Help! Middle pickup for Axis SSH

[wesman11483]

I know there are a few similar posts currently trending, but I am completely new to the world of singlecoils, so I hope the redundancy is forgiven.

I just picked up (it arrives tomorrow) a SBMM AX3 that I intend to modify as a versatile backup for my (slightly modified) EBMM Axis Sport MM90. In "strat mode" I am planning on a 3-way switch, so looking for sweet, quintessential strat position 2,3,4 sounds. A little dark is okay...not too chimey...but also hot enough to not have a drastic dip when switching to a humbucker.

Any advice?
(Thank you for welcoming me to your community. I have really been enjoying myself here! I have owned a lot of different guitars, and I feel safe to say the EBMM will continue to be my main axe from here on out!)

 

[wesman11483]

Does anybody have any experience with/love for/words of warning about the Dimarzio Area 67 in the middle position?

 

[beej]

Are you planning to split the humbuckers when you combine with the single (i.e. the standard HSH approach)?

If so, I'd think it would be handier to have a regular single in there (not a noiseless one) so you end up with a humbucking configuration in positions 2 & 4, especially if position 3 is both humbuckers in parallel.

 

[wesman11483]

Are you planning to split the humbuckers when you combine with the single (i.e. the standard HSH approach)?

If so, I'd think it would be handier to have a regular single in there (not a noiseless one) so you end up with a humbucking configuration in positions 2 & 4, especially if position 3 is both humbuckers in parallel.

So I am looking to put a Sentell minihumbucker in the neck (see attached), single coil in the middle, and a humbucker in the bridge. The idea is to have the flexibility to have tele tones (traditional 1 & 5 position split), strat tones (traditional 2, 3, &4 position; 2 & 4 split), and les paul tones (neck and bridge humbuckers unsplit)

 

[wesman11483]

Went with an Area 67. Found a decent deal on Reverb, and I liked all the audio I heard. Figure if it doesn't sound as I had hoped, one singlecoil is an easy swap down the road...

 

[beej]

For sure.

 

[vuduhwy]

Does anybody have any experience with/love for/words of warning about the Dimarzio Area 67 in the middle position?

Area 67 isn't bad. I own it, but I was gonna recommend the Injector. It cleans up nicely and handles all the gain you can throw at it. Has good output too. I see you already chose the 67. Make sure to keep us updated.