Favorite HB for a H/S/S strat?

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AmpliFIRE

AmpliFIRE

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I've had an Aldrich in the bridge of my strat (Brazilian board, alder body) for the past few months and seem to have a love/hate relationship with it. Somedeays it's too hot, or too bright and others it sounds great. Any thoughts on a replacement? I'm looking for a medium-medium hot pickup with an alnico magnet to cover classic rock to thrash. I would also like something that splits well for Hendrix and Gilmour stuff...
 
I have aldrich HB's in my Les Paul Bridge, but never tried them in my fat strat. The Aldrich does split really well in the Les Pauls.

On my MIA fat strat I have an Anderson H2+, it splits really well. I actually like it split alone better than my Suhr FL SC bridge pickup alone, as crazy as it sounds. Anyway, I really like the H2+ pickup, its just about the output you are looking for, but has a ceramic magnet. I had an Anderson H3 before the H2+ and the H3 was too hot for my tastes.

Also, I should note that I have 500k pots, I have the super switch setup so the single coils see 250k and the humbucker sees 500k. Not sure how the H2+ will sound with 250k pots....
 
For me, its hands down the Duncan Custom Custom. I've tried many models including MCP and BKP offerings. Something about the Custom Custom just sounds awesome in a strat bridge.
 
I've used a Burstbucker III in my past three super strat builds with great sucess, but they're very dependent on the wood. They sound awful with an ash body, way to jangly & single coilish. An alder body right around 4 pounds is perfect for balancing out the lows, mids, and highs. I'm getting ready change the BBIII for something else with a bit more output, but I'm not sure with what yet so I'll be watching this thread.

I used to use SD 59's, Duncan Customs, Custom Customs, but all of them lose output and get overly wooly when you wood mount them. And when you switch guitars a lot like I do, having a strat style guitar that's duller than your LP is a hassle since it requires adjusting rig controls to compensate. I started looking for humbuckers with a jangly, single coilish top to them to even things out, which is how the BBIII came into play.
 
Try the following:
Duncan JB
Duncan Custom
Anderson H2+
DiMarzio PAF Pro
DiMarzio PAF 36th Anniv.
DiMarzio AT1
DiMarzio Steve's Special
 
I just bought a Motor City Detroiter for my ash Strat. It should be here in a few days!
 
I had the same problem in my my Jackson (superstrat, alder body, rosewood board), the Aldrich started to get on my nerves. Took it out and stuck a Cantrell sig Afwayu in there and now all is well :thumbsup:
 
I keep coming back to the JB or Tone Zone in my H/S/S Strats/superstrats. (all alder + maple bolty, with Floyds or standard fulcrums) I usually leave the 250k pots in place on most, as well. My SoCal is working best with a 500k pot with the JB, though.
 
I like the SSH+ in the bridge.
A lot warmer and more middy than the Aldridge.
Though I do love the Aldridge in the bridge of my custom shop Mahogany Strat.
That pup kinda evens out in a Mahogany body, but a little too spikey in Alder to my ears.
 
Just loaded my gig pig (parts Strat) with an Anderson pickguard that has an H2+ in the bridge...that pickup rules.
 
For my tastes, the Anderson H3 works excellent in a Strat bridge position! I had the Aldrich previously, and replaced it with the H3. The H3 is more balanced sounding than the Aldrich IMO.
 
Thanks for the replies! The Anderson H2+ is definitely a killer pickup. I've had them in several guitars over the years and was never disappointed. The Duncan CC might be something worth revisiting and the SSH+ sounds like it bight be the ticket as well. I don't love the newer JB's...maybe I should try and hunt an older one down (we all know that they haves the mojo ;) )
 
My two favorite strat pickups are the Duncan JB and the Pearly Gates Plus.
 
AmpliFIRE":383rkpcd said:
Thanks for the replies! The Anderson H2+ is definitely a killer pickup. I've had them in several guitars over the years and was never disappointed. The Duncan CC might be something worth revisiting and the SSH+ sounds like it bight be the ticket as well. I don't love the newer JB's...maybe I should try and hunt an older one down (we all know that they haves the mojo ;) )
Click to expand...


I had an Aldrich then i changed to the SSH+. I didn't think it was that big of a difference, just a bit. I'd stick an H2+ in that strat of your's.
 
rupe":121sem7b said:
Just loaded my gig pig (parts Strat) with an Anderson pickguard that has an H2+ in the bridge...that pickup rules.
Click to expand...

Gotta second the H2+ love. I've got one in my PRS 24 and it flat out kills. I've got a HN3+ and an HN3, and the H2+ is just perfect for hard rock. For a strat, I might try an alnico though.
 
That Dimarzio AT1 is really great, IMO. It's sweet enough for leads, but still has some guts for the chunky stuff.
 
Have you put the AT1 in your Charvel? I was tempted by it, but haven't heard too many first-hand experiences with it.
 
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