Pickups for Steinberger GR4?

[adrian]

So I recently purchased a Steinberger GR4 from the classical Newburgh era, with graphite neck, composite fretboard, maple body, r-trem and seymour Duncan pickups. It is a full size Custom in the bridge and 2 hot rails neck and middle. The custom sounds great in this Guitar but the hot rails are not to my liking. I guess I want something that sounds more strat-like. But... even if I’m very used to swapping pickups, I’ve never changed for a Guitar with a graphite neck, maple body and a r-trem.
Anyone who has experience with Steinbergers and can give some advice?

 

[Chistopher]

Re: Pickups for Steinberger GR4?

Try wiring the Hot Rails in parallel before you spend all the money on new pickups.

 

[Mincer]

Re: Pickups for Steinberger GR4?

Hot Rails in parallel is a good idea to try. Cool Rails are a more open humbucker tone. For a Strat sound, go for either the Classic Stacks or the Vintage Rails.

 

[LesStrat]

Re: Pickups for Steinberger GR4?

:yeah:, HotRails won't give you strat-like tones. They're humbuckers, and they're, well....HOT.

 

[adrian]

Re: Pickups for Steinberger GR4?

Funny, now I bought a new JCustom r-trem and installed it myself, and then also changed the old oxidated pickup selector to a new and fresh one. And... to my surprise... not only the tuning stability improved, but the sound also become clearer and slightly louder. No need for a pickup swap.

 

[Mincer]

Re: Pickups for Steinberger GR4?

I have only heard good things about the J Custom stuff. I wonder if an aftermarket TransTrem will ever be developed.