Swap pickups for my G&L Legacy Special

[Robke123]

Hi guys (and galls ),

Though since long I have found these forums to be a great source for info, this is my first actual post here. I am hoping you guys can give me some advice concerning my G&L Legacy Special.
I've had it for close to twenty years now and have always appreciated the workmanship and versatility of the instrument, however lately I am looking for a more traditional strat sound with bells and whistles one would expect. Although the special can approach a strat sound reasonably well, it's not the real thing (as can be expected from a blade pickup).
Long story short, I'm considering swapping my neck and possibly middle pickup for a regular alcino single coil, possibly for fender v mod or something else (I could use some suggestions there as well). The thing I'm wondering is whether with a swamp ash body, and a rosewood neck, the tone might still be too dark for a 'normal' strat tone with the rich sound and chime I so love.
Or am I better off selling my G&L and getting a regular stratocaster altogether.
Your input is greatly appreciated!

 

[chadd]

Re: Swap pickups for my G&L Legacy Special

I'd go SSL-1, that should give you a great single coil tone in any strat style guitar. I wouldn't worry too much about the wood, I've heard that combination sound plenty spanky in the past

 

[Mincer]

Re: Swap pickups for my G&L Legacy Special

Welcome to the forum!
I'd also consider the SSL-2, which has the same tone as the SSL-1 but flat poles. If the fretboard radius is bigger than 7.25" & you use a plain 3rd string, then I prefer the flat poles vs staggered.

 

[Despair]

Re: Swap pickups for my G&L Legacy Special

If you want to stick with noiseless pickups, the STK-S4 Classic Stack Plus is the hum-cancelling equivalent of the SSL-2.

If you decide you want to be rid of all the rails, there's also the question of whether you like a warmer bridge in a strat. STK-S6 Custom Stack Plus (or SSL-6 Custom Flat for noisy version) is popular among David Gilmour fans (and many others). Some people like a hotter neck pickup, and like the STK-S7 Vintage Hot Stack Plus, though many dislike hotter strat neck pickups because anything hotter than an SSL-2/STK-S4 tends to be problematic for notch position quack.

David Gilmour's passive pickup set for ages was SSL-5 Custom Stagger and a pair of SSL-1s. (Before SSL-5, he had a Custom Shop "SSL-1C" precursor to the SSL-5.)

Not saying you'll instantly sound like him, the pickups are versatile, but don't come with his OD into Muff into tube driver, or the rest of his rig, nevermind the hands...

I don't see why you'd want to ditch the G&L, they make excellent quality instruments and I know a lot of people who prefer them to Fenders.

 

[Robke123]

Re: Swap pickups for my G&L Legacy Special

If you want to stick with noiseless pickups, the STK-S4 Classic Stack Plus is the hum-cancelling equivalent of the SSL-2.

If you decide you want to be rid of all the rails, there's also the question of whether you like a warmer bridge in a strat. STK-S6 Custom Stack Plus (or SSL-6 Custom Flat for noisy version) is popular among David Gilmour fans (and many others). Some people like a hotter neck pickup, and like the STK-S7 Vintage Hot Stack Plus, though many dislike hotter strat neck pickups because anything hotter than an SSL-2/STK-S4 tends to be problematic for notch position quack.

David Gilmour's passive pickup set for ages was SSL-5 Custom Stagger and a pair of SSL-1s. (Before SSL-5, he had a Custom Shop "SSL-1C" precursor to the SSL-5.)

Not saying you'll instantly sound like him, the pickups are versatile, but don't come with his OD into Muff into tube driver, or the rest of his rig, nevermind the hands...

I don't see why you'd want to ditch the G&L, they make excellent quality instruments and I know a lot of people who prefer them to Fenders.

Thanks for the advice! as I'm looking for a less hot, more classic tone, I'm gonna look into the ssl 1/2. One of the things 'bothering' me about the current setup is the hotness of the neck and middle pickup. If I can fix it without selling the G&L, that's best cos I really like the quality of the instrument.

 

[Boogie Bill]

Re: Swap pickups for my G&L Legacy Special

The absolute best solution would be to get another G&L...a Legacy!

I have both and I use them in conjunction. Sometimes you want that single coil bite, but other times...the thick tones of those Gotoh Blades are perfect.

I "normal" my PTB controls to T-10, B-5 and run my rhythm volume on 7-8. Then I set my amp tones. If I want to get the most single coil like tones from the LS, I keep the T-10, turn the B to 0 and roll my volume down to about 3-4. Not quite alnico singles, but pretty close.

The first Legacys used SSL-2 sets with a RW/RP middle. They now use their own CLF-100 sets and they are very comparable. I also have a couple of Legacys with Texas Hot Antiquity sets which are very nice and warmer than the stock alnicos. Another fave would be the MFD S-500 pickups, which are about the hottest SC pickups around. I have 19 G&Ls, so I know these guitars well.

I will always gig with at least two guitars...and that is usually a Legacy and a Legacy Special. Great guitars.

Tell the wife you have my permission to get a second guitar...a Legacy!

Bill

 

[Robke123]

Re: Swap pickups for my G&L Legacy Special

The absolute best solution would be to get another G&L...a Legacy!

I have both and I use them in conjunction. Sometimes you want that single coil bite, but other times...the thick tones of those Gotoh Blades are perfect.

I "normal" my PTB controls to T-10, B-5 and run my rhythm volume on 7-8. Then I set my amp tones. If I want to get the most single coil like tones from the LS, I keep the T-10, turn the B to 0 and roll my volume down to about 3-4. Not quite alnico singles, but pretty close.

The first Legacys used SSL-2 sets with a RW/RP middle. They now use their own CLF-100 sets and they are very comparable. I also have a couple of Legacys with Texas Hot Antiquity sets which are very nice and warmer than the stock alnicos. Another fave would be the MFD S-500 pickups, which are about the hottest SC pickups around. I have 19 G&Ls, so I know these guitars well.

I will always gig with at least two guitars...and that is usually a Legacy and a Legacy Special. Great guitars.

Tell the wife you have my permission to get a second guitar...a Legacy!

Bill

Yeah, after much thought, that's what I'm actually considering. I'm still enjoying my legacy special so much that I might not want to change it but just buy another guitar. It was actually my wife who suggested it..lol.. although buying another legacy might take a while to save up money (here in the Netherlands the none-tribute versions are rather hard to get)

 

[Boogie Bill]

Re: Swap pickups for my G&L Legacy Special

Well...with the wife's permission...go for it! LOL!

Seriously, it's always a good idea to have a similar guitar to back up your Number One; a Number One-A. One with similar tones and ergonomics, that you feel totally comfortable with.

Good luck!

Bill

 

[Robke123]

Re: Swap pickups for my G&L Legacy Special

Thanks!

 

[OLDERBUDWISER]

Re: Swap pickups for my G&L Legacy Special

Keep the G&L AND buy a Strat. Easy!!