HSS for Alder & Maple Stratocaster?

[Silent Rumours]

Hi to the forum. I've just started a new rock band and I want to do my new Strat up to achieve a new sound. It's a typical alder and maple HSS, so nothing too complex.

I play most of my clean tones on the neck so I'm looking for a neck pickup with a really exquisite clean tone. Not something ear-splitting, mind; just something that really lets me get into the rhythm of things when playing chords. I hate hitting chords in a funky way and it overdriving the amp.

With the bridge I like something a little hotter that makes powerchords and solos sound full, whilst retaining a vintage vibe and feel. I like playing solos on this pickup so something a bit fatter would be ideal so I can switch from great cleans on the neck, to a fat solo tone on the bridge, but still providing clarity for big distorted chords.

The middle pickup I've never really used, but I thought I'd try something to see if I'd like it. What would you suggest as a good balance?

[Telerocker]

I would pick and Abraxas or Crawler (a bit beefier and rounder then the Abraxas, but both have the mids and the PAF-pedigree and both split well). For the sc's I would look at the Apaches, considering the maple neck.

[Silent Rumours]

I'm thinking the Crawler maybe a bit hot for me as I'm thinking the output may be too compressed for me? The Abraxas sounds a good choice though. I was actually looking at that originally. The Apaches didn't cross my mind though. I really liked the soundclips of the Mothers Milk, but thought the Irish Tours may have that extra output for added versatility.

I'd love to hear more opinions though.

[Telerocker]

The Mother's Milk could be too bright with a maple neck. I have them in strat with a rosewood neck and they are alreay bright, but not too, in that one. IT's go better with rosewood too, unless you use pots that tame the highend.
The Apaches are capable of doing lots of styles, and handle gain well. Don't rule them out.
The Crawler has indeed a tad more compression then the Abraxas, but is still dynamic enough. The Abraxas has a bit more chime in the topend en less mids (but still enough) then the Crawler. The output of the Crawler (disgarding what dc-resistance) is not that much more then my VHII. So the Crawler might seem hot, but it isn't very hot. Btw, the voicing is more vintage then modern.

[Silent Rumours]

God I'm stuck in a rut now. I also messaged the BK support and got a reply bloody quick.

A Crawler bridge and two Irish Tour strat coils would work very well for classic rock tones, and they'd suit the guitar.
 
The Crawler is hot and thick, classic in nature and very versatile - actually designed to go in the bridge of a Strat. Clear, warm, natural sounding.
 
The Irish Tours are our most popular Strat coils and being very slightly fuller than the average vintage strat coil, work best with maple necks. Again, loads of clarity, organic nature and versatile for a wide range of styles.
 

[darkbluemurder]

The recommendations from the shop are usually very good. For the humbucker I would have recommended the Abraxas though, unless your particular guitar is a very bright one.

BTW: what pickups do you currently have in this guitar?

Cheers Stephan

[Telerocker]

Follow BKP's advice, they know their pickups best. I was a little to quick with my opinion on the IT's. On the website they recommend this one for maple necks. They sound fuller then MM's.

[Silent Rumours]

I'll try the Crawler/IT combo then. Only thing I'm worried about is the Crawler sounding too round and having no bite. I guess trial-and-error is the key.

[Telerocker]

If you are worried about that, pick the Abraxas. It has more topendchime then the Crawler. I can only add that the Crawler I have sits in an swampash HSS-customstrat (made by Patrick Eggle) and has enough bite in this guitar.