It is currently Mon Mar 16, 2020 3:29 pm

All times are UTC - 7 hours



Post new topic Reply to topic  [ 9 posts ] 
Author Message
Post subject: Pick-up question
Posted: Fri Dec 04, 2009 12:06 am
Offline
Hobbyist
Hobbyist

Joined: Thu Dec 03, 2009 11:57 pm
Posts: 5
Hello,

I currently own a Mexican-made HSS Stratocaster with the pick-ups that came with the guitar. I know that I need to probably just get an American-made Strat, and trust me I would if I could, but I'm still in college and well, I dont really have the money. So, I was thinking that maybe I could spend a couple hundred on some pick-ups, instead of a couple thousand, to hold me over until I'm done with school.

I love to play the blues and listen to Hendrix/SRV, who doesn't? So my question is, what kind of pick-ups should I get to get that tone I'm looking for? Or, if anyone has any other suggestions, I am open to them.

Thanks


Top
Profile
Fender Play Winter Sale 2020
Post subject:
Posted: Fri Dec 04, 2009 5:35 am
Offline
Aspiring Musician
Aspiring Musician
User avatar

Joined: Tue Jul 17, 2007 5:43 am
Posts: 345
Location: Upper Peninsula of Michigan
I am just going from the word on the street but the Fender Custom Shop 69's would be a good way to go.

I am looking for a deal on some to try out myself.

Don't ever underestimate a MIM Fender. I have a few and they are VERY good guitars. You have the perfect platform to have a awesome sounding Strat for at least a grand less $$.

Used MIM Strat - $250

TONS of pickup options - $100-200

Sounds JUST LIKE A USA !!!!


Priceless !


Top
Profile
Post subject:
Posted: Fri Dec 04, 2009 9:39 am
Offline
Rock Star
Rock Star
User avatar

Joined: Tue Jul 24, 2007 7:33 am
Posts: 8461
Location: Mars, the angry red planet.
Be careful. Some pickups are weaker and thinner than your OEM stuff ;the CS 69s are an example of this.

What do you and don't you like about your OEM pickups? If you can, cite some examples of the tone you are looking for out of a pickup set.

_________________
You dig?


Top
Profile
Post subject:
Posted: Fri Dec 04, 2009 1:55 pm
Offline
Hobbyist
Hobbyist

Joined: Thu Dec 03, 2009 11:57 pm
Posts: 5
Basically I want to be able to hit the highs like SRV did (pride and joy, for example), but also get that good clean fat sound like Hendrix did (wind cries mary, for example).

But then again, I'm not really sure what's wrong with the pick-ups that came with the guitar. They don't sound terrible or anything but I have just had buddies tell me that I need better pick-ups to justify my abilities. I remember one person once told me he wouldn't touch a Mexican-Made Strat without custom pick-ups.

Also, someone once told me to play with the neck pick-up to achieve this?

I guess I'm the guy that doesn't know all the technical stuff about guitars, I can just play the hell out of them.


Top
Profile
Post subject:
Posted: Fri Dec 04, 2009 4:38 pm
Offline
Professional Musician
Professional Musician

Joined: Fri Jun 13, 2008 7:43 pm
Posts: 1113
Location: North of Pittsburgh PA
I'd look for a used set of Seymour Duncan SSL-1s. They have very good clarity and string separation and should be a good step up from stock MIM pups. Plus being used you save a considerable amount of money, always good especially when you're in college.

_________________
I traded my car in for a microphone.


Top
Profile
Post subject:
Posted: Fri Dec 04, 2009 7:16 pm
Offline
Rock Star
Rock Star
User avatar

Joined: Tue Jul 24, 2007 7:33 am
Posts: 8461
Location: Mars, the angry red planet.
Capo wrote:
I'd look for a used set of Seymour Duncan SSL-1s. They have very good clarity and string separation and should be a good step up from stock MIM pups. Plus being used you save a considerable amount of money, always good especially when you're in college.


I agree except that you'd be better off with SSL-2s. The SSL-1s have the old vintage magnet stagger which means, an inappropriately tall G string polepiece. This will make the G string way too loud in comparison to the others and will also force you to keep the pickups further away from the strings than you'd probably want to. The SSL-2 on the other hand are wound exactly the same as SSL-1s, but they have even height polepieces and will give you much better string separation and response. As a matter of fact, I use an SSL-2 in the neck position of one of my Strats where part of the reason is for Hendrix's stuff.

_________________
You dig?


Top
Profile
Post subject:
Posted: Fri Dec 04, 2009 10:15 pm
Offline
Hobbyist
Hobbyist

Joined: Thu Dec 03, 2009 11:57 pm
Posts: 5
So I should get Seymour Duncan SSL-2's instead of the custom shop 69's?

I googled the SSL-2, i found SSL-2 and a Vintage Flat Pole SSL-2, is there a difference?

also, someone said something about quarter pounder?

thanks.


Top
Profile
Post subject:
Posted: Sat Dec 05, 2009 5:03 am
Offline
Aspiring Musician
Aspiring Musician
User avatar

Joined: Tue Jul 17, 2007 5:43 am
Posts: 345
Location: Upper Peninsula of Michigan
I'm not trying to be a wise guy but in your second post you talk a lot about what other people think and things you have heard/read.

"he wouldn't touch a Mexican-Made Strat without custom pick-ups."

Oh man, what arrogance !

If YOU like the way your guitar sounds, the way it is, you've nailed it !

To heck with the opinions, it's your guitar, regardless what it is.


For SRV, try using the neck pup and a little reverb.

If you want to experiment with what you have ( maybe some improvement TO YOUR EARS) try different pickup height. That can make a world of difference in many pickups.

OR:

This company makes excellent pickups too and won't break you $$:

http://www.tonerider.com/pickups/stratpickups.html

City Limits


This will give you a taste of a pile of others.

http://www.acmeguitarworks.com/Strat_Pi ... ips_W1.cfm


Top
Profile
Post subject:
Posted: Sat Dec 05, 2009 11:40 am
Offline
Rock Star
Rock Star
User avatar

Joined: Tue Jul 24, 2007 7:33 am
Posts: 8461
Location: Mars, the angry red planet.
smithdj74 wrote:
So I should get Seymour Duncan SSL-2's instead of the custom shop 69's?

I googled the SSL-2, i found SSL-2 and a Vintage Flat Pole SSL-2, is there a difference?

also, someone said something about quarter pounder?

thanks.


Yes.

The SSL-2s are Vintage Flat Pole. No, there is no difference.

A Quarter Pounder just pukes out midrange at a very loud volume. It surely does NOT sound like a Strat pickup. Avoid it. Now, if you want a more powerful bridge pickup to go with the SSL-2s, look into an SSL-6.

_________________
You dig?


Top
Profile
Display posts from previous:  Sort by  
Post new topic Reply to topic  [ 9 posts ] 

All times are UTC - 7 hours

Fender Play Winter Sale 2020

Who is online

Users browsing this forum: No registered users and 2 guests


You cannot post new topics in this forum
You cannot reply to topics in this forum
You cannot edit your posts in this forum
You cannot delete your posts in this forum

Search for:
Jump to: