Fender Stratocaster American Standard from 73

[gregory]

Re: Fender Stratocaster American Standard from 73

Personally, I think discounting pickups you've never heard based simply on their brand is a mistake, but that's your prerogative. DiMarzio really excels at hotter-than-vintage stacked single coils. Their dynamics are unsurpassed.

Anyhow, it really depends on what you want. There must be some reason you decided on an SSL-3. That's a pretty bold move. I have no reason to question it, but it does steer you in a specific direction, as does choosing an SSL-6 for the neck. If these are really what you want then I would definitely go noiseless instead:

Bridge: STK-S9
Middle: STK-S6
Neck: STK-S6

The only difference from my previous recommendation was the S6 in the neck instead of the S7. The S6 is quite a bit hotter and darker than the S7; whereas the STK-S7 is just slightly warmer and more muscular than a vintage single, but still has plenty of sparkle.

In case it helps, here's the list of Duncan stacks in order from weakest to hottest:

STK-S4(N/M)
STK-S7*
STK-S4B*
STK-S6
STK-S9

Be aware that there is a little jump in output between the S4 and the S7 and then a bigger jump to the S4B and then a smaller jump to the S6 and then a bigger jump to the S9. I've left out the YJM Furys which are weaker than the S4 as well as the non-traditional pole piece designs. This is based on Seymour Duncan output ratings on the product website. Take with a grain of salt.

If it were me and I were to choose Duncans with an S9 in the bridge and S6 in the neck, I'd be more more inclined to go with an S4B in the middle. However, because I'd like my cleans to sound more like a Strat, I'd likely opt for an S7 in the middle and an S4B in the neck (or vice-versa). Though, if I wanted a hot set of single coils, I'd go with DiMarzio.

*) Based on the data on the SD website I strongly question whether the STK-S4B is actually hotter than the STK-S7!

 

[NenoCRO]

Re: Fender Stratocaster American Standard from 73

Thanks Gregory
That is a list from my diler:
STK-S10N NECK
STK-S4M RV/RP. MIDDLE
STK-S9B. BRIDGE

STK-S6 is not on stock.
What you think?

 

[gregory]

Re: Fender Stratocaster American Standard from 73

The S10N is a weaker pickup.

Jeremy has an S4M in the middle and an S4B in the neck with an S9 in the bridge in one of his Strats. I think I'd prefer an S4B in the middle with the S7 in the neck (now knowing the S4B is actually weaker than the S7).

To be perfectly honest, I'd go for the Injector Bridge, Area 61 in the middle, and Virtual Vintage Blues in the neck myself.

 

[NenoCRO]

Re: Fender Stratocaster American Standard from 73

Thanks on quick answer
Finally ill buy DiMarzio pickup. Injector bridge is not on stock in white version.....only in black color.
Diler offers to me DiMarzio DP217.
Pls , if you have time for me.....i send to link for all Dimarzo pickup who have my diler and you look what is better solution.

https://www.thomann.de/intl/search_dir.html?sw=White+cap+for+single+coil+picup&pg=2

Area 61 and Virtual Vintage Blues are on the stock.
Thanks a lot

 

[NenoCRO]

Re: Fender Stratocaster American Standard from 73

Sorry that is corect link
https://www.thomann.de/intl/dimarzio_single_coil_pickups.html

 

[Hank-]

Re: Fender Stratocaster American Standard from 73

Thanks on quick answer
Finally ill buy DiMarzio pickup. Injector bridge is not on stock in white version.....only in black color.
Diler offers to me DiMarzio DP217.
Pls , if you have time for me.....i send to link for all Dimarzo pickup who have my diler and you look what is better solution.

https://www.thomann.de/intl/search_dir.html?sw=White+cap+for+single+coil+picup&pg=2

Area 61 and Virtual Vintage Blues are on the stock.
Thanks a lot

You can get covers for the area pickups in various colours, they should fit the injectors & virtuals as well.

The injectors are versatile with 500k pots, sound clear & chimey. Areas can be spiky with 500k pots in certain strats, they are normally more at home with 250k pots.

I would go with Injectors set if your strat is overly bright.

Why did you want overwound Single Coils for a '73 strat though? I would have gone traditional normal single coils & used an overdrive pedal like duncan 805 for EQ change with drive to get into hot SC territory whenever needed. Just saying.

 

[gregory]

Re: Fender Stratocaster American Standard from 73

DiMarzio makes white covers. You'll need the tall ones: DM2001W.

 

[gregory]

Re: Fender Stratocaster American Standard from 73

@Hank-:
I agree that the Area 61 should see a 125k load and the VV Blues and Injector Bridge see at least 250k (at the treble end, of course). What do you propose for the controls and wiring?

I would think the simple approach would be to keep the old school Strat wiring, use a 250k volume, a 1M tone for the neck and a 250k tone for the middle.

It's late in the game and I feel like a fool for not saying anything, but my suggestions are based on ~10s or lighter gauge strings. If using a stock set, I like 9-46 for standard or drop-D tuning with 25.5" scale. I imagine the pickup set would still work fine for 11s, but I haven't given it much thought.

 

[gregory]

Re: Fender Stratocaster American Standard from 73

I just re-read the part about a DP217.

Do not, I repeat, do not buy a DP217!

Your dealer sounds pretty clueless. I would find a more knowledgeable one who can actually provide you with the pickups that *you* want.

 

[NenoCRO]

Re: Fender Stratocaster American Standard from 73

What you think about active EMG SL20 set up?

 

[gregory]

Re: Fender Stratocaster American Standard from 73

I'd rather have the AT-1, a pair of Cruiser bridges, a treble bleed and the chops of Andy Timmons. No batteries necessary.

 

[NenoCRO]

Re: Fender Stratocaster American Standard from 73

Well Gregory
You help me so much. When i put a new set up on my guitar....i’ll tell you.
Thanks a lot
NenoCRO

 

[gregory]

Re: Fender Stratocaster American Standard from 73

Cool. I hope you like whatever you decide to get. If you need any help with setting it up don't hesitate to ask.

 

[Hank-]

Re: Fender Stratocaster American Standard from 73

@Hank-:
I agree that the Area 61 should see a 125k load and the VV Blues and Injector Bridge see at least 250k (at the treble end, of course). What do you propose for the controls and wiring?

I would think the simple approach would be to keep the old school Strat wiring, use a 250k volume, a 1M tone for the neck and a 250k tone for the middle.

It's late in the game and I feel like a fool for not saying anything, but my suggestions are based on ~10s or lighter gauge strings. If using a stock set, I like 9-46 for standard or drop-D tuning with 25.5" scale. I imagine the pickup set would still work fine for 11s, but I haven't given it much thought.

The areas would work fine with 250k pots throughout. To keep it simple no load pots can be used in place of 1M
, like these Bourns [PDB241-GNL01-254A2] for 250k &[ PDB241-GNL01-504A2] for 500k.

The injector bridge has clearer highs & similar output to VV HB2, I would definitely suggest the Injectors for somewhat overwound SC sound, Gilbert demos are very poor examples of how stratty the injectors can be. Its clearer & more SC sounding than the Cruiser Bridge for example. The full Injectors setup N/N/B is a very good choice to cover wide range of sounds except extreme metal oriented stuff, it would work great with all 500k pots throughout. Putting A67 in midfle for better quack is an option, I'd dedicate a tone pot for it & the bridge and second tone pot for neck alone.

I'm usually thinking 9-42 string set whenever I suggest anything since I use it on all, with those the areas can sound thinner but the rails don't & the injectors have more mids too so they would be fine.

 

[gregory]

Re: Fender Stratocaster American Standard from 73

A no load 500k on the neck is a much better idea than a 1M.

The Ibanez Fireman is completely different from a Strat: the wood, the set neck, the bridge, the scale length and the reverse angle on all the pickups. I wouldn't expect the Gilbert demos to sound all that Stratty. However, I still think I'd take the A61/VVB pair in the middle/neck over the A67/InjN. The Injector Bridge is definitely my speed for a stacked single in the bridge, though.

Great video for the Injector set (InjB/A67/InjN) in a Strat for anyone curious:
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=8e65jsfceag