Pickup choices for Blues Rock

L

lickinice

New member
I like vintage sounding stuff, ala Hendrix, John Frusciante

Nice clean sounds.

I have a strat, alder, with maple fretboard/neck.

Looking to change all 3 pickups.

Any suggestions?

The tone wizard, i've tried but it doesn't have exactly blues rock. So its quite difficult for me to make a conclusion from there.
 
Re: Pickup choices for Blues Rock

For Hendrix and Frusciante tones go for Antiquity Surfers, if you want to save a little cash get a set of SSL-1's both ar ekiller vintage Strat pickups and will do what you are asking...also if you want a slightly hotter bridge pickup to get a bit more push and a slightly hotter tone there are several "hot" bridge Strat pickups but I like the Twangbanger myself!

Welcome to the forum and good luck with your search!
 
Re: Pickup choices for Blues Rock

SSL-1s if you're looking to save cash. If cash isn't an issue, the Antiquity Surfers are the way to go. Both are great pickup sets.
 
Re: Pickup choices for Blues Rock

I would go with an SSL-5 in the bridge, APS-1 in the neck and middle positions. I had a Strat with alder/maple and found the SSL-1's to be too bright and thin sounding. They sound much better with a rosewood fingerboard.(in my opinion)
 
Re: Pickup choices for Blues Rock

what about the APS-2 set? with rw/rp mid?

what is the difference between the APS-1 and APS-2?

I know one is stagged magnets another is flat, but tonally?
 
Re: Pickup choices for Blues Rock

lickinice, do u have any probs of finding stuffs in s'pore??
because in malaysia not everything is available..sometimes i've
to order from USA...
 
Re: Pickup choices for Blues Rock

I'm ordering it all in from the US, davis guitars don't wanna answer my e-mails.

Bad customer service turns me off.
 
Re: Pickup choices for Blues Rock

i've also emailed swee lee for some stuffs but they didn't reply me as well..
too bad..
 
Re: Pickup choices for Blues Rock

Sweelee stuff isn't that cheap, getting from ebay or other internet sites is cheaper cost wise, even after factoring in the shipping cost.
 
Re: Pickup choices for Blues Rock

The difference between SSL-1/2's and APS-1/2's are the magnets...the APS pickups use Alnico II magnets where the SSL pickups use alnico 5 magnets...both are nice but vintage Fender Strats usewd Alnico 5 and the SSL-1's are gonna get you closer to a traditional Fender tone.

As for the sheilding, do it...it really helps with noise!

As for being thin, a stock output Strat bridge pickup often sounds thin, thats why I suggested a hotter bridge pickup...Both Jimi and John (as well as SRV, Clapton, Buddy Guy, Jeff Beck, and many, many more) use(d) stock Strats with stock pickups so their bridge pickups sounded sort of thin so if you want that go for a full set of SSL-1's...the Surfers are like a Custom Shop version of the SSL-1's...very similar but a little nicer and more lke a true vintage pickup and also a little more complex sounding.

As for the RW/RP make sure you do get that on your middle pickup...it helps with noise in the 2 and 4 switch positions.
 
Re: Pickup choices for Blues Rock

I'm in the same crossroads as you, bro.

I've long longed for SRV and Hendrix tone. (very original, I know) Now that I've finally got a great strat I've jonsed for for years, it is quite thin sounding. I realize those greats used stock pickups, which were thin on their own, but they're are countless other factors that achieved their tone. Me, I can't afford several vintage amps, and I sure as hell can't rock 13 guage strings like stevie did. I'm stuck with what I've got for now.

I don't think the SSL-1s will get me where I want to go. Traditional single coil tone is what I want, but with a little more meat. I'm not sure if the SSL-5s are what I'm after either, as I'm afraid they may sound bright and harsh. I think the alnico pros are probably more for me.

The bridge pickup is a different story. I want a real rockin pickup to get it on with. Great, thick sound with great harmonics. Possibly a twangbanger?

My strat is also alder, with a maple neck. This is why the SSL-1s scare me. But I'm open to anything!
 
Re: Pickup choices for Blues Rock

Cory_Dylan said:
Traditional single coil tone is what I want, but with a little more meat.
...
My strat is also alder, with a maple neck.
Click to expand...

I have an Alder squier with a rosewood neck. I am in search of the same tone.

Right now I am deciding between Fender Fat 50s and GFS Premium Vintage Alnicos. Although the GFS are a little known budget brand (but getting a growing fan base) I've used a number of their humbuckers with great results. The real appeal of the GFS is you get a good quality pickup for a fraction of the big name cost. The Premium Alnicsos are $65 - for the SET!

And their customer service and policies are A1
 
Re: Pickup choices for Blues Rock

Seymour Duncan SSL-1's and Alnico 2 Pro singles are both intended to capture the tone of vintage single coils. The Duncan line is lacking thicker sounding, louder single coil that sounds great for blues. The Hot single is probably too much. It's a different animal.

I'd recommend a Duncan Custom single at the bridge, but for the other two positions, I think Dimarzio's Virtual Vintage Blues or Heavy Blues are worth checking out.

The Duncan Cool Rails may actually be a good choice for the neck and middle position on a Strat you plan to play blues on. It's a little hotter and warmer than a vintage Strat pickup. Maybe worth checking out.
 
Re: Pickup choices for Blues Rock

lickinice said:
I like vintage sounding stuff, ala Hendrix, John Frusciante Nice clean sounds. I have a strat, alder, with maple fretboard/neck. Looking to change all 3 pickups. Any suggestions? The tone wizard, i've tried but it doesn't have exactly blues rock. So its quite difficult for me to make a conclusion from there.
Click to expand...

I'd go with a Alnico II Pro Staggered in the neck, Vintage Staggered in the middle, and then a Custom Flat in the bridge. That's my 2 cents.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top