Texas Specials OR???

O

Odie251

New member
Hello all. First time poster, long time reader. I just built a Strat with an ash body and maple neck? I put a set of APS-1's in it and they aren't bad, but I am looking for more from the neck/middle combo. Eventhough it's a bright guitar the APS-1's seem to be missing something. I'm looking for something Stevie Ray Vaughan-ish. Robin Trower-ish. A good versatile bluesy set of kind. By the way I am playing through a deluxe reverb biased a little hot, with a second cab with a vintage 30 to add a little breakup. Sometimes using an Fulltone OCD or Keeley Modded Blues Driver to add overdrive when I can't turn it up.

I am leaning towards Texas Specials or something Duncan makes that is similar. Any suggestions?
 
Re: Texas Specials OR???

Welcome to the forum.

I have APS-1s in one of my Strats. I understand what you mean when you say that they seem to be missing something. In my opinion, what they are missing ever so slightly is "twang", "snap" and "bounce" on the wound strings.

SOLUTION #1 - APS-1LH
Reverse magnet stagger pattern a la Hendrix decreases the relative output from the lower strings.

SOLUTION #2 - Five-Two
By mixing magnet types, you get a sweet, smooth top end and that classic Fender bite on the low end.

Five-Twos are what I have on another of my Strats. You can probably guess which one I play more often. ;)
 
Re: Texas Specials OR???

i have and really like a set of aps2's in the neck and middle with a twangbanger in the bridge. they dont sound like vintage a5 fender pups but they sound great. do you have the full set of aps1's?

the 5/2 is a good option. i like them in the neck and bridge especially but in the middle 4 times out of 5 i prefer a vintage strat type pup like duncans ssl1 (ssl2 actually for me since i prefer flat pole pieces) for the middle. i think i get my best notch tones that way.

i play a strat thru a deluxe reverb myself, sometimes with an overdrive like a timmy or kot. im not a big fan of the texas specials unless you tune down with big strings and even then i dont think they sound very stevie like.

does your dr have the stock speaker? the v30 is a 60/70w speaker and with two speakers its only getting half the amps power. a g12h-30 is a great speaker for these amps, nice and loud with a great fat tone and will save you having to drag around an extra cab.
 
Re: Texas Specials OR???

I have the full set of APS-1's. In two Strats. That's another reason I am switching a set out for different tone. I do tune 1/2 step, mainly for vocal reasons. The Antiquity Texas Hots sound interesting. I'll have to read up on them. What I like about this forum is that everyone keeps an open mind regardless of what brand is being discussed. Realizing this is all subjective to a point. What do ya'll think about Fralin Blues vs. Fender Texas Specials vs. Texas Antiquity?
 
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Re: Texas Specials OR???

the texas hots are great, i have a set of those with the hotter bridge pup as well. a little more typical stratty than the aps but still warmer and rounder with more mid range than a typical fender pup
 
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