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Post subject: Dimarzio Pickup Suggestions for Next Strat Project?
Posted: Mon Apr 16, 2012 2:30 pm
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Aspiring Musician
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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...

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Post subject: Re: Dimarzio Pickup Suggestions for Next Strat Project?
Posted: Tue Apr 17, 2012 10:25 am
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Actually, here are three combinations I'm considering. Comments/suggestions?


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Post subject: Re: Dimarzio Pickup Suggestions for Next Strat Project?
Posted: Tue Apr 17, 2012 10:32 am
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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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Post subject: Re: Dimarzio Pickup Suggestions for Next Strat Project?
Posted: Tue Apr 17, 2012 11:49 am
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I've considered the Fat '50s but the DM's would be noiseless which is one of my goals with this project..


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Post subject: Re: Dimarzio Pickup Suggestions for Next Strat Project?
Posted: Tue Apr 17, 2012 12:28 pm
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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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Post subject: Re: Dimarzio Pickup Suggestions for Next Strat Project?
Posted: Tue Apr 17, 2012 10:40 pm
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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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Post subject: Re: Dimarzio Pickup Suggestions for Next Strat Project?
Posted: Wed Apr 18, 2012 5:23 am
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Combo #3 as the frequency response and output of each pickup one to the other have the best calibration.

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Post subject: Re: Dimarzio Pickup Suggestions for Next Strat Project?
Posted: Wed Apr 18, 2012 9:07 am
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Martian wrote:
Combo #3 as the frequency response and output of each pickup one to the other have the best calibration.


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?


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Post subject: Re: Dimarzio Pickup Suggestions for Next Strat Project?
Posted: Wed Apr 18, 2012 9:19 am
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oldguy101 wrote:
Martian wrote:
Combo #3 as the frequency response and output of each pickup one to the other have the best calibration.


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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Post subject: Re: Dimarzio Pickup Suggestions for Next Strat Project?
Posted: Wed Apr 18, 2012 11:15 am
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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!


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Post subject: Re: Dimarzio Pickup Suggestions for Next Strat Project?
Posted: Wed Apr 18, 2012 11:25 am
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oldguy101 wrote:
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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Post subject: Re: Dimarzio Pickup Suggestions for Next Strat Project?
Posted: Wed Apr 18, 2012 4:52 pm
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I highly recommend the Heavy Blues 2 in the bridge.
I also like the area 67 in the neck for a nice scooped sound.


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Post subject: Re: Dimarzio Pickup Suggestions for Next Strat Project?
Posted: Wed Apr 18, 2012 4:57 pm
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Martian wrote:
I'd recommend an Area 67 in the neck, an Area 58 in the middle and an Area 61 in the bridge.


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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