Strat Pick-ups — Low vs High Output?

Re: Strat Pick-ups — Low vs High Output?

Re: Strat Pick-ups — Low vs High Output?

JPMTO said:
Im really struggling with my search for a set of pick ups on my CS Journeyman 1963 Strat. It came with CS 60’s Pups which where around 5.8k each. I liked them but found them to be a little low output in a live setting but I’m now thinking lower output is better.

I typically play the following set up:

Fender Princeton Non Reverb (1973) not mic’d with a Klone always on and King of Tone for leads. I play mostly blues, rock and jam band stuff.

I’ve tried the Seymour Duncan Surfers and didn’t love the neck and middle pick up live. It just didn’t cut. The bridge was super high output and definitely cut as it was 9.8k. But I’m starting to think I need a lower output neck and middle with OD to cut through the mix.

What do you think? I’m eyeing the following options:

- Fralin Vintage Hots (2% underwound in neck and middle)
- D Allen StratCats (these sound really good and price is right)
- Lollar Dirty Blonde (I have the Blackface in another Strat and like them but not super “stratty”
- Klien Jazzy Cats (heard they might be a little too low output)
- Put back my CS 60’s and maybe change the bridge if possible. I know that gets complicated with polarity.
- ???

Appreciate the help!
Click to expand...

Maybe the Princeton is just too small. It's not just a matter of power, but larger speakers and a broader frequency response. A Deluxe will sound more full, even at the same volume, and it's still rather portable.
 
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Re: Strat Pick-ups — Low vs High Output?

Re: Strat Pick-ups — Low vs High Output?

With that amp, you want low output pickups IMO. It has very little headroom. Higher output pickups can just make it muddier.

It's hard to get them to cut it for a live show with drums and another guitarist, unless you always have a good P.A. and sound person. Great sounding amps...but "cut" in a live setting is not their forte.

I would go back to your original pickups, and just tweak the setup a bit. Jack the bridge up, and ease the others down. Play with the amp (don't be afraid to crank it up). Try an extension cabinet.

FWIW, I've been playing on a '68 Princeton Reverb for pretty much my entire life (inherited it from my dad), and I have a '70's non-Reverb as well, so I know those amps pretty well.
 
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Re: Strat Pick-ups — Low vs High Output?

Re: Strat Pick-ups — Low vs High Output?

Sounds worse / thicker
 
Re: Strat Pick-ups — Low vs High Output?

Re: Strat Pick-ups — Low vs High Output?

I think you’re exactly right. I’ve also heard I should get amp stand in that setting or tilt.

I did upgrade the speaker to the Weber which has a ton of clean headroom.

I’m still considering more vintage style pick up alternatives. But may also just go back to the original.

Lollar Dirty Blondes and David Allen Voodoo 69’s are my short list.

PS — I’d love to also add a late 60s PR to my collection one day!
 
Re: Strat Pick-ups — Low vs High Output?

Re: Strat Pick-ups — Low vs High Output?

UNLOAD YOUR PICKUPS FOR EFFS SAKES
 
Re: Strat Pick-ups — Low vs High Output?

Re: Strat Pick-ups — Low vs High Output?

What's the difference if you get them to cut by changing your controls besides less money and less work?
 
Re: Strat Pick-ups — Low vs High Output?

Re: Strat Pick-ups — Low vs High Output?

Clint 55 said:
UNLOAD YOUR PICKUPS FOR EFFS SAKES
Click to expand...

JPMTO said:
Dude im just looking for feedback on a pick up talk forum.

But yeah I’ll prolly sell em :fingersx:
Click to expand...

Clint 55 said:
What's the difference if you get them to cut by changing your controls besides less money and less work?
Click to expand...
Not sure if there is full understanding here.
 
Re: Strat Pick-ups — Low vs High Output?

Re: Strat Pick-ups — Low vs High Output?

I had my old Princeton Revern modded by increasing one of the coupling caps a bit. It stops a little of that flub and extra bass from taking over. Then adding the Eminence Rajin Cajun extended the (usable) bass and treble as well. Killer amp now with a boost and Strat.
 
Re: Strat Pick-ups — Low vs High Output?

Re: Strat Pick-ups — Low vs High Output?

PFDarkside said:
Not sure if there is full understanding here.
Click to expand...

Right, I didn't mean sell them. I meant modifying the controls to get them to cut. It's a very simple fix.
 
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Re: Strat Pick-ups — Low vs High Output?

Re: Strat Pick-ups — Low vs High Output?

Clint 55 said:
Right, I didn't mean sell them. I meant modifying the controls to get them to cut. It's a very simple fix.
Click to expand...

I see. Ok going to my tech on Monday to try this out.
 
Re: Strat Pick-ups — Low vs High Output?

Re: Strat Pick-ups — Low vs High Output?

It seems pretty clear he just wants to buy a set of new pickups from a small name producer and wants feedback on what to buy. Why the topic got started the way it did is anyone's guess.

...or is the problem that he needs to involve a tech on what is a fairly easy task: desoldering a tone pot which can probably be done at the switch.
 
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Re: Strat Pick-ups — Low vs High Output?

Re: Strat Pick-ups — Low vs High Output?

gregory said:
It seems pretty clear he just wants to buy a set of new pickups from a small name producer and wants feedback on what to buy. Why the topic got started the way it did is anyone's guess.
Click to expand...

Suppose your junkie friend needs a fix and is asking where your medicine cabinet is, do you just answer their question and not think twice about the situation at hand?
 
Re: Strat Pick-ups — Low vs High Output?

Re: Strat Pick-ups — Low vs High Output?

What if you're the junkie?
 
Re: Strat Pick-ups — Low vs High Output?

Re: Strat Pick-ups — Low vs High Output?

Clint 55 said:
Right, I didn't mean sell them. I meant modifying the controls to get them to cut. It's a very simple fix.
Click to expand...

Out of curiosity, did you ever consider the Weber 10F150T? I think it has even more clean headroom vs Rajin. Although I’ve been very tempted to try that speaker to compare.
 
Re: Strat Pick-ups — Low vs High Output?

Re: Strat Pick-ups — Low vs High Output?

It took me a little while to adapt to the suckyness of the Squier that I put my ssl 1,1,5 set in, but it's sounding pretty good after all the work. I wired it up with a linear 500k volume and a 250k no load tone. With the controls on 10, it's not too much treble. It sounds really good especially in neck/bridge position and gives plenty of cut to neck position. I wired the volume backwards to draw out the taper super long so to simulate 250k controls all it takes is to put the volume and tone both around 8. It's a good range of tones. Btw, I put the rwrp in the neck to make neck/bridge hum cancelling just for the hell of it.
 
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Re: Strat Pick-ups — Low vs High Output?

Re: Strat Pick-ups — Low vs High Output?

Of course the easiest thing you could try out would be to simply drop in treble booster between amp and guitar.

It gives you much more control over your tone than just fiddling with electronics.
 
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