Fender Stratocaster With Humbuckers - Yes Or No?

In this video, I take delivery of a new Fender Custom Shop. This guitar is different from most Fender Stratocasters and especially Fender custom Shop Stratocasters as it has a humbucker in the bridge position.
The Studio Rats are core band members Paul Drew on guitar/production/mixing, drummer James Ivey and Dan Hawkins on bass. They collaborate with singers and musicians to produce radio-ready songs.

[@joeygentile7829]

A Strat with a humbucker is a yes, yes. It gives a player the utmost versatility. Great video as always.

[@James-C-Callan]

Can Split the coils on the humbucker so u don’t lose anything of the strat sound if u like also.

[@thesauc3710]

That's so basic.@@James-C-Callan

[@KyLesCaster]

@@thesauc3710 no its more versatile. its more basic without coil split. ya wierdo

[@nickkellie]

I love SSS, HSS and HSH ! They’re all wonderful in different ways

[@matijabo]

And HH... SD JB on bridge and SD Jazz on neck 👍

[@rattlehead001]

I picked up an HSS Fender Player series strat the other day. I’m loving it so far.

[@optimus3305]

I bought an HSS player series, to me thats the perfect setup, best of both worlds.

[@watchthis90]

Man, this guitar is beautiful. I used to have one HSS Fender, and I really miss it now. :) A Strat with a Humbucker is a yes yes.

[@TheStudioRats]

Couldn't agree more

[@jabohonu]

@@TheStudioRats the guitar in your video it's a "HSS FENDER"?

[@hollywoodactress]

My fav combo is HSS. However that red strat bridge single coil sounds great, not as bad as I thought for a single coil under heavy distorted sounds. It has a very useable crunch sound that is very open, which is typical from a single coil. However for me a Humbucker in the bridge is more versatile Btw the fat 50s single coils vs 60s sounded close to me with the fat 50s edging it.

[@davidlingard7369]

I love a humbucker on a strat,also I think the difference in sound between a strat and Les Paul is more to do with scale length rather than the woods used in construction.

[@paj1015]

Yes, both the scale length and the positioning of the pickups, makes the difference in sound between a Strat and a Les Paul.

[@KyLesCaster]

also the fact that a strat is a tremolo system, and a les paul is a hard tailed bridge

[@NGS2410]

And bridges....

[@IamMusicNerd]

Yes! I love Strats, but the single coil bridge tone is always so harsh to me I never use it. Ever since I got my first HSS Strat, that all changed. Now I use the bridge pick up all the time. I also installed a blender knob and treble bleed circuit, with a Tele bridge pickup in the middle position with a vintage PAF humbucker in the bridge with coil tap, and vintage Strat pickup in the neck (thank you Lindy Fralin for the setup!) and that lets me blend the neck and bridge together, or all three pickups at once, with various amounts from each. Now I can get Strat, Tele, or Les Paul tones, or any combination of the 3. So much more flexible than a standard Strat!

[@rodolfoamaralguitar]

7:55 The specs shows 250k pots, this is the reason why the humbucker sounds dark. Suhr solves this problem with 500k pots and 500k resistors, this way you get 250k load on the singles and 500k on the humbucker at the expense of taper change.

[@dinomueller8461]

True. If you want to stick with a traditional 250k wiring, you need to choose the right humbucker. My choice would be the Lollar Imperial Low Wind - tonal heaven!

[@srfrodoxd]

Or just turn up the treble on your amp a little more than what it usually be 🤔

[@rodolfoamaralguitar]

@@srfrodoxd It is not the same

[@A_Noid]

American Professional HSS Strats also manage to solve that problem, which is a true issue with regular HSS Strats.

[@jamesryan1939]

This is the issue with an HSS, and why I never buy them. 500k resistor solution helps, but the 500k volume pot then has a bad taper for the the single coils, so if you use your volume to clean up your single coils you will be very disappointed. There is no perfect solution, I just use a push pull and have the bridge and middle in series, it increases the output and fattens up the bridge for about $10 in parts. It still suffers from the 250k pot, but you have all the normal Strat sounds when disengaged. Also the custom shop Texas special pickups are a nice compromise, higher output and more midrange.

[@baybae92]

I love a Humbucker in a Strat, but I also love the bridge single coil in most Strats. People saying it’s shrill - roll back the tone to 6 or 7! Sounds amazing that way.

[@riniones]

first you have to wire the bridge pickup to the tone control which is not stock but yes, I agree- don't slap me please!

[@ces69]

@@riniones Mine’s wired that way, its better, but sometimes that’s not enough.

[@riniones]

@@ces69 it depends on what one expects from each configuration- I have a few strat copies with different wiring options and I came to realize that I prefer the original stock 5 position switch with the two tones and the bridge without tone- I haven't tried the 3/pos switch yet but I suspect I might like it even better

[@cosmikrelic4815]

i used that combination of single coils and a JB in a 94 strat for about 12 years, it's a very versatile combo. one my current strats has a kinman "kick arse" in the bridge, this satifies my need for more guts in the bridge and still look aesthetically like a trad strat.

[@1lunesta]

What tone and volume pots do you use? This is exactly the set up I want in my Am Strat. JB in the bridge I already have the fat 50’s installed just trying to figure out the bridge pot.

[@SuperBriansmoke]

Paul, you should consider putting a Freeway 10 position Strat switch in there. You get everything you already have, plus five more split coil, series and parallel options. No visible alteration from the front. It’s my secret weapon on my HSS that I made.

[@stephman02]

…can also add a seven way switch to a SSS strat to lessen a harsh bridge sound and fatten the tone - great when using higher gain. It links the bridge with the neck or middle pick up to create a hybrid humbucker and can be added for very little $ to any strat.

[@charleswagner284]

Been playing an HSS for twenty years. Its still my go to.

[@JC-fx3wh]

Have you tried HsH? Is there a difference of tone on the neck pickup if you change it into humbucker?

[@57ebartley]

I'm torn the same way. I have 3 Fender Strats and Two of them have SD Hotrails in the Bridge. They. Have been in them since the 80s. Just gives that extra Saturation when ya need it. And I also love the position between the Bridge and middle being a little hotter than usual. I do have tone hooked to all my Bridge pup's. But I also enjoy playing my other Strat with the 97 American stock pup's in it.

[@pastorkev777]

I think the right HSS strat just makes sense. One thing I have noticed on many strats is the bridge humbucker is further from the bridge saddles center than a Les Paul, this makes a huge difference. Personally I don't like SD HB humbucker, I would suggest The Creamery Hollow Body Humbucker if the spacing is close to a Les Paul and their Double Track 57 spec if it is further. DiMarzio Air Classic Bridge could work well too. If you want bright but lots of output DiMarzio Super 2 or SD Invader neck in the bridge.

[@florisvanlingen]

The biggest difference in tone between a les paul and a HH strat is due to the different position the pickup is in compared to the scale length.

[@drainaudio]

Absolutely not true -- acoustically a Les Paul & a Strat sound completely different to each other.

[@jamiebriggs8277]

I don't have a strat, but I have an Ibanez SSH that plays and sounds pretty much like a strat. I added a push-pull pot to split the humbucker, so to me it's definitely the best of both worlds. I love having the option to have the humbucker there, as that's more often than not what I'm looking for when I'm in the bridge position anyway. Love the 80s 'hot wheels green' :D

[@sroelit]

The bridge single-coil on my Strat is unusable. It’s so shrill-so I’m a yes on humbuckers (although I don’t own an hss). That having been said, I regret to say that I was unable to appreciate your latest beautiful guitar; jealousy got the best of me. Thou shall not covet . . . It would really help if you didn’t have such terrific taste in guitars.

[@Squall6575]

Same here, I figure ill never actually be on the bridge pickup on my strat so I prefer a humbucker. Although I do really like what the pro ii did, which allows the player to activate the neck pickup and gives the bridge a decent usable sound

[@marksanders2784]

A big yes yes from me. A humbucker in the bridge is exactly what a Strat needs. Beautiful tones from these Custom Shop Strats!

[@paj1015]

Absolutely yes! But it has to have coil-split and the right output, to get the proper sound in pos. 2. And by the way: The JB in a Seymour Duncan JB stands for Jazz/Blues, NOT for Jeff Beck. I've both heard it in an interview with Seymour himself and I also contacted Seymour Duncan support, who confirmed that JB stands for Jazz/Blues.

[@WhenHariMetKari]

Jeff Beck stands for Jazz/Blues

[@DennisdeLange]

250 k volume pot vs 500 k volume pot also makes a difference in the 'darkness' of the humbucker. 250 k on single coils and 500 k on humbuckers usually. I install 500 k pots on my hss strat(s) with resistance between the single-coil positions on my switch so that these positions are read as 250 k when selected... It's a bit extra work on soldering but def worth it!

[@kimklinke3826]

Your Strat tone on both guitars are simply awesome - full, rich and beautiful. And of course you get a fuller and fatter tone with more sustain and ear pleasing dirt with the humbucker - and that is OK 🎸👍😉

[@craigh5156]

Strat with bridge humbucker = Ace Of Spades. Big factor of that whole killer tone. For the purists who say you shouldn't put a HB in a Strat, simple, leave your single coil in and get another one and try it out, even if it's a relatively cheap Strat. That's what I've done. Works great, sounds awesome live. It still maintains some of the Strat tone, but with more crunch, depending on what output you use.

[@aristocaster]

Yamaha had great Pacifica (904 ? )where bridge pickup was made of two true single coils that you were able to split, so you get truly humbucker and truly single coil sound at the same guitar, way better than split humbucker. I have always meant to do one for myself, because i love single coils, and don't really like humbuckers, they tend to sound like somebody forgot damp wool sock over your strings, especially on lower strings. Where single coil can sound like piano on lower strings, humbucker sounds like sock.

[@chazjr2390]

My favorite guitar is a Strat. I love them in all pickup configurations. Great tones and great playing! Thank you!

[@MrMattsac232]

scale length, neck joint, woods, they all play a role. The hss Strat can lose that 2 position sound which is popular. To me a very versatile setup. I would likely put a good paf replica in that bridge position.

[@blakespurlock5322]

That’s exactly what he eventually did with the Suhr thornbucker. Good call.

[@Happy-Me.]

I have a 1977 Strat which I've had since @ 1982. I no longer play it but I had a Seymour Duncan Hot Rail installed in it shortly after I had it. It was the same size as the single pick up hole. It made the guitar much more versatile!

[@Pete_Harris]

The only SSS strat I've owned is the Clapton with TBX and mid-boost controls. With the mid-boost half way up it actually sounds very close to a Les Paul and also the shrillness of the bridge pickup is no longer a problem. Try the Clapton! You may be surprised 👍

[@888jimm]

My Clapton Strat is orders of magnitude mo better than my others.... Love it

[@carlosdeno]

Love the colours of both, absolutely stunning.

[@JoeKyser]

I was never a huge fan fo the HSS until I started building my own pickups. I have been able to try out different combos. I make a one wire humbucker around 7 ohms I use with two single coils. It sounds absolutely amazing

[@p10rambo]

do u know which one to get to sound like a les paul? like oasis

[@JoeKyser]

@@p10rambo Les Paul? Dual humbuckers, PFE

[@p10rambo]

@@JoeKyser whats pfe? dual so hsh? i have an hss strat

[@JoeKyser]

@@p10rambo oh oh so you have a strat and want to make sound like a les paul? Its PAF. Im sorry i didn't check what I was typing. You can put PAF Humbuckers in a strat. I have one with one at the bridge. Two is certainly an option. They are one if the few I do make. Actually my comment about the one wire humbucker, thats it. Its a PAF Duplicate. Ita just a vintage spec Gibson humbucker. Thats what it is. They sound beautiful with a PIO cap.

[@p10rambo]

@@JoeKyser thats some useful info, thanks. great channel btw

[@johnbarry731]

I have an HSS strat and love it. It does everything you want. I also have a Les Paul and hardly use it as the Strat is so versatile.

[@JC-fx3wh]

Have you tried HsH? Is there a difference of tone on the neck pickup if you change it into humbucker?

[@martinclayton7260]

The Seymour Duncan JB doesn't stand for Jeff Beck, it stands for Jazz Blues. And it is quite a dark sounding pickup. I have one in my Charvel, and I think that I'll change it for a Dimarzio Tone Zone. You have some very beautiful guitars, and I'd love to own them. I really like that green, and the red on them.

[@sinnertrain7405]

An HSS configured Strat is the most versatile electric guitar out there. Players have been installing humbuckers in the bridge of Strats since at least the early 70's. Alan Holdsworth was one of the early users of the HSS configuration. I started playing guitar in around 1970 as a teen and I still play professionally, but I'm not stuck in the past when it comes to guitars.

[@checkillo]

Just converted my SSS American Standard to HSS with a JB in the bridge and boy, I couldn't be happier, it's exactly the versatility I needed.

[@JC-fx3wh]

Have you tried HsH? Is there a difference of tone on the neck pickup if you change it into humbucker?

[@Tone-Quest]

Humbucker in a Strat = Yes,Yes!!! 🎸 ❤️

[@Ray-Angel]

I have a Highway 1 and an American Performer both HSS. The AP also has a coil split. Absolutely the most versatile.

[@emdadul15]

You got darker tone because you have 250k pots in your guitar spec. 250k pots cuts out the high frequency of humbucker, in order to get the full frequency you have to install 500k pots. So my personal preference is in HSS configuration use 1st 500k volume pot for the humbucker then 2nd 250k volume pot for the two single coils and 3rd pot is the 500k tone pot for both the humbucker and single coils, because Fender start has 3 pots design. and lastly you should use 250k tone pot for single coil pickups instead of 500k pot but you can easily put 05 on your 500k pot and that will make your 500k pot into 250k pot. Thanks for your video.

[@morrisalanisette9067]

tbh i kinda like the bridge pickup in a strat. it sounds obnoxious and funky and good for rhythmic/percussive like playing. the neck pickup is more beautiful and illustrious sounding

[@vicguitar1]

Hey Drew. You forgot a really important point Fender & Gibson string length is different ! Love your show ! Vic. Canada

[@tortillaman2491]

Not sure that makes much of a difference.

[@bobdillon1138]

Yup the difference is the sum of the small differences not just one aspect like scale length or variety of wood etc

[@themaverik22]

Yes yes yes for me!!!humbucker to bridge position strat!!

[@LfunkeyA]

body & neck construction yes, but the bigger difference between the hss strat and les paul (or other gibson) tone is specifically the scale length, the location of the bridge humbucker relative to the bridge, and the bridge construction/materials.

[@peterbrusch1493]

Always a HB on the bridge of a Strat. To make it not too loud in relation to the singlecoils, I take 59style HBs. The impedance of 56er HBs is about 8k, the singlecoils have about 6. The JB4 has about 14k, that makes him as double as loud as the SCs and it sounds muddier than a 59r HBs.

[@reaganbrowneofficialyoutube]

I think I’m gonna pull the plug on that exact same guitar tomorrow except red. I think it’ll be cool to have those cool Strat tones except a thicker bridge pick up for leads that aren’t too bright like maybe a telecaster or a single coil Strat.

[@batpigguitar]

Actually really like the sound of the single coil bridge in that candy apple red beast.

[@murlyn2]

Heck yeah, Yes! I can’t imagine not liking this setup. It’s the best of multiple worlds.

[@Ribod]

Couldn't agree more...the sound is mainly in the TONEwoods....of course pickups make a difference as well.

[@wglennhowells]

That is the first relic strat I have ever liked!

[@VintageRadius]

IMO assuming the same pickup, a Strat bridge humbucker sounds different than a Les Paul bridge pickup primarily because of the scale length difference (25.5 vs 24.75) and even more importantly the differences in where the pickups are placed along those scale lengths. The combination of those two variables is huge in determining tone, feel, harmonics etc. I think wood matters as well but its a less explanatory difference. Again thats just my opinion.

[@nicdee316]

I'm with you: I LOVE my SSS Strat, and it sounds amazing for some things (yes, even the bridge pickup), but for the project I'm currently on, only a humbucker at the bridge will do. So a HSS Strat it is. And also, on the Marshall Studio Vintage (which is my main map as well), switching from the humbucker to a single coil IS my clean/crunch channel switch. It actually is a pretty powerful combination with a single channel amp set for mild crunch (which is where the mini Plexi lives).

[@matthewedwards1089]

I like the idea if a strat with a bright and open sounding hbucker. I am also a huge fan of a P90 so that could be a wonderful option as well

[@frankb8652]

Yes! I just did this to an '89 I threw a PAF in the bridge and I love it.

[@hemmelight]

Love the sound of both guitars, but a humbucker is a YES YES from me. Love an HSS strat for sure. :)

[@Adventuresingearland]

You know it's wrong visually, however the sound for the stuff you want it for is very good. Can you explain the signal path for your signature clean tone in this episode please? As much as I think it a travesty, that tone is bloomin lovely!!

[@sinisterj73]

I just got an 2017 Fender American Elite hss (ebony) and love it. I also have a 2006 Fender deluxe that I put an Obsidian wire HSS with 7 way a Tone Zone in the bridge. HSS is the way to go.

[@BradRocker]

Love that green beauty. Yes to the Bridge, sorry i'm biased ,I have a JB in my les paul.

[@dezionlion]

That one riff sounds like a mix between message or n a bottle and every breath you take!

[@MarkTurner-vs7uc]

It's a trick to find a humbucker that sounds good in a strat. Many sound terrible. I say you can't go wrong with a super distortion, after trying countless pickups over my 45 years as a player. If you know another one I should try, let me know and I will.

[@gavinleyfield3195]

I love HSS, but actually didn’t like that SD tone much, I actually preferred the master built single coil. Probably because of the clarity. I had a set of Radioshop pickups (the Chris buck ones) together with a custom low wind humbucker to balance the output. That works great. I know hand wound is more expensive but in this case I got to specify exactly what I wanted. Sweet sweet colour choices on both your strats man! Wow. Love it 😍

[@ces69]

I believe Chris’s bridge pickup in his Radio Shop set is fitted with a “base plate”! Fitting one to my Tex Mex bridge pickup made a noticeable improvement!

[@odgeUK]

HSS is defo the most versatile configuration. Baffled as to why Charvel are still only generally offering HH. There aren’t many sounds missing in HSS, maybe the Mark Knopfler bridge/middle sound and the Joe Walsh Funk #49 Strat Bridge sound. Both of which can be approximated by splitting the Humbucker coils.

[@alijankhan3330]

Charvel offers several hss variants go check their website

[@odgeUK]

@@alijankhan3330 at the time of that comment, Charvel were only offering HSS on a SoCal, if you went with the expensive Charvel USA Select models. In May 2023, they finally released the SoCal in HSS config.

[@j.schaefer5622]

The colour of that Strat is super nice….the JB in the Bridge is a really good Pickup for Stage Volume. But playing at Home or in the studio it sounds a little mid heavy. The DiMarzio Paf Pro or the Fred are better fitting Pickups for a Strat in my opinion……

[@matsumoku1]

If you want something extra in the bridge position try a p94 shaped p90 and wire for the 7 way Strat switch/blend. IMO this is the best and most versatile option. The bridge and neck together resemble an LP in the neck position. You can get slash tone

[@gooroosrocks]

What are you using for an amplifier? I have a lot of classic guitars. Strat. Les Paul. Also PRS. They're all different. They're all beautiful. Your amp sounds extremely expressive as does your playing. What are you using as your amp in this video? I'm going to look further into your videos. I really like your playing. I've been playing for about 45 years lol. That's ridiculous. But I could use some ideas to augment my playing. You're playing is very tasty. Rooted in '80s rock with some nice modifications. Nice job.

[@blue_mountains28]

Love it... I've been using humbucker in the bridge on starts since the original usa lone star strat. Even putting single coil size humbucker in my tele bridge makes it so versatile

[@maraviyoso8473]

I like HSS, but I definitely prefer SSS. That harshness in the bridge single coil that some people hate is exactly what makes a Stratocaster cut better through any mix than any other guitar

[@SilverbackOrangutan71]

I have a strat with Floyd rose.. I did install a jb in bridge- waiting on a few parts to fit the overall need. I just received the red kill button-stock neck n middle -it’s a mim- my next upgrade is a real Floyd rose the special is terrible. But from jazz to screaming blues to drop tuning - maple neck - tu2, boss Oct, phase 90, standard Dunlop wah, muff pi 5 knob keeley compressor east river, soul food, super phat mod, dl4, oceans 13 Marshall super lead I just started playing last week. I watched a bunch of videos to find gear.

[@benben-sl7hi]

Gorgeous looking and sounding guitar. That is a keeper!!!❤

[@DreidMusicalX]

I know your video is 2 years old and all but Fender needed to come into the next century. Ive owned them and ALWAYS hated the bridges, the whiggle stick, no locking strings, baseball bat necks, I now sand my necks down, but when I start ed playing I didn't/. I would just get rid of the guitar even if I really liked the way it souned or looked. And single pups when HSS is just killer. I ended up breaking all 3 I owned and just stopped buying them. I love the sound of a strat, but one last thing to move that input jack off the front. I also like more solid body guitars with no pick plates now.

[@mathias6423]

I was thinking about switching out the fender humbucker for a Dimarzio Super Distortion, but this Duncan Jeff Beck bucker sounds awesome as well I have to check one out for myself! Humbucker on a Stratocaster is must for that great versatility I think.

[@partriotsfight5039]

Yes Yes. I like the way the green one sounds better and I know that the red is a master build. Wow what great axe's.

[@gben2457]

I used a Hot Rails bridge pickup in my Strat for gigging, very versatile when you're playing a lot of covers.

[@joshuacole1877]

That red guitar is it for me. Personally. Now that the pink tele has become an orphan🥺 I loved the pink tele more than all the guitars you’ve played. Yes even the old burst.

[@djt6546]

Hi Paul. I am sorry but you pulled out the Master Built Strat again in the comparison towards the end of this video and I had to go back to last weeks video… With your guitar skills and style of play, you easily get a significant value added texture and emotion from the Master Build. If I were you I would focus on trying as many MB’s as you can because they are made for accomplished players like you. The MB appears to give you “more” from the playing experience and I can clearly hear/see it over KZbin for goodness sake🤷‍♂️ It must be fantastic live in the room. Two good Strats vs one that takes your level of emotion and tactile response to the next level. I am not saying the MB label or price tag guarantees something special, but some of them really are special and you have now recorded two videos demonstrating that in my opinion. It’s like bonding with a PRS Private Stock vs the PRS core models. Not all, but sometimes the top of the top shelf just gives you that “Je ne sais quoi”. I know you watch James on Guitar sometimes. Maybe you should hook up with James to try his new MB hard tail Strat with fully bespoke Josefina HSS config. What a cracking shopping experience he’s had over the past week 😊

[@Slowhanfan]

Absolutely love this Strat. Please look into the Suhr wiring diagram for HSS. This insures that the HB sees a 500K load and the singles a 250K load. Just curious, what were you playing through while doing this demo?

[@jasonflores5423]

fender had that run of custom shops with floyd rose and humbucker bridge. loved that, wished. Enjoy watching your picking hand lol

[@guitarbarbarian]

Hss absolutely. Growl, quack and chime tones. You can't go wrong.

[@coolguitar88]

sss only!!!! 65 fender sound is warm and heavy due to thick neck,,,,,,you have two awesome fender!!!!!

[@bartnettle]

I have a HSS strat with the H wired directly to the output and is a very bright tone, via the tone pot it of course it would have more tonal choices but not the bite.

[@vriendelijkegroet]

Nothing beats an HSS for versatility. My James Tyler Studio Elite with midboost, Gotoh 510 bridge + Sperzel locking tuners, can do almost any style. But really any HSS can do a good job.

[@davidschlageter5962]

The red single coil sounds fantastic even with a lot of gain there was more clarity the humbucker sounds a bit muddy

[@tomclementsmusic1654]

Great video. Best one I've seen about HSS strats. I've often debated converting my USA strat to HSS, it's a 97 with a swimming pool route, so helpful there. Now isn't the way get the best balance like A500k volume pot, super 5 way switch 470k resistor on the single coils so they think they are seeing 250k (ish). Then with the super switch in position 2 it splits the humbucker to use one coil so you still get that strat quack. I'd probably put a PAF in the bridge to try and balance with the single coils. One day I might be brave to try it. Great video thanks for sharing.

[@myhapylife]

HSS is the best combination IMO. Thats why I got it in 7 string strat, almost anything can be played with it. :)

[@tonyp1945]

I had an HSS Strat but it didn't seem to work for me, neither one thing or the other. I bought a Custom shop Fiesta Red SSS and swapped them out for a set of YJM's, but I don't do Malmsteen Stuff. Couldn't be happier very versatile, they do both really well. I can play Shadows instrumentals and then at the press of a button any rock stuff.

[@tonystartup3817]

I have a standard single coil sized P90 in the bridge of my Strat, combined with the tone control wired to the bridge. Stops any of that harsh Strat bridge tone whilst still sounding like a single coil and it looks pretty much like a normal Strat

[@JPDESS]

Hi, if your bridge pickup is too dark, you should avoid to have the tone wired to it (wired direct), if it doesnt help try the pearly gates plus. Good luck

[@frantisca]

The JB in the bridge position sounds a bit dark to my ear. I have mounted a Suhr SSV, a Tornade (French take on the PAF with Alnicp II) that are more manageable and combine quite well with the middle pickup (Seymour Duncan SSL-2). Pickup height and orientation are crucial to the sound and tweaking the SSV has taken away that "sterile" impression at first. My 2 ¢...

[@jean-philippemorin1176]

This strat looks and sounds fantastic. I saw the video where you changed this jb sh4 for a thornbucker, which sounds great too. I understand why you did the change. I tried a lower output pickup recently, a duncan 59 recently and its quite good, I am used to the jb and found it lacks a bit of mid in comparison, but I loce the bass and top end the 59 has. I need to try an unpotted low output paf style someday, just by curiosity. On the jb you could have raised the screws on the screw coils, maybe one, or maybe two turns, to brighten the pickup a bit, and adjust the overall height of the whole humbucker down of the same amount. This brghten the pickup and you can balance it a bit more with the single coils. This will not turn the jb into a low output humbucker but sometimes this is just what it takes to balance or get the sound you want.

[@guguslive]

I have a heavily modified strat... And it has gone through many configurations, HSS, SSS, S, H, HSH, anything you can think off... I ended up with an HSS configuration, with one of those CuNiFe Humbuckers in the bridge and Texas Special in both the middle and neck positions... I love the humbucker and the middle, but I'm not 100% sure I want to keep the Texas Special in the neck... I've been drawn towards those Fat 50s... we'll see...

[@willman100]

The guitar looks beautiful and sounds amazing

[@SamHooperGroup]

Man, that Strat sounds awesome! Great balance; love its versatility

[@traineecanuck]

I have a little 59 at the bridge and it’s a pretty good balance with the single coils, and not too dark. I wonder if a filtertron would be a good match? Never tried one, but it seems like logical choice.

[@metalheadblues]

They should make 7 string HSS strats. Now that would be perfect

[@dreamscuba]

Great video. I think a strat with HSS or SSS is great... depends on what one is looking for. They both have their place in an arsenal. I used to have a Tyler Variax JTV-69 with HSS configuration. It was great. Today, I have a Silver Sky and I find the bridge pickup very usable. I roll the bridge tone back to 6/7.

[@checkitout611]

Always love an HSS .... but you can always throw a JB Jr in there or a Little 59 instead of a humbucker and it's awesome as well with a bit more than a single coil sound. Great video and sounded great!

[@ilmisxx2]

A couple things, Paul, the humbucker is dark likely because they used 250K volume pot, humbuckers typically use 500K, single coils use 250K you could try striking the balance with a 330K here. Also the humbucker is jazz/blues, Jeff Beck never was available for public, anyway that does not matter it's just product naming trivia :)

[@JonoEastGuitar]

Great video. I would love to see you play a Lincoln Brewster Stratocaster.

[@arphod]

My main guitar is a Fender Strat Ultra HSS with Lollar Imperial Low-wind and two 64's. I can do almost anything with it.

[@Widdy5150]

Sounds & looks ace. In Bonners we have a Second Hand Fender Custom Shop 50th Anniversary 1954 Stratocaster Master Built By Yuriy Shishkov 😍

[@TheStudioRats]

Hi Richard what is your guitar tech like down there at Bonners?

[@Widdy5150]

@@TheStudioRats amazing, used to be at Chandlers. Simon Piggott 👍🏻

[@bigoldSupaD]

Yes yes; I love my Sterling CT50... Even with the stock HSS pickups.