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Looking to make my final decision for pickups on my Strat. What do you think of TB-4 in the bridge(already ordered), Lil 59 in the neck? Still undecided on mid, thinking about maybe a duckbucker or vintage rails.

Also, looking for suggestions for wiring and good quality switches, pots etc.

I think a li'l 59 would be good in the neck. I'm not sure about the middle. Are you looking specificly for hum canceling?

Get Switchcraft switches and jacks. Get CTS pots. Those are generally considered the best in their respective areas.


Originally Posted by JacksonMIAAre you looking specificly for hum canceling?

No, I'm basically looking for good combo with a wide range of sounds.

I don't know how well it would balance with the other two in output, but any of the rails would be a cool choice, or maybe a SSL single coil.

What do ya think about just sticking a Jazz in the neck and no middle. I get to play with any combo my heart desires so I'm up for any suggestion.

Oh, I thought you were stuck with H-S-S. A Jazz would probably go great in the neck. What kind of wood is the guitar?


Originally Posted by JacksonMIAOh, I thought you were stuck with H-S-S. A Jazz would probably go great in the neck. What kind of wood is the guitar?

If the body needs routing then I will have it done so, no, I'm not stuck with any configuration.

My best guess on the wood is going to be basswood with maple neck and rosewood fretboard. It is exactly like this except for it only has one tone knob and is 21 fret.

Looking at buying a new USA Jackson later this year, maybe later you can answer some questions about them for me.

I'd unscrew the pickguard and check the routing, unless someone comes on here that can tell you for sure. I don't know off hand if it's routed to accept a humbucker in the neck or not. Some are, some aren't, and some have a big swimming pool route for the whole pickup area, though I'm betting against the swimming pool on a Fender.

If you're wanting to get a Jackson later, you might think about what kind you're going to get. That way one of them can have two humbuckers and the other have a humbucker and two singles (or single sized buckers) to get a bigger variety of sounds.

I'd be happy to answer any questions about them that I can, too. Zerberus is the expert on them, and there are many others that know a lot about them, so you'll be in good shape when you get ready.

It might just have the swimming pool route. My MIA Strat does. If going with H-S-H, Jazz in the neck, JB in the bridge, Duckbucker in the middle.

IIRC the MIJ strats do not have a pool but I think it will take a humbucker. I'm still leaning toward the lil 59 and a duck or vintage, just not sure if it will be a good combo. The jazz is still in the running.

As far as the Jackson goes, I'm at the Soloist or a Kelly. Must be string through. Are the through necks better sounding then the bolt on Dinky? Any idea how much they go for new. I can't seem to find any prices. I did find the price list from Jacksons site but it's suggested retail and I know I can do better then that. $2,500.00- $3,100.00 seems just a wee bit high.


Originally Posted by Sid ViciousIIRC the MIJ strats do not have a pool but I think it will take a humbucker. I'm still leaning toward the lil 59 and a duck or vintage, just not sure if it will be a good combo. The jazz is still in the running.

As far as the Jackson goes, I'm at the Soloist or a Kelly. Must be string through. Are the through necks better sounding then the bolt on Dinky? Any idea how much they go for new. I can't seem to find any prices. I did find the price list from Jacksons site but it's suggested retail and I know I can do better then that. $2,500.00- $3,100.00 seems just a wee bit high.

I can't really help you on your pickup choices without you telling more about what you're aiming for with your tone. But the Jackson I can help you with, I think that with respected dealers you should be able to get at least about 30% off the list price, at least what I've heard. I think that the street price on USA Selects is from about 1400$ to 2000$. Seriously not 2500-3000$, those are european prices! I don't think that the bolt-on dinky is any worse than the others. Neckthrough vs. bolt-on is simply apples vs. oranges. No better, no worse.


Originally Posted by JohtosotkuI can't really help you on your pickup choices without you telling more about what you're aiming for with your tone. But the Jackson I can help you with, I think that with respected dealers you should be able to get at least about 30% off the list price, at least what I've heard. I think that the street price on USA Selects is from about 1400$ to 2000$. Seriously not 2500-3000$, those are european prices! I don't think that the bolt-on dinky is any worse than the others. Neckthrough vs. bolt-on is simply apples vs. oranges. No better, no worse.

That's about what I've seen. My soloist was on sale for $1350 or so, ended up being $1400 after tax. I think they were asking $1600 or $1700 originally. Shoot for that price range, and you'll be ok. There's a place nearby (they don't have Jacksons, but the principle is the same) that is big on telling you list price and then saying they'll let it go for $X. The price they quote is usually only 10% or so off list. They'll burn you if you don't know your stuff. Or they'll let you think that you got a steal when you talked another 10% off the price.

I like to play old classic rock, EVH ,Ozzy, Neal Young, Clapton, Eagles. Lately I've been wanting to play more blues stuff like SRV.

I will probably end up dealing with Ed Roman for the Jackson. I bought an acoustic off him and he gave me a great price. He had a Chavel for $19,000 IIRC. I think I will talk to him personally.

If I lived close, I probably wouldn't go anywhere else. He'll match prices, and no one will beat his selection.


Originally Posted by JacksonMIAIf I lived close, I probably wouldn't go anywhere else. He'll match prices, and no one will beat his selection.

I can walk to his store in 20min and I'm old and fat. He is an odd character though. No cell phones on in the store and you can't touch nothing without someone there which I suppose is good, at least you know it wasn't dropped 50x before you bought it.

OK guy's, I pulled the pick guard back and it definitely is routed for a HSH. We can do what ever we want. So with that in mind and the types of music I like(you can add like Megadeth, Metalica, suicidal tendencies and other metal bands like these to the mix). Help me pick out the neck and mid pickups. I will also need wiring diagrams to go with it as well.

Here's the options I'd consider:

JB/Duckbucker/Jazz - a great combo, IMO, but might seem a little too crowded on the guitar. Not really a problem, but some people don't like taking up that much room.

To make the guitar look less quot;busyquot; you could opt for a lil 59 in the neck for a HSS look.

Otherwise, you could drop the Duckbucker and go JB/Jazz, though you'll lose a bit of your versatility.

Personally, I like the idea of the Duckbucker in the middle. You'll get that stratty single coil sound, hum free (I guess for another option you could go with two Duckbuckers).

I don't really know which way to tell you to go. I don't even know what I would do personally. My Jackson has a JB/59, so I'd probably go with a Jazz in the neck and maybe the Duckbucker. If I didn't have my Jackson, I might lean more toward the '59.

If you're leaning toward the lil 59 and duckbucker, go with your gut. Either combo should get you pretty close to what you're looking for.

I hope I haven't confused you further. When you decide for sure what you want, we'll hook you up with wiring diagrams.

Thanks JacksonMIA, I've made my decision. After listening to the sound files over and over I'm going with the tb-4 in the bridge, duckbucker in the middle and Jazz in the neck

Thank you, you've hit the nail on the head... OK now for some wiring


Originally Posted by ErikHIt might just have the swimming pool route. My MIA Strat does. If going with H-S-H, Jazz in the neck, JB in the bridge, Duckbucker in the middle.

Thanks bud... Good call.

I've had good experiences playing stuff like VH, Metallica, Megadeth etc. with the JB. Jazz is the original neck version of the same pup, so they should suit each other well.

If you like dealing with ER, do so. I have to say that there are a million real horror stories going on about him. Keep your wits about you when you do business with him. If you want to do yourself a favour, ask guys from and a price too. You'll at least have something to negotiate with!