Starting to rethink my Number One Strat pickups

[ratherdashing]

My Number One Strat changes with my tastes, and I'm starting to think it will be time for a pickup change soon. Right now it has the following:

b: SD Pearly Gates bridge
m: Fender Texas Special mid
n: Fender Texas Special neck

I don't dislike the tone of the PG, but I think I'd prefer something a teeny bit brighter. The output of the PG works well with that guitar, but I wouldn't be opposed to going a little bit hotter.

I definitely want to replace the Texas Specials. Compared to the Classic Stacks in my other Strat, they sound too harsh. I'd like a sweeter, chimier tone in the mid and neck, and it also has to match the bridge tone and output well.

So here are a few options:

OPTION 1 (The Fat Vintage set):
b: SD 59 trembucker bridge
m: Fender Fat 50's
n: Fender Fat 50's

OPTION 2 (The A2 set):
b: SD Pearly Gates trembucker
m: SD A2P
n: SD A2P

OPTION 3 (The Crazy Custom set):
b: SD Custom 5 trembucker bridge
m: SD Vintage Rails
n: SD Cool Rails

Currently I'm leaning towards number 1, but they all seem appealing.

Thoughts?

 

[dr.barlo]

Re: Starting to rethink my Number One Strat pickups

Is that PG that you have a stock fender tx special bridge pickup? If so well sir that pickup already has an a5 magnet. So going for a 59 wouldn't help that much. You know I have seen tons of people complaining that this pickup (technically called a PG+) is too bright. I love it tho!

Maybe you should consider hooking that PG of yours into a 500K pot. That might be the solution in your case. BUT then fender tx specials (if they also use that 500K pot) would sound even harsher. To solve this you might wanna use a resistor to be activated in the neck and middle positions to get your 500K pot into "250K mode". It is possible and the results are cool!

B

 

[jony]

Re: Starting to rethink my Number One Strat pickups

Looks like something artie could help out with?

 

[ratherdashing]

Re: Starting to rethink my Number One Strat pickups

Is that PG that you have a stock fender tx special bridge pickup? If so well sir that pickup already has an a5 magnet. So going for a 59 wouldn't help that much. You know I have seen tons of people complaining that this pickup (technically called a PG+) is too bright. I love it tho!

It's not stock - it an Alnico 2 PG. It is definitely not too bright.

Maybe you should consider hooking that PG of yours into a 500K pot. That might be the solution in your case. BUT then fender tx specials (if they also use that 500K pot) would sound even harsher. To solve this you might wanna use a resistor to be activated in the neck and middle positions to get your 500K pot into "250K mode". It is possible and the results are cool!

The PG is currently hooked up to a TBX, so I don't know what sort of improvement I'd get from a 500k. I was going to change the pots if I changed the pickups, and I doubt I'll keep the TBX.

 

[Artie]

Re: Starting to rethink my Number One Strat pickups

I was thinking that the bridge of option 1, with the n/m from option 3 would be cool also. (59/VR/CR)

And I'd be happy to help with wiring chores when you get there.

Artie

 

[pinto79]

Re: Starting to rethink my Number One Strat pickups

I'd suggest a Full Shred. I have one in my Strat along with Med. output Ibanez rails type humbuckers. Very bright and good sounding Strat...

 

[Benjy_26]

Re: Starting to rethink my Number One Strat pickups

If you want to try something different, change out the mag in the PG to an alnico V, turning it into a PG+. I have one in my LP paired with a PG in the neck and it sounds awesome. It definately has more bite than the standard PG, but is not overly harsh.

 

[ratherdashing]

Re: Starting to rethink my Number One Strat pickups

If you want to try something different, change out the mag in the PG to an alnico V, turning it into a PG+. I have one in my LP paired with a PG in the neck and it sounds awesome. It definately has more bite than the standard PG, but is not overly harsh.

That's a cool idea. How would you compare the PG+ to the 59?

 

[Benjy_26]

Re: Starting to rethink my Number One Strat pickups

Dunno.


I've never had a 59 in the bridge of my Lester.


It'll be cheaper than getting a new 'bucker though, so it's probably worth a try. :burnout:

I can compare the PG and PG+ though. The PG+ has a touch more highs and is a bit less present in the mids than the PG. It also does a better job of chunky ppalm muted power chords and riffs. As far as clean goes, it balances very well with the neck PG and is bright and snappy enough to pull off decent funk tones. With the ridge solo'ed, I can do some pseudo-country pickin'.

BTW, I heard that the Texas Soecials sound best when set significanty llower than you would other single coils. You might try tweaking the heights. If you still can't get the sound you want, I'd try the Fender 57/62's. I remember really liking them in my strat.

 

[ratherdashing]

Re: Starting to rethink my Number One Strat pickups

Dunno.


I've never had a 59 in the bridge of my Lester.


It'll be cheaper than getting a new 'bucker though, so it's probably worth a try. :burnout:

I can compare the PG and PG+ though. The PG+ has a touch more highs and is a bit less present in the mids than the PG. It also does a better job of chunky ppalm muted power chords and riffs. As far as clean goes, it balances very well with the neck PG and is bright and snappy enough to pull off decent funk tones. With the ridge solo'ed, I can do some pseudo-country pickin'.

That sounds very much like what I'm going for. Thanks!

BTW, I heard that the Texas Soecials sound best when set significanty llower than you would other single coils. You might try tweaking the heights. If you still can't get the sound you want, I'd try the Fender 57/62's. I remember really liking them in my strat.

I heard that as well, and I already have them set pretty low (only a few mm's above the pickguard). I bet if I used lighter strings they would sound better as well, but that's not gonna happen

 

[Gearjoneser]

Re: Starting to rethink my Number One Strat pickups

I know firsthand that the 59/2 Fat 50's sounds great. A big surprise in a strat is a Jazz Bridge, since it mates very well with vintage singles like Surfers. Don't forget, the Jazz bridge is categorized by Duncan as Progressive, NOT vintage.....everyone overlooks it.

Some people scoff at Rails pickups, but I think you'd really dig the C-5 and 2 Cool Rails.

Out of all the Duncans I've tried in alder strats, I think my favorites are 59, Jazz, C-5, and JB. I've always wanted to try a Seth in a strat......that's my next experiment.
I don't even buy trembucker spaced anymore.....I just buy regular ones, usually in nickel. The poles line up good enough IMO.

 

[ratherdashing]

Re: Starting to rethink my Number One Strat pickups

I know firsthand that the 59/2 Fat 50's sounds great. A big surprise in a strat is a Jazz Bridge, since it mates very well with vintage singles like Surfers. Don't forget, the Jazz bridge is categorized by Duncan as Progressive, NOT vintage.....everyone overlooks it.

Some people scoff at Rails pickups, but I think you'd really dig the C-5 and 2 Cool Rails.

Out of all the Duncans I've tried in alder strats, I think my favorites are 59, Jazz, C-5, and JB. I've always wanted to try a Seth in a strat......that's my next experiment.
I don't even buy trembucker spaced anymore.....I just buy regular ones, usually in nickel. The poles line up good enough IMO.

Thanks for the input. I can't remember where I got the 59/2 Fat 50's idea from, but it might have been you actually. Is it possible to buy those seperately? As far as I know Fender only sells them as a set.

I was wondering about the trembucker issue myself. My current PG is non-trembucker, and it lines up pretty well. The E strings are a bit off-center on their poles, but it's barely noticeable.