Recommend me a Strat Set

[Chistopher]

I've taken a look around at my guitars and realized that all of them (except one that I use as an art piece) are exclusively HH, so I'm going back to at least one good Strat, an old MIM I have laying around.

I've got a set in mind as far as what I know works, but I'd also be interested in knowing what you guys think would make a cool set.

 

[beaubrummels]

Some of these I have and have used, some of these I only know about but haven't tried yet - if I say "I've read" that means I haven't tried it yet, but might be something to consider.

From the Duncan line, if you just want a typical, traditional Strat that sounds like a Strat, I've read the "California 50's" SSL-1 set, or the Vintage Flat set (same thing just non-staggered poles) is a simple, affordable option that can nail the sound. The Antiquity II Surfer set I've also read is in the same neighborhood.

If you need more heat in the bridge, I've read an SSL-5 in the bridge (David Gilmour style) or maybe a Twang Banger, which has a brass plate to pull it into Tele territory (which is in between humbucker and single coil in tone.). I actually have a Twang Banger, I just haven't installed it yet to try it.

If you need noiseless, a Classic Stack set would do it and keep normal Strat twangy tone. Also, DiMarzio Virtual Vintage 54 Pro is completely noiseless and sounds like a single coil twangy Strat. I have both of these.

The set I have in my MIM is the Antiquity Texas Hot, which has a calibrated hotter bridge. Very even when throwing the switch, sounds like shifting the tone on the same pickup almost. But the Antquity Texas Hot doesn't have as much top end brightness and twang. Which is a good thing for certain music, or with certain bright amps.

 

[eclecticsynergy]

For iconic Strat tone - neither vintage-scooped nor hot-bluesy type - the Fralin Vintage Hots are the best I've got. Despite the name, they aren't overwound.
For a more chimey late-60s tone, his Woodstock 69s are stellar in my book.

I agree the SSL-1 is a 'can't go wrong' sort of classic; have had one of those for more than forty years and it isn't going anywhere.

Except for vintage guitars that I wouldn't mod, in a Strat I prefer a little extra beef at the bridge.
The Antiquity Surfer bridge does that quite well; a bit fuller and more singing but still recognizably pure Strat.
Also have and like three others in that category: Zhangbucker's Paul Bunyan, D Allen's tapped Echoes bridge, and the Onamac Pinktone bridge.
The Pinktone bridge is part of a set (a great set!) but I bet if you reached out Kerry would make you one by itself.

 

[Mincer]

The Classic Stack is my go-to, just because I hate noise. But if limited to just singles, I'd pick the Five Two.

 

[Guest]

I really like 2 sets so far:

The Hendrix Custom Shop set

Then the EJ set

I have the Steven Miller set installed but haven't spent enough time with them. What little I've used the guitar with them, I've really liked.

Recently got my second Bonamassa Cradle Rock set but haven't installed either in any guitar yet. Even though I've come to love the roundness and the smoothness of the EJ set (which no other company makes a set like) sometimes I think of installing the Bonamasa set to replace the EJ set.... we'll see.

 

[Clint 55]

Are you thinking true single coils, stax, single coil size humbuckers, or a combo?

 

[Chistopher]

The Classic Stack is my go-to, just because I hate noise. But if limited to just singles, I'd pick the Five Two.

Anyone else try the 5-2? They look like something i want to fiddle around with.

 

[Chistopher]

Are you thinking true single coils, stax, single coil size humbuckers, or a combo?

I don't care about construction so long as it sounds like a single coil. I'm a big fan of Lace Sensors humbuckers, so I may look into their single coils if anyone here has positive experiences with them.

 

['59]

I was actually about to start a thread asking the same thing, so I'd appreciate to here you guys opinions.

I've heard a Stk S7n, S4m, and S6b is pretty popular on here, which is pretty similar to to the ssl1/ssl1/ssl5 set, except the neck is overwound a tad and there is no noise. This is what I'm looking to get, but I'd appreciate some more feedback before I seal the deal.

 

[Chistopher]

I have the 5-2 set in a strat configurationed guitar (it's not a strat). The set came stock in the guitar, it's an Ibanez Talman S

What can I say about the set you are asking about? Well balanced, very versatile set. I wouldn't change them out I don't think. They seem to pair well with this guitar particularly....

That's a sweet looking instrument you got there. I'll add 5-2 to the list.

That and the Alumitone Strat set is on my short list for now. I'm not looking for something that sounds like a perfect Strat, but something people can say "That's a good single coil sound right there".

 

[beaubrummels]

That and the Alumitone Strat set is on my short list for now. I'm not looking for something that sounds like a perfect Strat, but something people can say "That's a good single coil sound right there".

Dude, then you might think outside the box. The Custom Shop has the Strat-Bro 90 that is tapped. You can tap it for a 7.4k single Strat sound, or full for a P-90 sound. Then people can say, "That's two good single coil sounds right there." ;-) Also, BTW, there's a stacked 5-2 in the Custom Shop also, if you want noiseless.

https://customshop.seymourduncan.com/stra-bro-90/

 

[Chistopher]

Ooh, noiseless 5-2 or a StraBro90 set has the lead I think. Does the SB90 actually sound like a single coil tapped?

 

[beaubrummels]

Ooh, noiseless 5-2 or a StraBro90 set has the lead I think. Does the SB90 actually sound like a single coil tapped?

You get to be the guinea pig on that one. I haven't bought it and tried it yet. I just noticed the description and it sounded innovative, something you might be looking for. Could try just one in the bridge and see what you think?

 

[Chistopher]

Maybe. How much does a custom CS cost versus a already existing set? I like to calibrate my Strats a little differently than most, and if I go with either a noiseless 5-2 or a SB90, I'd like to take advantage of that.

 

[Mincer]

One CS pickup is a little less than 2x the cost of a production pickup. You can see some prices here.

 

[CK71]

I currently have the sb90's in my strat and used to have a set of 5-2's in another strat. I have never tapped the sb90's so I cant answer that. I love both but to me these pickups are polar opposites of each other. The 5-2's are very well balanced, as stated above and fairly bright. I find the sb90's to be thick and dark. The do quack well in the 4th position. Imo the 5-2's are more eric johnson while the sb90's are more blackmore.

 

[Ascension]

For iconic Strat tone - neither vintage-scooped nor hot-bluesy type - the Fralin Vintage Hots are the best I've got. Despite the name, they aren't overwound.
For a more chimey late-60s tone, his Woodstock 69s are stellar in my book.

I agree the SSL-1 is a 'can't go wrong' sort of classic; have had one of those for more than forty years and it isn't going anywhere.

Except for vintage guitars that I wouldn't mod, in a Strat I prefer a little extra beef at the bridge.
The Antiquity Surfer bridge does that quite well; a bit fuller and more singing but still recognizably pure Strat.
Also have and like three others in that category: Zhangbucker's Paul Bunyan, D Allen's tapped Echoes bridge, and the Onamac Pinktone bridge.
The Pinktone bridge is part of a set (a great set!) but I bet if you reached out Kerry would make you one by itself.

Like the Fralin Vintage Hot set a lot. It came down to those or a set of Antiquities II Retrospecs when I was building a combo to go in my 94 Washburn USA Silverado. I was looking for a glassy true Strat tone but with a little extra punch in the bridge for that guitar. Wound up with the EJ set up in tone on the bridge and neck only a 300K volume and the Surfer II's. Absolutely no regrets and it's the best sounding Strat I have ever owned by far

 

[Chistopher]

Hmm... $450 for a set of singles is quite a bit for the SDCS, but since most single coil sets cost $300 I guess it's not too bad. Any options on the cheaper side?

 

[beaubrummels]

If you can find used. It doesn't seem like CS is 2x production though, I mean production is like $99-$120 per pickup and CS is like $130-$160 per pickup, so like $20-$30 more to have MJ wind exactly what you want.

 

[Chistopher]

I guess if you put it like that it doesn't seem like as much money. Does the CS do forum discounts? or is that something I'm misremembering?