What Pickups (HSS) for weird bodied Strat? *Pics*

[Brow]

Hey guys.

I have an old Japanese Strat that I'm thinking of changing the pickups in, and I'm thinking of a HSS setup.

I've been told that the strat is made up of Ash on the top, Mahogany in the middle and Ash again on the back. The Strat was originally Black, but I stripped it down, found it looked cool underneath and then used an Oil and Wax finish on the guitar. So the wood may look a little darker than it originally would've done.

I'm looking for an 80's Metal type of tone. I don't use all that much gain, but I'm looking for clarity and maybe a little more than PAF in terms of power. I'm thinking along the lines of Randy Rhoads, Judas Priest, Gary Moore (80's Rock tone) among others (I can't remember who at the minute!).

I'm almost certain I want Irish Tours in the middle and neck, but wasn't so sure on the bridge. I was thinking either an Emerald, Nailbomb or (after Tim's gig at the weekend) a Cold Sweat  :)

Let me know what you guys think.

Craig

[Tim]

Morning Brow,

Nailbombs seem to be getting a great thumbs up from the Strat boys although with that body construction I think the Cold Sweat and 2 ITs would be ideal. :D

[Brow]

Morning Brow,

Nailbombs seem to be getting a great thumbs up from the Strat boys although with that body construction I think the Cold Sweat and 2 ITs would be ideal. :D

Good afternoon, Good Evening and Good Night to you too Tim  :D

Thanx for the advice Tim. I'm not sure if what I'm told about the body construction is true, that's why I posted the pics incase someone could shed any light on it  :)

What sort of output level does a Cold Sweat have Tim? I remember reading somewhere that they're based on Gibson Dirty Fingers (ala' John Sykes), but I don't know anything about DF's either  :)

Craig

[Tim]

They're around the DC14.4K mark-the original DFs were 12 - 14K and had 3 ceramic magnets.I'm not keen on flanking magnets as they distort the magnetic field in an unpleasant way so I've opted for one of our hot ceramics as in the Miracle Man and it works really well.

[TwilightOdyssey]

If you want that vintage 80's metal tone, you need a full sized humbucker in the bridge. The Irish Tours are the most toneful pickup I've ever played, so I would use 2 of those plus whatever HB you choose.

[Ratrod]

Could you say the Cold Sweat is Bare Knuckle's view of what a DiMarzio Super Distortion should be?

[HJM]

Could you say the Cold Sweat is Bare Knuckle's view of what a DiMarzio Super Distortion should be?

More like a Gibson Dirty Fingers, the Holy Diver reminds me more of a Super Distortion. IMHO! :P

[Tim]

Funnily enough a Nailbomb is closer to a Super Distortion in output all be it nicer sounding IMHO :lol:

If you're wanting to pigeon hole-the Cold Sweat is in SD Custom territory but it doesn't sound like one, there's more power on tap and ALOT more mid and high end detail.

[Brow]

Thanx for the replies.

I'm almost certain I want Irish Tours for the middle and neck, but am totally open to any suggestions for the bridge pickup  :)

If you want that vintage 80's metal tone, you need a full sized humbucker in the bridge.

Which is why I decided to go over to a HSS config  :twisted:

Thanks for the info guys and keep the suggestions comin'  :)

Craig

[Ratrod]

Unfortunatly I'm not familiar with the Dirty Fingers and John Sykes doesn't ring a bell either. My first thoughts would go towards the Nailbomb but who am I to argue with Tim when he says Cold Sweat?

BTW it's funny how different we listen to the DiMarzio SD. I still have Poison by Alice Cooper in my head. (BC Rich Mockingbird Supreme) :twisted:

[Brow]

Unfortunatly I'm not familiar with the Dirty Fingers and John Sykes doesn't ring a bell either. My first thoughts would go towards the Nailbomb but who am I to argue with Tim when he says Cold Sweat?

Feel free to argue all you want to  :D

I'm open to suggestions that anyone has, so feel free to step forward and suggest something if you think it may be a pickup that will do what I want  :)

Craig

[PhilKing]

I have the Nailbomb with 2 Trilogy's for more of the Jackson'y sound (more mid range).  This was the sound I was hearing for 80's music.  

The Irish Tours are a very classic hot strat sound.    I am just wondering how the Cold Sweat would work with Trilogy's?