Esp Horizon want change pickups

[Jolsin]

I have an Esp Horizon with two Emg pickups. One is a double coil and the other single coil. I bought the guitar 18 years ago when I was a rocker. I am now a jazzer and the Emgs have to go. I want a thin sound like a stratocaster and want to switch to Stratocaster pickups? Should I rout the guitar to put all three pick ups in? Or should I install a Strat neck pickup in the neck and the strat bridge pickup in the bridge and leave out the middle pick up? I really like the guitar very light weight and 24 frets.
Another scenario a p-90 pick up in the bridge and a fender neck pick up in the neck will this work? Please advise what Fender Stratocaster pickups , Noiseless or 54 reissues or something else?
thanks
Jolsin

[bkdavidson]

If you're wanting to play jazz, I wouldn't worry too much about a middle pickup. Most people that chime in here will probably be in favor of the P90 in the bridge scenario. I think either Jason Lollar or Lindy Fralin makes a P90 that fits in a humbucker rout. As far as the neck pickup, when I had a Strat I had Fender's 'Fat 50's' pickups in it. I really liked the sound and the output. They were pretty loud for single coils, but not as harsh as say, the Texas Specials. As far as the noiseless pickups, my vote is against. They always sound sterile and some other not-single-coil characteristic that I don't really know how to describe.

[Jolsin]

Thanks bk davidson.
Are you saying the p90 in the bridge will be a nice combo with the fat 50's pickup?

[randyc]

I think BK meant P-90 in the neck position.

[bkdavidson]

Jolsin, that could work. Allow me to rephrase and hopefully be more clear. I'm not sure what pickup would work best for the bridge based on your ideas. However, P90 pickups are pretty popular among jazzers and have many loyal fans on this site. I could see lots of posts voting for the P90. As far as regular single coils, I really liked the Fat 50's I had in my Strat. The pickup combination that I unwittingly suggested, with a P90 in the bridge and a Fat 50's neck pickup does seem kind of strange. Another single-coil pickup that seems to get rave reviews is the Lollar Charlie Christian pickup. I have no personal exp. with that pickup, but people who use it describe it as being close to the voice of God. A P90 in the bridge with a Lollar CC in the neck might be more 'normal' of a configuration, with a good jazz sound that will still keep that single-coil thinness you're looking for. One thing that will help in your search is what kind of jazz are you playing: Fusion? Traditional? Soul Jazz? Pinning that down will help a lot in your search for just the right sound.

[Jolsin]

Bkdavidson your very helpful and all the combos are great ideas including the strat pick up with the p90. I play traditional jazz. Thanks for the Lollar suggestion never heard of him till your post checked the web site and he has amazing stuff.
thanks
Jolsin