Strat bridge pickup recommendation?

rspst14

Tone Cat
Hey guys, I'm putting together a Strat using a mix of Fender and Warmoth parts I'm buying on Ebay. It's going to have an alder body, maple neck, and rosewood fretboard. First question, I've pretty much decided on an Alnico II Pro and SSL-1, but I'm not sure which to put in the middle and which to put in the neck. What would you guys recommend? Are there any other Strat single coils I should consider? Second question, I have no idea what to put in the bridge. I don't want anything too bright or too high in output. The single coil sounds I like are Hendrix, David Gilmour, Clapton (Derek and the Dominos era,) Brian May, and Pete Townshend (his live tone...he's been using Strats for the last ten years or so.) What pickup combinations would work well for this? I'd be willing to try pickups besides Duncans if there is something else that would work well. Thanks.

Ryan
 
Re: Strat bridge pickup recommendation?

well, i believe that petes been using a clapton strat so thats lace sensors with the mid boost, and gilmores been using emgs since the 80's. so that is gonna be a little hard. for claptons layla era tone and hendrix id say a ssl or aps would be closest.
my suggestion is to try a lil 59, unless you need a single coil, i think youll be able to cover all that material very well with that pup.
i think id put the ssl1 in the neck and aps1 in the middle.
 
Re: Strat bridge pickup recommendation?

Time Machine Bump

rspst14 said:
I have no idea what to put in the bridge. I don't want anything too bright or too high in output. The single coil sounds I like are Hendrix, David Gilmour, Clapton (Derek and the Dominos era,) Brian May, and Pete Townshend (his live tone...he's been using Strats for the last ten years or so.) What pickup combinations would work well for this? I'd be willing to try pickups besides Duncans if there is something else that would work well. Thanks.

Ryan
 
Re: Strat bridge pickup recommendation?

KGMESSIER said:
Time Machine Bump

KGMESSIER, I assume you are now also looking for pickups for a Strat...

Are you looking for a set or just the bridge? If you on ly need the bridge, what do you have in the neck and middle?
 
Re: Strat bridge pickup recommendation?

I'm a big fan of the APS' smoother and more OD/Dist friendly than SSLs. Curly uses a Hot with his APS' and really likes the balance. Maybe a Fralin Steel Pole?

Luke
 
Re: Strat bridge pickup recommendation?

the guy who invented fire said:
KGMESSIER, I assume you are now also looking for pickups for a Strat...

Are you looking for a set or just the bridge? If you on ly need the bridge, what do you have in the neck and middle?

I'm looking for a whole set. I'm leaning toward Kinman Noiseless Woodstocks; I understand David Gilmour used these for a while. I would definitely like some kind of noiseless pickup; the buzz is just way too annoying when I'm in-phase.
 
Re: Strat bridge pickup recommendation?

Well, for noiseless I would strongly urge you to wait until the new Duncan Stack Pluses come out! I beta tested the first run and was amazed with them, and I hear that the newest set sounds even better...I will know more about them in a week or 2! I tested the Duncan noiseless head to head with a set of Kinmans, a set of Fender Vintage noiseless, a set of Fender Hot Noiseless, a set of Gold Lace Sensors, a set of EMG's and a set of Bill Lawrence L-280's...the Duncans were the winner hands down!

The Lawrence L-280 did have a pretty nice Gilmour vibe to them and ther were pretty good sounding pickups, my only real beef was that once I had the amp set to sound really good with the Lawrence pickups and then I switched guitars I had to tweak the ton controls...the L-280 were pretty bright IMO, but still great sounding pickups.

If I were gonna buy a set of noiseless Strat pickups today I would get a set of Vintage Rails or a set of Duckbuckers, but to be honest, unless I just needed them right now I would hold out for the new Duncan Stacks!

KGMESSIER said:
I'm looking for a whole set. I'm leaning toward Kinman Noiseless Woodstocks; I understand David Gilmour used these for a while. I would definitely like some kind of noiseless pickup; the buzz is just way too annoying when I'm in-phase.
 
Re: Strat bridge pickup recommendation?

I'll give you my luthier's recommendation:
APS-2 neck/ SSL-2 mid/ SSL-3 bridge

I like stock wiring with a jumper for the bridge pickup to knock off some highs
 
Re: Strat bridge pickup recommendation?

Curly said:
I'll give you my luthier's recommendation:
APS-2 neck/ SSL-2 mid/ SSL-3 bridge

I like stock wiring with a jumper for the bridge pickup to knock off some highs

I suck at these acronyms. Would you spell out the pickups?
 
Re: Strat bridge pickup recommendation?

KGMESSIER said:
I suck at these acronyms. Would you spell out the pickups?


APS-2="Alnico II Pro Flat"-APS-2 This pickup combines the same coil design as its predecessor, the APS-1, with rod magnets of equal length raised above the flatwork. The flat magnet pattern provides the balanced field necessary for an even response using today's strings and flatter neck radii. The Alnico II magnets' softer magnetic field creates a warmer, smoother sound and eliminates the brittle, glassy sound associated with new instruments.
Available RW/RP
Available in calibrated sets with a RW/RP middle

SSL-2="Vintage Flat"-SSL-2 The Vintage Flat utilizes a vintage coil design with rod magnets of equal length which are slightly raised above the flatwork. This provides a balanced field necessary for an even string response. The sound is warm with midrange presence. Lacquered and cloth braid wire complete the vintage look.
Available RW/RP
Available in calibrated sets with a RW/RP middle

SSL-3="Hot"-SSL-3 This is the next step up: Hotter than the vintage models with more sustain, fullness and output. The raised flat pole pieces are taller Alnico V magnets for a stronger and deeper magnetic field. Extra coil windings give you extra power.
Pickup cover included
Available RW/RP
Available in calibrated sets with a RW/RP middle
 
Re: Strat bridge pickup recommendation?

I have a new set of antiquity surfers in the trading post if anyone is interested.
 
Re: Strat bridge pickup recommendation?

theodie said:
I have a new set of antiquity surfers in the trading post if anyone is interested.


I would like to add that Theodies Surfers set comes with the Custom Bridge pickup and that he is one hell of a model American and a nice guy to boot...
 
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