HSH for mahogany strat

[RiverCity28]

I'm thinking of building a super strat (mahogany body and neck w/ebony fretboard) with HSH configuration that would look like the photos below (assume the pickguard is actually HSH).  The second photo shows an actual body in the wood I prefer and the color I prefer (Artic White).  I think this color looks great with the pickguard and the neck wood.

I think I'd like SD Pearly Gates in the bridge and neck.  But I'm not sure what would compliment these two pickups . . . a SD Hot Stack (STK-S2)?    The Hot Stack is single coiled sized humucker right?

I'd like the 5-way switch to be:

Neck
Neck/Middle
Neck/Bridge
Bridge/Middle
Bridge


I also want coil taps on the humbuckers.  I assume Seymour Duncan could give me a wiring diagram for this setup.

What do you think about this build for a Warren Haynes type of sound?  I'm hoping the addition of a middle pickup might give me more sonic choices.

 

[pabloman]

I had a Pearly Gates in the bridge position on a strat and found it to be way too bright. I went the JB route instead. Its such a cliche but it does the job.

 

[RiverCity28]

Maybe this is a more accurate portrayal.  But, obviously, I am more interested in finding the best sound.  So, what do recommend for that middle pickup?

 

[RiverCity28]

I had a Pearly Gates in the bridge position on a strat and found it to be way too bright. I went the JB route instead. Its such a cliche but it does the job.

Thanks for the feedback.  I've read that the ebony board might make it even brighter?

 

[lafromla1]

Try listening to some Gibson Burstbucker Pro's.  You may like them for a Blues-Rock sound.  I have them in a Mahogany VIP and I love the sound I get.  Can't coil tap them but they don't need it.
http://www.unofficialwarmoth.com/index.php?topic=7044.0

Throw in a DiMarzio Virtual Vintage '54 or Area 58/61 in the mid for a real nice change of pace and you may get that Jimi/SRV sound to go along with the humbuckers (I have the '58(neck) and '54(mid) in a strat).  And don't coil tap stacked humbuckers, you cant get any sound out of the bottom and leaving the top by itself is way to tinny (basically useless).  They are made to be played together.  Now I do have a PAF Joe with the two Area pups and that is tapped and sounds great in all phases.
http://www.unofficialwarmoth.com/index.php?topic=13458.0

 

[JaySwear]

Try listening to some Gibson Burstbucker Pro's.  You may like them for a Blues-Rock sound.  Throw in a DiMarzio Virtual Vintage '54 or Area 58/61 in the mid.

i'm a BIG fan of the burstbuckers! had one in the gibson BFG i had a while back. the bridge pickup was clear with no gain, but with distortion it was crunchy and awesome. the only other pickup i've had that i thought was close was a dimarzio air norton in the bridge of a strat i have. sounds great! very versatile.

i had a SD JB in the bridge of a warmoth telecaster deluxe for a while, but it seemed ridiculously thin and nasally. i'm starting to wonder more and more if this was an installation error on my part because i've never heard them described that way by other people. but i hated it. i've got a dimarzio super distortion in there now.

 

[RiverCity28]

I'll give the Burstbucker Pros a listen.  Thanks

 

[Death by Uberschall]

EMG 81/SA/89 combo.

Add the SPC and EXG controls and your all set. Go from warm and thick Les Paul tones to Strat spank.