New pickups for a H-H Stratocaster

[Bradman]

Hey Guys,

I have a blacktop HH Strat and I'm looking to chuck some new pickups into it, since the stock ones lack clarity and aren't quite doing the job since I've joined a new band.I've emailed Dimarzio and they recommended the 36th Anniversary PAF for the neck and an AT-1 (Andy Timmons) in the bridge, I would love some recommendations or advice since I have no experience with changing out pickups or what to look for. The demos on youtube I've found of the At-1 make it sound a little harsh, but if anybody have played it in person I'd love to hear their experience with it, I've had a look at the Norton as well.

I play Blues /Hard Rock/ Grungy kinda stuff most of the time, but also fusion jazzy shred sorta stuff. Zeppelin, Clapton, Pearl Jam, Alice in Chains through to Satriani and fusion jazz. So I need pickups with punch and a singing lead tone since I'm the lead guitarist for a hard rock band, and would love a neck pickup that is usable in a band situation.
Any input is appreciated,
Thanks!

[Bg]

I prefer a lower output pup as its harder to clean up a dirty pup than it is to make it dirty... welcome to the forum. somebody will be along shortly to recommend some BKP nailbombs...

[SixGunLover]

Hey Guys,

I have a blacktop HH Strat and I'm looking to chuck some new pickups into it, since the stock ones lack clarity and aren't quite doing the job since I've joined a new band.I've emailed Dimarzio and they recommended the 36th Anniversary PAF for the neck and an AT-1 (Andy Timmons) in the bridge, I would love some recommendations or advice since I have no experience with changing out pickups or what to look for. The demos on youtube I've found of the At-1 make it sound a little harsh, but if anybody have played it in person I'd love to hear their experience with it, I've had a look at the Norton as well.

I play Blues /Hard Rock/ Grungy kinda stuff most of the time, but also fusion jazzy shred sorta stuff. Zeppelin, Clapton, Pearl Jam, Alice in Chains through to Satriani and fusion jazz. So I need pickups with punch and a singing lead tone since I'm the lead guitarist for a hard rock band, and would love a neck pickup that is usable in a band situation.
Any input is appreciated,
Thanks!

Have you listened to any Andy Timmons? The AT-1 is the signature bridge pickup in his strats. He covers a lot of musical ground but often plays rock and "jazzy shred"ish stuff and I wouldn't describe his tone as harsh (bearing in mind all the great gear and the fingers involved).

[Scooter13]

Dave Murray (Iron Maiden) has the 36th Anniversary PAF in the neck position of his HSH strat (the Paul Kossoff one). He nearly always uses the neck pickup for solos, so check that out. I think it's a fantasic pickup, and it's a copy of the PAF's in Larry Dimarzio's 59 LP.

[ash]

I'd be looking at the Norton/PAF Joe pair or Air Norton/PAF if you're a gain pedal user.

I think it's a fantasic pickup, and it's a copy of the PAF's in Larry Dimarzio's 59 LP.

That is the case with the bridge version and especially the long-leg bridge version, but the neck version is the same DP103 they've been making since the '70s. They're a bit cagey about mentioning that for some reason.

[jeremyb]

Heard some Andy Timmons when I was at Bodega before Animals as Leaders came on, was quite impressed, hooray for Shazam!

[Bradman]

Thanks for the replies guys, there's so many pickups to choose from I really had no idea where to start.

I'd be looking at the Norton/PAF Joe pair or Air Norton/PAF if you're a gain pedal user.

I do use a Boss DS-2 with my Marshall Class 5 which I have been using when jamming with the band, but I also play a lot through a Blackstar HT60 which I use the amps gain. Why do you recommend the PAf Joe and Norton over the 36th/ AT-1? I'm just trying to make the best possible choice, would it still be good for a bluesy type tone?

I'm not a Satriani freak, I just meant a good shred lead tone which could be good for a Satch, Vai, Shawn Lane type lead sound on the neck.

Thanks.

[Danger Mouse]

Thanks for the replies guys, there's so many pickups to choose from I really had no idea where to start.

At least you're starting in a slightly better position than me, I just bought a H-H set of pick ups off Ash... but don't actually have a guitar to fit them to (in H-H config anyway).

[Single coil]

Why not PAF 36th at each end? Sounds like the sorta thing that hit the alice in chains and zeppelin nails on the heads.

[ash]

AiC is very much SD JB territory. The Norton suggestion is aimed at covering the space between there and a hot PAF in a strat. Also the discount factor. 36ths are back to normal prices by all accounts.

The PAF Joe is one of my fave neck pickups regardless of Satriani associations. Smooth and creamy, which is useful in a strat and for neck pickup soloing. It's not a gain monster, just super versatile.

The two sets I suggested are quite similar, just one's a bit hotter than the other.

There are other options, especially in the PAF zone.

[Scooter13]

I think it's a fantasic pickup, and it's a copy of the PAF's in Larry Dimarzio's 59 LP.

That is the case with the bridge version and especially the long-leg bridge version, but the neck version is the same DP103 they've been making since the '70s. They're a bit cagey about mentioning that for some reason.

I believe you, but that's not what Dimarzio website says. Naughty marketing people? http://www.dimarzio.com/pickups/humbuck ... nniversary

[ash]

I think it's a fantasic pickup, and it's a copy of the PAF's in Larry Dimarzio's 59 LP.

That is the case with the bridge version and especially the long-leg bridge version, but the neck version is the same DP103 they've been making since the '70s. They're a bit cagey about mentioning that for some reason.

I believe you, but that's not what Dimarzio website says. Naughty marketing people? http://www.dimarzio.com/pickups/humbuck ... nniversary

Interesting.... the specs on the website are completely different to the ones in my printed catalogue and there's that magic word "RE-engineered", along with some newer patent numbers. They must be re-using old model numbers for what are actually new models.

Thanks for the update!

Edit: Funny thing is, though... they also say introduced 2008, but that doesn't add up against product, labels and catalogues I've seen in the last 4 years. Must have been an awful lot of old stock out there.

[Bradman]

Anybody had any experience with the PAF Joe/ Mo' Joe combo?