Author Topic: Which HSS set for a strat? (Read 5486 times)

axg20202 · « **on:** January 03, 2007, 06:22:53 PM »

Hi folks,

After getting such great results with my BK Yardbirds in my Tele, I've turned my attention to my ailing backup axe, which is a Fenix Strat copy (floyd rose system) with a HSS pickup configuration. It's no Rolls Royce of a guitar for starters, but having just forked out for a new Frenzel amp, new 2x12 cab etc, I'm too broke to buy a new backup guitar. Updating my Tele with BKs has highlighted just how much the stock pickups in my strat really suck - weak, lifeless and tinny.

What I'm looking for is an HSS set that will offer me something quite different to what i'm already getting with my Tele. i.e. I want something hotter with more attitude and all-round bollox. Something for a more gutsy british rock sound (but not a shred/death metal sound) - I have the twang, sweet cleans and bluesy single-coil sound nailed with my Tele. Any thoughts? (other than binning the Fenix and saving up for a LP)

Thanks,

Andy.

PS. is it actually possible to turn a fair-to-middling strat copy into a Les Paul just by swapping the pickups? LOL

PhilKing · « **Reply #1 on:** January 03, 2007, 06:44:46 PM »

I have several BK HSS sets, but the one that I think will do what you want best is the Rebel Yell with 2 Mothers Milks. I also have the Holy Diver with 2 Trilogy Suites, but that is more of an 80's sound. You could also look at a Crawler with 2 Irish Tours, or for more of a 70's British sound you could go with Slowhands instead of the IT's.

38thBeatle · « **Reply #2 on:** January 03, 2007, 07:43:14 PM »

I cannot comment too much on the h/b but I think a Crawler and 2 Slowhands might be a good choice (as per one of Phil's suggestions).

Antag · « **Reply #3 on:** January 03, 2007, 08:26:41 PM »

Holy Diver/Irish Tour set - I love the HD for it's massive thick midrange & nice high output. Crawler might be a better bet though if you don't want to go quite so "metal" as the HD.

FWIW I don't think you will ever make a strat (copy or otherwise) sound exactly like a Les Paul, but you can seriously beef up the sound that comes out of it with a good set of pickups. My korina strat sounds massive - OK the body wood has something to do with that - played acoustically it has resonance to die for - but the HD bridge gives single notes enormous weight :)

axg20202 · « **Reply #4 on:** January 04, 2007, 06:01:13 PM »

Thanks for the tips guys. I'm pretty sure which set I'm going to go for (Crawler for the bridge at least), but I've decided to hold off and upgrade the guitar itself first. BKs would help my strat I'm sure, but you can't make a silk purse out of a bag o' shitee, as the saying sort of goes.

I'm probably going to get a modern LP/PRS style, which will better suit the sound I'm looking for. It'll undoubtedly be a copy as current funds wont allow the real deal :-( Any suggestions on good ones that are cheap? Failing that, any tips on spec I should be looking for when searching?

Thanks,

Andy.

BigK · « **Reply #5 on:** January 04, 2007, 09:26:52 PM »

If you want prs-esque look schecters are very well made guitars. you can pick the good ones up for around £400 at soundcontrol or around £250 on ebay. Ive got a 006 elite and it is awesome most come with ducan designed pickups but im sure you'll whant to change them for bkp's. Ive got a miracleman in mine.

dave_mc · « **Reply #6 on:** January 04, 2007, 09:32:02 PM »

Quote from: JackBauer

If you want prs-esque look schecters are very well made guitars. you can pick the good ones up for around £400 at soundcontrol or around £250 on ebay. Ive got a 006 elite and it is awesome most come with ducan designed pickups but im sure you'll whant to change them for bkp's. Ive got a miracleman in mine.

1) Best username ever. :drink:

2) at that kind of price, you could also look at the PRS SE models- I prefer them to schecters, to be honest, but obviously a lot of that is just personal preference. EDIT: I'd also take a serious look at the washburn wi65/66 pro Idol, the Washburn x50 pro (assuming you like PRS doublecut shapes), Yamaha AES series, and possibly Ibanez SZ series (again, if you like the PRS doublecuts, and it's not just a single cut you're after).

Philly Q · « **Reply #7 on:** January 04, 2007, 09:59:24 PM »

^
+1 on the PRS SE series and the Washburn Idols.

axg20202 · « **Reply #8 on:** January 04, 2007, 10:20:56 PM »

Thanks guys. I like the look of the Schecters, I prefer the round top to the flat top PRS ES budget models. Will need to play some I guess as I've never bought a guitar on-line before and don't intend to ever.

Hmm, G.A.S still not resolved even after Christmas....

Classic. Started off thinking about ugrading some pickups and now I'm looking at new guitars. Pickups are very easy to sneak under the wire, but a new axe will not go down well with the missus. Better leave it a week. lol

Cheers.

Philly Q · « **Reply #9 on:** January 04, 2007, 10:30:34 PM »

Quote from: axg20202

Better leave it a week. lol

Good idea. I find GAS usually clears up after a week or two. If it's still there after a month it's time to go spendin'.

fps_dean · « **Reply #10 on:** January 05, 2007, 02:37:12 AM »

Quote from: JackBauer

If you want prs-esque look schecters are very well made guitars. you can pick the good ones up for around £400 at soundcontrol or around £250 on ebay. Ive got a 006 elite and it is awesome most come with ducan designed pickups but im sure you'll whant to change them for bkp's. Ive got a miracleman in mine.

Schecters aren't too bad a bang for the buck, but you can do sooooo much better with Carvin regardless. It's not like I have anything against Schecters, it's just nothing can compete against Carvins when it comes to bang for the buck.

Muso · « **Reply #11 on:** January 05, 2007, 03:45:51 PM »

I have a customised Fender Hm Strat and for the bridge I had a holy diver in it which didn't really work, the nailbomb was better but just didn't feel right. Finally the Rebel Yell works really well.
Also I've had Irish Tours in it which worked really well but I wanted higher output in the neck and better cleans so changed to Trilogies which work really well, pretty much matching the output from the Rebel Yell with the right adjustments.
I play mostly crunchy marshall tone stuff, 80s metal and hard rock. Also a lot of instrumental guitar stuff but I don't play Mega distorsion stuff, less gain let the fingers get the tone

axg20202 · « **Reply #12 on:** January 05, 2007, 09:46:25 PM »

Very useful info Muso, thanks. Sounds like you've been through a good process of elimination. Could be a good option if I decide to upgrade the strat instead of getting another axe. Or both! (Sshhh, the wife's listening!)

fps_dean · « **Reply #13 on:** January 06, 2007, 05:26:33 AM »

Quote from: axg20202

Very useful info Muso, thanks. Sounds like you've been through a good process of elimination. Could be a good option if I decide to upgrade the strat instead of getting another axe. Or both! (Sshhh, the wife's listening!)

As I've said many times, the best sounding guitar I have ever played is my Les Paul with Rebel Yells...

However I am very interested in Crawlers as well.... perhaps you may like the Crawler + Mother's Milk set in a HSS strat if you go that route.

Joe Dorcia · « **Reply #14 on:** January 06, 2007, 05:52:27 PM »

You could have a look at somee tokai Love rocks? there Les Paul junior copies look really really nice, and you cant fault the build quality, even on the Koreans ones.

Joe