Need Strat ideas!

[PFDarkside]

Here's the guitar, 1995 Deluxe Strat Plus, locking tuners, LSR roller nut, Fender Floyd bridge, heavy ash veneered body. Right now it's got an AP2 in the neck and a Dimarzio Virtual Vintage (not the blues or high output) in the bridge. (Middle Lace is not connected)

I've been considering getting rid of this guitar for a while since I hardly play it but I don't think I could get the $ for it that I'd want. So I think I'm going to give it a makeover to see if I like it better. I'd like to keep it SSS, white guard, new pots and wiring. I like the AP2 in the neck, is there something that has a bit more output and a bit more clarity? For the bridge something slightly hotter than vintage output with good bass. I never use 2/4 so the middle position could be something altogether different, bright and twangy? Something crazy? For all positions I really want clarity, and string to string note separation.

The Strat tones I like are The Refreshments, 70's Gilmour and Fruciante. I am WAY open to suggestions the only things I don't want are pickups like the Hot Rails (already got one in the other Strat and I think I'd like to keep it SSS and save the HH for a different Strat.

 

[stevie_bees]

Re: Need Strat ideas!

Twangbanger/APS2/APS2. I use SSL-1's instead of the APS2's, as they're a bit more vintage sounding. The twangbanger gives that little bit extra in the bridge whilst retaining the single coil sound. If you want something with a bit more grunt then maybe a JB Jnr or Lil '59?

 

[chill]

Re: Need Strat ideas!

new pots and wiring.

How about a switch for series operation or a pot to blend the middle pickup in in series.

 

[PFDarkside]

Re: Need Strat ideas!

How about a switch for series operation or a pot to blend the middle pickup in in series.

Definately. I have it wired now with only one tone control, that will leave one open. Push/pulls are an option too. I wouldn't mind the neck/bridge, n/b series or n/b series out of phase.

 

[rjhubbsg]

Re: Need Strat ideas!

I know this is heresy here, but I absolutely love the lace sensors. I have a set of the ultra hot golds in my American standard and uh, the tone is incredible! I'd recommend the hot golds or a blue neck, silver middle and red bridge. You say you never use 2/4...you will.

 

[rjhubbsg]

Re: Need Strat ideas!

I'll post clips if you want me to

 

[bungalowbill]

Re: Need Strat ideas!

How about a Jerry donohue Tele pup for the bridge or a p-90. Both would be fat sounding and have a vintage vibe.

 

[PFDarkside]

Re: Need Strat ideas!

It came with blue/silver/red Lace Sensors, I really do not like them. I can't explain it, they just don't feel right, like sterile or something.

Is the Donohue a tele bridge pickup? How close is it to the Twangbanger? (The twnagbanger sounds like it has some potential) Also, how do tapped hotter pickups sound? Like the SSL6 Custom? It might be cool to have somehitng tapped, then pull up a pot to get extra beef.

 

[stevie_bees]

Re: Need Strat ideas!

I'm planning on wiring my Twangbanger and middlr SSL-1 for series via a push/push pot on 1 of my tone controls. Series mods would def give more options.

 

[PFDarkside]

Re: Need Strat ideas!

OK, I'm thinking APS2/APS2 becuase I really like the tones I'm getting from the neck right now. So... I want a bridge that does two things... balances with the APS2's and gives me the classic Gilmour bridge pickup tone. Twangbanger? APS2? Surfer Custom?

Any ideas for the color combo? I think it's hideous now with the yellow/tortise, should I go white, white pearloid, vintage pearloid? What color pickguard, P/U covers and knobs?

 

[Benjy_26]

Re: Need Strat ideas!

OutpP