Versatile HHS Set and Amp Sim for Focusrite Scarlett 2i2?

[Cam_H]

Well my ideas for my present guitar changed. I played the guitar and wasn't too thrilled with the finish of the one in the shop and didn't want to chance getting one online which I hadn't played. Anyways I ended up buying an Ibanez SA160F, Focusrite Scarlett 2i2 Interface and a proper set of studio headphones.

The Ibanez SA160F is a Mahogany body, Maple neck and Rosewood fingerboard. Also featuring a vintage trem as to a locking. One thing I should point out is that the SA series actually has a chunkier/thicker mahogany body compared to the S series. Just thought I'd bring this up as people familiar with the S series will know they are extremely thin. This has probably has similar mass to a Stratocaster's body.

For pickups, what I'm looking for is a mega versatile set-up. I've just took out a subscription to Guitar Techniques and Total Guitar, and I intend to learn the magazines cover-to-cover every month. So pickup wise I'm looking for ones that I can throw anything at it from Guns 'N Roses's Welcome to the Jungle, to Jimi Hendrix's All along the Watchtower, to 10-minute Jazz licks. Whether it be metal, jazz, blues, rock, and so on... I've just decided to take a year out from playing a single style and learning to play as much, and as many styles as I can. Again the Set-up is HSS.

Regarding Amp Sim software, I'm a little uneducated in this department, so if someone could point me in the direction of a versatile Amp-Sim package, and possibly any advice on setting it up with my interface, that advice would be greatly appreciated. I intend to do a lot of recording. I'm currently using Mixcraft at the present time.

[Telerocker]

That's quite a spectrum you want to cover. I would look at the Abraxas (hot PAF, with some extra mids, but still enough chime) for the bridge and Pat Pend Veneer Board '63-single coils or, if you want it a little hotter and grittier, Irish Tours.

[Cam_H]

Yeah it is quite a spectrum  8) I'm not wanting to nail each tone exactly, just enough to be able to play that style and get to grips with how the guitar responds and feels to certain styles.

I was actually looking at the Abraxas, it was the single coils that left me a little bit out in the dark. I'll check out the single coils you mentioned.

[Cam_H]

This may sound daft. But when the PAT 63 is described as piano like, does that mean it has a beautiful quality to it when playing clean arpeggios, etc.? Does anyone have a good clip that shows what a piano like single coil in the neck sounds like?

[Telerocker]

I recommended the Pat Pend in relation to the Hendrix-tones you're after. The Pat Pend is certainly woodier and glassier sounding then the Irish Tour, but that could just fit a mahogany guitar. I have Mother's Milks in one of my strats and those are close to the Pat Pend. Think Frusciante-tones.

[Cam_H]

Well when I mentioned Hendrix, it was only an example. I may only ever play 2 or 3 of his songs over the next year or so. It was just an example of what I was looking for within versatility. I mean how would the pickups sound with added overdrive on the neck for solos like the intro of Paradise City? I'm happy to use the Volume pot to tame things up, but I don't want to be limited to a one trick pony. But neither am i looking to nail anything. I kind of want to create my own style and sound, so would be great to have a middlr ground to start off with. Then maybe later I can figure if I want anything a bit different to suit my style. I always think starting in the middle will always give you a better idea of which direction you will eventually go - if you get what I mean?

[Telerocker]

Then I think Irish Tours are a good starting point. They handle overdrive with authority. I play a lot of solo's with the IT-neckpickup. They clean up great too. That way you can get close to Mother's Milks.

[Cam_H]

I'm just resurrecting this thread as I need advice again.

Seeing as my guitar is only 1 Vol 1 Tone, I never took in to consideration that I'd have to use either 300k or 550k pots. How would this change the choice for the single coils? I see the PAT 63 is quite bright. Wouldn't the 550k pot make this a bit too shrill?

[Telerocker]

That could be the case. A 300K is better for the single coils, providing a good balance for the Pat Pend in a mahogany guitar. For the humbucker is couid be a bit of a compromise. Did you see the wiring diagrams for HSS in th Support-section?

[Cam_H]

Yeah I had a look. It seems it's only for 500k.

I'm thinking Abraxas and Slow Hand? The slow hand to give the single coil a bit more of a muscular tone, but the 550k pots adding a bit of top end.

What do you think?

[Telerocker]

Probably works. It would try it. You can always change the pots.