• From: Was NY now FL/GA line
  • Registered: 2007-12-16
  • Posts: 2,855

Topic: HSS Strat Build

I'm putting together a HSS strat. Any suggestions on pickup combinations?

I'll be finished with the body this week. Usually on a build I have it all mapped out before starting. I had this body stuck away on a shelf and decided to use it instead of selling it. The body is a very light and highly resonate so I didn't want to let it go without doing something with it.

The Lonestar Texas Specials/Pearly Gates set up has been done to death. Something hopefully different. I do plan on using a S-1 switch. Maybe a tele pup for the neck??

Any ideas?

Thanks in advance!

Spider

2 Reply by NPB_EST.1979 (edited by NPB_EST.1979 2008-05-31 17:43:35)

  • From: Detroit
  • Registered: 2006-06-02
  • Posts: 5,807

Re: HSS Strat Build

GFS pickups have a bunch of different choices, and they're pretty cost effective too... http://store.guitarfetish.com/

I was looking at Gibson P-94 or Seymour Duncan Phat Cat pickups, and I found GFS makes a "deam 90" or something that I ended up getting. It's a P-90 pickup that fits inside a humbucker sized cavity. I read reviews about GFS on Hamony-Central's website - they have a huge database of user reviews. It's a good place to do research on any guitars, amps, pickups, etc.
http://reviews.harmony-central.com/

If you want a different sound, I'd perhaps suggest railed pickups (like Joe Barden style) or lipstick tube pickups (chrome or gold). GFS even has a humbucker-style lipstick tube pickup.

Not sure if you're familiar with Kenny Wayne Shepherd, but he has a strat with three lipstick tube pickups in it. It's pretty sweet lookin' and sounds good.

so those are my two recommendations.


I'm in the middle of a strat project myself. For the bridge pickup I'm going to get a GFS "rails" style pickup, and for the neck pickup I'll probably get the lipstick tube pickup. My middle pickup is already bought: its a Rio Grande "Muy Grande" pickup with extra big pole pieces.

In the past, Joe's recommended Seymour Duncan Antiquities and Fralins for single coil pickups, and Gibson Burstbuckers for the bridge pickup. However if you're getting a strat, I assume the scale will be 25.5" - so you'd need a bridge humbucker pickup that is "F-Spaced." Dimarzio has a ton of em. I think Rio Grande has them too...

- Nic from Detroit... posting on JB's Forum since 6-2-2006
Ask me about my handwound Great Lakes Guitar Pickups
Since 2010, Bonamassa fans have taken advantage of my JB friend discount = my cost + shipping. cool
  • From: Was NY now FL/GA line
  • Registered: 2007-12-16
  • Posts: 2,855

Re: HSS Strat Build

My little big brother is sending me a Bare Knuckles set up he recommends to some of his customers. He said they're free if I don't like them. Well OK then! Love my little brother.

Anyone ever use Bare Knuckles pickups?

  • From: The Gates of Delerium
  • Registered: 2008-05-07
  • Posts: 1,412

Re: HSS Strat Build

Something that may not have been done before....

You can buy Rickenbacker "toaster" pups off the RIC site. Click on "boutique". $150 each.

Wow... these German keyboards even have a "$" key, but the "Y" is in a strange spot. They switched it with Z...

Major Tom to ground control...