Aw Yeah, the Pearl Dust Fenders!

Gearjoneser

Gear Ho
All the hype about the Custom 5/59 hybrid is true! Thanks to BachtoRock, Kaffiman, Bungalowbill, and all others who suggested it. The one I got has passed hands from BachtoRock to Bungalowbill to me. Also, a big thanks to Theodie, who generously gave me this Warmoth HS guard in black moto. :bowdown:

I have an infatuation with rare Fender colors, and have built these American Strats around rare strat plus bodies in silver pearl dust and blue pearl dust.
My main players are these and a Goldtop LP w/Brobucker/Jazz and LP Std Prem Plus w/50th Ann. Seths.

Here's my revamped silver pearl dust in HS setup w/Custom 5/59 hybrid and Chubtone 63 bridge in the neck. (10.8K/7.8K) Just finished it tonight, and I LOVE the hybrid.....nicely balanced, perfect string-pull, and VH tone to the bone! The neck pickup is straight up SRV, but just hot enough to balance better with the bridge.

With Warmoth black moto HS guard, courtesy of Theodie, Hybrid/Chubtone and 3 way. Single volume labeled 'Tone'.
SilverburstHS1.jpg


Here's the same strat before with a Fender black moto guard and Surfer Custom bridge, 2 Surfers.
SilverburstClose1.jpg


Blue Pearl Dust w/Chubtone reverse staggered 69's. Black/aged white.
BlueburstSSS1.jpg

BlueburstSSS2.jpg
 
Last edited:
Re: Aw Yeah, the Pearl Dust Fenders!

now we're talkin', the perfect pickup setup!!!

remember kids just say NO to middle pickups! :D

-Mike
 
Re: Aw Yeah, the Pearl Dust Fenders!

now we're talkin', the perfect pickup setup!!!

remember kids just say NO to middle pickups! :D

-Mike

It was more of a project than I'd anticipated. The pickguard needed some dremel tool work around the neck area. The guard came to me with only the hole for the 3 way, and I was prayin that the 3 way wouldn't be too big to fit in that corner. Luckily it fit. I drilled the volume hole.
Then, the hybrid had the magnet backwards, and I had to open it up and flip the magnet! :smack: This project took several hours, but this guitar just went from a vintage strat tone to VH/SRV at the flick of a toggle.

The hybrid has amazing growl and the balls of a C-5, the sustain of a 59, and the feel of a JB. It's one of those pickups that feels like it plays itself.
 
Re: Aw Yeah, the Pearl Dust Fenders!

now we're talkin', the perfect pickup setup!!!

remember kids just say NO to middle pickups! :D

-Mike

On my strats I shall never take out the middle pups :nono:
I love the notch positions

What could you possibly gain from that, anyways??? lol

That Blue Pearl Dust looks very cool, btw.
 
Re: Aw Yeah, the Pearl Dust Fenders!

Looks good, Joe. What value pot did you use?
Both my Strats have "Tone" volume knobs too...lol. Can't help that VH influence.
 
Re: Aw Yeah, the Pearl Dust Fenders!

yup...that black one is even better now!!!
 
Re: Aw Yeah, the Pearl Dust Fenders!

now we're talkin', the perfect pickup setup!!!

remember kids just say NO to middle pickups! :D

-Mike

I'm starting to think like that more and more everyday.

That silver pearl dust is awsome, GJ, but I'm sure you don't need to be told that. ;)
 
Re: Aw Yeah, the Pearl Dust Fenders!

now we're talkin', the perfect pickup setup!!!

remember kids just say NO to middle pickups! :D

-Mike

Word up on the middle pickup thing!


Joe, looks good!
 
Re: Aw Yeah, the Pearl Dust Fenders!

:headbang: :headbang: :headbang: :headbang: :headbang: :headbang: :headbang: :headbang:
 
Re: Aw Yeah, the Pearl Dust Fenders!

On my strats I shall never take out the middle pups :nono:
I love the notch positions
What could you possibly gain from that, anyways??? lol

I love traditional SSS a lot, but I have 2 strats like that already, and also a tele.
The HS setup turned that strat into a whole new guitar.

Looks good, Joe. What value pot did you use?
Both my Strats have "Tone" volume knobs too...lol. Can't help that VH influence.

I used a Fender CTS 250K, since it keeps the humbucker a little warmer, and doesn't brighten the single coil. Ironically, the only spare black knob I had was a Tone knob, and that's what I wanted anyway.

Joe....I told you it was a good sounding pup....Glad you like it.:)

It's a really good sounding pickup, and I'm glad I finally got to own one. Too bad Duncan doesn't make them as a new model. I've tried the C-5, JB, Custom, CC, and Jazz bridge in strats, and so far, I like the hybrid A5 the most.

:headbang: :headbang: :headbang: :headbang: :headbang: :headbang: :headbang: :headbang:

I can see why you took out the 59 and put in a hybrid. It adds a bit more bass, throatier mids, and the highs are about the same. This pickup really nails the VHI and VHII sound, using the right amp. I think I'm going to learn how to make hybrids and use my spare 59B and Custom 5 to make 2 more. I need to hear this in a Les Paul or McCarty next.
 
Re: Aw Yeah, the Pearl Dust Fenders!

Antigua is my favorite weird Fender color ;) (they used it to disguise accidentally burning coronado bodies after trying to bind them :laugh2:)

other than that I like to stick to any surfy, bright, pastel color. As long as it's not white, sunburst, black, or dark :D

HONTAI.jpg


As for middle pickups... good thing none of the axes I play has them, so I don't have to worry about em... but I'm not opposed to em. especially on strats.
 
Re: Aw Yeah, the Pearl Dust Fenders!

now we're talkin', the perfect pickup setup!!!

remember kids just say NO to middle pickups! :D

-Mike

I just don't get this at all. Why NOT have the pickup there? If you want neck and bridge together, add a push-pull or do the Hendrix wiring (three-way Tele switch for neck and bridge, second tone knob blends in the middle). If it's interfering with your picking, how high do you have the damn thing jacked up and/or what the hell is wrong with your picking technique? I don't understand.
 
Re: Aw Yeah, the Pearl Dust Fenders!

I've had HSS strats, but wanted something different this time, with a switch that's similar to the feel of a McCarty. One day, Theodie had a picture of that pickguard, and I asked if I could buy it. After several months of not using it, he finally PM'd me and told me he'd just give it to me. Way cool!

If I find something he can use, I'll return the favor and send it to him.
 
Re: Aw Yeah, the Pearl Dust Fenders!

I've had HSS strats, but wanted something different this time, with a switch that's similar to the feel of a McCarty. One day, Theodie had a picture of that pickguard, and I asked if I could buy it. After several months of not using it, he finally PM'd me and told me he'd just give it to me. Way cool!

If I find something he can use, I'll return the favor and send it to him.

How about, you just give me a blumpkin and we will call it even???:laugh2: :laugh2: :laugh2: :laugh2: :laugh2: :laugh2: :laugh2: :laugh2:
 
Re: Aw Yeah, the Pearl Dust Fenders!

So exactly what is this c5/59 hybrid you speak of?

-I remember seeing those finishes around on new fenders and really not liking them. But I like how you've made a point of getting them and hotrodding the look. very cool. You should get matching headstocks custom-done...
 
Re: Aw Yeah, the Pearl Dust Fenders!

I can see why you took out the 59 and put in a hybrid. It adds a bit more bass, throatier mids, and the highs are about the same. This pickup really nails the VHI and VHII sound, using the right amp. I think I'm going to learn how to make hybrids and use my spare 59B and Custom 5 to make 2 more. I need to hear this in a Les Paul or McCarty next.[/QUOTE]

I`ll make a couple of new ones too :) This time it`ll be with a a2 or a3 magnet for my friends prs,he totally freaked out when i showed him the hybrid...LOL
I think you should try to make your own,I did it so why can`t you do it ;)
BTW: where do you get you a3 and a4 mags from ?
Evan
 
Last edited:
Re: Aw Yeah, the Pearl Dust Fenders!

I just don't get this at all. Why NOT have the pickup there? If you want neck and bridge together, add a push-pull or do the Hendrix wiring (three-way Tele switch for neck and bridge, second tone knob blends in the middle). If it's interfering with your picking, how high do you have the damn thing jacked up and/or what the hell is wrong with your picking technique? I don't understand.

another sexy RD post
 
Back
Top