Replace pickups in a 70s strat

[artemy]

Hi.


(TL, DR) What would you install on a '70s ash/maple Strat to make it more versatile instrument?

More details, if needed:

Got a '76 Fernandes Strat-style guitar.
Basically 70s strat copy.

Specs:
Name/make: FST-75(?) Burny Custom (Japan)
Body: ash/sen/silverheart (not sure, but the thing is heavy) 3 piece 2-ply
(not sure if it affects the tone, but) Resprayed by some local person: metallic gloss on some kind of dark-grey primer, not sure what kind of finish did they use, and whether the previous lacquer was sanded down or not.

Maple neck, maple fretboard (separate layer of wood), Jescar Evo Gold frets, bone nut

Neck pickup: Stock?, darker-tinted rods, with tiny black dots
Middle pickup: Most likely stock too, but different from Neck one: lighter shade of metal, without these small black dots

Not sure which kind of magnet they use

Bridge pickup: DiMarzio DP-184 Chopper (ceramic)

5-way switch is modified (middle pickup is disabled)

The sound:
Not sure what's the tone opf the wood itself, but I won't say it's bright (as it should be on a 70s strat, from what I know), possibly due to the pickups?

Neck pickup: warmer/mellower-sounding, not harsh, but not much output. Could it possibly de-magnetize with age?

Middle pickup is disconnected, wires desoldered, so not possible to check how it sounds.

Bridge pickup: thick/dark cleans (what you'd expect from a ceramic humbucker), smooth/warm, yet focused distortion. Sounds fine, but too loud in comparison to the neck pickup (solved by adjusting height).

In comparison, other guitar: Stock Fender PS-51, Texas Special in neck (though I'm not sure - there are "concentric circles" on each rod, and the polepieces look like they're chrome-coated) - noticeably more output, very bright, less mids/lows (which should be strange, it's not Ash guitar?), slightly less "smooth" tone. With new strings that guitar sounded almost like a grand piano.

The sound I want:

A bit brighter, (but not icepicky-harsh), but preserving the existing mids/lows.
Without getting thin/sterile, especially when using overdrive.
Not totally without low/mids on cleans

I'll have the 5-way switch wiring modified "back" to original Strat one, so I think I'll install regular Strat-style S-S-S set.

I don't want it to sound like stock 70s strat.

Ideally - to get the most of the tone of the wood itself, if that makes any sense.

Haven't got a chance to check the 2nd and 4th ("quack") positions of a typical Strat pickup selector, but definatelly gonna use it, so I think I'd go with RW/RP middle pickup.


I've checked the SD Pickup Picker, and it gave me these (very different) results:
California 50s set (SSL-1)
Alnico II Pro set
SSL 52 set (With plain 3rd, i get noticeable "strat-itis". Not sure if it'll work because the polepieces are staggered for wound 3rd, but the magnets are probably made with plain 3rd in mind (3 A5 + 3 A2)
Antiquity Texas Hot set

Which pickup sets (S+S+S) can you recommend? Not necessarily SD.

I mainly use Peavey Classic 30 and (try to) play classic rock/alternative.​

 

[Mincer]

Re: Replace pickups in a 70s strat

Welcome to the forum!

Is noise cancelling important to you? Do you want to keep a Strat sound? What kind of music are you playing?

 

[artemy]

Re: Replace pickups in a 70s strat

Thanks for response.

I don't think noise cancellation is that important for me. Usual shielding should be enough. I don't play heavy stuff.
I don't record my own music. Mostly well-known songs.
Think Hendrix, Floyd, Television, Nirvana, Smashing Pumpkins, Shocking Blue, Shadows, Blondie, Cure..


Yes, the whole point of the pickup replacement is to make the guitar sound like a Strat, and be versatile enough to sound good in most styles. Currently I know how it sounds, but a Strat in my opinion should be more "universal".

Hope this helps.

 

[beaubrummels]

Re: Replace pickups in a 70s strat

Given your list, I might recommend Antiquity Texas Hot for the bridge and Antiquity II Surfers for middle/neck. Or Texas Hots all around. (I've had that in my 66 Strat and covers a lot of musical ground.). Or perhaps a humbucking bridge that's bright/twangy enough to work with the middle pickup for Strat sounds in position 2.

 

[Ayrton]

Re: Replace pickups in a 70s strat

The SSL-1 set will cover all of those tones without breakng the bank.

 

[AlexR]

Re: Replace pickups in a 70s strat

The idea for a hotter bridge pickup is a good one. The ssl 1's or 2's (flat pole so less strat-itis) will be good for n&m.
The heavier music end will be better sorted by something like the ssl 5 or 6. Maybe even a hotter stack, as that will further cut some of the treble to deal with the heavier music and will reduce the hum. Stacks never sound like proper singlecoils of course, but Nirvana and Smashing Pumpkins will benefit from that sort of choice.

 

[Chickenwings]

Re: Replace pickups in a 70s strat

throw in a set of ssl1s. Wire it vintage style (ie no tone for the bridge).
It will sound stunning for sure. Classsic clear strat tones.
If that is all good but you find you still crave some more rock and roll in the bridge, throw in an ssl5 and rock on.

 

[gregory]

Re: Replace pickups in a 70s strat

Virtual Vintage Blues in the bridge
Area 58 in the middle
Area 67 in the neck

 

[Mincer]

Re: Replace pickups in a 70s strat

The idea for a hotter bridge pickup is a good one. The ssl 1's or 2's (flat pole so less strat-itis) will be good for n&m.
The heavier music end will be better sorted by something like the ssl 5 or 6. Maybe even a hotter stack, as that will further cut some of the treble to deal with the heavier music and will reduce the hum. Stacks never sound like proper singlecoils of course, but Nirvana and Smashing Pumpkins will benefit from that sort of choice.

2x SSL-2 with an SSL-6 is my choice for something really versatile. If you have a particularly bright guitar, swap the SSL-2s for a couple of Five Twos, which will solve that (and have a tone I actually like better). The middle pickups can be ordered rw/rp for hum cancelling in the in-between positions, which might be helpful with any gain.

 

[artemy]

Re: Replace pickups in a 70s strat

Thanks for your suggestions.

Checked some videos comparing Flat and Staggered pickups in a Strat. For me, staggered pickups sound more "stratty" in same guitar, closer to the sound I'm looking for.

Decided to go for SSL-1 (staggered), full set, to start from. Just to get the idea of what the typical Strat-style guitar is capable of, first.

Maybe I'll get SSL-5 some time later, to install in bridge position.

 

[Ayrton]

Re: Replace pickups in a 70s strat

For what it is worth, I have strats with SSL-1s and both version of Antiquities. I like all those late '60's and up strat players and I have yet to feel I needed more "beef" in the bridge position.

I can't imagine you will not be pleased with the SSLs

 

[artemy]

Re: Replace pickups in a 70s strat

Just installed.

Sounds much better than before, I also dig these "quack" positions.

Thanks again guys!

 

[Ayrton]

Re: Replace pickups in a 70s strat

Awesome, glad to hear you like them.

 

[esandes]

Re: Replace pickups in a 70s strat

Good choice!