Bridge humbucker for classic/hard rock tone through a strat copy

[DJMonty]

Good afternoon!

I'm looking for a bridge humbucker for my Axl Player Deluxe strat. In future, this 'bucker will be moved into other guitars, most likely a LP, an explorer, or another strat.

Currently, I do not have an amp. I just record through an amp modelling pedal straight to the laptop. My rig is as follows:

Joyo JF-14 American Sound pedal.
Axl Player Deluxe strat.

I play classic/hard rock, bands like Boston, Heart, Pat Benatar and Meat Loaf, although I have also been known to play bands like Whitesnake, Poison, Ratt, and Dokken from time to time.

With this criteria in mind, what bridge 'bucker would you recommend, and why?

Thanks in advance,

DJMonty

[fhn_lopes]

For strats I'd go with the VHII. I own one and it's NOT a one trick pony. Very versatile and balsy pup btw.... If you want more output and maybe a darker pu (if your guitar is on the bright side), I'd go with the crawler.

[Telerocker]

For a strat I would go either Crawler or Abraxas, or if you want a bit more 80's hairmetal a Holy Diver.
Explorer: perhaps Rebel Yells or VHII's.
Les Paul: Rebel Yells.

[Dave Sloven]

Yeah you are probably safe with VHIIs for any of those guitars

[DJMonty]

Thanks, guys.

With the VHII, how well would I be able to replicate the sound on Boston's first three albums, Heart's 'Bad Animals', or Meat Loaf's 'Bat Out Of Hell II'? I understand these are three completely different sounds, but that's why I'm asking. Which would the VHII replicate easiest, and how difficult would the others be to replicate?

Thanks in advance,

DJMonty

[Dave Sloven]

Sorry man, that would entail forcing me to listen to those albums again, which I promised myself I would not do!  :lol:

Advice was based more on the 'classic /hard rock tone' that can be played through any of those guitars.  Maybe someone else can help out on the how much it sounds like Meatloaf, Heart, etc.

The closest I would get to anything like that in my everyday listening is probably Van Halen.  I'm pretty much a metal and punk guy

[Kiichi]

To find a PU that comfortably and savely works in both LPs and Strats is not easy. While something like a RY is an amazing PU it may not work for everyone in a strat (though I love it in my rather thin Ibanez S). On the side that will work for the styles you want and all the guitars is the VHII as the others said. The cut and bottom end it has will work in all guitars and adapt nicely to them working with their qualitys.

Alterntivly I would always confidently place a Mule in anything. The goldstandard PAF sound which can reach levels of metal you would not think. Given the right amp and pedals this thing can do everything you want. Maybe a bit more down your road though might be the Abraxas as Telerocker mentioned. It being in essence a hotter, fatter mule it can do it all and go even heavier.

Personally I would not recommend the Crawler for you, though it is an amazing pickup, as it can work in both LPs and strats, but on the LP side you wanne catch the brighter ones. If you are unsure about the future this may not be the safest choice.

So my two main recommendations are the VHII and the Abraxas, both of which will work wonders for you and work in whatever you throw them in (though VHII more strat and AB more LP perhaps). Mule if you are lower gain and have the fitting gear.

[DJMonty]

Kiichi - If I bought something brighter when/if I later get an LP, would you recommend the Crawler for a strat?

I was considering the Mule, but at the moment, I'd just be running it through the Joyo amp modelling pedal, which is just a 3-band EQ, post-gain volume, voice control, and drive. I'm not sure how the Mule would sound in that situation.

[Slartibartfarst42]

The Crawler is incredible and unless a future Les Paul is quite dark, it should be fine. It will certainly slay in a Strat. If you didn't want the Crawler, I'd look at either the Abraxas or Holydiver.

[Telerocker]

Kiichi - If I bought something brighter when/if I later get an LP, would you recommend the Crawler for a strat?

I was considering the Mule, but at the moment, I'd just be running it through the Joyo amp modelling pedal, which is just a 3-band EQ, post-gain volume, voice control, and drive. I'm not sure how the Mule would sound in that situation.

Mules are amazing in mahogany based guitars, but can be a bit bright in alder/ash bolt-on guitars. The Crawler and to a lesser extend Abraxas beef strats up, whilst retaining that PAF-ish vibe. I have a Crawler in my swampashstrat and you can sure get those creamy Boston-tones out of it. Cleans up and splits great too. I would recommed the Crawler for strats and only for brightsounding Les Pauls.

[ericsabbath]

I'm not sure if I would enjoy a vhII in an explorer, although I love it in les pauls and SG's, so I'm gonna say rebel yell
also, the rebel yell sounds way closer to most of those bands, in my opinion
and definitely not a crawler

[Dave Sloven]

I would have said Rebel Yell too, but I just haven't heard of it used in a Strat much

[Telerocker]

I would have said Rebel Yell too, but I just haven't heard of it used in a Strat much

I guess the RY will be a bit trebly in most strats.

[ericsabbath]

not a strat, but still close enough (maple neck, alder body)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=20zSjw98Gvg

[Dave Sloven]

That guitar sounds fantastic.