STK-S4 : Classic Stack Plus

[Mincer]

Re: STK-S4 : Classic Stack Plus

My Music Man uses a dummy coil with actual singles (called a Silent Circuit), and I have to say, it is dead quiet as well. It is an active system, but it also works as a normal passive system without the battery.

 

[PFDarkside]

Re: STK-S4 : Classic Stack Plus

I previously owned a set of STK S4 and currenylt own an Ilitch pickguard (same as his backplate) so heres my two cents:

The Classic Stack Plus is silent. Peiod. I have a ceiling fan, CRT, and a dimmer switch in my music room and the stacks were dead silent.

The Ilitch System does have some buzz, but it does knock down 80-90% of it. When I play it with high gain I need a noise gate, though the very lowest setting gets the job done

I have tried a lot of noiseless pickups: DMZ Areas, Fralin split Blades, Lace Sensors, Fender Vibtage Noiseless, and duncan. I can honestly say that the Classic Stacks are the best I have played. They really do sound land feeel like SSL1s (which I have also owned).

I personally prefer the spanky, funky sound of the Fender 69s to the fat, wooly SSL1 sound. That's why I currently use the backplate. Both options are great, it really depends on the tone you prefer.

Interesting! My two favorite Strats are loaded with CS69s and with APS-1/SSL-1/SSL-1, but I always use my Dimarzio Injector loaded Strat because of noise in my new (to me) house and an odd ground at the place we practice. As Duncan fan I'm kind of embarrassed I've never played the Stack Plus pickups, I want to just grab a Classic Player Strat and use it as a test bed for a bunch of different Strat pickups.

The Ilitch doesn't dampen any of that glassiness of the CS69s?

 

[dotsdad]

Re: STK-S4 : Classic Stack Plus

Nope. The 69s sound great with the Ilitch pickguard.

 

[Artie]

Re: STK-S4 : Classic Stack Plus

It's a real good "noiseless" version of a vintage Strat pickup. One of the best.

But it's not as open and airy as a good "noisy" Strat pickup.

Agreed. But I still love them. I have a pair of S4's, with an STK-S6, in the bridge of what used to be my #1 Strat.
So why isn't it my #1 now? Because . . .

I haven't heard a "noiseless" Strat pickup that is.

Livewire II Classic Strat set. These do it. Totally noiseless. Totally classic Strat spank. As long as you have somewhere to put the 9-volt battery.

Artie