Which pickups get closest to Buddy Holly's tone?

[jonathane40]

Hi guys, I haven't been on this site that much lately. I was listening to a Buddy Holly album today and was thinking about which pickups would get me closer to his sound. Maybe the surfers? What are your thoughts?

Cheers and hope you are all well,
jon

 

[TimmyPage]

Re: Which pickups get closest to Buddy Holly's tone?

Hmm.. he had a jangly sound going on certainly, so I would say Surfers or SSL-1's (if you are a bit short on cash).

But technically, the real pickups in his guitar would be closer to the Texas Hot's....

 

[drew_half_empty]

Re: Which pickups get closest to Buddy Holly's tone?

texas hots?

50's strats?

nooooo, 50's pickups had less output than the 60's ones

and i was actually quite impressed with fender's 50's strat pickups

but all in all the surfers are probably much better pickups

 

[Benjy_26]

Re: Which pickups get closest to Buddy Holly's tone?

The Surfers and Texas Hots are both aged. Holly played brand new strats. I'd go with an uncalibrated set of SSL-1's if you want to get closest to what he had. That and a tweed Fender will get you the Buddy Holly tone.

 

[jonathane40]

Re: Which pickups get closest to Buddy Holly's tone?

Thank you guys, i will probably get some surfers soon. Will let you how well they do buddy's tone.

cheers,
jon

 

[Simon_F]

Re: Which pickups get closest to Buddy Holly's tone?

The Surfers and Texas Hots are both aged. Holly played brand new strats. I'd go with an uncalibrated set of SSL-1's if you want to get closest to what he had. That and a tweed Fender will get you the Buddy Holly tone.

Absolutely! SSL-1s.