soundcloud.com/cam-perridge/middle-pickup
there def should not be less bass than the bridge.
how are the pickup heights?

Blues Lyne · #3 01-17-2011, 01:03 PM

The middle pickup should sound fuller than the bridge, but not as full as the neck. If it has less bass than the bridge check the pickup heights, like funkycam said. If that isn't the problem, and the pickups aren't of vastly different types, I'd guess there is a problem with the middle pickup or the wiring in the guitar.

sleejay80 · #4 01-17-2011, 06:11 PM

Thanks guys for your kind help!!!

Just to make sure - since I'm such a strat noob - RAISING the pickup height should increase the gain/treble/bass...well pretty much everything, right?

I do have it a little lower than the bridge, but only by like 2mm...
Maybe there's something wrong, but I'll try messing with the pup height.

Thanks again!

Blix · #5 01-17-2011, 06:21 PM

Middle pickup always sounds honky alone to me, that's why I almost never use it by itself.

sleejay80 · #6 01-17-2011, 06:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Blix

Middle pickup always sounds honky alone to me, that's whay I almost never use it by itself.

Ah, so that may just be the way they sound...?

Guess I should go to some music store,
find the exact guitar I own (Squier Deluxe Strat shouldn't be that hard),
and see if that one sounds the same too

BTW, though this is my 1st strat,
I'm delighted with the way this thing (Squier Deluxe Strat) sounds!

(Well, every position other than the middle alone)
So surprised to see a cheap Indonesian guitar sound so good...

Kinda reminds me of how cheap pedals - even like a Dano - can sound good if you know what you're doing.

I can get 80% of the way to my favorite Mayer/Hendrix type tones,
with the right effects/amp... and I'm a bedroom electric player anyway, so that's more than enough for me to spend a couple of hours of delightful noodling.

Maybe when I "make it" with the acoustic band I'm playing in,
I'll get my hands on a Custom Shop or something, but till then,
I'll be loving this stratty. Pretty looking too, IMO!

and this is the Mustang(in Japan limited color) I've been using for years before I ever got a strat.

Blix · #7 01-17-2011, 06:46 PM

Hehe, well to me, yes that's just how they sound.

However, there's plenty of others using the middle position, I know many who uses slide a lot often lives on it. But personally, I don't find much use for the middle pickup alone. But it's cruical for the 2 and 4 positions of course.

rwijaya · #8 01-17-2011, 06:54 PM

usually you would want to set up the middle position lower than the neck or the bridge, more than that will sound way too honky. i have the tone connected to the bridge on my strat though.

Avetikus · #9 01-17-2011, 07:07 PM

There's an inexpensive fix if you don't like the sound.

Why not put some new capacitors in there? (Where's the 'can of worms' icon?) There are a few makers of good caps around that will make your sound fuller and less middy. Easy easy fix.

Google Jensen or Luxe to get started.

Franktone · #10 01-17-2011, 07:17 PM

I saw Jimi Vaughn with the Fabulous Thunder Birds quite a long while ago. Anyway the majority of his playing and soloing was done on his maple fretboard (50's complete maple neck - not a separate fretboard) using the middle pickup alone. He sounded really great. The old Fender amp makes a difference and so does the vintage guitar. I think Anson Funderburgh uses mostly the middle pickup also (saw him also with the Rockets). It's that old blues sound, from the real old days and I suppose it takes awhile to master it and the equipment, but that is the old blues sound.

sleejay80 · #11 01-17-2011, 07:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Blix

I don't find much use for the middle pickup alone. But it's cruical for the 2 and 4 positions of course.

That's exactly how I feel about it now!!!

Quote:

Originally Posted by rwijaya

usually you would want to set up the middle position lower than the neck or the bridge, more than that will sound way too honky. i have the tone connected to the bridge on my strat though.

Awesome info, thanks, that's exactly the kind of input a strat noob needs!
I'll be on it right away, tonight, after this stupid day job is over...

Quote:

Originally Posted by Avetikus

Why not put some new capacitors in there?

With all due respect, I don't wanna go that route, I've never soldered anything.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Franktone

I saw Jimi Vaughn with the Fabulous Thunder Birds quite a long while ago. Anyway the majority of his playing and soloing was done on his maple fretboard (50's complete maple neck - not a separate fretboard) using the middle pickup alone. He sounded really great. The old Fender amp makes a difference and so does the vintage guitar. I think Anson Funderburgh uses mostly the middle pickup also (saw him also with the Rockets). It's that old blues sound, from the real old days and I suppose it takes awhile to master it and the equipment, but that is the old blues sound.

Cool, I'll be looking for some vids!