Strat Bridge Single-coil Options - 60s Tone

[ErikH]

I'm debating on whether to swap out the bridge single-coil of my Squier Classic Vibe 60's Strat for something with a little more beef and not as bright. Mine has the Fender Designed Alnico V pickups in it (all of the CV guitars do as of 2018-2019). I had thought of slapping a whole set of Tonerider Classic Blues in there. I checked out a few noiseless options. In the end, I think I want to stick with a true single-coil. I like the neck and middle pickups. The bridge just needs a little more. I do not want SSL-5/6 levels or hotter, not even a QP.

Looking at options in the SD catalog, the Antiquity II or the Antiquity Texas Hot seem to be the most logical choices. Might be a bit much cost wise for a CV but at the same time, it's not an Affinity and much nicer quality. Maybe the Fender Tex-Mex bridge?

Any other slightly hotter than vintage recommended options?

 

[ThreeChordWonder]

The SSL-1 comes in at 6.5 kohm.

The SSL-5 at 13.3 kohm, so quite a jump.

The Antquity Texas Hot comes in at 9.8 kohm, but Alnico-2 magnets. Might be a good halfway between the SSL-1 and the SSL-5, however.

 

[ErikH]

The Antiquity II bridge is 9.8k with Alnico 5 magnets.

 

[idsnowdog]

You might consider a Rio Grande Muy Grande. It looks like a QP but it's around 8K but still very beefy sounding.

 

[Mincer]

Those Antiquity IIs are remarkable sounding pickups, which are about as early 60s sounding as you can get out there.

 

[eclecticsynergy]

The Antiquity II bridge is 9.8k with Alnico 5 magnets.

Surfer II bridge is a great pickup, some extra body but not overwound/compressed sounding.

A couple of non-Duncans that fit in the same category:

Zhangbucker Paul Bunyan Strat, fabulous and one of my favorites - ten feet tall, still 100% Strat.
Rio Grande Muy Grande - another good one, beefier than stock yet quite Stratlike.
D. Allen "Echoes" bridge - strong & sweet and also tapped, for better position 2 quack and/or low output sound when desired

Also consider the Pinktone bridge from Onamac Windery - good muscular Strat tone, and more affordable than any of the above options.

 

[ErikH]

Nice options. This says it all that I am after, "some extra body but not overwound/compressed sounding".

I forgot about Lollar. He has a Special S Strat bridge that is 7.6k and sounds fantastic!

 

[ErikH]

The stock Fender designed CV pickups have what I would call a "modern" stagger. The E, A, B, E string poles are all flat but the D and G strings are slightly raised and at the same level. Not that it matters what I go with in the bridge. I thought it was interesting to see a stagger like that.

 

[GuitarStv]

I think the STK-S7 Vintage Hot Stack might be what you're looking for. It's a little bit (not a ton) beefier than an SSL-1 and noise cancelling for when you want to add some extra gain, and is lower output than an SSL-5. Also noise cancelling, which is always nice for the bridge when you stomp on the gain pedals.

 

[dotsdad]

I think the STK-S7 Vintage Hot Stack might be what you're looking for. It's a little bit (not a ton) beefier than an SSL-1 and noise cancelling for when you want to add some extra gain, and is lower output than an SSL-5. Also noise cancelling, which is always nice for the bridge when you stomp on the gain pedals.

^^^ +1

 

[Mincer]

The Vintage Hot Stack does 'feel' different, as the hotter output starts to compress a little bit. If someone is parting out a Jimi Hendrix set, you might be able to snag one. It is a great late 60s sound.

 

[DonP]

I'm debating on whether to swap out the bridge single-coil of my Squier Classic Vibe 60's Strat for something with a little more beef and not as bright. Mine has the Fender Designed Alnico V pickups in it (all of the CV guitars do as of 2018-2019). I had thought of slapping a whole set of Tonerider Classic Blues in there. I checked out a few noiseless options. In the end, I think I want to stick with a true single-coil. I like the neck and middle pickups. The bridge just needs a little more. I do not want SSL-5/6 levels or hotter, not even a QP.

Looking at options in the SD catalog, the Antiquity II or the Antiquity Texas Hot seem to be the most logical choices. Might be a bit much cost wise for a CV but at the same time, it's not an Affinity and much nicer quality. Maybe the Fender Tex-Mex bridge?

Any other slightly hotter than vintage recommended options?

I find the TexMex set the perfect "hotness" for a hot traditional strat. I did put a Callaham baseplate on the bridge before I tried it out, so I'm not sure how they would have sounded without it.

Maybe you could try a baseplate on your current bridge pickup? I just bought 4 on ebay for $19 shipped after taxes.

 

[beaubrummels]

...something with a little more beef and not as bright. ... The bridge just needs a little more. I do not want SSL-5/6 levels or hotter, not even a QP.

The one I have most experience with is the Antiquity I Texas Hot. It's got some drive to it, less bright than typical Stratty pickups, but still mixes perfectly with real vintage Strat pickups (I mean, real vintage - e.g. I have it in my 1966 Strat and it matched perfectly, it's the pickup that made me a Duncan-aholic ever since the 90's). It can almost sound Tele-ish/humbuckery through the right amp also.

 

[ErikH]

Some great suggestions. After playing it tonight at worship rehearsal for the first time in a while, I think I may be looking at replacing the whole set. I even have a .1uf tone cap and they can still get a little too bitey. Yes, 250k pots throughout, CTS brand that I put in last year.

 

[EC Strat]

Be sure to check out Fender PV 65’s - great sounding set

Klein Epic 65 set - a few notches “better” than the PV 65 set - high end

but honestly, NOTHING beats the SSL 1 set I love a SSL 1 / 1 / 5 set up. Just can’t be beat.

 

[GuitarStv]

Be sure to check out Fender PV 65’s - great sounding set

Klein Epic 65 set - a few notches “better” than the PV 65 set - high end

but honestly, NOTHING beats the SSL 1 set I love a SSL 1 / 1 / 5 set up. Just can’t be beat.

I also really like the SSL 1/1/5 (in my case the 2/2/6) combo . . . but I've never been a fan of a traditional strat bridge sound.

 

[EC Strat]

I also really like the SSL 1/1/5 (in my case the 2/2/6) combo . . . but I've never been a fan of a traditional strat bridge sound.

Agreed. I use a mid boost circuit on my Strats so I can really drive and add meat to the traditional single coil bridges that I have. Without that or some kind of 2nd gain stage it can be pure ice pick

 

[ErikH]

What's the consensus on the Twang Banger or the Fralin Blues Special?

The SSL-5 is more output than I want. I had a SSL-6 some years ago and didn't like it.

 

[Mincer]

Some great suggestions. After playing it tonight at worship rehearsal for the first time in a while, I think I may be looking at replacing the whole set. I even have a .1uf tone cap and they can still get a little too bitey. Yes, 250k pots throughout, CTS brand that I put in last year.

Maybe a set of Five Twos?

 

[dystrust]

I also really like the SSL 1/1/5 (in my case the 2/2/6) combo . . . but I've never been a fan of a traditional strat bridge sound.

SRV got a great sound out of a vintage Strat bridge pickup and I know a few people who can do the same, but that's a code I've never been able to crack. The best sounds I've ever been able to coax from a Strat were reminiscent of the Edge or David Gilmour and the SSL-2/2/6 set is great for those.