16

The Pickup Place / Re: Virtual Solo with stock Pickups

« on: June 26, 2018, 09:10:17 AM »

Just had a response from the Dimarzio tech team who were really helpful. Their suggestion was VS in the bridge with a HB 2 in the neck. One reason I'm reluctant to put the HB 2 in the neck of my SSS strat is because I want that to go in the neck of my HSS. Yes they are both strats but they feel different and I want different pickups in both. I really don't want them to be the same in any way.
On a side note they did suggest the F Spaced Gravity Storm neck in the Bridge of my HSS, demos I've heard of that sounds awesome so I'm thinking of that with a HB2 in the neck for my HSS

My apologies if I'm waffling but I just find it really helpful to talk and share things is all so thank you for your responses.

17

The Pickup Place / Re: Virtual Solo with stock Pickups

« on: June 25, 2018, 06:02:51 PM »

Thank you for that,

I don't mind if there is a bit of a signal boost because that is what I'm looking for, the specs on the Dimarzio website do tie in with what I'm looking for and as I have the tone wired to the bridge anyway I know I can control the tone without to much fuss.

I'd rather do that first then look the others. I've recently been very impressed with demos I've seen of the Area 61 pickup. The 58 and 67 are a bit too trebly for my tastes but the 61 I liked so may try that in the neck and middle once I've done the bridge. Alternatively I may just go Howie Simon on everyone and use virtual solos in both bridge and neck! 😀

18

The Pickup Place / Virtual Solo with stock Pickups

« on: June 25, 2018, 09:33:48 AM »

Hi there, I recently got a new Strat which feels just amazing. Played a rehearsal session over the weekend and my old HSS strat never got a look in! The current pickups or the Fender V Mod Pickups. The neck and middle I liked them and was reasonably happy with, the bridge I'm not sure. I will play another rehearsal first before I make my mind but as I have posted once before I'm very taken with the Virtual Solo pickups and considering that in the bridge. Would that likely be so powerful as to drown the V Mods out? I don't mind a bit of a signal boost because I only ever use the bridge pickup on my SSS strat for lead work, I use the in between positions more for rhythm as I find with gain it's good for heavy rhythm. I'm just wondering how powerful the VS would be alongside my current ones and would it play well with others.

19

The Pickup Place / Re: Advice on pickup selection needed

« on: June 03, 2018, 06:14:42 AM »

Thank you for that info that is very helpful to know I appreciate it. Can be a little confusing at first with all the numbers and what to go off. I find myself always going to YouTube trying to find decent demos of the ones I'm interested in.

20

The Pickup Place / Re: AT-1 bridge and ....?

« on: June 03, 2018, 06:10:18 AM »

I've been looking into this, the AT 1 for the bridge of my strat. The more demos I listen to of it the more I like it. Would this pair well with a Heavy Blues 2 in the neck at all or would the AT 1 be too hot and drown it out?

21

News & New Guys / Re: New girl in town.

« on: May 30, 2018, 01:22:42 PM »

Thank you so much, I appreciate it! I have many questions!

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The Pickup Place / Re: Advice on pickup selection needed

« on: May 30, 2018, 01:14:30 PM »

Thank you for those suggestions it certainly gives me more to go off, I never considered the blues bucker with it being vintage output but will check it out.
I hope people don't mind me asking more questions as I have loads on my brain! Lol. My new strat has the fender V Mod pickups, I would like to know if they are lower in output compared to the HB 2 or Virtual Solo or Chopper. I know they are true single coils and not noiseless so the 60 cycle hum could be present when playing in a gig scenario with high gain. My gain pretty much comes from a loud amp and 2 OD pedals.
Also I was looking at the Air Norten recently thinking for the bridge of my main current strat. My concern is how hot of a pickup is it as I get confused with the DC resistance thing! I'm not after anything super hot hence why I'm looking in the medium output category and all my favourite sounds do seem to come from that. I'm after a pickup with a solid chunk for rhythm but that will sing when playing lead hence why I have been looking at the PAF Pro mainly because I know both Paul Gilbert and Richie Kotzen have used them. I loved the tone Kotzen had in the 90's with Mr Big.

23

News & New Guys / New girl in town.

« on: May 28, 2018, 06:36:42 PM »

Hi there I'm new here so thought this would be a good place to introduce myself. I'm currently lead guitarist in a band where I live and have been playing myself for a few years off and on. Now currently focusing a lot more on the music and trying to move forward with that.
I'm a massive guitar and gear geek! and am looking to learn as much as I possibly can to get the tone out of my head into the open.
I play mainly fender guitars and own two strats which are my pride and joy, there may be more ergonomic guitars out there but they are home for me! I have an Epiphone Sheraton to for the mellower stuff to.
Anyway, hope everyone is well and look forward to conversing more in the future.

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The Pickup Place / Re: Advice on pickup selection needed

« on: May 28, 2018, 05:03:24 PM »

Thank you guys for that much appreciated. I did look at the Areas as I know Paul Gilbert has used them in the past, but it's something heavier and fuller I'm after so I'm thinking either the Virtual Vintage Blues or Heavy Blues in the neck.
One question on the PAF Pro, I know this may sound like a novice question but the dc resistance on the dimarzio website puts it as quite low and lower than some of the single coils, but the output as 300? I'm not after anything super hot in the bridge as mentioned but I want something a little hotter and more modern sounding than a vintage PAF type vibe. I'm looking to learn as much as possible as I want to get the combination right as once done I'd be sticking with it.
I do have another American strat on order, this one with SSS configuration and I'm looking to put Virtual Solos in bridge and neck for that as it very much is a thicker warmer more modern sound I'm after on both strats.

25

The Pickup Place / Advice on pickup selection needed

« on: May 27, 2018, 02:44:26 PM »

Hello there everyone,

I'm new here but have been playing guitar for a number of years in different bands. Took a break for a bit but am back and looking to change pickups.

Currently I play a fender strat HSS model and after a lot of reading have settled on dimarzio. I'm pretty certain that I want a PAF Pro in the bridge, definitely medium output I want. Initially was looking at super distortion but too high output for my tastes, still a little uncertain as to what would work with that. I'm not a vintage person and prefer a more modern sort of rock feel and sound, I'm a huge Richie Kotzen fan. I do still like the aesthetics of my strat though and was not certain with putting rails in the neck. I was wondering if the dimarzio Heavy Blues 2 or Virtual Solo in the neck would work with the PAF Pro.

If anyone has any thoughts or advice I would greatly appreciate it. Thank you