Fender CS 56 Strat pups vs Duncan Strat Antiquity

[calibre2001]

Hi guys,

I've been looking at Strat pups lately and have been interested in these 2 pups. I was wondering how different these are tonally.

One more thing on Fender Custom Shop pups, the ones that come along with the guitars ( i,e, NOS closet classic, relic, EJ), how different are these tonally from the standard available CS 54s,69s, fat 50s etc

Hope you guys could help out. Looking more for a Strat sound that can handle overdriven sounds ala Hendrix, gilmour. Not too bright basically.

Please let me know if I need to be more clear.

Thanks.

 

[jeremy]

Re: Fender CS 56 Strat pups vs Duncan Strat Antiquity

the pups on the cs guitars depend on what model. as far as i know the ej has a special set of pups just for that guitar.
of all the fender offerings i like the fat 50's best, but i still like my antiquitys better

 

[Gearjoneser]

Re: Fender CS 56 Strat pups vs Duncan Strat Antiquity

I think the vast majority of Fender pickups are machine wound with possibly a scatter pattern programmed in. The main differences between the cheap ones and CS ones are in materials like forbon vs. plastic. Fender doesn't seem to get too specific about magnet types.

I'm a huge fan of Chubtone Custom pickups, since he handwinds his pickups to be period correct Fenders, that sound better than originals. The 63's are SRV, and the 69's are Hendrix. The 69's are the warmest, and I think there's several auctions on Ebay right now. He's the best for cheapest.

I'm also a huge fan of Antiquity Surfers. I mainly like handwound Alnico 5 strat pickups.

If you go the Duncan route, and want the best, I'd suggest a Twangbanger bridge and 2 Surfers. Or, Surfer Custom and 2 Surfers. I don't like mixing Antiquity I's and II's because they're opposite, and you'll run into phase headaches when installing them.

 

[Kelsey]

Re: Fender CS 56 Strat pups vs Duncan Strat Antiquity

GJ,

Did you have to do anything special to wire up the Antiquity II Surfer neck and middle with a Twangbanger in the bridge?
Thanks...

Kelsey

 

[Gearjoneser]

Re: Fender CS 56 Strat pups vs Duncan Strat Antiquity

GJ,

Did you have to do anything special to wire up the Antiquity II Surfer neck and middle with a Twangbanger in the bridge?
Thanks...

Kelsey

It's been awhile since I've installed that combo, but I think they jive just fine. I'm pretty sure it's the Ant I's that are opposite.

I sort of like my strat pickups to all be part of the same set with a hotter bridge, so I'm using the Surfer Custom and 2 Surfers. That Surfer Custom has a great tone, especially when I roll the tone knob back to 8. It's about as hot as you can get, and still be vintage tone at 9.7K.