Warmer and slightly more powerful than an HS-1, HS-2 pickups are solid neck and middle position choices for guitars with a full-size humbucker in the bridge position. The HS-2 pickups natural tone blends well with humbuckers, making a smooth transition when switching from rhythm to single-note picking. Using the HS-2 also eliminates the annoying problem of switching from a quiet humbucking to a noisy single-coil pickup. A little-known secret about the HS-2: Eric Johnson has discovered that wiring an HS-2 for single-coil operation creates one of the best vintage tones around.
Like all HS Series pickups, low noise, hum-canceling HS-2's work well through high-gain racks and amps where any pickup noise is multiplied through preamps and effects chains.
Recommended for all positions.
Tech Talk
In the classic Strat configuration, the HS-2 works in all 3 positions. It can also be part of a calibrated set, with the HS-1 (neck), HS-2 (middle), and HS-3 (bridge). The HS-2 also works in H-S-H combinations, recommended with PAF Pro, Fred, Air Classic, and Humbucker From Hell in neck and bridge positions.
Technical Info
Wiring: Standard 4-conductor
Magnet: Alnico 5
Output: 90mV
DC Resistance: 14.97K
Year of introduction: 1980
Patent #: 4,442,749