Why is a Strat Bridge Pickup at an angle?

[guitfiddle]

Re: Why is a Strat Bridge Pickup at an angle?

The high string poles are closer because there are more harmonics closer to the bridge than the middle. The bass side poles slant away because the low strings would be way too thin otherwise.

The thinness of most Strat guys' bridge pickups comes from the fact that Fender doesn't make the tone control for the bridge as a standard...they're much more useable when the tone pot is wired to the bridge and middle.

 

[shredhed]

Re: Why is a Strat Bridge Pickup at an angle?

Thanks for the responses. I guess the reason I asked was because I have a MIM Strat HSS and decided to put in the SD APS1 Bridge in place of my Pearly Gates just to see what the pickup sounded like. I've decided that a HSS configuration wasn't for me, so I'm going to SSS and have a correct pickguard on the way. Anyhow, I mounted the APS 1 in the HB slot and mounted it straight instead of at an angle. It sounds fine, that's why I asked.

Vtg

Do you wanna sell your Pearly Gates?

 

[Zhangliqun]

Re: Why is a Strat Bridge Pickup at an angle?

Most of the local Strat players I know don't use their bridge single coil at all, and essentially have a two PU guitar. It has the unmistakable signs of a design flaw (every manufacturer has a few).

That just means you (and all these other players) have never had the right single coil in the bridge. MWA-HA-HA...

 

[blueman335]

Re: Why is a Strat Bridge Pickup at an angle?

Actually the bridge pickup is straight. It's the rest of the guitar that's at an angle.

With enough to drink, I guess it could be.

 

[trevorus]

Re: Why is a Strat Bridge Pickup at an angle?

The high string poles are closer because there are more harmonics closer to the bridge than the middle. The bass side poles slant away because the low strings would be way too thin otherwise.

The thinness of most Strat guys' bridge pickups comes from the fact that Fender doesn't make the tone control for the bridge as a standard...they're much more useable when the tone pot is wired to the bridge and middle.

I wire my strats like that. Always. More versatile, and I get plenty of bite and can roll it back too.

 

[blueman335]

Re: Why is a Strat Bridge Pickup at an angle?

That just means you (and all these other players) have never had the right single coil in the bridge. MWA-HA-HA...

I'm thinking in terms of the 1950's PU's with no tone control on the bridge. That's what 'purists' seem to like, but then a lot of them can't really use their bridge SC's without getting the neighborhood dogs howling. A wamer bridge PU (SC or HB) and/or another 250K makes a difference, but that's not they were out of the starting gate.

 

[Stef]

Re: Why is a Strat Bridge Pickup at an angle?

purists seem to like these strats with stock bridge pups too:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KgZSnAkQc4c&feature=related

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YwwyhoWkGEY&feature=related

Look at the amps and cabs behind those strats and look who's playing them and there is the answer to the question why they sound so good and why ears bleed when some wanna be guitar player plays it's stock strat through fender HRD or randall.
His next step is to buy and install a HB and maybe even two 250K pots and problem solved-he's ready for mudbath.

 

[El CHupacabra]

Re: Why is a Strat Bridge Pickup at an angle?

Yep, you need a humbucker in a strat! :friday:

I 2nd that emotion.

 

[Grandturk]

Re: Why is a Strat Bridge Pickup at an angle?

I love the sound of the Strat bridge single, full up, no tone control. Oh, man that's good. So crisp and clear, cuts through the mix.

I find that a lot of players feel "secure" in the mellower, tone rolled off neck position on a strat because its more forgiving to technique and sounds a lot softer. The bridge pickup is brutal if you're not up to the task.

 

[Stef]

Re: Why is a Strat Bridge Pickup at an angle?

I love the sound of the Strat bridge single, full up, no tone control. Oh, man that's good. So crisp and clear, cuts through the mix.

I find that a lot of players feel "secure" in the mellower, tone rolled off neck position on a strat because its more forgiving to technique and sounds a lot softer. The bridge pickup is brutal if you're not up to the task.

These guys are up to it:14:

great stock strat live tones:eyecrazy:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UjMSQpjRqqI

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TKPzj3xcWO4&feature=related

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c3zxxqAWggY

http://www.youtube.com/user/72superlead#p/u/3/s1PNFWqIm2I

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0Gi-swbyqtM

 

[knottycm]

Re: Why is a Strat Bridge Pickup at an angle?

There are those, like Jimmie Vaughan, that have tone on the bridge & neck only.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k_MEAz9zfwQ

 

[Zhangliqun]

Re: Why is a Strat Bridge Pickup at an angle?

I'm thinking in terms of the 1950's PU's with no tone control on the bridge. That's what 'purists' seem to like, but then a lot of them can't really use their bridge SC's without getting the neighborhood dogs howling. A wamer bridge PU (SC or HB) and/or another 250K makes a difference, but that's not they were out of the starting gate.

They need to switch to an A2 or A3 or 5/2 or 5/3 model. It can work...

 

[guitfiddle]

Re: Why is a Strat Bridge Pickup at an angle?

I'm thinking in terms of the 1950's PU's with no tone control on the bridge. That's what 'purists' seem to like, but then a lot of them can't really use their bridge SC's without getting the neighborhood dogs howling. A wamer bridge PU (SC or HB) and/or another 250K makes a difference, but that's not they were out of the starting gate.

Yup, no tone control for the bridge is a no-no...I can't stand any guitar on the bridge pickup without something to roll down the highs if I want.

Well, maybe if the first row is talking too much and ignoring the band...then it's always fun to roll it forward all the way, crank the volume and make them pay attention :naughty: