SonVolt
Well-known member
I did too but found the AT-1 way too dark. The highs are really rolled off. Great for leads though.
I did too but found the AT-1 way too dark. The highs are really rolled off. Great for leads though.
C
csguy0
Member
Great point, I tend to gravitate towards darker sounding pickups. In this case, they worked well for me and even brighten up a bit when coil tapped.
rstites
Well-known member
Unfortunately, there just isn't a great way to balance output volume between the bridge humbucker and any kind of actual single in the center/neck. Your choices are to stick to lower output humbuckers and/or lean into higher output singles. The other option - what I've generally done - is to get into it accepting the volume change with a hot amplifier. The difference in guitar volume outputs hit the amp differently and naturally allow a different tone with the amp.
Finally, in a strat you could consider rewiring it for separate volume controls for the singles vs. humbucker. Dedicate the tone control to the just one of them, or for the overall guitar. Only you can say if that'll actually working for you.
Finally, in a strat you could consider rewiring it for separate volume controls for the singles vs. humbucker. Dedicate the tone control to the just one of them, or for the overall guitar. Only you can say if that'll actually working for you.
C
csguy0
Member
When I went to HHH in my HSS strat (Andy Timmons setup) I had some extra switches added to allow a super humbucker setup with the neck and middle pickups acting like 4 coils - it's a unique and fat sound that has the added benefit of balancing volume with the hotter bridge pickup. I also added a switch to convert all 3 humbuckers to single coil (coil split) which gives me even more tonal options. Mixed with an EQ pedal, you have a very flexible platform to work with.
1
101B /^/
Active member
I have a Player2 Strat and swap between two pickguard's I built after ditching the single coil bridge p/u (couldn’t happen fast enough).
I have a Duncan ’78 or (EVH) configured HSS and a Dimarzio Norton + Steve Morse Neck p/u in a HSH pickguard. Both pickguards have a mini switch to split the humbuckers. Both configurations sound great but the Norton/SM HSH combo is what does it for me. They split well and play nice together. I miss it when switching to the ’78, so I vote Norton bridge - YMMV.
I have a Duncan ’78 or (EVH) configured HSS and a Dimarzio Norton + Steve Morse Neck p/u in a HSH pickguard. Both pickguards have a mini switch to split the humbuckers. Both configurations sound great but the Norton/SM HSH combo is what does it for me. They split well and play nice together. I miss it when switching to the ’78, so I vote Norton bridge - YMMV.
SonVolt
Well-known member
What's your thoughts on the '78? I was considering putting one in my American Std HSS. I replaced an AT-1 (too dark) with a Duncan Custom (too much sizzle) and thought I'd try the '78 next.
tallcoolone
Well-known member
The PG is far from a dark pickup—pretty much the opposite actually. Had good luck with Duncan Custom/Custom and Custom Hybrid. Put Super Distortions in the last few HB bolt ons I’ve been loving them
1
101B /^/
Active member
Fantastic pickup - chimey, open and evenly balanced. I get along great with it and it sounds great in my Strat. Pesonally - I’d like it to be a tad hotter. If you use a boost in front of the amp (I don’t) - that problem goes away. The Norton is similar and has ‘something’ going on that my ears miss when I’m not using it. Nonetheless, you cannot go wrong with the ‘78
tallcoolone
Well-known member
The Norton is a great pickup indeed
SonVolt
Well-known member
Gotcha. Ok that may work perfectly for me then. Most of my other guitars are higher output, so this may work out great. I'm just hoping it nails that VH1 thing. The Custom definitely nails it, but the mids are too hollowed out and it has too much of that ceramic sizzle in the high-end. The Wolfgang does also, but I've got too many of those already.
1
101B /^/
Active member
The ’78 is bright, however not sizzly bright. The sizzle from that pickup comes from your hands and that’s kind of what’s so good about it because it’s very dynamic. Output is good and seems situated somewhere just shy of compression (like a higher output JB, for example). Hard to go wrong with one, for sure. The Norton, I think, has a lower-mid thing that is just glorious and addictive to me.
