the David Gilmour Strat...

[PaddyLou]

Hello everyone! I'm a newbie, and this is my first post. I've been quick pickin & fun strummin for 25+ years, and I've got a few guitars with SD's installed.
My question relates to that new Fender David Gilmour Custom Artist Whatever Stratocaster. I stopped at GC for a pack of strings, and decided to play it. The thing is $4000.00, so I ain't buying it, just was curious. So plugged it in to small Fender tweed amp, clean tone first. Tuned her up, strummed some chords, played with the p/u choices...Hmmmmm-this thing sounds REAL NICE! The neck is beefy, which I like and the sounds are clear and sweet. I switched to the overdrive channel, and the good sounds continue...So after a bit I put it back on the hanger, and pulled down a different Custom shop Strat...one after the other- The EC, the Eric johnson, Billy Corgan (why?) John Mayer (again, why?) I've owned the SRV for 15 years so I din't play that one, some no-name "customs"...truthfully, NONE of those other "Customs" were very impressive, espicially for the price. But I went back to the David Gilmour and fellas-that guitar sings!
I've discovered that the lead p/u is a Seymour Duncan SSL-5, the neck p/u is a Fender "Custom Shop Fat 50's" and the mid p/u is a fender "Custom Shop Fat '69"
My question is this: which SD pickups will match or sound better than those two Fenders? I'd buy 'em in a heartbeat...
Ideas and opinions are truly appreciated...
My tunes are here, if yer into rock and roll...
www.ghostandthebigsky.com
www.myspace.com/ghostandthebigsky
PEACE

 

[jeremy]

Re: the David Gilmour Strat...

welcome to the forum!

if it was me i would go with ssl2 in the neck, ssl1 rw/rp in the middle and ssl6 in the bridge.

the ssl1 and ssl2 are the same pup but the ssl1 has staggered pole pieces where the ssl2 has flat poles. same with the ssl5/ssl6. the ssl5 is staggered the ssl6 is flat. i prefer flat poles in the neck and bridge with staggered in the middle. the staggered sounds a touch more classic stratty and i like that in the middle for notch tones, some people would prefer staggered models in all positions.

if you want to spend some extra bucks i would check out antiquity II surfers in the neck and middle with a custom shop bridge pup or the ssl5 if you really like it. custom shop stuff always seems to have a little extra something going on so if price is no object call them up and discuss what you want with mj.

 

[Bludave]

Re: the David Gilmour Strat...

Get a set of Antiquities and be done with it.

OH!! Welcome to the forum. I have 2 EC Strats & 2 others that are both equipped with Antiquities. I have both the Surfers & the Texas Hots. I like the Surfers just a little better then the TH but they are both very vintage sounding. That said My favorite Strat is my black EC Strat that is completely stock with original Gold Lace Sensors. The funny thing is I have not played many other guitars with the Lace sensors that I like. Both of these EC Strats sound very good, but my Black one is exceptional.

 

[uOpt]

Re: the David Gilmour Strat...

I thought the Gilmour Sig has SSL1s and one SSL5?

 

[stevie_bees]

Re: the David Gilmour Strat...

Welcome to the forum! I would go for SSL-5/SSL-1/SSL-1, same as Jeremy, but as he mentioned, I'd have the staggered poles in all positions.

 

[Funkfingers]

Re: the David Gilmour Strat...

Sometimes, a guitar just "speaks" to you. When that happens, I have to make strenuous efforts to keep my credit card away from the reader machine on the shop counter.

I am glad that you have the sense and taste to spot a good 'un when it passes your way.

FWIIW, some of the other Fender signature models that you name are supposed to sound thin compared to the DG replica. Fifties-style Strats, in particular, are expected to sound bright. Of course, if you whack on a set of Medium gauge strings, you will discover how Leo intended the instrument to sound.

 

[uOpt]

Re: the David Gilmour Strat...

Fifties-style Strats, in particular, are expected to sound bright. Of course, if you whack on a set of Medium gauge strings, you will discover how Leo intended the instrument to sound.

Wisdom spoken.

There is a reason why the Antiquity 1 (Alnico 2) comes out so great today.

 

[the guy who invented fire]

Re: the David Gilmour Strat...

The closest thing in the Duncan line to a fat 50's is the SSL-1 but they are a little different...the closest thing to the Custom Shop 69 in the Duncan line is again the SSL-1 but they are WAY different...the CS69 is wound with a different type of wire than the SSL-1.

A pair of SSL-1's and an SSL-5 will get you saome VERY good Gilmour tones, I know becuase I use that very set up and can get scarry close myself, how ever the Fat 50/69/SSL-5 set up will get you closer.

 

[JOLLY]

Re: the David Gilmour Strat...

Billy Corgan (why?) John Mayer (again, why?)

LOL......... I got a good laugh out of that.

 

[D.Dailey]

Re: the David Gilmour Strat...

Davids Black Strat??
Pricey, in my eyes,, But beauty is in the beholder..
http://www.gilmourish.com/?page_id=66
Personaly,, I took a 1996 50th Anniversary AM Standard, modified it just a bit, and added an EMG DG-20 Set..
It Kicks some arse..
http://www.gilmourish.com/?page_id=68
Was trying out a new delay with the rascal yesterday..
It Rocks,, It Wispers, It Screams..
I think I like her..

http://home.comcast.net/~jroscoe/emg.html

 

[PFDarkside]

Re: the David Gilmour Strat...

Looks like Snowy White's guitar in the Pulse Video.

I always question why people ask "I like this (non-Duncan) Pickup, which Duncan should I get?" You liked them for a reason... On the other hand, if you have some money, call the custom shop and they'll wind you a set exactly like you hear in your head.

 

[D.Dailey]

Re: the David Gilmour Strat...

Looks like Snowy White's guitar in the Pulse Video.

I always question why people ask "I like this (non-Duncan) Pickup, which Duncan should I get?" You liked them for a reason... On the other hand, if you have some money, call the custom shop and they'll wind you a set exactly like you hear in your head.

I got to see Tim Renwick with Gilmour in Pontiac Michigan at the Silverdome on the Division Bell Tour..
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Division_Bell_Tour

July 15, 1994 - Pontiac Silverdome, Pontiac, MI, USA
Set I: Shine On You Crazy Diamond (Parts 1-5), Learning To Fly, High Hopes, Take It Back, Coming Back To Life, Sorrow, Keep Talking, Another Brick In The Wall (Part 2), One Of These Days
Set II: Speak To Me, Breathe, On The Run, Time, Breathe (Reprise), The Great Gig In The Sky, Money, Us And Them, Any Colour You Like, Brain Damage, Eclipse
Encore: Wish You Were Here, Comfortably Numb, Run Like Hell
Notes: First time "The Dark Side Of The Moon" played live in its entirety since 1975. Footage from "A Momentary Lapse of Reason" Tour used for "On The Run"; crashing airplane prop also used during this song (the plane would be used at all subsequent indoor DSOTM shows). Footage from 1970's DSOTM tours used during "Money" and "Us and Them".

Life Is Good!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tV6PKfzkbeo&feature=related

 

[PFDarkside]

Re: the David Gilmour Strat...

Oh my goodness, Tim Renwick, not Snowy White! :banghead:

I became the biggerst Floyd fan ever that summer and fall. Not seeing that show is one of my biggest regrets in life. I was only 14, but that seriously would have been unreal. I have promised myself that if they ever reunite to tour, I will pay top dollar to sit front row.

 

[D.Dailey]

Re: the David Gilmour Strat...

Oh my goodness, Tim Renwick, not Snowy White! :banghead:

I became the biggerst Floyd fan ever that summer and fall. Not seeing that show is one of my biggest regrets in life. I was only 14, but that seriously would have been unreal. I have promised myself that if they ever reunite to tour, I will pay top dollar to sit front row.

The beauty of a Floyd Show..
You can be anywhere in the crowd and have the experience of a lifetime..
Saddly,, I doubt any of us will ever see such things again..
I have made it to a few of Waters show's,, they are excellent, but on another level completly..
Gilmours still doing some small shows, and they are great,,, but the colection of talent that Floyd had put togather will allways be ,Impossible to Match..
I seen them in Detroit in 1973..
Dark Side of the Moon had not really taken off to its extent..
But it was an awesome show as well..
Sometimes, its a ***** Getting Old..
But I wont trade many of my experiences for anything..

 

[PaddyLou]

Re: the David Gilmour Strat...

Thanks for all the replies! I agree with the fact that the DG is WAY overpriced. But the whole idea is a little bothersome...I'm sure you've all seen the SRV "Lenny"...for 17 grand, that's just silly. And yeah- Billy Corgan??? Jophn Mayer??? for $1800 bucks? Granted they are succesful players, and their music is ok, but a Custom shop guitar w/ those names on really puzzles me. Of course it's about the sales for Fender, but what teenage kid has that kinda cash? When I bought the SRV Strat in 93 or 94, it was $750! That's a decent price for a good axe, I think...I had bought a Gibson LP custom in 1991 (Pearly Gates in the bridge, BTW) for $1200, which was also decent. But today??? A LPC, looking exactly like mine is $3500.
My favorite guitar currently is a homemade creation. I found a Squire strat on ebay for $150, w/ a JB jr. in mid, & Hot Rails in the lead. SOLD! I had a custom neck made by USA Custom Guitars, that's like half the thickness of a rolling pin or baseball bat, and BAMM!! That guitar rules me. I just strung it up with .12's last week...a little tiring in a live situation during intense lead parts, but 90% of the time, it's all about the rhythm...
Keep on Strummin', boys and girls...

 

[D.Dailey]

Re: the David Gilmour Strat...

My Strat started life as a Lonestar..
The Pearly Gates and two Texas Specials were interesting..
My first Guitar and Amp was a used Gibson SG, and 45 watt Traynor Reverb Master. ( My girlfriend bought the SG for me with her babysitting money, I bought the amp and speakers, built my own cabnets.. )
She liked what she heard and seen me doing with friends guitars..
1971..
She took this picture with my camera ,in my bedroom in 1973..

Eventually I married her. Wasted 15 years there.. ;s
But do like humbuckers..
On my Strat, the Pearly Gates was decent, but really did not go that well with the Texas Specials IMO..
I bought a used Gibson 1960 Classic in 2000.
$1,100.00 + $245.00 for a nice set of Duncan Antiquity PAF's..
About three weeks ago, I played with an old friend and his Gibson LP Custom 1978..
Guess what,, mine is about a pound heavier, but we both agreed,, the tones from mine are alot better...
His is a bit eazier playing, but he uses lighter strings, and just a bit lower action..
P.S.
I would really be quite supprised, if for $4,000.00 Fender could not sell you all three of Gilmours main guitars..
Or at least you could buy used stuff, and come pretty close to a match..
You could get farther ahead, by learning basic Guitar Setup yourself..
In House 24/7 Support, does have its advantages..

I have a 1973 Tele that does a decent job as well..

 

[gripweed]

Re: the David Gilmour Strat...

I love Duncan pickups, and I would recommend them for most people and most applications over other pickups. However, if you know exactly what you liked on the Gilmour Strat, why not just get those pickups?

 

[D.Dailey]

Re: the David Gilmour Strat...

Paddylou:
The sounds of the neck you got from USA Custom, sounds alot like what I felt the first time I picked up a Peavey Wolfgang..
Nice Guitar, especially when stoked by a Peavey 5150 Halfstack..
But not the tone and feel, that I am acustomed to..

 

[claytonc]

Re: the David Gilmour Strat...

I got to see Tim Renwick with Gilmour in Pontiac Michigan at the Silverdome on the Division Bell Tour..
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Division_Bell_Tour

July 15, 1994 - Pontiac Silverdome, Pontiac, MI, USA
Set I: Shine On You Crazy Diamond (Parts 1-5), Learning To Fly, High Hopes, Take It Back, Coming Back To Life, Sorrow, Keep Talking, Another Brick In The Wall (Part 2), One Of These Days
Set II: Speak To Me, Breathe, On The Run, Time, Breathe (Reprise), The Great Gig In The Sky, Money, Us And Them, Any Colour You Like, Brain Damage, Eclipse
Encore: Wish You Were Here, Comfortably Numb, Run Like Hell
Notes: First time "The Dark Side Of The Moon" played live in its entirety since 1975. Footage from "A Momentary Lapse of Reason" Tour used for "On The Run"; crashing airplane prop also used during this song (the plane would be used at all subsequent indoor DSOTM shows). Footage from 1970's DSOTM tours used during "Money" and "Us and Them".

Life Is Good!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tV6PKfzkbeo&feature=related

I was there that night, it still gives me goose bumps! What a show!

 

[D.Dailey]

Re: the David Gilmour Strat...

I was there that night, it still gives me goose bumps! What a show!

You Got It!
Listening to 60,000 people singing over Floyds equipment,, gave me Big Chills!
I wonder what the other 22,000 thought?

When we heard that Floyd was comeing there, it was at a Superbowl party..
I agreed we should check it out , but under one stipulation, No Women.
They have a way of not being happy around other women.. :s
And being sure that others are not happy as well.
6 lifelong fiends went..
My little brother was made to buy 4 tickets to the Soldier Field show in Chicago...
Cuz I wouldnt give his wife a ticket..
He said the two shows were alot different,, and the Pontiac show , was much better..
It Rocked.
Plus it was the first time they played "Dark Side of the Moon", in its entirity sence 1975.

Prior to that, the best show I had seen at the Silverdome , was Led Zeppilin in 1977..
2 hours 45 miniuts, + three encores..
Jimmy said to excuse them a bit, but they were playing things that them themselfs had not played sence 1967.. (Detroit Rocks!)
18 school mates went down for that..
Was a good time, and an excellent show, except for some minor squabbeling..
Experience Pays..