Re: Replacement Pickups for 2008 American Strandard Strat?

[MickGael]

Re: Replacement Pickups for 2008 American Strandard Strat?

Hi Folks,

Happy Holidays everyone!

I just picked up a lovely 2008 American Standard Strat (Olympic White and Maple). Plays like a dream, and the neck is the best neck I've played on a stock strat. The only thing I am not over the moon about is the pickups.

I've played them through a '65 Twin Reverb reissue (not very good) and a Genz Benz Black Pearl (a bit better, but still not great) and the bottom line is:

To my ears, they sound too honky (esp the bridge) and lack sparkle n' twang. They sound a bit muted, muffled and flat.

By comparison, the pickups in my 60s Classic Player Strat sound (almost) perfect: deeper bass, generally more sounding, much more "twang" but a slight tendency to being overly glassy and hard in the top.

Anyone out there having (or had) the same experience? Any suggestions?

 

[Axl H]

Re: Replacement Pickups for 2008 American Strandard Strat?

Re: Replacement Pickups for 2008 American Strandard Strat?

I had a Classic Player Strat, and felt the exact same way about it.

I went for a DiMarzio FS-1 in the bridge. Basically a regular Strat pickup, but with slightly more output. Very wide and open sounding, but not overly twangy.

The middle pickup was a generic Fender Alnico 5 I found, but a DiMarzio HS-2 would also be very very fun and good here.

For the neck, I went with a DiMarzio Area'58. Total 50s sound, no hum, and dont have that over glassy vibe either, just fat and warm.

If you want Duncans, a set of SSL-1s would be down that ballpark as well

 

[MickGael]

Re: Replacement Pickups for 2008 American Strandard Strat?

Re: Replacement Pickups for 2008 American Strandard Strat?

Thanks for the speedy reply, Alexander! I'll look around for some good sound clips!

Annyone here tried Lollar Blakckface or Blondes in the 2008 American Standards?

 

[buckethead]

Re: Replacement Pickups for 2008 American Strandard Strat?

Re: Replacement Pickups for 2008 American Strandard Strat?

Hi Folks,

Happy Holidays everyone!

I just picked up a lovely 2008 American Standard Strat (Olympic White and Maple). Plays like a dream, and the neck is the best neck I've played on a stock strat. The only thing I am not over the moon about is the pickups.

I've played them through a '65 Twin Reverb reissue (not very good) and a Genz Benz Black Pearl (a bit better, but still not great) and the bottom line is:

To my ears, they sound too honky (esp the bridge) and lack sparkle n' twang. They sound a bit muted, muffled and flat.

By comparison, the pickups in my 60s Classic Player Strat sound (almost) perfect: deeper bass, generally more sounding, much more "twang" but a slight tendency to being overly glassy and hard in the top.

Anyone out there having (or had) the same experience? Any suggestions?

2 words Lace sensors!

 

[MickGael]

Re: Replacement Pickups for 2008 American Strandard Strat?

Re: Replacement Pickups for 2008 American Strandard Strat?

Hi buckethead,

Thanks! AFAIK, the pickups in my '83 Statocaster Elite (best-action-evar!) are something of a forunner to the lace sensors. Is that true? If so, part of the reason I picked up the new Strat is that I wanted a maple neck with a more traditional sound. I love my Elite, and it has a sound - just not a "traditional" sound.