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Recommend a bridge humbucker for my Strat

Discussion in 'Guitars in General' started by SmokeyJacks, May 23, 2011.

  1. May 23, 2011 #1
    SmokeyJacks

    SmokeyJacks Member

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    I have a Fender American Special Strat that I bought new last December. I really like the Texas Specials in the neck and middle positions (I know a lot of you guys aren't big fans) but I don't really like the tone of the Atomic humbucker in the bridge position.

    Can you guys please recommend some humbuckers for my strat? I don't have a huge budget so please don't recommend the most high-end boutique stuff :)

    [​IMG]
     
    SmokeyJacks, May 23, 2011
    SmokeyJacks, May 23, 2011
    #1
  2. May 23, 2011 #2
    gulliver

    gulliver Supporting Member

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    Maybe some clues as to the tone you're looking for? Your amp? etc...
     
    gulliver, May 23, 2011
    gulliver, May 23, 2011
    #2
  3. May 23, 2011 #3
    SmokeyJacks

    SmokeyJacks Member

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    to be honest, i don't really know what tone i am looking for because there isn't a particular strat/humbucker tone that comes to mind. jeff beck had bridge buckers in his strats, right?
     
    SmokeyJacks, May 23, 2011
    SmokeyJacks, May 23, 2011
    #3
  4. May 23, 2011 #4
    SMark

    SMark Member

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    Okay then, what DON'T you like about the Atomic HB that you have now?
     
    SMark, May 23, 2011
    SMark, May 23, 2011
    #4
  5. May 23, 2011 #5
    SmokeyJacks

    SmokeyJacks Member

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    The Atomic HB is really muddy. When the tone knob is rolled down, it has a decent bass sound...but even at 10 its muddy sounding...I want more bite.
     
    SmokeyJacks, May 23, 2011
    SmokeyJacks, May 23, 2011
    #5
  6. May 23, 2011 #6
    Archangelyabbo

    Archangelyabbo Member

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    Any band sound that your are trying to get?

    I had a SD Custom 5 in a PRS Santana SE and it made a world of difference. Sounded sweet coil tapped too. Nice tight low end. I was playing mord hard rock/heavy metal.
     
    Archangelyabbo, May 23, 2011
    Archangelyabbo, May 23, 2011
    #6
  7. May 23, 2011 #7
    SmokeyJacks

    SmokeyJacks Member

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    I'm not playing any metal with the strat. I mostly just use the hb for lead.
     
    SmokeyJacks, May 23, 2011
    SmokeyJacks, May 23, 2011
    #7
  8. May 23, 2011 #8
    big mike

    big mike House Plexi Staff Member

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    I'd go with a Duncan 59 or Custom. Maybe a Pearly Gates.

    Should match up well with the Texas Specials and sound great.
     
    big mike, May 23, 2011
    big mike, May 23, 2011
    #8
  9. May 23, 2011 #9
    rabbuhl

    rabbuhl Member

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    Black Fralin Unbucker. Buy a 500k Fender S1 switch to control the split and 500k pots.
     
    rabbuhl, May 23, 2011
    rabbuhl, May 23, 2011
    #9
  10. May 23, 2011 #10
    SMark

    SMark Member

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    If you need to bring out some more highs...

    PAF Output - Duncan Pearly Gates
    Mid-Gain - Duncan Screamin' Demon
    Hi-Gain - Duncan Custom

    And I expect that the Duncan Custom is likely lower gain than your Atomic HB, so don't think that the Custom is necessarily a metal pickup. All these buckers will give you increased articulation without messing with the bottom-end much. Although, of the three mentioned, the Custom will have broader mids along with the higher gain.
     
    SMark, May 23, 2011
    SMark, May 23, 2011
    #10
  11. May 23, 2011 #11
    GarMan

    GarMan Supporting Member

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    Get a Suhr SSV Humbucker. They pair up well with SCs, and I think they are priced reasonably well. They are not hot at all really. Just a great sound with some honk, bite, and clarity. I think you will be pleased.
     
    GarMan, May 23, 2011
    GarMan, May 23, 2011
    #11
  12. May 23, 2011 #12
    batsbrew

    batsbrew Member

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    bill lawrence L-90.

    call them, and tell them what kind of sound you're looking for, they'll select the proper strength pickup to suit.
     
    batsbrew, May 23, 2011
    batsbrew, May 23, 2011
    #12
  13. May 23, 2011 #13
    DaveG

    DaveG Gold Supporting Member

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    My Fat Strat Texas Special came stock with Texas Special neck & middle pickups, and a Pearly Gates Plus in the bridge... it's a great match up.
     
    DaveG, May 23, 2011
    DaveG, May 23, 2011
    #13
  14. May 24, 2011 #14
    dughaze

    dughaze Member

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    I have a Fat Strat Texas Special too. I love the Texas Special single coils and did not like the Pearly Gates + humbucker in the bridge. I replaced it with a highly recommended JB and that is even worse. I am ready to try an Anerson H2 or H3 in it next. I had an H3 in an old Strat and it really ripped.

    I could probably live with just the neck pickup in this guitar though, that is where the sweet spot is on this guitar. It's like Hendrix or Vaugn but only better.

    Wait, tone is in the fingers right?:spit

    I crack myself up.
     
    dughaze, May 24, 2011
    dughaze, May 24, 2011
    #14
  15. May 24, 2011 #15
    shane8

    shane8 Member

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    consider a dimarzio air norton
     
    shane8, May 24, 2011
    shane8, May 24, 2011
    #15
  16. May 24, 2011 #16
    gulliver

    gulliver Supporting Member

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    Is Fender actually using a Pearly Gates plus, or are you guys referring to the DH-1, which supposed to be based on it? Just curious.
     
    gulliver, May 24, 2011
    gulliver, May 24, 2011
    #16
  17. May 24, 2011 #17
    SmokeyJacks

    SmokeyJacks Member

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    anyone else ever use an Atomic hb? unless i'm playing with high gain...it just sounds terrible.
     
    SmokeyJacks, May 24, 2011
    SmokeyJacks, May 24, 2011
    #17
  18. May 24, 2011 #18
    zul

    zul Supporting Member

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    I highly recommend the regular Norton.
     
    zul, May 24, 2011
    zul, May 24, 2011
    #18
  19. May 24, 2011 #19
    DaveG

    DaveG Gold Supporting Member

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    Mine says "Seymour Duncan" on the front of the pickup & "PGP" on the back... it's a Pearly Gates Plus.
     
    DaveG, May 24, 2011
    DaveG, May 24, 2011
    #19
  20. May 24, 2011 #20
    gulliver

    gulliver Supporting Member

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    Interesting, thanks.
     
    gulliver, May 24, 2011
    gulliver, May 24, 2011
    #20

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