Classic pickup change

[pneil]

Hey all,

I’ve got a gold Swamp Ash ‘99 classic that I’m thinking about ordering a new guard and pups for. It has 3 VA’s right now but i think I’d rather have HSS in this one. I have an H2+ in the bridge of a mahogany hollow drop top. It may be may favorite bridge pup of all time (in that guitar). I love the output level and the fact that it also gives beautiful crystal clear cleans without being too bright. The VAs are ok, but they seem to lack a bit of character. Maybe something a tad warmer with a bit more output? What would you suggest for an HSS setup in an ash classic?

Thanks.

[pipedwho]

The SF1s pair really well with the H2+, you can run the split bridge with the split middle for a really quacky position 2 stratty sound.

[pneil]

You don’t think the H2+ will get too bright/spikey in Ash?

[pipedwho]

You don’t think the H2+ will get too bright/spikey in Ash?

I’m not sure, I’ve never tried that combination of wood and pickup. Considering a single coil in the bridge of a classic ash Strat sounds good, I can’t imagine the H2+ having a tone that couldn’t be easily tamed by a slight roll back on the tone knob.

I love that bright punchy tone of a humbucker in the bridge of a ‘super-strat’. That’s what makes it stand out from the thicker darker tone of a Les Paul.

[pneil]

Not a bad point...

[pneil]

Anybody else? H2 vs H2+ in Swamp Ash?

[pipedwho]

Anybody else? H2 vs H2+ in Swamp Ash?

H2 is a bit brighter and less compressed than the H2+. I prefer the H2 to the H2+ for cleans in my Hollow Cobra S but the H2+ is great when chugging, riffing and leads.

If you like gain and don't do a lot of cleans, the H2+ would be my choice. If you're like me and spend the vast majority of your time playing clean, then the H2. Like any humbucker, if single coils work in the guitar, I highly doubt you'll find a humbucker that is 'too bright' for the same guitar.

[pneil]

Today I ordered a pearl guard with an H2+ and two SF1s. 5 way with split and VA boost. I love the H2+ in Mahogany and my rig is pretty much tuned for that output level. It’s a little edgy, but rolling back the volume just a touch cleans it right up. Lead tones are brilliant. Now the wait begins... ... ...

[pipedwho]

Today I ordered a pearl guard with an H2+ and two SF1s. 5 way with split and VA boost. I love the H2+ in Mahogany and my rig is pretty much tuned for that output level. It’s a little edgy, but rolling back the volume just a touch cleans it right up. Lead tones are brilliant. Now the wait begins... ... ...

Cool! I haven't tried the VA boost with the H2+ or SF1s as they are already pretty hot pickups, boosted they'd go to flamethrower territory!

I do have the kickback option with M1/M1/H2+ that does a great job of making rhythm backing less 'in your face' than leaving everything fully open. But, even though kicked back the pickups get lower output, they don't get glassier/brighter like I'd expect from a lower output set (M1-/M1-/H2) - which is what the kickback is supposed to do. It's still a great option, but I'm always wondering what the difference would be if I had actual M1-/M1-/H2 pickups and went with a VA booster.

Either way, these little boost/reduction transformers are great options.

[wolf]

Won't the SFs be too deep to fit the guitar ?

[pneil]

Are the SFs deeper than the VAs they’re replacing?

[pipedwho]

SFs are deeper than VAs, but I’d assume Tom makes his routes deep enough for either. Also, SFs can be raised closer to the strings without causing ‘stratitis’ where close magnets pull on the strings. Although, some people like the middle pickup way down for pick clearance. Maybe Tom can chime in on this, but this concern has more to do with replacing pickups in vintage Fenders and other brands that don’t cater for stacked singles.