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Post subject: Replacement pickups help - how to choose without trying?
Posted: Wed Dec 21, 2011 8:07 am
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Rock on- I have been searching for replacement pickups for my 2010 american standard strat and have been having some trouble. I was not happy with the stock pickups and wanted something with some more clarity. Based on great reviews and some sound clips for a set of vintage style boutique pickups, I got a I really expensive set that I really do not like. I found that they were extremely trebly and almost too touch sensitive for me (I have a heavy pick attack). They were basically unusable without the volume pot below 6 and the treble on my amps all the way down to 0.

I basically gave up on the pickups and when the complete opposite direction by installing texas specials. They are great, but too full to get the clarity and strat quack I was looking for originally and I'm now hardly playing the strat.

The optimal sound for me would be close to a frusciante/hendrix clean tone, but soemthing I can hit hard when overdriven without being too trebly. I'd like to be able to turn the volume pot up to 10 as well.

I listened to some sound clips again and am thinking of trying again - either fender 57/62, sd ssl-1's, or fralin vintage hots. I can really only try the 57/62 before buying by going to gc and trying a reissue 62'. I am afraid to shell out anything again without trying the pickups.

Will I be able to find a set that will do what I want or do i need to live with the icepicky treble to get that tone. Does anyone know if the sets I mentioned will get me close to what I am looking for? Thx


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Post subject: Re: Replacement pickups help - how to choose without trying?
Posted: Wed Dec 21, 2011 8:45 am
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Have you tried play with pickup heights? Do a search for "Nickel Method" here on the forum. Then making amp adjustments?

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Post subject: Re: Replacement pickups help - how to choose without trying?
Posted: Wed Dec 21, 2011 9:50 am
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CAFeathers wrote:
Have you tried play with pickup heights? Do a search for "Nickel Method" here on the forum. Then making amp adjustments?


+1

My first thoughts as well, Chet.

The proper values for both the volume and tone pots plus an appropriate value for the tone cap will also have a significant impact on the guitar's sound.

HTH

Arjay

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Post subject: Re: Replacement pickups help - how to choose without trying?
Posted: Wed Dec 21, 2011 3:03 pm
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Thanks for the nickel pickup height trick! I did struggle with the pickup height for months before finally giving up on the boutique set. I didn't change pots or the cap as that seemed a lot of solder surgery to compensate for new pickups. In the end, they weren't for me.
I have to say the fender pickups i have used have never had this problem- they were however much higher output.


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Post subject: Re: Replacement pickups help - how to choose without trying?
Posted: Thu Dec 22, 2011 6:04 am
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Welcome.

The 57/62s and the SSL-1s are similar with the chief differences being the SSL-1s have a tad less midrange and a tad more output.

As to the Fralins, they are extremely similar to the SSL-1s and approximately $35 more each.

Based on your requirements, intrinsically, I'd go with the SSL-1s. However, depending on your string gauge and fingerboard radius, you may want to consider SSL-2s for a possibly better string to string balance.

As always, this is merely IMO where YMMV.

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Post subject: Re: Replacement pickups help - how to choose without trying?
Posted: Thu Dec 22, 2011 2:21 pm
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Have you heard/tried Lace Sensors? Golds may be the sound you're after?


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Post subject: Re: Replacement pickups help - how to choose without trying?
Posted: Thu Dec 22, 2011 7:56 pm
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Thanks, I think I am sort of leaning toward the ssl-1's based on the clips that I've heard (and the price). The ssl-2 would probably be better for string balance, but I think I would find a cheaper set of ssl-1's on ebay.
I did have a set of lace sensors in my first strat, a 91 strat plus. I did like them (I loved that guitar) but there is something about the look without the pole pieces which always bothered me, (superficial I know).


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Post subject: Re: Replacement pickups help - how to choose without trying?
Posted: Fri Dec 23, 2011 9:16 am
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rieserchristian wrote:
Thanks, I think I am sort of leaning toward the ssl-1's based on the clips that I've heard (and the price). The ssl-2 would probably be better for string balance, but I think I would find a cheaper set of ssl-1's on ebay.
I did have a set of lace sensors in my first strat, a 91 strat plus. I did like them (I loved that guitar) but there is something about the look without the pole pieces which always bothered me, (superficial I know).


You're welcome.

Frankly, I agree with you in general about the lack of polepieces. IMO, it's part and parcel of a Strat for the pickups to have them.

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Post subject: Re: Replacement pickups help - how to choose without trying?
Posted: Fri Dec 30, 2011 10:14 am
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I settled on the SSL-1's and installed the set yesterday. They are fuller than I thought but great pickups. I still get the strat sound but they are full enough that they aren't ice picky. I need to play with the pickup height and amp eq but this set is staying. Having fun with the strat again!

Rock on!


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Post subject: Re: Replacement pickups help - how to choose without trying?
Posted: Fri Dec 30, 2011 10:26 am
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rieserchristian wrote:
I settled on the SSL-1's and installed the set yesterday. They are fuller than I thought but great pickups. I still get the strat sound but they are full enough that they aren't ice picky. I need to play with the pickup height and amp eq but this set is staying. Having fun with the strat again!

Rock on!


Enjoy!!!

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