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What is the BEST pickup position on a SSS Strat?

Discussion in 'Stratocaster Discussion Forum' started by EyeLikeTortoise, Sep 14, 2021.

If you could only use one pickup on your SSS Strat for the rest of your life which would you chose?

  1. Bridge

    21 vote(s)
    15.3%

  2. Middle

    32 vote(s)
    23.4%

  3. Neck

    84 vote(s)
    61.3%
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  1. EyeLikeTortoise

    EyeLikeTortoise Strat-Talker

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    Interesting the Neck pick up is the highest choice. I figured this would be the case, but very few closing bridge. I imagine if you asked this question about the telecaster it would be almost all Bridge.
     
    EyeLikeTortoise, Sep 14, 2021
    #21
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  2. LOSTVENTURE

    LOSTVENTURE Senior Stratmaster

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    One of the great things about the Strat is that you can get so many tone variation put of it, And I like to get my money's worth. Depending on what song, or type of music, you are playing, the Strat can usually deliver a fitting tone, Personally, I seldom use the bridge pickup by itself.
     
    LOSTVENTURE, Sep 14, 2021
    #22
  3. fezz parka

    fezz parka fezz parka

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    The bridge.
     
    fezz parka, Sep 14, 2021
    #23
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  4. Twin

    Twin Strat-Talker

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    I like the neck and bridge together which I think is an easy inexpensive must have option.
     
    Twin, Sep 14, 2021
    #24
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  5. StratoMutt

    StratoMutt Most Honored Senior Member

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    Blender knob with a standard five way switch.

    I do like quack too. DuckL.gif

    ...as opposed to?...
     
    StratoMutt, Sep 14, 2021
    #25
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  6. BuddyHollywood

    BuddyHollywood Strat-O-Master

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    The way the question is worded I have to choose the middle. It's the most versatile, neutral and balanced position. It would work for everything if it needed to.
     
    BuddyHollywood, Sep 14, 2021
    #26
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  7. Sparque

    Sparque Seriously-Stratified Silver Member

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    Either switch position 2 or position 4.

    I can't decide.

    Either are better than any of 1, 3, or 5.
    ;)
     
    Sparque, Sep 14, 2021
    #27
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  8. White Dog

    White Dog Strat-Talker

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    Middle
    And my second favorite would be the middle.
    And; last (but certainly not least)...of course we are left with the middle.
     
    White Dog, Sep 14, 2021
    #28
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  9. StratoMutt

    StratoMutt Most Honored Senior Member

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    Try all three. Very neutral and balanced. Is possible with a blender knob.
     
    StratoMutt, Sep 14, 2021
    #29
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  10. BuddyHollywood

    BuddyHollywood Strat-O-Master

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    I agree but the question only allows for bridge, middle or neck. All 3 is not an option.
     
    BuddyHollywood, Sep 14, 2021
    #30
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  11. knh555

    knh555 Most Honored Senior Member

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    Please stay tuned for our next poll: What’s the best chord to play on your Strat?
     
    knh555, Sep 14, 2021
    #31
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  12. fezz parka

    fezz parka fezz parka

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    Which is why I answered bridge.

    My favorite is bridge and neck. Spend 90% of my time there.
     
    fezz parka, Sep 14, 2021
    #32
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  13. StratoMutt

    StratoMutt Most Honored Senior Member

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    Yes, true. The poll left out 2 and 4, both popular settings. I opted not to vote.

    I rarely use one pickup alone. Mostly bridge with a touch of neck and vice versa are wonderful tones and variable. Bridge + neck is a bit Tele in tone.
     
    StratoMutt, Sep 14, 2021
    #33
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  14. StratoMutt

    StratoMutt Most Honored Senior Member

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    SuperLaugh4.gif
     
    StratoMutt, Sep 14, 2021
    #34
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  15. fezz parka

    fezz parka fezz parka

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    [​IMG]
     
    fezz parka, Sep 14, 2021
    #35
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  16. ripgtr

    ripgtr Most Honored Senior Member

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    Man there is nothing like when the band is cooking and ya throw it into the bridge and kick on some nice fat, sweet overdrive and just go for it. There is a reason the manual for the strat in the 50/60s called it the "Lead Pickup"
     
    ripgtr, Sep 14, 2021
    #36
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  17. Hanson

    Hanson Senior Stratmaster

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    I’m really happy with the bridge pick up on my Eric Johnson….and yes #2 is great as well. I almost always play with with at least a small amount of gain, to crunch and it’s just perfect.
     
    Hanson, Sep 14, 2021
    #37
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  18. RPKennedy

    RPKennedy Senior Stratmaster Platinum Supporting Member

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    I voted for the neck pickup position, but on my Eric Johnson Stratocaster the bridge pickup is fantastic.

    And, the previous owner installed a push-push pot on the 2nd tone control to add the neck pickup to positions 1 & 2. Icing on the cake.
     
    RPKennedy, Sep 14, 2021
    #38
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  19. Jason D

    Jason D Senior Stratmaster

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    Kind of depends on what the guitar sounds like. Some sound great on certain settings while others sound terrible.
     
    Jason D, Sep 14, 2021
    #39
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  20. EyeLikeTortoise

    EyeLikeTortoise Strat-Talker

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    I thought about adding the blended pick up options in the poll but intentionally left them out. I wanted to see what people would chose if they were forced into one of the 3 standard pickup settings. In the mind of the guitar designers those were the only three options. But I agree that it is great that the Strat offers many more possibilities with 5-way switches and blend pots etc.
     
    EyeLikeTortoise, Sep 15, 2021
    #40
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