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Post subject: Pups for new CS build
Posted: Sun Feb 07, 2016 7:54 am
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A totally unexpected surprise is allowing me to do something I NEVER EVER EVER dreamed would happen in my lifetime. . . gonna spec a custom shop strat. . . whoa.

Planning a '59 platform and I'd like to find the tone in this Mayer song when he starts the slow lead (starts at 1:50 and again at 3:50) Granted, he's playing an actual '59. . . but that's the tone.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fo4746XZgw8

Like most things in life there is a budget on how crazy I can go with the order sheet so handwounds are doable but would cancel other things I'd like (1/4 sawn & tinted neck etc.) If I go with a stock Fender pup (like CS 50's) that's a "no charge item" & lets me do other stuff.

I don't have a lot of pup experience and will of course be talking a lot with my showcase dealer. . . but I would genuinely appreciate the communities help on this one.

Thanks guys


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Post subject: Re: Pups for new CS build
Posted: Sun Feb 07, 2016 10:49 am
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I don't think the Fat 50's will disappoint. They're a great-sounding set of pickups, perhaps Fender's best. I'd recommend using a .022 or .033 mfd tone cap with these or any set of traditional single-coils.

Arjay

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Post subject: Re: Pups for new CS build
Posted: Sun Feb 07, 2016 1:18 pm
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Thanks Arjay, I should have thrown this out too:

I have 2 strats. One has fat 50's which I love but they are brighter/hotter than what I want for this guitar. I have them in a 2014 American Standard - alder with rosewood board / maple neck.

I also have similar guitar with a set of Fender CS Select pups. . . similar body/neck/board. The Selects are a much darker / wooly sound. That's closer to what I'm looking for.

My ideal for the '59 would be something closer to the selects but just a touch brighter. If I had to pick today between the two sets I'm familiar with I'd prolly to with the CS selects. . . But again, I know so little about pickups. . .

Looking for any and all guidance (Fender vintage '59 pups? vintage '56? Custom '69s? 60th anniv '54 pups?)
Lotta options on the Fender site (none of which would be a custom build uncharge) . . . I'm basically lost

oh yeah, thanks for the tone cap input. . . made a note to talk to my dealer about that!


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Post subject: Re: Pups for new CS build
Posted: Sun Feb 07, 2016 10:31 pm
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JazzHat wrote:
I also have similar guitar with a set of Fender CS Select pups. . . similar body/neck/board. The Selects are a much darker / wooly sound. That's closer to what I'm looking for.


The CS Select 59's might be the ticket in that case. I've not personally used them but I have heard them demo'd live through a '66 Super Reverb. They sounded a bit fatter through the mids but still retained sufficient bright-and-spanky top end on demand to make them a standout set of pickups. And if the bridge coil still seems a skosh too "shiny", installing a base plate to the bottom of the bobbin will tame that down.

The .022 or .033 tone cap will not appreciably alter the guitar's tone when the tone control is wide open. What it does do is roll off the highs in a more linear fashion when you back the knob down and there is less perceived loss of gain when doing so. I favor the Russian mil-spec PIO axial types as sold by Mojotone and others.

Good luck -- it sounds like you're gonna have one helluva fine guitar.

Arjay

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Post subject: Re: Pups for new CS build
Posted: Sun Feb 07, 2016 11:43 pm
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Thanks again! I'll be talking to my dealer this week and will explore both suggestions. Thanks Arjay!

(. . . and yeah, I think it will be pretty nice. At this point I'm thinking '59 in Sea Foam Green, slab board with clay dots, vintage bridge / tuning machines) 8)


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Post subject: Re: Pups for new CS build
Posted: Mon Feb 08, 2016 3:45 am
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JazzHat wrote:
. . . and yeah, I think it will be pretty nice. At this point I'm thinking '59 in Sea Foam Green, slab board with clay dots, vintage bridge / tuning machines)


We'll need pics of course after it arrives......

:wink:

Arjay

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Post subject: Re: Pups for new CS build
Posted: Mon Feb 08, 2016 6:14 am
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Absolutely!

Will start a thread in CS forum once I nail the options. . . pics for sure when it arrives!


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Post subject: Re: Pups for new CS build
Posted: Sun Jun 19, 2016 5:39 am
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Well, any news? :D

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