SD equivalent to Fralin Blues Spec for Strat

[bgood]

Hi,

Can anyone tell me the SD PUP nearest to the Fralin BS? Also, if anyone owns the Fralins or SD like it, can you offer some idea on sound VS vintage strat style. I have Tex Mex in my JV Strat and I like the vintage type sounds but I want more power and less treble more balls in the middle and bridge for solos. I find I only really use the neck - which I like very much on this set. The others are just too bright and thin.

Any other suggestions are appreciated too.

Thanks.

 

[loudriver23]

Re: SD equivalent to Fralin Blues Spec for Strat

You might want to try the SD ANT I Texas Hots they are Alinico2 and a bit warmer than it's A5 brother.
Is there any reason you don't want to just go with the Fralins? If you are looking for something that sounds like the Fralin BS, why not just get them? I don't think they're in that short supply.

 

[bgood]

Re: SD equivalent to Fralin Blues Spec for Strat

Thanks Loudriver23,

I was thinking cost (SD might be less dough) but as I look at the SD Antiquities I see they are even more $$ than the Fralins. I'd hate to drop +$2 bills on all three and find they aren't what I hoped. I guess maybe I'll buy singles from each for the bridge and ebay the loser then I can move to the middle after I'm more comfortable with what I'm getting out of the bridge.

Thanks

 

[loudriver23]

Re: SD equivalent to Fralin Blues Spec for Strat

Thanks Loudriver23,

I was thinking cost (SD might be less dough) but as I look at the SD Antiquities I see they are even more $$ than the Fralins. I'd hate to drop +$2 bills on all three and find they aren't what I hoped. I guess maybe I'll buy singles from each for the bridge and ebay the loser then I can move to the middle after I'm more comfortable with what I'm getting out of the bridge.

Thanks

If you're looking for a bit of a warmer strat sound while retaining vintage power levels you may want to check out the APS1's or 2's if you like a non stagger. Many folks around here love them with a Twangbanger in the bridge.
It can be tough to let loose with the dough for pickups, I felt the pain when I purchased a set of Ant II surfers. But once I got them installed and started to play I could definitly hear the difference.

As for the Fralins, I've only heard good things about their strat pickups so I'm sure you can't go wrong either way. Check Fleabay, or maybe even SD's trading post, although I can't imagine anyone wanting to ditch a set of Ant's, but crazier things have happened.