After having a great time with my first Strat mod project, I'm ready to start another one. I remembered that my '85 MIJ Strat has been sitting in the case for awhile 'cause the pots, switch, and input jack need to be replaced. My plan is to save the original pickguard, intact with all the electronics attached, and then build and install a new loaded pickguard.

I want something that is tonally different than my last project in which I used SD pickups: SSL-2 (neck), SSL-6 (mid), and SSL-3 (bridge). That combo sounds great but I don't want another Strat with the exact same configuration. So, I'd like to go for something that's a little (not a lot) "darker" sounding, more specifically oriented towards a blues kinda sound. I'm thinking along the lines of this being my version of a Roadhouse Strat.

And, since I'm looking for a Strat that sounds a little different than the previous project, I figured I try to go the noiseless route. Based on a little research, here's what I've come up with:

Neck: Dimarzio Area 58
Middle: Dimarzio Virtual Vintage 54 Pro
Bridge: Virtual Vintage Blues

My concern is that the 54 Pro and the VV Blues might be too similar tonally, so I'm looking for suggestions and/or comments.

The guitar I'm starting with is shown on the left. My plan is to use a tortoise shell pickguard with aged white accessories...

Actually, here are three combinations I'm considering. Comments/suggestions?

The 2 options you have going there would be good. Have you given any consideration to Fender CS Fat 50's? From what I have heard from them, they are quite a dark Bluesy sound. I am considering them for my Highway 1 when I am finished with my Blacktop project.

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RK

2007 Fender Highway 1
2012 American Deluxe
2015 MIM Dave Murray HHH
2010 Fender Blacktop
1987 Fender Avalon Acoustic
2012 Marshall DSL 15 watt head

I've considered the Fat '50s but the DM's would be noiseless which is one of my goals with this project..

I would choose Combination #2 given those choices based on having a little more bass and mids in the neck position. I haven't had good experiences in the past having trebly pickups in the neck. That's my opinion anyway. I like the warmth of having those bass and mid tones present in that position.

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I'd probably go with combo #1 as I don't care for overly hot bridge pickups.

That combo also seems to be the "most vintage."

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Member #26797
My other guitar is a Strat.

Combo #3 as the frequency response and output of each pickup one to the other have the best calibration.

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You dig?

Any thoughts on how this combo will sound in comparison the SD SSL-2/SSL-6/SSL-3 set I installed in my last project?

The 58 will be about the same as the SSL-2 overall with less highs; the 54 will be much weaker than the SSL-6 with less highs, slightly more midrange and a looser bass; the HB 2 will be weaker and essentially the same as the SSL-3 but with less highs.

As I've said in the past, if someone want something humbucking with slightly more, yet totally in the Pre-CBS Strat sounding realm along with maximum versatility, I'd recommend an Area 67 in the neck, an Area 58 in the middle and an Area 61 in the bridge.

As always...YMMV.

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Sounds like I got some thinking to do.. Thanks for the comparisons since, other than listening to some sound clips, I didn't know how to compare the SD's and DM's... Common sense is telling me to follow your suggestion.. Thanks for the help!

Any time!

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You dig?

I highly recommend the Heavy Blues 2 in the bridge.
I also like the area 67 in the neck for a nice scooped sound.

I wholeheartedly agree with the DiMarzio Area Series as your choice for a noiseless Stratocaster replacement pickup! I LOVE the series and have pretty much all of them in different combinations in a good number of my guitars!

I agree with Martian on the choices....but I personally have found that the 58 works best in the neck. while the 67 makes a wonderful middle pickup. I've found the 67 a bit 'bright' sounding for the neck position...
I have a Virtual Solo in the bridge of one of my 2 SSS formatted Strats and I find it to be a nice chunky sounding pickup....not thin or shrill at all! I've yet to try a 61 in the bridge.

Even though, technically they are humbucking by nature/construction...the Area's are among the "Strattiest" sounding noiseless pickups out there!

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I refuse to have a battle of the wits with an unarmed man!