Lace Sensors are noiseless, true single coil pickups. The Hot Gold in particular are replicas of the classic 57 pickups, so they are very bright and Stratty. The difference between the Gold and Hot Gold is the bridge pickup, which I guess you could say is Hot-Rodded. It's more powerful, yet it adds more brightness. The bridge really holds its own with distortion and is hotter than the YJM bridge by practical comparison. With the Hot Gold set you get a variety of tones, however they aren't mid-range heavy, so you won't get that mid-range crunch if that is what you're looking for.

They are really clean and clear sounding, plus they look good. When I modified the guitar again to put a humbucker in, I had to choose between losing the bright bridge or the soft, piano-like, neck pickup. It was tough, but the neck p'up is not there anymore. I posted pics of the current state of the former twin in the Pics of your strat forum, along with the answers to a few questions about the mods.

Sweet. Now, go get famous so we can hear her.

Love,
Todd

_________________
Up is louder!

Beautiful, and such a deal!

Enjoy and PLAY THAT ELECTRIC GUITAR!

Thanks Guys


FreedomStain: I've seen that Humbucker before, but I'm not familiar with it.
What is it?!?

It's a lace alumitone. I found out the hard way that it is really a single coil. It is A LOT louder than any single coil I ever heard though. Even with the lowest possible height they are louder than any other p'up on that guitar.

The white threw you off because it was a custom order. As cool as it looks I don't recommend getting one custom painted by lace because it took almost a year, there is no communication after the order, and the paint scratches easily. The pickup itself is interesting and is all about the natural tone of the guitar.

MANU,all the best of luck she is a beauty.Many years of great playing.

Purdy.
Congrats


Craig

Thanks


FreedomStain: Okay, so it's a LOUD single coil. Does it add more of the humbucker warmth, and take away the twang bell like of a single coil though?
Yeah, the white threw me off, I had seen them in the regular metal color, I thought it was something different. I miss your old pickguard and strap though hahaha.

I just played it for the first time in a long time to research the answer. It is a lot less twangier than the other singles. I need to stress the neutrality of these pickups because they seem to be in the middle of the bright single coil muddy humbucker spectrum. It has warmth when you need it and you get that single coil ring with it sometimes. It is kind of in a class all by itself. If it is still too bright for you, the tone knob can significantly change that- in a good way. The pickup actually sounds great when the tone is rolled down. It can be very smooth for chords, yet it has a bell tone sweet spot on the 3 high strings that starts around the 7th fret. After the 12th it has a fantastic Clapton blues tone.

Like I said, it is very different.

I don't believe that the Samarian Cobalt Noiseless pickups and the S-1 switching that your refereing to is available i the Deluxe noiseless version. I have owned both and the American S-1 has a push in button on the volumew to run the signal in paralel or in serries. You have the noiseless version with the button to add more serries signals. Ther is a huge difference in pickups between the Mexican noiselss and the Samarain Cobalt noiseless with S-1 switching. I think your guitar is beautiful but I have never been a fan of the Mexican Deluxe noisless (or is it Korean) pickups they allways felt lifeless to me and are a universe away from the Samarian cobalt.bu the Guitar looks AWESOME just not a fan of your pickup selection but to each rheir own. I just ordered a new MIM strat now that they lowere the price a little and got the Artic white with the Maple fretboard I will change out my pickups too but I think I'll go with Texas specials in mine..GOOD LUCK!! and ENJOY!!

FreedomStain: Well, now you really have me interested in these PU's. I'm going to have to find a guitar with them to hear them for myself. Apart from sounding good, I'll have to add they look pretty awesome as well.

MakingLemonade: Well thanks. I've never heard the SCN PU's, but to be honest with you, I am completely in LOVE with my vintage noiseless on my guitar. At first I had to get used to the VERY LOW output of them (they are Noiseless), but to me the sounds they produce at clean and bluesy settings are absolutely incredible. I considered the Texas Specials, but wanted something very quiet and great for clean sounds. Good luck with your axe!!!

Very nice!

Brought the #1 home! A LNIB-without the stickers, 2007 (MZ7) Artic White MIM Stratocaster-couldn't find a scratch. GC had a trade-in and priced this one at $279; I plugged it in and loved the sound, feel. and color. What a week I'm having playing this one...
Photos with/without flash.

Congrats Hiker!

White is always a very classy choice

Congrats, I always loved a white strat. Best of luck and God Bless.