Psychedelic blues strat?

[phil_104]

Hey guys,

So I know alot of things concerning humbuckers, but I realised that I know nothing about single coils. I have a MIM strat that feels and plays amazing, better than most MIA. So I was thinking that some duncans would make it even sound better, concidering I have the stock mexican pickups in there.

I play blues/ psychedelic / rock. What are the options for me, concidering I want to stay with 3 true single coils? Any combo's or sets out there, sd or not, that I should look at?

 

[jmh151]

Re: Psychedelic blues strat?

well the most psycadelic I would say is David Gilmour during the Live in Pompeii dvd, and the most similar to that strat would be duncan ssl-1's. However, most of the tone comes from a fuzz face or big muff fuzz pedal.

 

[phil_104]

Re: Psychedelic blues strat?

I have a big muff already, but what I am really looking for is a all around better pickup that will give me better tone than the standard fenders.

I'll take a look at the ssl-1s. Do they come in a set, and is there another pickup outhere that would do it for me, duncan or not?

 

[blueman335]

Re: Psychedelic blues strat?

MIM Strats have ceramic magnets PU's, which are very bright. Going to alnicos would give you a warmer tone with some character & texture.

 

[phil_104]

Re: Psychedelic blues strat?

I was thinking ssl-1s or antiquities, but I don't know much about them. My main problem is I don't kno whow to combine pups effectively in a strat.

Any more suggestions.

 

[PFDarkside]

Re: Psychedelic blues strat?

Any "real" Strat pickups will be a great upgrade to your MIM. SSL-1's (and 2's) are underrated pickups because they are the "base" Duncans. I currently am using them in the N/M and they are just a great snappy vintage type pickup. Using an SSL-1 in the bridge will give you a vintage correct tone, going to the SSL-5 Custom will give you a little output bump to balance with the the Neck and Mid. If you prefer the warmer, "softer" feel of Alnico 2, the APS is an outstanding pickup as well. (I used to use it in the N/M, and I miss it, I need another Strat to put them back in)

Finally, if you want all the vintage mojo and aged tone, the Texas Hots are the A2 Antiquities and the Surfers are the A5 equipped antiquities.

(In that Black Strat book, it says Gilmour is still using some custom wound SSL-1's in his Strat...)

 

[phil_104]

Re: Psychedelic blues strat?

You had me at Gilmour. I'm going to drop a set of ssl-1 in there asap.

Thanks for the advice PFD. If you havn't noticed, I am a Gilmour fan. Check my strat

 

[PFDarkside]

Re: Psychedelic blues strat?

Nice. Notice my comment about the bridge pickup though. I don't use an SSL-1 in the bridge, I like a little more "meat" there. (I think even the "Calibrated Set will still include a standard output SSL-1 for the Bridge)

 

[jeremy]

Re: Psychedelic blues strat?

yes it will. i would try a custom for strat or twangbanger int he bridge with the ssl1's in the neck and middle

 

[Bender]

Re: Psychedelic blues strat?

How about the SSL-1's in mid and neck and a Little 59 in bridge ?

 

[Lewguitar]

Re: Psychedelic blues strat?

I don't use overdrive or distortion pedals and so prefer alnico 5 pickups. But if you do like to play with overdrive and distortion you might like the alnico 2 Twangbanger bridge and Alnico 2 Pro single coils...either the APS-1 (vintage style raised and staggered poles) or APS-2 (flat poles)...or for a few bucks more, the Antiquity Texas Hots.

 

[Bludave]

Re: Psychedelic blues strat?

Antiquity Texas Hots or Surfers. I have both and love them both. I am also a Blues Blues Rock player. These pickups rock!!

 

[Benjy_26]

Re: Psychedelic blues strat?

I like the Texas Hots. They're more friendly to humbucker attuned ears.

 

[Bender]

Re: Psychedelic blues strat?

so, I say again,,,, what about the SSL-1's and little 59 ?

 

[Robert Delahunt]

Re: Psychedelic blues strat?

Hey guys,

So I know alot of things concerning humbuckers, but I realised that I know nothing about single coils. I have a MIM strat that feels and plays amazing, better than most MIA. So I was thinking that some duncans would make it even sound better, concidering I have the stock mexican pickups in there.

I play blues/ psychedelic / rock. What are the options for me, concidering I want to stay with 3 true single coils? Any combo's or sets out there, sd or not, that I should look at?

If you're thinking Hendrix, then I would say yes, three single coils, and either standard Fender pickups, or the Vintage set, or even the Cali 60s set. That's my opinion.

However, there's also the "Lite Ash" set: three alnico ii pro staggered (or flat if you like) pickups. I like it: more bass and mids in general.

 

[thucydides]

Re: Psychedelic blues strat?

I used a lil 59 in a Strat, and I loved it. I don't play Gilmour, but it should work fine for that. I think it's a great all around pup. It matched well w/the SC pups I had in the neck and mid, Van Zandt Vintage + pups, I believe they were.

 

[Bender]

Re: Psychedelic blues strat?

I'm using a 59 in bridge, and texas specials on a 62 strat was curious about swapping the texas specials for SSL-1's but haven't used the SSL's .
ranges are from Gilmour to SRV.
any thoughts ?

 

[phil_104]

Re: Psychedelic blues strat?

I'm using a 59 in bridge, and texas specials on a 62 strat was curious about swapping the texas specials for SSL-1's but haven't used the SSL's .
ranges are from Gilmour to SRV.
any thoughts ?

I really am set on three true single coils.

I will look at all those options, and see what seems to tickle my fancies. Right now I'm thinking ssl-1s in the neck and middle with a custom in the bridge.

Although Lew's suggestion of the ap2 seems interesting...

 

[Lewguitar]

Re: Psychedelic blues strat?

Although Lew's suggestion of the ap2 seems interesting...

The APS-1 or APS-2 will save you a little money over the antiquity Texas Hots. But you can't beat the Antiquitys. They're the best Strat pickups I've ever owned...the Surfers or Tex Hots. Lew

 

[phil_104]

Re: Psychedelic blues strat?

The APS-1 or APS-2 will save you a little money over the antiquity Texas Hots. But you can't beat the Antiquitys. They're the best Strat pickups I've ever owned...the Surfers or Tex Hots. Lew

Thanks again,

With that kind of comment, I guess I'm going to have to give those surfers a shot.