Strat Pick-ups?

[Jon87]

Okay here is the deal, I am a blues kinda guy...SRV and John Mayer right up my alley. I want to replace my strat pick-ups. but even though i could go down the road of Texas Specials...I also want to be able to play some indie rock with some friends. (Bands such as The Fray...) Is there any set of pick-ups that is this versatile for my strat?

THANX!

 

[jony]

Re: Strat Pick-ups?

How does your pedal/amp rig go?

 

[TimmyPage]

Re: Strat Pick-ups?

Texas Specials are fine, the Fray doesnt sound very high gain (I love Youtube), and if you really think you need more, try a humbucking single coil, like.. a Little 59 or something. Might wanna put it in the middle, (the "special use" pickup, can sound like a bridge or a second neck, depending on the pickup)

 

[Jon87]

Re: Strat Pick-ups?

My rig is:

Fender Std. Strat.....
into a Rat 2...
into other pedals...tuner, phaser, etc....
into Marshall 50DFX. I dont use the marshall for distortion because it sucks. The cleans are oddly really nice, so I use the amp for cleans/fx.

So I should go with the Texas Specials? Will they sound good with the Rat 2?

 

[TheArchitect]

Re: Strat Pick-ups?

Texas specials are kind of a one trick pony IMO. Fender Fat 50's are flexable as well as Duncans SSL-1 or APH-1's

 

[BachToRock]

Re: Strat Pick-ups?

APS-1 in the Neck and Middle
Twangbanger in the Bridge

 

[Gr8Scott]

Re: Strat Pick-ups?

Chubtone 63/63/gordo set. That will get you exactly where you want to go. They do the SRV/Mayer thing perfectly. Bright and yet a good solid bottom end that fits nicely. I own this very set and I can't think of anything that could top them. They are handmade in Boston, MA. The full set is $175.

Gearjoneser

I talked to Mike Gray at Chubtone, who winds to particular eras of Fender, and told him I wanted a slightly overwound A5 set that nails the SRV/Mayer type sound. I have that 63 overwound set in my alder/rosewood strat, right now. I'm actually sending him back the bridge to wind it hotter with smaller wire, but the neck and notch positions are amazing.

Our very own Gearjoneser is partially responsible for the development of the gordo pickup. He wanted "more" and he got "more".

 

[Xeromus]

Re: Strat Pick-ups?

I LOVE those new fender samarium cobalt noiseless.

 

[ratherdashing]

Re: Strat Pick-ups?

The Texas Special neck and mid are the best Strat blues pickups IMO, though I've never tried Fralins. I am really not fond of the Texas Special bridge pickup - it is very harsh. For the bridge I recommend either a Lil 59 if you want a Gibson-ish tone, or a Twangbanger for a Tele-like tone.

I may even be able to sell you my middle and neck Texas Specials if you want them. I'll PM you if it can happen.

 

[Zhangliqun]

Re: Strat Pick-ups?

The Fat 50's are both really bluesy and versatile. The best overall pickup Fender makes these days in my opinion.

 

[Gearjoneser]

Re: Strat Pick-ups?

Chubtone 63/63/gordo set. That will get you exactly where you want to go. They do the SRV/Mayer thing perfectly. Bright and yet a good solid bottom end that fits nicely. I own this very set and I can't think of anything that could top them. They are handmade in Boston, MA. The full set is $175.
Our very own Gearjoneser is partially responsible for the development of the gordo pickup. He wanted "more" and he got "more".

Yeah, I'm playing mostly strats nowadays, and my favorites are Chubtones and Antiquity Surfers with Surfer Custom bridge. Chubtone 63's nail the SRV sound, and I got him to do something like a Surfer Custom bridge, and it ended up being called the El Gordo. If you want something a little warmer and absolutely killer, the Chubtone 69's are great. They nail the Hendrix sound. mgray55@hotmail.com is his Email.

Fender Fat 50's are the best that Fender makes, but when you can get handwound Chubtones that are made like Antiquities for $165, it's a no-brainer.