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Post subject: Abby Handwound 60s or Cruz Masterdesign Pus for strat?
Posted: Wed Sep 18, 2013 2:54 am
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I'll post this here also, as this is the PU section:

viewtopic.php?f=14&t=89127

Thanks!


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Post subject: Re: Abby Handwound 60s or Cruz Masterdesign Pus for strat?
Posted: Wed Sep 18, 2013 7:58 am
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There are a lot of variables at play there, padre. No two guitars (even with seemingly identical pickups and construction) will ever sound quite alike. The Abby's are a well-known commodity (very tasty, I might add) but like you, I'm in the dark as to the sonic vibe of the Cruz coils. You might try finding a guitar with them and take it for a brief "test drive" to determine their suitability for your purpose(s) and compare/contrast them to the AY's. If possible, demo them both using an amp similar to what you own so there are no surprises once you make your choice.

(hopefully The Martian will be able to offer additional insight)

Arjay

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Post subject: Re: Abby Handwound 60s or Cruz Masterdesign Pus for strat?
Posted: Wed Sep 18, 2013 11:17 am
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Thanks, Arjay!

I know that mucho depends on the guitar, but I've had quite a number of PUs in my three strats, and so far my favourites are the Fat50s which I took off a few windings to about 5.9 to 6.2kOhm, Rocketfire Total 60s and Florance Voodoo 65 pickups.
They react a bit different in each guitar, but the basic voice is there.
So I guess I prefer late 50s to mid 60s style, heavy Formvar PUs, which both the Abbys and JC Fat50s would fit.
My only fear is, that the Cruz Pus might be more in the realm of the Texas Specials which I had long ago,and did not like at all....at least this is what I read in a thread here.


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Post subject: Re: Abby Handwound 60s or Cruz Masterdesign Pus for strat?
Posted: Wed Sep 18, 2013 2:54 pm
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+1

The TS's are a little too "gritty" for my taste as well.

Honestly though, either the AY's or the JC's will likely put a smile on your face.

Let us know how it goes, Rev -- I'm curious myself.

Arjay

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Post subject: Re: Abby Handwound 60s or Cruz Masterdesign Pus for strat?
Posted: Wed Sep 18, 2013 3:39 pm
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I will let you know how it goes, Arjay!

Still hoping to have some people chime in with first hand (ear) experiences....
Thanks!


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Post subject: Re: Abby Handwound 60s or Cruz Masterdesign Pus for strat?
Posted: Wed Sep 18, 2013 4:57 pm
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+1

I deem it imperative that you find out what The Martian thinks. He's really the forum's resident pickup guru.

Arjay

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Post subject: Re: Abby Handwound 60s or Cruz Masterdesign Pus for strat?
Posted: Wed Sep 18, 2013 8:25 pm
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Just FWIW...

I know nothing about the Cruz pups, but I have had 4 or 5 Abby handwound Custom 60s sets and all of them measured tightly in the 5.7k to 5.8k range

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Post subject: Re: Abby Handwound 60s or Cruz Masterdesign Pus for strat?
Posted: Wed Sep 18, 2013 10:13 pm
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SMark wrote:
I know nothing about the Cruz pups, but I have had 4 or 5 Abby handwound Custom 60s sets and all of them measured tightly in the 5.7k to 5.8k range


+1

That's been my observation as well.

Arjay

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Post subject: Re: Abby Handwound 60s or Cruz Masterdesign Pus for strat?
Posted: Wed Sep 18, 2013 11:46 pm
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Thanks MarkS.

I am pretty sure I would dig the Abbys.....its just that the one with the JC PUs is limited edition (25 pieces) and still about 100$ cheaper.

But I guess in that price range that should not really be a deal breaker for the Abbys.
I just am hoping to get some real insight into the JC Pickups.
The videos on youtube (mostly from Wildwood guitars) sound good, but not really great.
Here someone posts, that his JC are measuring about 6.5kOhm each, but still have sparkle and brilliance:
[url]
http://www.fenderforum.com/forum.html?d ... ber=763746[/url]


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Post subject: Re: Abby Handwound 60s or Cruz Masterdesign Pus for strat?
Posted: Wed Sep 18, 2013 11:58 pm
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I've run into a number of players on the internet who feel the the Abby handwound Custom 60s are the best set of Strat pickups that Fender makes (or made now that Abby is retired.) I wouldn't pass that set up if I were you. I have one last set of these myself and I'm not letting them go.

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Post subject: Re: Abby Handwound 60s or Cruz Masterdesign Pus for strat?
Posted: Thu Sep 19, 2013 12:43 am
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thereverend wrote:
Here someone posts, that his JC are measuring about 6.5kOhm each, but still have sparkle and brilliance.


You can always lower them a skosh if you find the extra gain unnecessary or a sonic hindrance.

But I'm in total agreement with SMark re the AY's......if you find a set or already have some, keep them.

Forever.

8)

Arjay

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Post subject: Re: Abby Handwound 60s or Cruz Masterdesign Pus for strat?
Posted: Thu Sep 19, 2013 6:18 am
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Yes, right now I am leaning towards the Abbys, they just seem to be a safer bet.

No advocats for th JC pickups??
:wink:


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Post subject: Re: Abby Handwound 60s or Cruz Masterdesign Pus for strat?
Posted: Sat Sep 21, 2013 2:40 am
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OK, So I decided to go with the LTD Strat with the JC Fat50s....

Here's the reason why:
The dealer of the other guitar with the Abbys was literally(!) telling me to go shop somewhere else :shock:

Yesterday I saw on his website that he automatically installs a "Volume Contoller" that "prevents highs and bass from getting lost when turning down the volume" on all the CS Strats. (My guess is that it's just a regular cap/resisator in paralle bleed kit.) I asked him in detail about it, and mentioned the importance (for me at least) of an unmodified instrument - which I do not really find unusual given it is a very expensive instrument - and that any soldering modification affects the value/resale value.
(Also I do not really like treble bleed kits. Never worked for me.)

Anyway, that must have offended him, because first he said he could of course uninstall it but then he became really unfriendy via mail, saying that "all professionals" do this to their guitars when they really want to use it live and if I was being such a d**che about it should probably go shop somewhere else!
(So I guess in my last 20 years on playing on stage I totally missed out on becomming a pro via the "Volume Controller".) :wink:

I wrote him back that I was sorry if I unintentionally offended him and I had of course no problem taking my business somewhere else.
The other dealer was really nice, gave a fair discount (which the other one did not offer at all) and only charged 10€ for shipping (versus 50€ shipping !).

Sorry for such a long rant, but I can you believe this?


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Post subject: Re: Abby Handwound 60s or Cruz Masterdesign Pus for strat?
Posted: Sat Sep 21, 2013 9:28 am
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Well, I wouldn't do business with a complete idiot either. And that's what he sounds like. Hard to believe he's in business. I have a dozen or so Strats and I have treble bleed kits installed in 3 of them. It's an individual thing for each instrument. With some, the benefits are worth the effort. With most however it really isn't needed, and with some variations of the treble bleed mod it really makes the guitar sound worse.

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Post subject: Re: Abby Handwound 60s or Cruz Masterdesign Pus for strat?
Posted: Sat Sep 21, 2013 9:51 am
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yeah, also I don't understand why he would not first ask the customer if that is an option he wants or not.

I'm pretty sure the JC Fat 50s will be great too....the guitar should arrive some time next week.

Now the hard waiting time begins.... :D


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