Rebel Yell in a Strat?

[Anyxyl3230]

Hey guys, just curious. I have a Fender MIM Stratocaster HSS made with an ash body, maple neck and rosewood fretboard. Currently, it has the stock Standard single coils in the neck and middle position and not too long ago, I put a Duncan JB in the bridge to try it out. It's not the worst tone I've heard, but it's not my favorite, either.

I really like the sound of the Rebel Yells and have been thinking about swapping the JB with one and was wondering if any of you have done this and if so, what were your thoughts?

Thanks!

[darrenw5094]

There is a clip on youtube of a RY in an alder Charvel with maple board. That would be the closest to your guitar.
A lack of bass might bother most and it could be very bright sounding, but maybe still possible to use the tone.

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

[Anyxyl3230]

Hmm. Neat, thanks!

I tend to run my amp and tone pretty warm to counter the natural brightness my instrument has going for it already, so that's not a huge deal. I mostly use the strat for the kind of stuff shown here in this video, so it might just be an okay match. I'll have to do some more digging.

Thanks again!

[darkbluemurder]

There is a comparison clip between the JB and the Rebel Yell somewhere on this forum. In that comparison the RY is definitely brighter and more articulate than the JB. I have read many opinions about the JB being bright (which it never appeared to be to my ears) so if you think that the JB is too bright, stay away from the RY and get the Holydiver instead.

Cheers Stephan

[PhilKing]

I had a RY in the bridge of an HSS (with Irish Tours), but swapped it out for a VHII, which I really like.  However I'm playing classic rock & blues on the guitar, and it really suits that.  I have RY's in a mahogany PRS and love them there.

[ninetta82]

I have the rebel yell on my alder start  but i think it sound better in other type of guitars (Especially  in mahogany body i think); last week i ordered a crawler to replace it;the crawler Will arrive early next week...  i think crawer or holy diver bridge can go better on strato style guitars.

[Dave Sloven]

Personally I would go for a VHII in that Strat and leave the Rebel Yell for a thick mahogany guitar like an Explorer, Flying V, or Les Paul.  It just seems too risky with regard to brightness and VHIIs have a good track record in guitars like yours.

Are you still pleased with that VHII in ash Strat combo, Telerocker?

https://bareknucklepickups.co.uk/forum/index.php?topic=25283.0

[Anyxyl3230]

You make a good point, and I had been considering the VHII for a while. It's definitely a nice sounding pickup. Question: Have you ever tried the Abraxas in a strat or a strat style guitar? I really want something with a good, punchy mid.

[Guitarteach]

I have a Holydiver in a maple neck Ibanez S series - its a solid and fluid lead pickup and nicely balanced in that weight/style of guitar. Its splits well too.  So +1 on the Holydiver.

I have an RY set in a heavier through neck guitar - the RY certainly has a harder, more bright edge than the Holydiver and i feel it suits a heavier instrument.

I may be tempted to go for a more vintage PU tone myself though and not mask the basic strat tone. So the VH2 suggested sounds like a good idea too.

I have an SD JB in a set neck guitar now - which it suits.  The RY and the JB seem quite similar to me.

[Telerocker]

If you want beef and good mids: Crawler (still some vintage vibe, but capable of doing many styles) or the more modern Holy Diver.

[Wayne_S]

The RY's do seem bit bright to me but I believe some of that is do to the CLARITY vs what I was getting prior out of a JB. Keep in mind it's not harsh or brittle or fizzy, it's just cuts like all mutha !!! I'd suggest if the guitar is bright to start, Floyd Rose, Alder, maple neck ect it might be too much. Also to my ears I ran my JB on a 250k pot so that adds in the perceived brightness I'm hearing in the Rebel Yells. Right now I've got my tone control on 8 thus flowing the RY thru the Jensen paper oil cap. It's quite pleasing and still has the RY tone intact. RY's are really expressive pups and force you to play with total conviction. That's been my experience ;)

[darrenw5094]

The RY's do seem bit bright to me but I believe some of that is do to the CLARITY vs what I was getting prior out of a JB. Keep in mind it's not harsh or brittle or fizzy, it's just cuts like all mutha !!! I'd suggest if the guitar is bright to start, Floyd Rose, Alder, maple neck ect it might be too much. Also to my ears I ran my JB on a 250k pot so that adds in the perceived brightness I'm hearing in the Rebel Yells. Right now I've got my tone control on 8 thus flowing the RY thru the Jensen paper oil cap. It's quite pleasing and still has the RY tone intact. RY's are really expressive pups and force you to play with total conviction. That's been my experience ;)

So what pots are you using with the RY? 250k or 500k?

[Telerocker]

Low value pots tame the topend, but I prefer my humbuckers with 500 or 550k pots. Anyway, I think the RY excels in mediumdark or dark mahogany based guitars. Perhaps in basswood too. But in ash or alder, hmm.

[Wayne_S]

darrenw5094

I have the 500k pot in there now. I got a 250k as well but I doubt I'll put it in. I love the harmonic content to the RY. I tell ya just cracking the tone pot back a tad and using the Jensen paper oil 22 works for me. Honestly I think my LP is bit brighter than most as well as decades plus of a JB in there. I also think the bright cut is why the RY has clarity when you pick notes on chords during full on distortion. RY's are really great I'm learning how to harness and tap the possibilities.

[Telerocker]

The RY is certainly clear, but actually that's a BKP-trademark which goes for the whole range, together with dynamics and superb noteseparation. My Mules are clear, so is my Crawler, even with a lot of gain.