57/62 Strat pickups

bluesbend

bluesbend

Lovely BIG Starologist
Anyone here use or have used these?
I'm doing a Strat build and am interested in any opinions on them. It's a hard tail alder body, maple/maple neck.
I already have a 50' re-issue that I've put SSL1's in and am looking for something a little different.
 
Re: 57/62 Strat pickups

I have the set that came in my Fender AVRI '62. (Rapidly replaced with a Twangbanger and two Ant II Surfers.) How the 57/62 set sounds depends very much on the host instrument. They did not suit a Classic Player Fifties style Strat. (Not enough guts.) I like how they sound in a left-handed Squier Silver Series Strat converted to right-handed.

IMO, the 57/62 set lacks some of the detail that I get from APS-1s, Five-Twos or, especially, Antiquity IIs.
 
Re: 57/62 Strat pickups

Hi,
I use 57/62 strat pickups in neck, and mid positions in a Hss. However, I like them so I mounted them in 2 humbucker covers(Trembuckers) and the poles line up. I had to cut the legs off but I managed to McGyver a set of legs that fit the H.bucker hole. I had to sand the width a little on the pickup ring, but with the whole thing mounted you have to look close to see they are poles, not screws. The bridge Seth L. + the neck 57/62 sound unbelievably cool together for lead, or chords. Again, that is a 57/62 in a TREMBUCKER cover, they fit right in the screw holes. I have them turned toward the bridge. Careful on wiring, if out of phase, they sound like glass. my 2 cents.
SJB
 
Re: 57/62 Strat pickups

I'm also a fan of the Fat 50s...The neck and middle 57/62s are ok..The bridge position thin and too bright for my tastes.
 
Re: 57/62 Strat pickups

What I'm looking for is a vintage Strat sound from the p'ups I'll be putting in this build.
 
Re: 57/62 Strat pickups

I have a Fender re-issue '62 that has Fender 57/62 pups and they sound very vintage. I like the '62 guitar and the pups, and also have and really enjoy the sound of the SD SSL-1s, the Psychedelic pups ('69's), and the Antiquities. Although they are humbuckers, the SD Concept Set is a great sound......so are the Whole Lotta Humbucker pups. Good stuff!
 
Re: 57/62 Strat pickups

I had them in a MIM std strat years ago.

I loved them. They were clear, glassy, and yeah a little weak and bright especially in the bridge but with the amp really going it doesn't seem to matter. A tinge of harshness but very sweet, like the SSL-1.

They remind me of SSL-1s with less mids and more highs, but very much in the same ballpark. They make the SSL-1s sound a little overwound.
 
Re: 57/62 Strat pickups

bluesbend said:
Anyone here use or have used these?
I'm doing a Strat build and am interested in any opinions on them. It's a hard tail alder body, maple/maple neck.
I already have a 50' re-issue that I've put SSL1's in and am looking for something a little different.
Click to expand...

Why not move up to the Antiquity Surfers then?

I've been having a ball with two Surfers and a Fralin AP43 for the bridge pickup.

If you're looking for something a little different. ;)

It's a bit like having a P90 for the bridge pickup.
 
Re: 57/62 Strat pickups

STRATDELUXER97 said:
I'm also a fan of the Fat 50s...The neck and middle 57/62s are ok..The bridge position thin and too bright for my tastes.
Click to expand...

+1 on the Fat '50's. I use them in the middle and neck position. I use an SSL-3 Hot in the bridge. My friend has the '57 Reissue Strat with stock 57/62 pickups. They sound nice to me, but the Fat '50's have more character IMO
 
Re: 57/62 Strat pickups

I've been looking at the Antiquity Surfers this morning. I have Fender Standard neck and middle p'ups and a Duncan SSL3 sitting out in the shop that I was considering using in this build. I'm wondering if the SSL3 will be too overpowering with the Ant's or the Fenders though.
 
Re: 57/62 Strat pickups

I've had a set in and out of countless guitars for over 10 years now. They're good basic old-school Strat pickups, though I prefer the CS 54's. The '57/'62's are a bit drier and more clattery, with anemic mids. The CS '54's are a bit more middy and spanky. You'd think it would be the other way around, with the '54's being brighter and drier, but it isn't.

Vs. SSL-1's, you might as well go for the Duncans. They're as good or better, and they cost a little bit less. But if you get a good deal on a used set of '57/'62's, I recommend getting them with no worries about what you are missing from the SSL-1's. They're close enough to each other that some amp adjustments could equalize them.
 
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Re: 57/62 Strat pickups

Jeffrec said:
+1 on the Fat '50's. I use them in the middle and neck position. I use an SSL-3 Hot in the bridge. My friend has the '57 Reissue Strat with stock 57/62 pickups. They sound nice to me, but the Fat '50's have more character IMO
Click to expand...

I've never used the SSL3,but yes the Fat 50s...are "Fatter" :laugh2:
 
Re: 57/62 Strat pickups

Thanks for all your input guys.
I've decided on a Fender CS '54 set. What I'm going to do is put them in my 50's RI to keep it all Fender, take the SSL1's that are in it now and put them in my hard tail build.
 
Re: 57/62 Strat pickups

bluesbend said:
Thanks for all your input guys.
I've decided on a Fender CS '54 set. What I'm going to do is put them in my 50's RI to keep it all Fender, take the SSL1's that are in it now and put them in my hard tail build.
Click to expand...
Sounds like a plan! Can't wait to hear your impressions... :)
 
Re: 57/62 Strat pickups

Will do.
Right now I'm in the process of oiling the body, waiting a day then oiling again. I'm using Watco Danish oil, natural color. I want to get about 1/2 of the can in it then I'm going to buff it out by hand.
The neck and p'ups are on order, I already have the pickguard and hardware here.
 
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