Hi,

I’m new to this forum (a great forum by the way), and actually I don’t even own a Fender yet. However, after having wanted a Strat for many years, I have now decided to buy one, and I have narrowed my search down to either an American Standard, a Mexico Standard or a Deluxe Roadhouse. In Sweden, the American standard is twice as expensive as the Roadhouse, so this is obviously a factor to consider.

I love the Texas Specials, but I’m not sure how they can handle “old school”, clean Strat sound. Are these PUs mostly for blues playing, or can they handle “The Shadows” kind of sound as well? When I played the American Standard, I thought it gave a richer sound with more options of different tones than the Roadhouse did, but it didn't have the punchier blues sound of the Texas Specials. Is this only in my imagination, or is it the case? Is the Roadhouse a bit more limited in terms of tone?

Thanks,
Henrik

Welcome!

Essentially, all Fender single coil pickup are the same. The slight variations made to the primary design is what creates the characteristics of the different sets being offered today. In the case of Texas Specials (TSs), the coils are overwound in comparison to that of a 'standard' Strat pickup. This produces a higher output and a lower resonant peak. Alnico V magnets are used instead of Alnico III to prevent the pickup from just belching out midrange due to these extra windings.

Yes, the tonality you desire as a set can had from the TSs by slightly turning the treble up and slightly turning the midrange and bass down on your amp. And if you want a more Pre-CBS sound out of them, simply lower their height on the pickguard.

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You dig?

I use my guitar with Texas Specials for everything from jazz to death metal. Sure if I wanted a real jazz sound I'd be better off with a hollowbody and if I wanted real death metal sound I'd be better off with humbuckers, but versatility with the Texas Specials has never been a problem for me. With a little tweaking, you can play any style.

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Hey Newbe StratHead-

I love my Texas Specials- I have them in my Mexican Strat. I play classic rock with them and now...I play Surf ...they kick - very nice well rounded tone. Cant beat them-

The Freeze

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There's Always Room For MELLOW !!!!

2000 MIM Stratocaster, Midnight Wine W/Texas Specials
2000 Fender Hot Rod Deluxe
1969 Fender Vibro Champ

Thanks for your input, guys. I have talked to the guitar tech at the store and he will set the Roadhouse up with new strings and clean the fretboard so that I can test it a bit more on Saturday. Hopefully I can then make a decision on which one to buy.

It sounds as if the Roadhouse is a more versatile instrument than I thought from the start.

Cheers,
Henrik