Strat single coils for, uh, jazz?

[Heretic]

I have a friend with a Jeff Beck Strat. He recently moved up to .11 strings and he doesn't like the sound of the Lace Sensors anymore - "lifeless" according to him. He loves playing jazz in the neck-middle/position 2, more so than a P-90 or mini-humbucker. As much as possible though, he'd still want to hear some chimes and bells ala Knopfler's "Local Hero" theme.

What pick-ups would you recommend? The tonecharts seem to favor APS 1 and 2 but he thinks that it might be too muddy in the neck with .11's. We don't have the "21 day trial" here in the Philippines so he can't return the pick-up set if he doesn't like it.

 

[jeremy]

Re: Strat single coils for, uh, jazz?

the aps are not muddy in the neck with 11's, i use em with 11-50 and they sound great

 

[Benjy_26]

Re: Strat single coils for, uh, jazz?

I really like the APS-2's. No mud, but not "ice-picky" either. If you want to sound like Knopfler though, you need to get a set of SSL-1's.

 

[loudriver23]

Re: Strat single coils for, uh, jazz?

+1 on the APS 2's
I've used them for Jazz, nice tones, won't get you Wes, but nice and warm and round.
Knoffler...... +1 again to the SSL-1's

 

[zionstrat]

Re: Strat single coils for, uh, jazz?

Strats can be great for jazz! Just stick to low output and be prepared to roll off some tone-

95% of a style is in the mind and fingers, but..got a call for some 'jazz licks' probably 10 years ago and borrowed a freinds es175 thinkign that would get me in the grove, with the strat as backup- big mistake..

After I'd fumbled around for 20 mins, I realized when they said Jazz they meant "Alison by Elvis C"- Pulled out the strat and was done 30 minutes later.