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Post subject: Strat pup questions...lots of 'em.
Posted: Thu Jun 26, 2008 6:11 am
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Location: Tampa Bay
I just got a 1995 AmStd Strat which I've bonded with. I'm mulling over replacing the pups--Though I like the acoustic properties for fingerpicking, I wouldn't mind something with more warmth and range. In order of interest-CS69s, Fat 50s and Texas Specials. I'd like some yays and nays for each one. How are these noise-wise compared to the stock pups? Do any of you prefer the stock ones, and what is involved in using them with TBX?? I also have a Deluxe AmStd from 1989 with Gold Laces (love/no love) so I want something different and am not interested in Noiseless or high-gain stuff--I like warmth and shimmer and old-school grit tone-wise, and also do solo gigs, so clarity is important.


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Post subject: Re: Strat pup questions...lots of 'em.
Posted: Wed Jul 02, 2008 5:00 pm
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The following is merely MY OPINION, as always, YMMV.

The CS 69s have a scooped midrange (meaning, very little). They are a superior choice for fingerpicking aspects as they are crisp sounding and give excellent note separation. Naturally, they are an excellent choice for rhythm or clean soloing.

For increased mids, the Fat 50s would do the trick. They give the guitar an overall mellower tone than the CS 69s and exhibit a mild "rip" when you play aggressively. For increased mids and a more powerful output too, that's where the Texas Specials come in. They exhibit the inherent properties of the Fat 50s but take them more to the extreme. In other words, they are a bit more compressed tonally and can make an amp overdrive much easier than the other two models. Consequently, the Fat 50s would not be as dynamic as the CS69s for finger picking yet are still good for rhythm. The TSs would not be a good choice for finger picking at all and can be a tad farty when it comes to rhythm. The TSs bridge pickup is designed to be more powerful than the other two in the set.

Noise wise, any of the above are within typical Fender single coil parameters. So, noise isn't an issue unless you are going to subject them to extreme playing conditions or succumb to many a ridiculous web dogma which states they are.

The TBX is an utter waste of time.

The stock (now called, "Delta Tone") pickups are excellent "utility" pickups and cover a lot of ground. The same can be said about Fender's 57/62s.

Of note is the fact that you can adjust the polepieces on the Delta Tones. They can be pushed up or down through the plastic bobbin. Here too, the bridge pickup is calibrated to be more powerful than the other two.

All the other models polepieces cannot be adjusted and they come with a high G polepiece which is a throw back to the days of wound G strings. This bothers some people as they perceive their unwound G string to be too loud. It never bothered me though as never did the hum from any single coil Fender Strat pickup.

The stock pickups and the TSs are the only two sets of the bunch which come with a RW/RP middle pickup so that positions two and four on the toggle make the pickups humbucking.

FWIW, I've been using Strats as my #1 since 1968 so I think I can pretty much surmise the sound you're looking for. Having said this, for whatever reason(s), if I wanted to stay within the Fender line of single coil Strat pickups (and believe me, I've tried them all), set wise, I'd probably go with the Delta Tones but make sure I got a non RW/RP for the middle as I never liked mixing HBs with non-HBs on the same guitar, but that's just me. Close second woul be the 57/62s. Now if you told me to "mix and match", immediately, I'd go with a CS 69 in the neck, a Fat 50s in the middle and a TS in the bridge. This combo for sure would give you balls and bells!!

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Post subject:
Posted: Wed Jul 02, 2008 6:21 pm
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Joined: Thu Jun 26, 2008 5:43 am
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Location: Tampa Bay
Thanks for the "mileage"--prob. the best breakdown I've seen--I concur about the TS's, tho' I like the "smorgasboard" idea...I actually like the stock pups just fine after cranking everything up in a band situation last night (an all-original '64 Vibroverb doesn't hurt!!!!!!!).


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Post subject:
Posted: Wed Jul 02, 2008 7:45 pm
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Joined: Tue Jan 01, 2008 1:51 pm
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Location: Bucks County, Pennsylvania, USA
Hello Bobbya,

Well I like the Delta tone pickups
actually bought a new strat,
pickups played a major part of choice.
They're great all around pickups.

I also like many other pickups,
no single pickup will ever be the answer for me.
I do enjoy experimenting with variety.

Best of luck with your choice.


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