I was thinking about upgrading my American Standard Strat with a set of CS Fat 50s pickups and the Clapton Mid Boost kit. The problem is that I cannot find an example of these 2 options together.

Any thoughts on this set up. I love the 2 options separate, and figure they should work well together.

Your thoughts are appreciated.

What year is your American Standard? You do know about it's Delta Tone system, right? (no tone load option).

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My strat is a 2007 Ash Sienna Sunburst. I am not 100% familiar with the Delta and could use some help in understanding this if you don't mind. Also, please let me know how this relates to the Fat 50s that I am looking at.

Any feedback is appreciated.

Bear in mind that the midboost takes the vintage noiseless pickups from 9.5k to around 63k output (yes its a humbucker killer circuit). Do you really want to do that to a noisefull pickup. Scn's or dimarzio area pickups will work if you dont like the sound of VN's (which is understandable). Dont bother trying the singlecoil sized humbuckers (fs2 or seymour types). It just makes for an uncontrolable muddy sound.

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So, is the concern that these pickups will lose clarity when the boost hits them, or will get muddy. The middle pickup is reverse wound, so that should reduce some of the hum. The SCN have a resistence of 11.6K on the bridge and 6.5K on the neck/mid. The Fat 50s are 6.2K (bridge), 6.3K (middle), 6.0K (Neck). Should I want more resistance for the boost to keep the sound from getting muddy? I am just trying to how the 2 interact.

The more detail you can give me, the better.

Talk to me like the dummy that I am.

You need noise free pickups for the boost, any noise will be amplified by the boost. You need to keep the output of the pickups low but still have them noiseless, which presents the problem of not being able to use traditional humbucker models. Forget the CS 54's they will be horrible in all but 2 positions, the tone of the pickup will be overshadowed by the boost. Which is always present to some degree even with the knob on zero. If i remember right user Blackie08 measured that 63k output with the boost knob on zero with lace hot golds. He's had all kinds of trouble getting used to that setup because of their extra output coupled with the boost.



Found on the last page of this thread.
http://www.fender.com/community/forums/viewtopic.php?t=19250&postdays=0&postorder=asc&start=30

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That really helped me understand why I need noiseless. I am really torn.

Do I go with CS54s and a Chromacaster switch or Noiseless PUs with the Clapton mid boost? You guys let me know your thoughts.

I have been checking out noiseless pickups that might work with the mid boost, but am having a real problem finding anything outside of the Fender noiseless. Can you guys let me know some good noiseless pickups to check out?

I play mostly blues (everything from SRV to Buddy Guy) and classic rock (Hendrix, Pink Floyd).

Thanks again for your feedback.

After looking around, I am thinking about the following set up:

Dimarzio Virtual Vintage 54 Pro (Bridge)
Dimarzio Area 61 Neck
Dimarzio Area 58 Middle

Another possibility:


Dimarzio Area 61 (Bridge)
Dimarzio Area 67 Neck
Dimarzio Area 58 Middle

I really like the sound of the Dimarzio pickups. I like the Kinman also, but the sound is not that much better than the Dimarzios and they cost 2X the price.

This should handle the boost (7.5K highest rating) and they are noiseless.

Any history with these pickups?

Dimarzio are a tremendous builder arent they. Those area series pickups seem to get rave reviews off everyone that comes into contact with them.

As far as my opinion goes i'd look to getting the guitar just how i like it and using a graphic eq for the boost. I've a boss 10band that gives 15db of boost and that seems quite enough in the lower mid range which is where the clapton circuit is centered.
I'd atleast try that before going and installing the circuit, then you can get a rough idea of the effects on your pickups.
The circuit is a good one but can be a little hard to use and get used to.

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