SSS Pickup Suggestions for Ash/Maple/Rosewood Strat

[DS37]

Hi everyone,

First post here. Currently building a swamp ash body, maple neck, rosewood fingerboard Warmoth strat. I'm having the time of my life bouncing back and forth between possible SSS pickup sets for it. Considering rosewood will mellow the highs of this combo, I'm thinking of putting a mid-forward/bright pickup set in it. Currently leaning towards the Seymour Duncan Antiquity II Surfer or SD Five-Two Strat pickups (not that either of these accurately achieve the goal). These two peaked my interest because they "sweeten the highs" a little bit; something I suspect ash/maple could benefit from IMO.

I'm hoping to land in the vintage realm for this instrument, though not vintage-correct, because I come from a metal background and want something more classic. Genres of music I typically play include blues, classic rock, hard rock, and metal/shred.

Can anyone give some advice on this wood combo/pickup selection? I'm open to any suggestions for complementary SSS pickup sets that fit the vintage strat route. I've looked at SD, Dimarzio, Lollar, Fralin, Migas, TV Jones, and various other boutique winders.

Thank you all!

 

[Strat Avenger]

You're gonna get about 25 different answers here.
The fretboard material has zero effect on tone.

 

[supertruper1988]

You're gonna get about 25 different answers here.
The fretboard material has zero effect on tone.

Fretboard material has a big impact on the initial attack though which can influence what you hear as brighter or warmer.

 

[Rick]

Hard to pick a set for you ... what are the last two songs you learned that are covers?

 

[DS37]

Hard to pick a set for you ... what are the last two songs you learned that are covers?

Yngwie Malmsteen's Like an Angel and Philip Sayce's Save Me from Myself.

 

[Strat Avenger]

Fretboard material has a big impact on the initial attack though which can influence what you hear as brighter or warmer.

That is just plain  not true.

 

[supertruper1988]

That is just plain  not true.

Its ok to be wrong sometimes

 

[Rick]

Here ... pick one of these ...
https://www.seymourduncan.com/single-product/philip-sayce-mother,
or

YJM Fury Strat | Seymour Duncan

The YJM Fury uses custom length alnico 5 rod magnets, and a unique coil architecture to bring you that perfect balance of sweet fluidity and articulation that is Yngwie J Malmsteen.

www.seymourduncan.com

My experience jibes with strat A on the fretboard, with fret boards get something that feels nice to you. Personally, I like Sayce's tone so ...
Your pickups will have a far greater influence on tone than fretboard ...

or
If neither strike your fancy then a Bill Lawrence strat set. 280 / 290

All three are safe bets.

 

[Strat Avenger]

Its ok to be wrong sometimes

No, it's not. So you should stop.

 

[Floyd_Argus]

You're gonna get about 25 different answers here.
The fretboard material has zero effect on tone.

Alot of listeners besides me, of this video's demos hear a difference btw the different fretboard woods.

While not everyone hears a difference, that doesn't mean it's not there. Not everyone has the same hearing sensivity and/or critical listening skills.

The takeaway is: there is no problem if you don't hear a difference. That gives you an advantage in a way, because you don't have to be worried about being disappointed in a choice of fretboard wood because of its tone. But don't keep equating "you don't hear it" with "there is no tonal difference." That's just not true based on numerous people saying they hear a difference. Instead, just work on being humble as a virtue (like we all should) and say "I don't hear a difference" and leave it at that.