If you had to choose one Strat pickup

[esqueleto.23]

Hi guys,

Had a search around, bit I couldn't find any threads on this question.

I'm just wanting to do a bit of a survey of anyone who feels like answering and see, if you had to choose just one Strat single coil pickup, which one would it be? Basically your favorite single coil Stratocaster pickup. (The Surfer neck, the SSL-5 bridge, etc.). I understand this is subjective and based on style and personal preference, so it would be good to know what style you play or would use it for, and also what sounds you get out of it that make you love it.

Looking forward to hearing what you think!

 

[Archer250]

Re: If you had to choose one Strat pickup

I play pop rock, classic rock, hard rock, instrumental rock (Eric Johnson and Andy Timmons) and metal (80s and Yngwie)

I'd choose something that's clear and well-rounded, like Suhr V70s or Bareknuckle Mother's Milk.



Sent from my EVA-L19 using Tapatalk

 

[Donny Craven]

Re: If you had to choose one Strat pickup

Fender Texas Specials

 

[bloomfieldriffs]

Re: If you had to choose one Strat pickup

N3.

 

[Artie]

Re: If you had to choose one Strat pickup

I understand the spirit of your question, but thank God, I don't have to choose. The STK's, Cool Rails, Hot Rails, APH's. They're all good.

But . . . If I had to choose, it would probably be Cool Rails. (I'm assuming you mean Strat-sized pups.)

 

[Phantasmagoria]

Re: If you had to choose one Strat pickup

Not a single coil guy (I like high output hum's) & have incredibly limited experience with them...but the Dimarzio HS3's in my YJM strat do sound pretty sweet to me. I can play just about anything I want to with them.. & they always sound awesome :bigthumb:

 

[baritone]

Re: If you had to choose one Strat pickup

If it was a trio of 1 pickup model, it would be Vintage Rails. Otherwise, just a JBJr. in the bridge position & nothing else.

 

[AlexR]

Re: If you had to choose one Strat pickup

Vintage all the way.

Here's the 'boutique' answer......Zhangbucker Refin set Pure Handwound.

 

[treyhaislip]

Re: If you had to choose one Strat pickup

Fender Fat 50s by a long shot.

I typically play Contemporary Christian/Worship, Acoustic Style, Alternative and Bluesy Rock.

 

[Lewguitar]

Re: If you had to choose one Strat pickup

The Duncan Surfer for the neck and middle.

The Fralin Steel Pole 43 for the bridge.

The Fralin Vintage Hot is also excellent for the neck and middle and similar to the Surfer but a little rounder and less glassy/steely.

 

[Archer250]

Re: If you had to choose one Strat pickup

Currently using the stock PUs in this and loving them.

 

[freefrog]

Re: If you had to choose one Strat pickup

Absolutely speaking: Fender, underwound vintage L series.

Among Duncan models: SSL1!

Among boutique pickups: any "Onamac" hand wound by Kerry Learned.

Among noiseless models: a "modified by me" Kinman Impersonator or the KC-Geronimo designed by my friend luthier, Kamel Chenaouy.


I CAN'T reply with only one name: not only the "best" choice depends on the needs of a player, but I've owned Strat pickups able to sound gorgeous in some Strats and whose tone was average if not bad in the next guitar...

 

[Rand-O-Monium]

Re: If you had to choose one Strat pickup

DiM FT-2

It's at the bridge of practically all of my SSS Strats...

 

[jeremy]

Re: If you had to choose one Strat pickup

ive been using an trio of antiquity II jaguar bridge pups in a strat and think it sounds fabulous in all positions. i did put a callaham plate on the bridge pup to balance it tonally with the other two pups but it sounded good without it.

 

[wiggum]

Re: If you had to choose one Strat pickup

Hi guys,

Had a search around, bit I couldn't find any threads on this question.

I'm just wanting to do a bit of a survey of anyone who feels like answering and see, if you had to choose just one Strat single coil pickup, which one would it be? Basically your favorite single coil Stratocaster pickup. (The Surfer neck, the SSL-5 bridge, etc.). I understand this is subjective and based on style and personal preference, so it would be good to know what style you play or would use it for, and also what sounds you get out of it that make you love it.

Looking forward to hearing what you think!

Fat 50s.

 

[Taz Rules]

Re: If you had to choose one Strat pickup

I have SD Five-Twos in my neck and mid positions and love them. Great bluesey sound.

(JB Jr in the bridge which, when switched to parallel instead of series, matches well)

 

[esqueleto.23]

Re: If you had to choose one Strat pickup

I CAN'T reply with only one name: not only the "best" choice depends on the needs of a player, but I've owned Strat pickups able to sound gorgeous in some Strats and whose tone was average if not bad in the next guitar...

That's a super interesting observation. I guess there are so many factors that go into the tone equation - wood type/quality, paint/finishing, electronics and pots, bridge choice, and so on.

 

[esqueleto.23]

Re: If you had to choose one Strat pickup

Thanks for all the responses guys. Kind of what I expected - a wide range of suggestions. Has lead me down some interesting research paths.

Happy to hear more suggestions if you've got them!

 

[kramersteen]

Re: If you had to choose one Strat pickup

https://bareknucklepickups.co.uk/main/pickups.php?cat=strats&sub=contemporary&pickup=the_sinner

 

[crusty philtrum]

Re: If you had to choose one Strat pickup

I'd have a hard time choosing between BKP's Irish Tour set and Apache set. Fortunately I have both in different Strats and the two sets complement one another very well. The Strat I play most of the time has the ITs.