Any single-coil neck pickup ideas for my Classic 70s Strat?

[357mag]

I am currently in the mood to use genuine single-coils in my Classic 70's Strat. I have the Dimarzio FS-1 and the SDS-1 and the Duncan Antiquity II Surfers. All three of those bridge pickups sound really good in my Strat.

But the problem is that when I tried the Antiquity II neck pickup last night, it did not quite give me the sound that I'm looking for. It sounded good, but it wasn't the kind of good that my ear is looking for in a neck pickup.

What I'm looking for in a neck pickup is either a Malmsteen YJM Fury neck pickup sound or something that sounds a bit like it, or perhaps a Blackmore Made in Japan neck pickup sound.

The Antiquity II neck pickup sounded a bit too rounded and bassy in my particular Strat.

I'm looking for a neck pickup that has bite and cut but without being too thin or too rounded and smooth and bassy.

I do have the YJM Furys and they sound great both neck and bridge, but right now I'm really in the mood for single-coils.

I also tried the SSL-1 and it sounded poor in my guitar. It just didn't jive with the wood.

The Fender Fat 50s neck pickup is a sound I like but I am not a big fan of Fender pickups. If I could find a pickup that is a bit like the Fat 50s but just a higher quality sound that would be great.

I may end up ordering something from Klein as his pickups are fabulous.

 

[PFDarkside]

Re: Any single-coil neck pickup ideas for my Classic 70s Strat?

The Fender CS69 might fit the bill.

 

[jeremy]

Re: Any single-coil neck pickup ideas for my Classic 70s Strat?

there is nothing wrong with the fat 50's, its a great pup but its not overly bright. what didnt you like about the ssl1?

the fender 69 is nice, if you dont like fender pups then the duncan custom shop does a psychedelic strat pup that is along the same lines but a notch above. if you want bright look at lollar blondes or tweeds

 

[357mag]

Re: Any single-coil neck pickup ideas for my Classic 70s Strat?

The SSL-1 just sounded boomy and kinda bassy actually. I've used the SSL-1 before with good results but every guitar is a different piece of wood, and the guitar I have now just doesn't jive with the SSL-1.

 

[eclecticsynergy]

Re: Any single-coil neck pickup ideas for my Classic 70s Strat?

Fralins can be mighty good sounding too. I like the Woodstock '69 neck a lot- it's wound lighter than an SSL-1, around 5.8K as I remember. Super definition and quite chimey for a neck pickup.

Another option would be to talk to someone about winding a neck pickup specifically for that axe. Especially in a boomy guitar, a bespoke pickup might be the ticket. I have a couple of custom winds from ReWind & Zhangbucker and am very happy with them. On request Zhang will even do one that's not just hand-fed but literally handwound.

 

[Chickenwings]

Re: Any single-coil neck pickup ideas for my Classic 70s Strat?

Going on all the stuff you've said, I reckon you would be well served by giving a full set of texas specials a go.

 

[Mincer]

Re: Any single-coil neck pickup ideas for my Classic 70s Strat?

I would guess you can look into the Antiquity Texas Hots. Those are pretty awesome singles, and no one would describe them as having too much bass. If you like the YJM Fury, why not just use that? You could always not use the bottom coil.