This will move to making & modding if I actually kick it off, but I'll stay here to grab eyeballs for now.
What's the view on Firebird pickups? Particularly on Fender-types. And more specifically, will they give me a quasi-Strat-2/4 sound (though obviously fatter) if I wired 3 of them like a Strat?
To give a bit more detail, I've had the idea for some form of "super" Strat build for bloody ages, and combined with a couple of other ideas I have an idea for a good build that could be a huge amount of fun. That's making me think about wiring options involving FB pickups, either 2 or 3 pickups, and possibly with a trad PAF in the bridge. Or maybe PAF-single-Firebird almost like a Stratty equivalent of Brent Mason's Tele?
I also have to look at trems, because I've been deeply enjoying Bigbsys for several years now but don't get on with trad Strat terms very much. I'm aware Stetsbar do a retro-fit of their gubbins to attach to a Strat which looks a bit mad but might be quite cool. And certainly much more reversible than a Bigsby...
Collected thoughts on the above please!?
EDIT: also looking for thoughts on body wood pls! Aldar, Ash, roasted?
Comments
I've had a similar idea but with 3 Gold Foil pick-ups - Not sure why as I've never tried it on a Strat - But like the Gold Foil sound on other 'retro based' guitars - I play with less gain and more of that JJ Cale cleaner voice
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u2K8mxOXzRU
I've just done a single firebird pickup strat.
https://cziltangbrone.bandcamp.com/album/null-hypothesis-5-ep
https://cziltangbrone.bandcamp.com/album/machine-space-2
https://cziltangbrone.bandcamp.com/album/null-hypothesis-5-ep
https://cziltangbrone.bandcamp.com/album/machine-space-2
Broadly speaking, I really liked it and still have the guard assembled for whenever I fancy popping it back in - I'd say worth a go at least. Firebirds are well suited to strats and teles
Minihumbuckers are a lot closer to the humbucker sound than a Firebird pickup, at least to my ears. I haven't actually tried a minihumbucker in a strat bridge, but I've tried them enough times to know they'd be a slightly ballsier option for the bridge without overpowering the Firebirds.
I am not smart enough to figure out how that needs wiring, but even if you were stuck with a 3 way switch you'd still have 3 amazing sounds in one comfy guitar.
https://edmorgan.info
Personally if using them I'd get one in the neck and a slightly hotter mini hum in the bridge.
If you want to keep the same look you could pop a plain cover on the mini hum.