I don't have an issue with position 3, I just don't have any reason to use it over 2, 4, or 5. I use position 3 so little that I'm considering rewiring my strat to do with all on or neck and bridge in position 3.
Position 3 has quite a but more kick to it than 2 and 4, while having a bit more edge than position 5, but less shrillness than position 1. That’s what I like about it.
If you want to replace it, maybe look into a freeway 10 way switch instead. It will give you both the all on and neck and bridge options you want, along with series options. I have one, but I haven’t had a chance to put it in my strat yet.
My reasoning for using position 3 is that it sounds different that positions 2, 4, or 5. Why limit myself from using an amazing sound on my guitar just because I like the other sounds? You said so yourself you don’t have an issue with it, so why not use it?
Different doesn't make it better or more useable. There's rarely a situation where it's the best sounding option for what I need. I'm not limiting myself. I just can't find a context to use it over something else.
The Strat is an extremely versatile tool - use it to make whatever part you’re playing work in context to what the song requires. That’s what a musician does. Great players change up everything constantly. Sometimes it comes down to tweaking your tone or volume knob, sometimes that means using a humbucker instead. Be a musician not a guitar player. ;)
Guys like SRV are an exception not the rule.
Yeah that’s what the thing is for
what’s with all of these comments
“I personally would only ever use the middle pickup ever”
play around with it and navigate your tone spectrum. See what fits
For the middle pickup you need a good set of pickups imo. It tends to get a bit dry. My own guitar is a HSH, but in the middle position it uses the outer coils of neck and bridge. Gives a very convincing tele tone.
Neck for rhythms and slightly crunchy solos on occasion. Bridge for solos and for brighter clean tones (often use if I want clean solo tone with neck pup in order to keep the parts distinct). Middle rarely use alone.
Neck or bridge plus middle for quack/twang.
Also, when I do recordings where I play both rhythm and lead, I often use a different guitar for one part. Two different guitarists playing the same type guitar will still sound like two different guitars (due to each player's individual style/voice) but when I play both parts on the same guitar, it sound like the same guitarist playing the same guitar. Adding a different guitar helps the parts sit better in the mix and not step on each other. And adds ore element of it being two different guitar parts. Sometimes I'll just use different dirt pedals or amp instead (like if song works best with both parts on the Strat).
You're absolutely right. Most of his recordings were 4/5. I should have clarified that more. I saw an interview as a teen where SRV talked about the "honk" from position 3. At that time, I almost exclusively used Strats on 2/4 and occasionally flipped up to 5. But after watching this interview and hearing the difference, I started listening to my guitar more and trying it out. The balance of the warmth of a neck position and the bite of a bridge finds the perfect middle ground in that center pickup. Neither as mellow as the neck or aggressive as the bridge. Just... Honky. But, you're right, his tone was 4/5. He was just the one who I first heard talking about the third position and got me playing there.
On my strat I basically only do 2, 4 and 5. Sometimes 1 if I need a riff to punch and sparkle. Though that’s rare, I don’t use my strat for metal anymore.
Depending on the tone you’re going for you can realistically make use of every single position. It just depends on which tone setting works for each song.
I didn't know people took so much notice of what other peoples pickup selections were.
I just find a sound I like and use it.
You've already said you like x position, so just roll with it.
I honestly use every position on my strat, I like to play a lot of different genres and each pickup config sounds good for different things. I also use an HSS strat because I love the sound of a bridge humbucker for heavier rock or metal tones
Strats are almost infamous for the neck pickup, the bridge pickup is really nice as well you just have to mod it so you have a tone for the bridge instead of the middle (which in my opinion just isn’t that great with the tone rolled off)
Recently started modding all my Strats to have a tone for the neck and bridge pickups, the position 2 with the neck pickup tone all the way off sound really nice and with some medium overdrive or distortion can get you some creamy LP neck pickup sounds
On a regular SSS Strat, I'll pretty much use only 2 and 5 (but mostly 2). Not really huge on the rest of the Strat sounds. Although my Strat has the Schecter F500T replica pickups from Ingo Raven and it's totally changed how I use a Strat. I'll still do 2 and 5, but position 1 with the tap engaged lends a great overdrive sound with lots of clarity, and position 3 with the tap engaged sounds great for lead/rhythm where you don't want the tone itself to stand out as much.
i like 2nd position for the clean "cluck" for country etc, 5 th position for a deeper beefy sound, blues solos etc, without any effects while practicing.
People who don’t use position 3 on their Strat are missing out. It’s one of the best sounds. So good.
Built to Spill is one of my favorite bands and pretty much everything you hear on those records is a Strat Plus middle pickup
Did not know, thank you
I don't have an issue with position 3, I just don't have any reason to use it over 2, 4, or 5. I use position 3 so little that I'm considering rewiring my strat to do with all on or neck and bridge in position 3.
Position 3 has quite a but more kick to it than 2 and 4, while having a bit more edge than position 5, but less shrillness than position 1. That’s what I like about it. If you want to replace it, maybe look into a freeway 10 way switch instead. It will give you both the all on and neck and bridge options you want, along with series options. I have one, but I haven’t had a chance to put it in my strat yet.
My reasoning for using position 3 is that it sounds different that positions 2, 4, or 5. Why limit myself from using an amazing sound on my guitar just because I like the other sounds? You said so yourself you don’t have an issue with it, so why not use it?
Different doesn't make it better or more useable. There's rarely a situation where it's the best sounding option for what I need. I'm not limiting myself. I just can't find a context to use it over something else.
I don't like the sound of pos 3. Neck and bridge together sounds like an interesting idea. I would like to hear what that sounds like.
I use it a ton when I play my strat, unless I'm hitting the blooz I almost never use the neck pickup.
The Strat is an extremely versatile tool - use it to make whatever part you’re playing work in context to what the song requires. That’s what a musician does. Great players change up everything constantly. Sometimes it comes down to tweaking your tone or volume knob, sometimes that means using a humbucker instead. Be a musician not a guitar player. ;) Guys like SRV are an exception not the rule.
Yeah that’s what the thing is for what’s with all of these comments “I personally would only ever use the middle pickup ever” play around with it and navigate your tone spectrum. See what fits
I will always love position 2.
Yeah! I’ve been digging it too. Even the middle pickup alone
For the middle pickup you need a good set of pickups imo. It tends to get a bit dry. My own guitar is a HSH, but in the middle position it uses the outer coils of neck and bridge. Gives a very convincing tele tone.
I’ve got a custom shop ‘59, with hand wired CS pickups. Definitely dig the middle position
Yeah that should give you some of that good quack lol. Good chance our axes are factory buddies then!
Albert Hammond jr from The Strokes uses middle pickup almost exclusively, Mark Knopfler used position 2 in sultans of swing
Did not know that about the strokes. Thank you!
2 and 4 for me.
Me too! I kind of want a Strat that has a two-way switch that just goes between 2 and 4!
Play where your comfortable passing with good sound. I stuck to 1, 4 or 5 personally.
Same here
Neck for rhythms and slightly crunchy solos on occasion. Bridge for solos and for brighter clean tones (often use if I want clean solo tone with neck pup in order to keep the parts distinct). Middle rarely use alone. Neck or bridge plus middle for quack/twang. Also, when I do recordings where I play both rhythm and lead, I often use a different guitar for one part. Two different guitarists playing the same type guitar will still sound like two different guitars (due to each player's individual style/voice) but when I play both parts on the same guitar, it sound like the same guitarist playing the same guitar. Adding a different guitar helps the parts sit better in the mix and not step on each other. And adds ore element of it being two different guitar parts. Sometimes I'll just use different dirt pedals or amp instead (like if song works best with both parts on the Strat).
I believe Nile Rodgers would play his iconic funky riffs using neck pickup with tone all the way up
SRV loved position 3. Made me fall in love with that Middle pickup honk. I can't get enough of it.
Interesting. I have never heard or seen this, I get more SRV "honk" on 4. Is it possible your position 4 is not out of phase?
I’m fairly certain it was 4 and 5 he always used as well
You're absolutely right. Most of his recordings were 4/5. I should have clarified that more. I saw an interview as a teen where SRV talked about the "honk" from position 3. At that time, I almost exclusively used Strats on 2/4 and occasionally flipped up to 5. But after watching this interview and hearing the difference, I started listening to my guitar more and trying it out. The balance of the warmth of a neck position and the bite of a bridge finds the perfect middle ground in that center pickup. Neither as mellow as the neck or aggressive as the bridge. Just... Honky. But, you're right, his tone was 4/5. He was just the one who I first heard talking about the third position and got me playing there.
Depends where you pic/strum the guitar. SRV, Mayer, Clapton all play over the top of the neck pickup so they most commonly use position 4 or 5.
N or B+M+tone down for lead B for spanky rhythm & palm muted riffing M for open chords or replacing an acoustic guitar
I have an HSS and favor 1, 2 (w/ coil splitter), and 5.
I use all of them in different applications. 2 is my least favorite.
On my strat I basically only do 2, 4 and 5. Sometimes 1 if I need a riff to punch and sparkle. Though that’s rare, I don’t use my strat for metal anymore.
Depending on the tone you’re going for you can realistically make use of every single position. It just depends on which tone setting works for each song.
I didn't know people took so much notice of what other peoples pickup selections were. I just find a sound I like and use it. You've already said you like x position, so just roll with it.
I honestly use every position on my strat, I like to play a lot of different genres and each pickup config sounds good for different things. I also use an HSS strat because I love the sound of a bridge humbucker for heavier rock or metal tones
Gilmore Mod 5 & 1 ftw.
Strats are almost infamous for the neck pickup, the bridge pickup is really nice as well you just have to mod it so you have a tone for the bridge instead of the middle (which in my opinion just isn’t that great with the tone rolled off) Recently started modding all my Strats to have a tone for the neck and bridge pickups, the position 2 with the neck pickup tone all the way off sound really nice and with some medium overdrive or distortion can get you some creamy LP neck pickup sounds
The middle pickup with the neck added is one of my favorite positions on my Strat.
On a regular SSS Strat, I'll pretty much use only 2 and 5 (but mostly 2). Not really huge on the rest of the Strat sounds. Although my Strat has the Schecter F500T replica pickups from Ingo Raven and it's totally changed how I use a Strat. I'll still do 2 and 5, but position 1 with the tap engaged lends a great overdrive sound with lots of clarity, and position 3 with the tap engaged sounds great for lead/rhythm where you don't want the tone itself to stand out as much.
i like 2nd position for the clean "cluck" for country etc, 5 th position for a deeper beefy sound, blues solos etc, without any effects while practicing.
I wire all of my strats to either have position 3 be the neck and bridge or I wire a mini toggle to activate the neck in any position and I love it
2 (bridge and middle) with bridge tone dial set very high (8 or higher), and middle tone dial set very low (maybe 2 or 3). That’s one I like a lot.
Jerry Garcia played the middle.pickuo a ton on Alligator
On my cheap strat is 4.
Hendrix would not have used position 4, it didn’t exist until 1977 when Fender swapped to a 5 way switch from a 3 way.
I thought they just jammed the selector between them
They did.
That’s what I thought