Single coil pickup help!

AmpliFIRE

Member
Ok....I've been a straight humbucker guy since day one. I've had the urge to get...of all things...a strat :doh:. Anyway, what do you guys reccomend for strat replacement pups? I'm loooking for the "traditional strat sound on steroids", not a single sized HB. Think SRV :beerchug:

Thanks!!!!!!

Paige
 
Re: Single coil pickup help!

SRV used stock early 60's singles with big strings. The Duncan Antiquity Surfers or SSL-1's will do the job, as will the Fender CS 57/62's.

If you want something fatter (and noiseless), I like the Dimarzio Virtual Vintage Solo in the bridge, the VV 54 in the mid, and the VV Blues at the neck.
 
Re: Single coil pickup help!

Texas Specials. I'm a big Texas Specials fan. All respect to Seymour, Larry, Kent etc. nothing comes close to replicating the zing in their attack dynamic.

Next favourite are DiMarzio Virtual Vintage series. Haven't heard the new Seymour Duncan stacks yet so I can't rate them unfortunately.
 
Re: Single coil pickup help!

I've been a strat guy for over 30 years, I been using Texas Specials in my Strats for about 12 years, they sound great. You can always change out the bridge pickup with a fralin sp 43 for more beef. But the Texas Special as a set work great for me.
Good Luck
 
Re: Single coil pickup help!

Look no further than Jason Lollar "Specials" or Dave Stephens "Texas Twisters" of "Texas Mojo" pickups. All three sets are killer and will get you where you need to go.
 
Re: Single coil pickup help!

If you wanna stick with duncan, go for the SSL1's in the neck and middle, and either a SSL3 Hot in the bridge, or for something a TAD cooler, the Twangbanger.

The SSL3 sounds like a strat pickup with more bass, mids, and oomph. THe TB has more of that steely tele twang, but with alot of punch.

The SSL3, in my opinion, is a GREAT sleeper bridge STrat pickup.
 
Re: Single coil pickup help!

You can cover all those SRV/Hendrix bases with a Twangbanger in the bridge, and SSL-1's in middle and neck.
 
Re: Single coil pickup help!

Thanks for the replies!!! Has anyone tried the Lace Holy Grails or the Lawrence 280/200/298?
 
Re: Single coil pickup help!

I have Texas Specials my Roadhouse Strat and Fender Custom Shop Fat '50's in my project Strat. I very happy with both....the Fat 50's seem to break up a sooner whereas the Texas Specials are a little better balanced. You can't go wrong with either.
 
Re: Single coil pickup help!

four words

LINDY FRALIN BLUES SPECIALS!!!

They're like the texas specials, but IMO, a whole lot better.

I'm typically a big humbucker guy myself, and I totally dig these.
 
Re: Single coil pickup help!

Stay away from Lace unless you're running them with active circuitry. They're pretty flat without it IMO.

The Vv Solo is great under gain.. Very big and beefy but with plenty of clarity & no mush.
 
Re: Single coil pickup help!

Quarter Pounder (SSL-5 or 7)in the bridge is pretty hot, with loads o mids and bass, no ice-pick. How bout "hot" (SSL-3) in the neck and mid.

Apply generous gain, and tone will abound...

I tried the accurate strat SSL-1's, but the bright icepick nature made me shy...
 
Re: Single coil pickup help!

I play the blues specials through pretty high gain...They stay very articulate, and have got a real raw bluesy sound to em that I really dig. Can't say enough good things about em. Fralin really knows what he's doin.
 
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