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Post subject: What did you replace your Texas Specials with?
Posted: Tue Jul 11, 2017 6:39 am
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Aspiring Musician
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Let me start off by saying I know this topic is subjective, but it never hurts to get an opinion and there is no better place to get an opinion on strats then on the fender forum. I've read a lot of posts and have even posted questions myself regarding pickups over the years but could never make a decision. The problem is all the sound samples I hear online don’t sound that much different and most stores don’t carry multiple strats with different pickups.

I have owned my American Special since 2008 and it has been a constant love hate relationship with it. I've considered selling it many of times but considering my wife bought it for me so I just can't bring myself to do it. The guitar feels and plays great. The cleans sound good but the overdriven / distortion sounds are terrible to my ears. The only way I can describe it is, tinny/brittle/harsh. I've removed the grease bucket circuit, swapped caps, switched tone control configurations and have tried various pickup height configurations to no avail.

Since the trem arm broke off in the block and I need to replace it I figured it's the opportune time to "get off the pot" and finally replace these pickups. I am starting to wonder if there is such a thing or maybe single coils just aren’t for me. In that even’t maybe a P90 type setup would fit the bill. That being said, I would really like to keep the single coil setup since I have two other humbucker guitars. I am looking for something with crisp bell like cleans and a smooth drive when driven.

I appreciate any advice you may have.


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Post subject: Re: What did you replace your Texas Specials with?
Posted: Tue Jul 11, 2017 7:03 am
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Joined: Wed Mar 31, 2010 12:48 am
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When my late best friend had the same issue with his brand-new SRV artist model he turned to me for help. I'd just replaced the stock pickups in my MIM Classic Series '50s Strat with DiMarzio Virtual Vintage types in all three positions and he loved the tones that came from that guitar (plus the bonus of being totally noiseless). So he had me install a set in his and couldn't have been happier. Personally I was never a big fan of the TS's (which I why I don't own any guitars with them).

Arjay

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"Here's why reliability is job one: A great sounding amp that breaks down goes from being a favorite piece of gear to a useless piece of crap in less time than it takes to read this sentence." -- BRUCE ZINKY


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Post subject: Re: What did you replace your Texas Specials with?
Posted: Tue Jul 11, 2017 9:18 am
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Aspiring Musician
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Retroverbial wrote:
I'd just replaced the stock pickups in my MIM Classic Series '50s Strat with DiMarzio Virtual Vintage types in all three positions .

Arjay


Thanks for the input Arjay. Looking at Dimarzio's website there are three types of Virtual Vintage single coils. Did you use the Vintage 54 Pro, Blues or Heavy Blues? I


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Post subject: Re: What did you replace your Texas Specials with?
Posted: Tue Jul 11, 2017 9:41 am
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In that particular guitar I used the DP414 Solo Pro at the bridge, the DP415 Area 58 in the middle, and the DP416 Area 61 for the neck. The Area's are still available but the Solo Pro has been discontinued. The new Heavy Blues is similar in tone but with slighter hotter output.

Arjay

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"Here's why reliability is job one: A great sounding amp that breaks down goes from being a favorite piece of gear to a useless piece of crap in less time than it takes to read this sentence." -- BRUCE ZINKY


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Post subject: Re: What did you replace your Texas Specials with?
Posted: Tue Jul 11, 2017 10:05 am
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Aspiring Musician
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Joined: Tue Dec 28, 2010 9:53 pm
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Thank you sir, I will certainly check these out. Looks like Virtual Solo may be an alternative replacement for the Solo Pro as well. From Dimarzio's website, "We've combined the best qualities of the Virtual Vintage® Solo and Virtual Vintage® Solo Pro™ — high output and a full, warm sound — and pushed these qualities even further. Treble response is smoother, the lows are tighter, and there is more pick attack. Play hard, and the sound jumps out of the amp. Play softer, and the sound becomes cleaner and quieter. Naturally, there's no hum. "


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