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Post by nicholas on Feb 15, 2020 13:26:09 GMT -7
TLDR - does the middle pickup on your guitar get in your way with the pick? Or, if you're not used to a middle pickup, and bought a guitar with one... did the adjustment come naturally?
Long version...
So.. i grew up on a super strat. The typical double locking trem, single or dual humbucker guitar of the 80's. However years ago I had a real bad hand injury. Gave up guitar entirely for a few years, but it sucked me back in. So for the last 10-12 years I've been into the short scale Gibsons. Mostly because a LesPaul was the only guitar I didn't sell after the injury. The short scale made playing bearable. So I've acquired a few different Gibsons.
Recently I picked up a used "super strat" type guitar for a great price. It really took me back. I grew up on these things. The 25 1/2 scale seems to no longer be an issue for my hand. It really feels great and I'm totally digging it. It has some modern features that I didn't think I'd use. Like coil taps, which actually sound great and opened up lots of cool tones. So after months of playing this guy, (Ibanez JS2450) I decided to buy a new super strat type guitar.
I went with a HSH configuration. With all the strat like tones I've been coaxing out of the JS I thought some more switching options might be good? Open up new sounds. But I'm sort of worried because any guitar with a middle pickup always got in the way of my picking.
It's probably bad picking technique. I'm hopeful I'll be able to adjust. I did go with a pickguard version. So worst come worst I could always get a 2x hum guard. But I want to really give the HSH configuration a go.
Have you ever went to a guitar with a middle pickup after years (or never) having one? Was the transformation successfull?
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Post by GuitarZ on Feb 15, 2020 13:46:41 GMT -7
I got my Les Paul when I was about 15. That was the only electric I had until I bought my strat at 40. The middle pickup never bothered me. I do notice when I'm just sitting playing scales that my pick has a tendency to land on the middle pickup. I don't think it does when I stand and play. So, I was definitely w/o a middle pickup for years (25).
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Post by Ridgeback on Feb 15, 2020 13:49:27 GMT -7
Only on one guitar I can think of. It was a 3 PU Gibson LP (Custom??). I didn't own it but played it quite a few times. It felt cramped and weird but I was just starting to learn how to play so maybe it was more me than the guitar.
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Post by GuitarZ on Feb 15, 2020 14:00:44 GMT -7
After I finished typing, I remembered that my Les Paul's neck pickup cover is worn down on the high E-string side. So, even without the middle pickup, I'm hitting my pickup.
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Post by nicholas on Feb 15, 2020 14:26:14 GMT -7
Thanks for the encouragement fellas. I think I'll ne ok. After I finished typing, I remembered that my Les Paul's neck pickup cover is worn down on the high E-string side. So, even without the middle pickup, I'm hitting my pickup. Yeah, my LP bridge pickup, low e, neck side. All of em worn out. Guess I hit it the pickups anyway and it doesn't bug me. The added middle single might just be something new to hit lol.
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Post by helmi on Feb 15, 2020 15:48:25 GMT -7
I've owned several 3 pup guitars.(several PRS's and strats) my one PRS singlecut now has 3 pups. (I had the middle routed) sometimes I have a pickup in it, sometimes I don't. I have a ebony wood cover (specially made) for it when I'm not using it. it's 3 humbuckers so there's no gap at all like on a strat between pups. when I don't have a pup in there, the cover is lower than the normal pickup ring, so It's no problem at all. when a Pup is in there, I hit the pickup sometimes because I strum from the middle towards the front. I've sort of gotten used to anchoring my middle finger against the high E side of the pickup ring and this cut's down on that. a middle pup doesn't deter me from a 3 pup guitar, you just have to get used to it. sometimes with me when I was getting used to it, I thought it was more of a "mental" thing than a physical one.
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Post by LT on Feb 15, 2020 15:52:34 GMT -7
I bought an Ibanez RG550 from the late 80's many years ago (used, and a fun guitar I'll add). The previous owner had done some wacky wiring (mini toggles, etc) but I decided to rewire it as a straight up HH with 3 way switch. I dropped the middle single coil all the way down, but I don't think it would have been any real issue if I would have left it in a normal position. I'll add I'm a Strat guy though, so middle PU's are normal for me.
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Post by nicholas on Feb 15, 2020 16:02:21 GMT -7
I've owned several 3 pup guitars.(several PRS's and strats) my one PRS singlecut now has 3 pups. (I had the middle routed) sometimes I have a pickup in it, sometimes I don't. I have a ebony wood cover (specially made) for it when I'm not using it. it's 3 humbuckers so there's no gap at all like on a strat between pups. when I don't have a pup in there, the cover is lower than the normal pickup ring, so It's no problem at all. when a Pup is in there, I hit the pickup sometimes because I strum from the middle towards the front. I've sort of gotten used to anchoring my middle finger against the high E side of the pickup ring and this cut's down on that. a middle pup doesn't deter me from a 3 pup guitar, you just have to get used to it. sometimes with me when I was getting used to it, I thought it was more of a "mental" thing than a physical one. Yeah. Mental thing. I'm hopeful that's what my issue has been in the past. And hopefully I'll get past it. GuitarZ's post was actually really helpful. Looking at the the humbuckers covers in my gibsons... it's obvious I'm picking all over them. But I'd never really thought about it.
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Post by nicholas on Feb 15, 2020 16:06:28 GMT -7
I bought an Ibanez RG550 from the late 80's many years ago (used, and a fun guitar I'll add). The previous owner had done some wacky wiring (mini toggles, etc) but I decided to rewire it as a straight up HH with 3 way switch. I dropped the middle single coil all the way down, but I don't think it would have been any real issue if I would have left it in a normal position. I'll add I'm a Strat guy though, so middle PU's are normal for me. A desert yellow RG550, black pickguard. That was my first real guitar. Teenager with paper route money and lots of dreaming while delivering papers on my GT pro performer...
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Post by zpilot on Feb 15, 2020 18:33:42 GMT -7
I am like Ridgeback. I never liked playing a guitar with three humbuckers. A Strat with three single-coils is no problem.
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Post by nicholas on Feb 15, 2020 22:47:36 GMT -7
Only on one guitar I can think of. It was a 3 PU Gibson LP (Custom??). I didn't own it but played it quite a few times. It felt cramped and weird but I was just starting to learn how to play so maybe it was more me than the guitar. Similar experience with a 3 humbucker SG many years ago. Beautiful ivory finish with gold hardware. But felt awkward. But that was a long time ago. I'm thinking I'll be able to adjust.
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Post by nicholas on Feb 15, 2020 22:53:49 GMT -7
The switching seems pretty neat. A five way blade. Coil tap switches for each humbucker. And a push / pull pot that switches position 3 from middle single coil alone to neck/bridge humbuckers both on.
Anticipation is building.
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Post by ME on Feb 16, 2020 6:08:13 GMT -7
Not really an issue. Played strat style guitars for years, then Lester’s. Recently a triple pu Custom. When I got the Custom several people asked if I had an issue with the middle pu, never noticed it when playing. Maybe a SG triple pu with the flatter top might feel different, but I don’t feel the need to get one to experiment! ME
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Post by runninwiththerevil (Matthew) on Feb 16, 2020 18:02:05 GMT -7
I was really interested in a three pickup St Vincent signature Music Man. Finally got to play one and was glad I hadn’t bought without playing. The middle pickup was totally in the way.
Best sounding guitar I’ve ever touched was a Frankenstein 1977 SG that had a three pick added at some point. The third pickup wasn’t really in the way. The issue was the nut was really narrow and it had no neck. Such a shame, it sounded sooo good.
I guess it depends on how much room you have to start and the set up.
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Post by StonySparrow on Feb 16, 2020 18:12:15 GMT -7
I just built my ideal Tele with a middle pickup and P90 in the neck (see avatar). Surprising, the middle pickup has a sweet tone that sounds great on its own. I play between the bridge and middle pickup so it's never in the way.
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Post by JebusCrebus on Feb 17, 2020 5:39:27 GMT -7
Never had a problem with Fender type guitars but I picked up a Captain Kirk Douglas SG with 3 pickups and could not get used to it at all, so I returned it. I'm not sure why but that middle pickup always seemed to be in the way!
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Post by sharkboy on Feb 17, 2020 11:02:36 GMT -7
I’ve had lots of Rics, Strats and one Gibson with 3. This has never been a problem. I have more trouble with the placement of knobs and switches on various Fenders.
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Post by JeffG on Mar 10, 2020 19:46:50 GMT -7
Yes, the middle pickup does get in my way. I wish I were a good enough play for it not to make a difference, but at this point I am who I am.
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Post by Rhythmark on Mar 22, 2020 18:57:03 GMT -7
I usually have 3. i also rarely use the middle.
Sometimes a pickup can be too high / close to the strings , then id lower it and possibly all the pu.s.
But they don’t hinder me at all . I don’t notice it there.
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