HB for HSS Strat (already got singles)

[Warnz]

Hi guys

Soz :sad1: for another "noob"  question but we all gotta start somewhere  :help:
Got a cheapy HSS (Squier) strat for practicing on (20 euros) before going for a build (W of course). I understand that the PU's will sound different in a quality guitar but I have acquired an Area 58 for the neck and Area 61 for the mid that I picked up well cheap (30 euros for the pair) and i am looking for suggestions for a matching/complimentary HB to put in it. Obviously PG is already cut for HB so gotta have something to fill the hole, new to everything, so changing PU's alone will be interesting for me.
I play mainly classic rock but will jam along with anything that interests me. Thanks in advance.

 

[The Norwegian Guy]

you can't go wrong with the PAF PRO

 

[exaN]

you can't go wrong with the PAF PRO

I've had really good experiences with the PAF Pro, top notch if you want your guitar to be a pure rock machine. You will get some big and clear rock chords out of it and if you add a little chorus or flanger, it sounds HUGE.

The ToneZone is also a very good pickup, very similar to the PAF Pro but exaggerated a bit.

I have an Edwards Les Paul with a Seymour Duncan JB and it's also excellent for classic rock tones.

 

[dNA]

The ToneZone is also a very good pickup, very similar to the PAF Pro but exaggerated a bit.

Wouldn't a tone zone be way too loud next to two vintage style single coils?

I would really go for a traditional PAF style pickup. If you want something more modern, there are a ton of options. I for one advocate the Air Norton as a bridge pickup in brighter guitars, even though it's so famous for being a neck pickup. And it sounds exceptionally good in parallel or split modes to blend with your singles.

 

[exaN]

The ToneZone is also a very good pickup, very similar to the PAF Pro but exaggerated a bit.

Wouldn't a tone zone be way too loud next to two vintage style single coils?

I would really go for a traditional PAF style pickup. If you want something more modern, there are a ton of options. I for one advocate the Air Norton as a bridge pickup in brighter guitars, even though it's so famous for being a neck pickup. And it sounds exceptionally good in parallel or split modes to blend with your singles.

You're right, totally forgot about the 2 singlecoils :doh:

 

[tfarny]

Whatever you choose, the Areas are on the quiet side so that's a consideration. You can play with the pickup heights of those a lot though, you can get them really close to the strings without any problems. The tone of those is pure vintage strat though - I'd be looking for a vintage PAF sound on the lower-output side, for sure. Dimarzio 36th Anniversary, Duncan '59, those are two starting places but I still think they'd be loud. You could get one of the custom guys to wind you something resembling a low output T-Top  - try vintage vibe guitars or highorderpickups.com

 

[Warnz]

Thanks for the info guys  :icon_thumright:  Looks like I'm after a PAF then. As the singles are DM is it preferable to go with the same brand or will the SD one be OK?????

 

[dNA]

in terms of functional compatibility, you can mix and match - it  makes no difference. It's the wiring diagrams that sometimes get messy, because every company uses different color coding for the leads on their pickups and you just make sure you find out the differences. I personally hate soldering anything ever, so having to do anything twice makes me want to kill KILL KILL.

 

[Warnz]

Thanks, I got this guitar just for messing with, taking apart, setting up etc before attempting a build so it's no biggie if I screw it up. I think all in its going to stand me in less than 100 euros. Also, soldering aint a problem for me, I used to repair circuit boards before everything went surface mount. Now they are just throw away items (cheaper to replace than repair).

 

[disaster]

Check out the SD P-Rails.  HB, P90, & SC tone all in a convenient HB package.  I have an HSS Strat & I'm going to replace the HB w/ the P-Rails.  Check out a YouTube demo from someone called lyongraulty (I think).  He's playing great slide guitar on a flat-top LP with P-Rails.  He has 3 demos (so far) but Demo I is the best.  Sold me on the P-Rails.  Great P90 tone + HB tones + real SC Tones.  All in one amazingly simple package.

Good Luck.

 

[Strat Avenger]

'Depends on what kind of humbucker tone you're looking for.  I have a H-S-S Strat with a Duncan TB-12 , It gives me the sound I like. My other choice would probably be a Duncan '59. PAF Pros sounded awesome when Steve Vai was using them. The one I had sounded a bit "thin", but it may have just been the guitar it was installed in. In any case, I'd go for something with medium to standard output, as high-output pickups typically don't mix well with single-coils.

 

[fdesalvo]

+1 on the dimarzio paf pro. Had one stock in a musicman silhouette special and it was fat and tight. Med "output".

you can't go wrong with the PAF PRO

I've had really good experiences with the PAF Pro, top notch if you want your guitar to be a pure rock machine. You will get some big and clear rock chords out of it and if you add a little chorus or flanger, it sounds HUGE.

The ToneZone is also a very good pickup, very similar to the PAF Pro but exaggerated a bit.

I have an Edwards Les Paul with a Seymour Duncan JB and it's also excellent for classic rock tones.

 

[brandonr]

The best soundng pick-up I've heard in this configuration was the Dimarzio Super Distortion. Don't get turned off by the name if you're not a metal player. All you need to do is turn your volume down a bit and wow. Think AC/DC!. Very Versitile.