Strat pickups for a nice vintage sound

[Stratosphere]

I've decided to upgrade the pickups in my MIM Stratocaster, and I'd like to go for a vintage-type sounding guitar, with some extra output in the bridge.

So far I'm considering

Antiquity II Surfers
Fralin Vintage Hots
Fender Fat '50s

I've listened to the last two at acmeguitarworks.com and liked those both, preferring the Fralins slightly. I haven't heard the Surfers, but they're getting good reviews that interest me.

I generally play in either the Neck or Middle/Bridge position, with Middle/Bridge position being my favorite so I guess I want a good "quack" tone as I've heard it called. I also really enjoy getting chimey bell-like tones from my Strat, and playing harmonics.

The Surfers are not cheap, so I want to know, are they really worth it compared to those others I've mentioned?

 

[the guy who invented fire]

Re: Strat pickups for a nice vintage sound

you, my friend have picked 3 great choices!

 

[MikeF]

Re: Strat pickups for a nice vintage sound

I can't speak for all three but on the suggestion of many here I went with surfers in the neck and middle and a twangbanger in the bridge. Couldn't be happier. All the great strat sounds are there and the bridge is fat and sweet and I've always hated the strat bridge sound.

 

[stevie_bees]

Re: Strat pickups for a nice vintage sound

If you can't quite afford the surfers, then you might want to consider SSL-1's. Excellent vintage sound and a lot cheaper.

 

[báratta]

Re: Strat pickups for a nice vintage sound

I've decided to upgrade the pickups in my MIM Stratocaster, and I'd like to go for a vintage-type sounding guitar, with some extra output in the bridge.

So far I'm considering

Antiquity II Surfers
Fralin Vintage Hots
Fender Fat '50s

I've listened to the last two at acmeguitarworks.com and liked those both, preferring the Fralins slightly. I haven't heard the Surfers, but they're getting good reviews that interest me.

I generally play in either the Neck or Middle/Bridge position, with Middle/Bridge position being my favorite so I guess I want a good "quack" tone as I've heard it called. I also really enjoy getting chimey bell-like tones from my Strat, and playing harmonics.

The Surfers are not cheap, so I want to know, are they really worth it compared to those others I've mentioned?

…The law of diminishing returns. I have equipped the same strat with a number of different sets over the years. The Sufers are in my mind the finest vintage sounding pickups on the market. However, considering the price that one can get them, the Fender Fat 50’s are unquestionably good value. The Fat 50’s quack and sparkle is not inferior to the SD’s- just a little different.
I can’t comment on the Fralins…I’m sure Lew will chime in though.

Samuel

 

[Benjy_26]

Re: Strat pickups for a nice vintage sound

If you're on a budget, a pair of SSL-1's and a Hot Strat Lead Tapped will give you a great vintage sound with more punch and meat from the bridge.

 

[Lewguitar]

Re: Strat pickups for a nice vintage sound

If you can't quite afford the surfers, then you might want to consider SSL-1's. Excellent vintage sound and a lot cheaper.

Very true! The SSL-1's are great pickups.

Between the Fralin Vintage Hots and Duncan Antiquity Surfers, the Fralins are a little more refined whereas the Surfers are a little bolder. I love them both.

The SSL-1's are, to me, very similar to both but just a touch less refined than the Fralins and a touch less bold and lively than the Surfers.

You could not go wrong with any of those if you're looking for killer vintage early 60's Strat tone.

Lew

 

[Stratosphere]

Re: Strat pickups for a nice vintage sound

Cool. Thanks for that advice. It's nice to know that I won't go wrong with any of those choices. I'm thinking I may just go for it and get the Surfers...here's my reasoning:

I'll be getting a prewired assembly because I'd really like to upgrade all the switches and pots in this guitar, I'm afraid to do all that soldering. Because of this, the difference in cost and/or savings between pickup sets will be less than if I were installing them myself.

It seems like the Surfer Custom Bridge (9.7) is hotter than the Fralin Vintage Hot Bridge, and I would like the bridge to be a little hotter.

The rust on those Antiquities does look cool, and would match the rusty screws on my 1993 Strat! (O.K. this is a silly reason...)

I am in fact a little nervous about spending almost as much on pickups as I did on the guitar 12 years ago, but I have a sentimental attachment to the guitar, and to be honest I think it's intrinsically a very nice-sounding guitar even though it is not an 'American' Strat, nor a real vintage Strat. I wouldn't sell it, but my ears have grown more discerning in the years since I bought it, and I think this would be a good way to keep it playable for me.

I theoretically could put the money towards a whole new guitar, but then I'd probably want to replace the pickups on that, too...so I'd be right back where I started!

I hope those thoughts sound sensible...

 

[MikeF]

Re: Strat pickups for a nice vintage sound

I just did the same thing. 60's reissue Japan strat that I'd played for 6-7 years and loved. It just needed a kick in the pants and I couldn't be happier with the results and how well the prewired pickguard worked out.

Keep in mind that all 11 hole strat pickguards are not drilled the same.

IMO the surfers are worth every penny. I'm going thru humbuckers right now trying to find what I like, but I nailed it with the surfers and my single coil hunt is over. I hate to build things up for others, we all hear things differently, but I think you're gonna be real happy with these pups.

 

[Lewguitar]

Re: Strat pickups for a nice vintage sound

It seems like the Surfer Custom Bridge (9.7) is hotter than the Fralin Vintage Hot Bridge, and I would like the bridge to be a little hotter.


I theoretically could put the money towards a whole new guitar, but then I'd probably want to replace the pickups on that, too...so I'd be right back where I started!

I hope those thoughts sound sensible...

Your thinking makes total sense and mirrors my own experience exactly. And I agree with you about the Fralin bridge pickup not being as strong as the Surfer Custom bridge pickup, and as much as I love Lindy's Vintage Hots I definately prefer the stronger output of the Surfer Custom bridge pickup to Lindy's 6.7K to 7K Vintage Hot bridge pickup. I think he should wind that bridge pickup a little hotter. So: go for the Surfers...you won't be disappointed. Lew