"Sleepwalk", which pickup??

[rhando]

Can anyone tell me which pickup was used on Hank's original version of "Sleepwalk"?

Charlie's patches, (Zoom and M/Stomp) say neck but I can never seem to get it to sound right.

Is it just me and my settings or was the original played on the bridge pickup??

Ray.

[Charlie Hall]

Hi Ray,
You need plenty of mids and little bass to get the right sort of sound with the neck pickup. Otherwise you might do better to use the middle pickup. Hank uses the bridge pickup now and has done for a long time, but the original definitely wasn't on the bridge pickup.
Regards,
Charlie

[rhando]

Thanks Charlie.

That's what had me confused.

Whenever I see Hank playing it he seems to be using the bridge.

I will try what you suggest re mids and bass.

Kindest regards,

Ray.

[5tratocaster]

I get the best sound using the middle pickup with the tone turned down to around 6 or 7.

[fenderplucker]

Hi,

I'm fairly sure that the orginal was done with the middle pickup and picked up towards the neck. That can give the lovely tones heard on the original, assuming reasonable vintage sounding pickups.

I suspect that Hank's subsequent use of the bridge might be related to the Kinman pickups he has had of late.

Regards,

Paul.

[Charlie Hall]

Hi Paul,
Hank has used mainly the bridge pickup position for a long time, before using the Kinmans.
He previously used a DiMarzio FS1 in the bridge position and I think 2 custom Seymour Duncans in the middle and neck positions. He was using this set up for about a couple of years after I started working with him. It was also the configuration offered on the Hank Marvin US signature and autograph Strats.
Regards,
Charlie

[betowelch]

Hi Ray:

I'm following this thread with attention. The original Sleepwalk tone and echo it's a great challenger for all.......
I check the setting recommended by 5tratocaster and picking over the neck (as Paul mentioned) and, for me, the sound was nice...

Cheers from Brazil!
Roberto

[gtangring]

Hi

I think the main reason for using the bridge pup in live situations is that it cuts through the backing a lot better (and with the proper touch, like Hanks, even the bridge pup can be made to sound full and sweet).