Fralin Vintage hots or SD Texas Hots??
- Thread starter bjeans79
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the guy who invented fire
Fuzzy. Guitars
Re: Fralin Vintage hots or SD Texas Hots??
I don't really care for the Fralins myself but a lot of guys really like them.
On the Texas Hots, those are made using alnico II magnets and as nice as they are that is not the vintage strat tone, Antiquity Surfers on the other hand are very much a vintage Strat tone.
All that said I switched my Custom Shop Duncan (Alnico II) Strat pickups out last year for an SSL-1 neck, SSL-1 middle and an SSL-5 bridge and have not been happier with my Strat ever before! It's a great souding guitar...very miuch a vintage Strat but the bridge pickups is a tad thicker and more useable to me.
I don't really care for the Fralins myself but a lot of guys really like them.
On the Texas Hots, those are made using alnico II magnets and as nice as they are that is not the vintage strat tone, Antiquity Surfers on the other hand are very much a vintage Strat tone.
All that said I switched my Custom Shop Duncan (Alnico II) Strat pickups out last year for an SSL-1 neck, SSL-1 middle and an SSL-5 bridge and have not been happier with my Strat ever before! It's a great souding guitar...very miuch a vintage Strat but the bridge pickups is a tad thicker and more useable to me.
Re: Fralin Vintage hots or SD Texas Hots??
I was thinking about the Surfers, but I saw and heard this great video on youtube of a guy that had the Texas hots, (
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3mOO4rdyTWE)
and they sounded amazing. Im not sure if you've heard of Callaham parts, but they swear by Fralins because they think that they are the closest recreations of pre-CBS strat pups. Idk, but I would definatly want a thicker bridge pup if I were to get any set. I am just really not all that content with my '05 Highway 1 pickups. Also, I think the steel made for that guitar was not all that high quality. I hear that most of that guitar was made in Mexico. Thanks for your help!
I was thinking about the Surfers, but I saw and heard this great video on youtube of a guy that had the Texas hots, (
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3mOO4rdyTWE)
and they sounded amazing. Im not sure if you've heard of Callaham parts, but they swear by Fralins because they think that they are the closest recreations of pre-CBS strat pups. Idk, but I would definatly want a thicker bridge pup if I were to get any set. I am just really not all that content with my '05 Highway 1 pickups. Also, I think the steel made for that guitar was not all that high quality. I hear that most of that guitar was made in Mexico. Thanks for your help!
Stratman
Guitaris Maximus
Re: Fralin Vintage hots or SD Texas Hots??
I purchased Fralins and 'darn it' had to switch back to Seymour Duncans.
This is not a post bragging about SD's, but rather how much I had gotten used to the SD tone and could not find it in the Fralins.
Now it's SSL-1 N/M and SSL-5 B with the bridge wired up to the tone control instead of middle pup.
I purchased Fralins and 'darn it' had to switch back to Seymour Duncans.
This is not a post bragging about SD's, but rather how much I had gotten used to the SD tone and could not find it in the Fralins.
Now it's SSL-1 N/M and SSL-5 B with the bridge wired up to the tone control instead of middle pup.
the guy who invented fire
Fuzzy. Guitars
Re: Fralin Vintage hots or SD Texas Hots??
I have a bunch of Callaham stuff on a few of my gutars but I don't use their pickups...FWIW, the Fralins that Callaham sells can't be bought anywhere else including direct from Fralin...they exclusive to Callaham Guitars.
I am of the opinion that a Callaham tremolo (or at least the block) is a big improvement to a decent Strat. But when it comes to pickups I'd go with Duncans. My fav Duncan strat pickups are SSL-1's or Surfers for neck and middle and either the Surfer Cusotm Bridge, an SSL-5 or a Twangbanger for the bridge...those are all great sets!
I have a bunch of Callaham stuff on a few of my gutars but I don't use their pickups...FWIW, the Fralins that Callaham sells can't be bought anywhere else including direct from Fralin...they exclusive to Callaham Guitars.
I am of the opinion that a Callaham tremolo (or at least the block) is a big improvement to a decent Strat. But when it comes to pickups I'd go with Duncans. My fav Duncan strat pickups are SSL-1's or Surfers for neck and middle and either the Surfer Cusotm Bridge, an SSL-5 or a Twangbanger for the bridge...those are all great sets!
the guy who invented fire
Fuzzy. Guitars
Re: Fralin Vintage hots or SD Texas Hots??
That is exactally how my Strat is set up...sounds killer!
That is exactally how my Strat is set up...sounds killer!
Curly
Moe's Bluesman
Re: Fralin Vintage hots or SD Texas Hots??
first of all, I would ask, "what guitar is this for?"
IMO, Texas Hots work better in ash body strats - like 50s style strats. The softer Alnico 2 magnets compliment the brighter tone of ash. These pickups are very touch responsive, and have a smooth transition from cleans to overdrive.
if you have an alder body, then alnico 5 pickups will work better, since alder has a more balanced tone, with more mids than ash. An "ultimate" set would be the Surfers, or for a little less $$, the SSLs.
I haven't used the Fralins, but I know the Vintage Hots are his most popular strat set. I have heard Fralins on a Grosh strat, and they had beautiful cleans. I know that Fralin prefers cleaner, glassier tone in strats and teles.
first of all, I would ask, "what guitar is this for?"
IMO, Texas Hots work better in ash body strats - like 50s style strats. The softer Alnico 2 magnets compliment the brighter tone of ash. These pickups are very touch responsive, and have a smooth transition from cleans to overdrive.
if you have an alder body, then alnico 5 pickups will work better, since alder has a more balanced tone, with more mids than ash. An "ultimate" set would be the Surfers, or for a little less $$, the SSLs.
I haven't used the Fralins, but I know the Vintage Hots are his most popular strat set. I have heard Fralins on a Grosh strat, and they had beautiful cleans. I know that Fralin prefers cleaner, glassier tone in strats and teles.
Kommerzbassist
Thunderbirdologist
Re: Fralin Vintage hots or SD Texas Hots??
Well, I get super clean sounds from the Texas Hots... quite acousitic-ish when tweaked right. I love em, no matter if they are vintage correct or not... they have that nice feeling in the midrange. Oh and my Strat has a rosewood fingerboard. It'S all about how you set up the pups and the amp really.
Well, I get super clean sounds from the Texas Hots... quite acousitic-ish when tweaked right. I love em, no matter if they are vintage correct or not... they have that nice feeling in the midrange. Oh and my Strat has a rosewood fingerboard. It'S all about how you set up the pups and the amp really.
Stratman
Guitaris Maximus
Re: Fralin Vintage hots or SD Texas Hots??
Great Scott!
the guy who invented fire has the same set-up on his stratocaster as I have in one of mine.
What is the world comng to, when we agree on something...? :naughty:
Great Scott!
the guy who invented fire has the same set-up on his stratocaster as I have in one of mine.
What is the world comng to, when we agree on something...? :naughty:
L
Lewguitar
Guest
Re: Fralin Vintage hots or SD Texas Hots??
Personally, I think the Antiquity Surfer and Fralin Vintage Hot are the two finest vintage style single coil Strat pickups I've ever owned.
And, like all really good vintage style alnico 5 Strat pickups, I think they are very similar: they're both bright and glassy and complex like the best of the 50's and 60's Fender pickups.
As for the Texas Hots, those are not as bright and glassy. They have more mids and have a pluckier, warmer tone. They chime nicely - but the tone is smoother and not so edgey.
Which do I prefer? I prefer the Surfers for the neck and middle position and the Texas Hot Custom Bridge for the bridge position.
I love Lindy's pickups too, but the best vintage Strat I've ever played was my brother's '62 and the Surfers sound like the pickups in that guitar: just a little stronger and ballsier than those from other years.
Lew
Personally, I think the Antiquity Surfer and Fralin Vintage Hot are the two finest vintage style single coil Strat pickups I've ever owned.
And, like all really good vintage style alnico 5 Strat pickups, I think they are very similar: they're both bright and glassy and complex like the best of the 50's and 60's Fender pickups.
As for the Texas Hots, those are not as bright and glassy. They have more mids and have a pluckier, warmer tone. They chime nicely - but the tone is smoother and not so edgey.
Which do I prefer? I prefer the Surfers for the neck and middle position and the Texas Hot Custom Bridge for the bridge position.
I love Lindy's pickups too, but the best vintage Strat I've ever played was my brother's '62 and the Surfers sound like the pickups in that guitar: just a little stronger and ballsier than those from other years.
Lew
Re: Fralin Vintage hots or SD Texas Hots??
My original idea for a set awhile back was the surfer n,m and a texas hot custom bridge. Now however I am thinking of putting a Tele bridge pickup in instead of a strat bridge. Do you know if the Antiquity II tele pickup would be able to mount onto a strat pickguard or the Antiquity 1955 Tele? It looks like I might have to drill holes, but I like the Tele bridge tone alot more than the strat. Im just not sure if the twangbanger will do it for me. Also what do you think about the SSL1's? Are they kind of a cheap mans vintage strat set compared to the Surfers? Thanks a lot!
My original idea for a set awhile back was the surfer n,m and a texas hot custom bridge. Now however I am thinking of putting a Tele bridge pickup in instead of a strat bridge. Do you know if the Antiquity II tele pickup would be able to mount onto a strat pickguard or the Antiquity 1955 Tele? It looks like I might have to drill holes, but I like the Tele bridge tone alot more than the strat. Im just not sure if the twangbanger will do it for me. Also what do you think about the SSL1's? Are they kind of a cheap mans vintage strat set compared to the Surfers? Thanks a lot!
L
Lewguitar
Guest
Re: Fralin Vintage hots or SD Texas Hots??
I really like the SSL-1's. They're not much different from a set of Ant Surfers or Fralin Vintage Hots to be honest. They're all about the same output, same DC resistance and use alnico 5 polepieces. The differences are subtle - but if you have the ears to appreciate those subtle differences then the Antiquity Surfers or Fralin Vintage Hots are worth the extra money over the SSL-1's - although the SSL-1's are just fine. Actually much better than "just fine".
A Tele pickup coil is bigger than a Strat so it won't fit through the hole in a pickguard that's been sized for Strat pickups. It also won't fit in the rout cut into the body unless your guitar has been routed for a bridge paf humbucker. Then it might fit.
If a Tele bridge pickup will fit in the body, I'd get a new pickguard cut for two Strat pickups and Tele bridge pickup. It'll look a lot better than hacking your old pickguard to get it in.
One of my favorite Strats has two Antiquity Surfers and a Duncan Custom Shop Tele Hot bridge pickup. The CS version is an alnico 2 pickup whereas the standard version is alnico 5.
Lew
I really like the SSL-1's. They're not much different from a set of Ant Surfers or Fralin Vintage Hots to be honest. They're all about the same output, same DC resistance and use alnico 5 polepieces. The differences are subtle - but if you have the ears to appreciate those subtle differences then the Antiquity Surfers or Fralin Vintage Hots are worth the extra money over the SSL-1's - although the SSL-1's are just fine. Actually much better than "just fine".
A Tele pickup coil is bigger than a Strat so it won't fit through the hole in a pickguard that's been sized for Strat pickups. It also won't fit in the rout cut into the body unless your guitar has been routed for a bridge paf humbucker. Then it might fit.
If a Tele bridge pickup will fit in the body, I'd get a new pickguard cut for two Strat pickups and Tele bridge pickup. It'll look a lot better than hacking your old pickguard to get it in.
One of my favorite Strats has two Antiquity Surfers and a Duncan Custom Shop Tele Hot bridge pickup. The CS version is an alnico 2 pickup whereas the standard version is alnico 5.
Lew
Re: Fralin Vintage hots or SD Texas Hots??
Ohh and also on your site, you have two diff prices for pups right next to eachother. Is that list price and your price respectively? Also what do you think of the Twangbanger in place of a tele bridge? And do you know much about the Callaham bridge and block? I appreciate your feedback!
Ohh and also on your site, you have two diff prices for pups right next to eachother. Is that list price and your price respectively? Also what do you think of the Twangbanger in place of a tele bridge? And do you know much about the Callaham bridge and block? I appreciate your feedback!
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L
Lewguitar
Guest
Re: Fralin Vintage hots or SD Texas Hots??
I don't discount the Fralins because Lindy asked me not to. And to be honest, I don't sell many Fralins compared to Antiquitys. I sell about ten times more Antiquitys.
The second price next to the Antiquitys is the discounted price Duncan allows us to sell them for.
I have no experience with the Callaham stuff. But I did a test a few years back and found no diff in tone, weight or performance between Fender's '62 reissue Strat bridge/vibrato and the three vibratos and blocks I have from '62 and '63.
I like the Twangbanger and it's one of my favorite Strat bridge pickups but my Strat doesn't sound much like Tele when I put one in my Strat. It just sounded like a Strat with a stronger than vintage bridge pickup.
Lew
I don't discount the Fralins because Lindy asked me not to. And to be honest, I don't sell many Fralins compared to Antiquitys. I sell about ten times more Antiquitys.
The second price next to the Antiquitys is the discounted price Duncan allows us to sell them for.
I have no experience with the Callaham stuff. But I did a test a few years back and found no diff in tone, weight or performance between Fender's '62 reissue Strat bridge/vibrato and the three vibratos and blocks I have from '62 and '63.
I like the Twangbanger and it's one of my favorite Strat bridge pickups but my Strat doesn't sound much like Tele when I put one in my Strat. It just sounded like a Strat with a stronger than vintage bridge pickup.
Lew
AmpliFIRE
Member
Re: Fralin Vintage hots or SD Texas Hots??
Cool...thanks Jeremy! Do you know if fender covers fit SD single coils? I've got a 69' CS Heavy Relic Strat and I would like to keep the mint covers that are on the Fat 50's that came from the factory.
Cool...thanks Jeremy! Do you know if fender covers fit SD single coils? I've got a 69' CS Heavy Relic Strat and I would like to keep the mint covers that are on the Fat 50's that came from the factory.
Bludave
New member
Re: Fralin Vintage hots or SD Texas Hots??
I have both the Texas Hots & The Surfers. I have the TH in a 57 RI Strat that has a few other mods too. It has a RW FB instead of the normal maple & I have Graphite saddles on the guitar. The Texas Hots are very very nice sounding pickups. I have the Surfers in a Parts Strat. Its an Alder body Brazillian RW FB neck and also has graphite saddles. I really like them bot. Its very hard to pick one over the other. I think my 57RI plays a little better, but I like the feel of the neck on the other one a little better. Tone wise I think either set will get you where you want to be, which is close to a vintage Strat. Truth is no replacement pickup will sound quite like a vintage Strat. Theres more going on than just pickups. Older wood that has been played for 50 years has a lot to do with a vintage guitars sound.
I have played a lot of guitars that have the Fralin Blues Specials, never plaed the Fralin hots. The Blues specials are wonderful pickups. I don't think you can make a mistake with any of the 3 mentioned.
In both of my Strats that have the Surfers and the Hots I have the complete set. Some people like to change out the bridge pickup. I rarely use the bridge pickup entirely on its own, so to me the Custom Bridge pickup works well with the others. The Custom bridge is a little hotter, but it does add a little puch if you need it. Great pickups!
The other factor that comes into play is amp & effects. These all will have some bearing on how a pickup/guitar will respond.
I have both the Texas Hots & The Surfers. I have the TH in a 57 RI Strat that has a few other mods too. It has a RW FB instead of the normal maple & I have Graphite saddles on the guitar. The Texas Hots are very very nice sounding pickups. I have the Surfers in a Parts Strat. Its an Alder body Brazillian RW FB neck and also has graphite saddles. I really like them bot. Its very hard to pick one over the other. I think my 57RI plays a little better, but I like the feel of the neck on the other one a little better. Tone wise I think either set will get you where you want to be, which is close to a vintage Strat. Truth is no replacement pickup will sound quite like a vintage Strat. Theres more going on than just pickups. Older wood that has been played for 50 years has a lot to do with a vintage guitars sound.
I have played a lot of guitars that have the Fralin Blues Specials, never plaed the Fralin hots. The Blues specials are wonderful pickups. I don't think you can make a mistake with any of the 3 mentioned.
In both of my Strats that have the Surfers and the Hots I have the complete set. Some people like to change out the bridge pickup. I rarely use the bridge pickup entirely on its own, so to me the Custom Bridge pickup works well with the others. The Custom bridge is a little hotter, but it does add a little puch if you need it. Great pickups!
The other factor that comes into play is amp & effects. These all will have some bearing on how a pickup/guitar will respond.
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