New Pick Up Recommendation for my Drop Top Koa ~~~

[enigma]

This is my 1996 Drop Top Koa on Koa that's been on the market for several weeks now. The main reason that it's been up for sale is the nut width at 1 5/8" (I prefer 1 11/16"). Another reason is that I want a more modern tone. At the same time, it does pain me to think about parting with this gorgeous and versatile guitar!

So, I am contemplating changing the pick ups if I decide not to sell. Currently, it's loaded with SA1R SA1 HO2. I do love the overall vintage tone, but would like a more modern tone. PLUS, I'm finding that KOA produces relatively warmer tones providing stronger mids. What's missing, for me, is the overtones in the highs. The bridge pick up is fine, but I may also change it to compliment the new pick ups.

So, basically I want to make this into a "Super Strat"!:D Thoughts and comments please.

The only pickup I'd like to keep vintage (SRV tone) is the neck, though hotter!

http://i96.photobucket.com/albums/l199/mergetrio/Tom_Anderson_DropTop_Koa/TA-4_zps93dec2b6.jpg (http://s96.photobucket.com/user/mergetrio/media/Tom_Anderson_DropTop_Koa/TA-4_zps93dec2b6.jpg.html)

[replayboy]

Beautiful guitar. :)

[wolf]

Absolutely stunning but far too clean.... you're not playing it enough !!!!
I found the SA's to be too modern sounding and eventually settled on VA singles.
Not sure they'd work with your switching.
You could try lowering the heights, that usually opens up a pickup in my experience.

[pipedwho]

H2+ or H3 in the bridge for modern tone. The HO2 has a lots of mids with subdued treble. The H2+ has lots of everything - nice and bright too. The H3 pushes harder with more bass and little less highs than the H2+, but no slouch in that area either.

The SAs will match the H2+ or H3 well. If you want more level with a little more mid push in the neck/middle, the SA2 will get you closer.

[Pietro]

ymmv, of course, but in my experience, H3 or H3+ are great if you never play clean, but H2+ will clean up nicely. different strokes...

[enigma]

H2+ or H3 in the bridge for modern tone. The HO2 has a lots of mids with subdued treble. The H2+ has lots of everything - nice and bright too. The H3 pushes harder with more bass and little less highs than the H2+, but no slouch in that area either.

The SAs will match the H2+ or H3 well. If you want more level with a little more mid push in the neck/middle, the SA2 will get you closer.

Great description. It seems H2+ might just do the trick in the bridge. Since, I'm looking for more "oomph", the SA2 might be in order!.

Thanks!

[enigma]

ymmv, of course, but in my experience, H3 or H3+ are great if you never play clean, but H2+ will clean up nicely. different strokes...

H2+ is the winner for the bridge! Thanks!

[enigma]

So, SA2 SA2R H2+ seems to be the combination!

Most likely, I'd like to have TA do this with an work over on my Drop Top!

Thanks all for your inputs!!! A long trip to California is in order from NJ!

Tom, how's this combo? :)

[tom]

Definitely on the hotter side from where you are. Sounds like it's the direction you want to go.. The R would go in the neck position.

[enigma]

Definitely on the hotter side from where you are. Sounds like it's the direction you want to go.. The R would go in the neck position.

Thanks for the info, Tom!