Neck SC-sized pickup to match a D Activator?

[Rex Rocker]

So I'm ordering an HS pickguard for my Strat. I cannot stand how blunt the bridge pickup sounds from being so far away from the bridge, so I figured it might be a good time to get a neck pickup in there. Even if I rarely use a neck pickup, it's a cool option to have in there that doesn't really get too in the way the way a middle pickupe does.

I've already got a D-Ac in the bridge. I basically want something smooth, hot, and fat, but not muddy that matches the output level of DiMarzio's third hottest pickup offering.

So... opinions? Will an Air Norton S fit the bill? Or is itoo low output?

Also... I think I would prefer if it looked like an uncospicuous single coil rather than a blade hum. But that's not a must, really. But if it is, all the best. I like the idea of a Dimarzio SDS, but at the same time, it's weaker than the Air Norton S.

Also... IT HAS TO BE AVAILABLE IN CREAM. Otherwise, the easy answer for me would the the Duncan QP.

This is the guitar!

 

[Speeddemon]

With those adjectives, Duncan Hot Rails.
The sole reason I took 'em out of my Kramer SM-1 ?.
I wanted something with more top end chime, so in went a DiMarzio Chopper. But that one is probably too low output for your D ac. It can hang with a Duncan JB tho.

My experience with the SDS and ANS was that the SDS did have more output. Both quite thick sounding. Fast Track 2 would be another big, thick, smooth option with output to match. According to DiMarzio, it's their hottest rail pup.

Whatever you choose, make sure you add some switching option (maybe push pull pot) for coil split or parallel switching. That way, if you end up wanting to play something really clean (like the bridge in Master of Puppets) you at least have a good sound for that instead of over saturated thick grunt. ?

 

[firegate]

The Air Norton S is a pretty solid pickup, not quite as smooth as the full size one but should do what you're looking for. It's got a decent amount of output.

 

[Rex Rocker]

Thanks!

Anyone have any experience with the Rio Grande pickups that are supposedly P90-like?

 

[Rex Rocker]

Anyone else?