Mixing single coil sets in a strat

[jordan]

Hey all,

I currently have a set of Apaches in my strat. I really love these pickups, for the past two years they've delivered the goods time and again.

However, I'm looking to add some more beef to the strat - in particular the bridge pickup in the Apaches doesn't quite hold together at high gain levels (and nor should it - I appreciate it wasn't designed for this).

I'd like to keep as much of the neck + middle clean tones of the Apaches as possible, but get something hotter in the bridge. I'm thinking about putting Irish Tours in the neck and middle positions, as I know these still have great cleans, but a touch more output than the Apaches.

My question is really: with ITs in the neck and middle, how hot can I go in the bridge without introducing too much of a volume imbalance? I'm guessing a Sinner would be a WAY overkill, but would a Trilogy in the bridge be too hot to pair with the ITs? Would a Slowhand in the bridge pair well with the ITs?

How about the base-plate option? I've read a bit about these beefing up the bridge pickup, so I guess that's an option....

Cheers in advance guys,
Jordan.

[AndyR]

I don't venture too far into high gain territory, so you'll need the help of others as well.

But I can't help thinking (with your "I'd like to keep as much of the neck + middle clean tones of the Apaches as possible") that what I'd be looking at doing is just replacing the bridge with an Irish Tour, possibly with a baseplate to fatten it up for the higher gain sounds.

It might even be your existing Apache bridge would give what you need if it was beefed up with a baseplate?

My set of ITs have no baseplates, but that bridge works well for me on its own on everything I try.

What makes me wonder about keeping the Apache Neck/Middle is that with my ITs, which I love, I'm starting to hanker after another strat with the more bell-like tones that Apaches or Mother's Milks would give me. If you switch to ITs in Neck/Middle, you could be in the same boat as I am!! :D

[38thBeatle]

I am wondering whether it is possble to contact Tim and see if he can rewind the bridge pickup so that it is hotter for you-just another suggestion.

[AndyR]

Sounds like you're thinking the same as me 38th? If you like the the neck/middle Apache why change them?

It's crossed my mind since I first replied though, that you (jordan) might be worried that to get what you want on the bridge, and then balance with the others, that'll you'll need to sacrifice some of that Apache-ness and replace them as well?

My gut feeling is you don't need to, but I've only got one BKP strat set, so I don't really know how they compete with each other in the same guitar. Volume-wise, all my BKP'd guitars balance reasonably well with each other throught the same amp settings - and that's between humbuckers and singles! The only ones that really stick out are the Mississipi Queens - that guitar pokes a fair bit more.

38th might have some idea how his Apache's and Slowhands compare, but I guess they've never been in the same guitar either?

I think Philking mixes and matches - and I think he's tried all the strat BKPs - I suspect he has the wisdom you need! :D

I also reckon this is one where I'd want to talk to Tim/BKP if it was me - it might be a slight rewind of the bridge and/or a baseplate might be all you need to make what you've already got perfect.

Of course, if you actually want more beef out of the neck and middle as well, then I'm barking up the wrong tree! :lol:

[38thBeatle]

You are right Andy, my two BKP sets have always been on different guitars and one is a US made Strat-the other is Japanese. I am really no good at doing head to head comparisons( try as I might) and can only say that the SH's have more mids. In terms of output, I would say they have a tad more but like Andy, I don't go for high gain tones and wouldn't be able to make any kind of useful comment. I don't have base plates either.