Strat pickups to cover Mark Knopfler & Steve Miller tones

[Voodoods]

I need advice on what to load up into a strat mod project I'm working on for a friend that would fit this stylistic mash-up.

I know the tone is "in the hands" but likewise, the tones he's seeking are firmly "in the strat" lol. So given that, what do you all suggest? Think Sultans and 70's Steve.

This is a gift so I want the good stuff in there.

Thanks!

 

[mst]

Re: Strat pickups to cover Mark Knopfler & Steve Miller tones

I need advice on what to load up into a strat mod project I'm working on for a friend that would fit this stylistic mash-up.

I know the tone is "in the hands" but likewise, the tones he's seeking are firmly "in the strat" lol. So given that, what do you all suggest? Think Sultans and 70's Steve.

This is a gift so I want the good stuff in there.

Thanks!

Hey voodoods!

I would certainly go with lindy Fralin pickups. They have replaced all my SC in my strats!
I am using the vintage hot in my alder strat and blues specials in my maple one!

Now for knopfler tones i would suggest real 54 strat pickup cause it has less output than the vintage hot and is not as dark as the blues special. Those snappier clean tones will be at your disposal!

That said: i tried to emulate those with my vintage hot equipped strat and I was able to get a near perfect rendition just by pushing the ratio of the compressor a little harder and adjusting the eq on my guitar.

My final verdict is to try the vintage hot ones, cause that sparkle is there and the 5% extra power can really help in many cases! Your axe will be amazing!

 

[fenderiarhs]

Re: Strat pickups to cover Mark Knopfler & Steve Miller tones

I'd propose fralins VH but I wouldn't dismiss the duncan ssl1 set. They quack a bit more than the VH and slightly more open, trebly sound


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[Mincer]

Re: Strat pickups to cover Mark Knopfler & Steve Miller tones

My vote would be for the Antiquity Surfer II set. Early 60s tone, although the style would require a bit of practice.

 

[Chistopher]

Re: Strat pickups to cover Mark Knopfler & Steve Miller tones

My vote would be for the Antiquity Surfer II set. Early 60s tone, although the style would require a bit of practice.

I second this, but as you said their tone is quite literally in their hands. If you don't master your fingerstyle, their isn't a set of pickups on the marker that'll give you the tone you want.

 

[Lewguitar]

Re: Strat pickups to cover Mark Knopfler & Steve Miller tones

Really, if you listened to Steve Miller or Mark Knopfler comparing three different Strats, each with SSL-1's, Surfers, or Vintage Hots...they'd sound exactly like Steve Miller and Mark Knopfler!

Those three sets are extremely similar and I've owned them all.

All three are great vintage 50's or early 60's pickup sets.

I use Surfers in one Strat and Vintage Hots in another.

I like them both equally and you couldn't go wrong with either.

If you have the chops, stellar Knopfler tones can be had from either set. From SSL-1's too.

 

[Voodoods]

Re: Strat pickups to cover Mark Knopfler & Steve Miller tones

Thanks all! Great info!!