Recommendations for Stratocaster replacement pickups

[FenderBender]

Hey, I was wondering if one of you could help me out. I have a new Fender American Standard Strat and I was interested in some options for new pickups. My favorite guitar player would be SRV, but I know that tone comes more from the hands of the guitarist then anywhere so I don’t expect to automatically have that sound.

What I’m really looking for is a hotter pickup is a little bit hotter single coil pickup, with a little growl, for blues. Something hot, but not too hot if that makes any sense.

Would the “Antiquity Strat Texas Hot” be the way to go? Any others I should look at?

Anyways, thanks for all the help in advance.

[beandip]

Re: Recommendations for Stratocaster replacement pickups

Depends on if you're willing to shell out that cash. The Ant II Surfer is actually hotter than the Texas Hot. The SSL-1 is pretty close to the Surfer, and being a Duncan, you know it'll sound great. I'd say the SSL-1 w/ a SSL-5 in the bridge. Or, if you're willing to shell out the cash, the Surfer set with the Ant II Custom bridge.

[midnite_man]

Re: Recommendations for Stratocaster replacement pickups

I have Antiquity's in one of my Strats....Texas Hot's and a Texas Custom in the bridge, and IMO they're the best single coils Seymour puts out. The Custom Hot bridge has great vintage tone and has plenty of output and just the right amount of treble for my taste. The neck/mid pickups are smooth and, again, seem to have just the perfect amount of that Strat-glassiness to them without being shrill at all. The bass tones are great in 'em, and I can get some killer SRV-like tones with the Ant's and a Tubescreamer through my amp without any problem.
Those single coils will never leave that guitar. Yeah, they are a little spendy but well worth the satisfaction of hearing some really great Stratocaster tones. If I had to go a more economical way I'd go with the SSL-1 or APS-1 in the neck, middle and bridge. I'd suggest getting a RWRP pickup for the middle so as to eliminate any noise in the #2 and #4 position on the switch. Pretty darn close to the same sounds with the APS-1 being a bit warmer than the SSL-1.
....Bob

[STRATDELUXER97]

Re: Recommendations for Stratocaster replacement pickups

Depends on if you're willing to shell out that cash. The Ant II Surfer is actually hotter than the Texas Hot. The SSL-1 is pretty close to the Surfer, and being a Duncan, you know it'll sound great. I'd say the SSL-1 w/ a SSL-5 in the bridge. Or, if you're willing to shell out the cash, the Surfer set with the Ant II Custom bridge.

Hey Bean...I don't agree that the Surfers are hotter than the Texas Hots,as you know I use them both...What I do hear is that the Texas Hots have more mids and less "presence" or chime on top of the notes..

The Surfers seem cleaner and more articulate to me and have more overall chime...To me,the Surfer bridge position is too bright,but I like the Texas Hot bridge pickup in place and replaced the Surfer bridge with a Twangbanger...

I like the Texas Hots for the SRV vibe myself....I actually like the Texas Hots more anyway,as I seem to like A2 magnets better...I'm currently using both Antiquity 1s,2s,SSL1s and APS1s....They are all great pickups,but the Texas Hots are my favorite so far..

John

[OUTLAW1969]

Re: Recommendations for Stratocaster replacement pickups

I just acquired a single coil JB for the bridge position, but I do not play strats (or any other guitar with a single coil in the bridge position at the moment)!!!!!

If you are interested in it and you live in the US, I will ship it to your door for $45.

PM me if interested.