I'm done with the SCN's. I'm looking for a pickup that has that classic full, clear, bell-like strat tone. Something that has a nice spank and a nice top end that doesn't get too harsh. I would like it to be good with over driven tones as well.

I was basically set on the CS 69's, but the mixed review made me a little weary.

Not to bust your chops, but have you experimented with pickup adjustments with the SCN's?

It seems to me that those bell tones can certainly be had with those pickups. I'm also a huge advocate of figuring out how to achieve the sound you want through your approach to picking, string choice, etc, rather than going down to the speed shop and buying something you can bolt on.

In my experience, a lot of that bell tone comes from your picking technique.

The SCN's are fabulous pickups. I recommend you play around with pickup height before you go replacing them.

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I didn't Lose my mind, I traded it for this guitar.

+1 for CS 69. I don't thing that you are going to get a mostly positive response for any pickups. Everyone has a different tone in their head/ears.

You can go to the areyouexperienced, s duncan web sites and compare sound clips to give you some idea. Most likely yours will sound mildly different due to your guitar/amp and setup. Now you will probably notice why many people have a bunch of spare sets of pups .

I've used the SCN's for well over a year now and have experimented with different heights, combo's and stuff. They just always left me wanting more on the clean side of things. I also really don't care for the S-1 switching besides using it to beef up leads in the 1st and 3rd position.

I was at Guitar Center yesterday checking out a DRRI and had the guy grab an Am Dlx for me. I played for a little while then grabbed a Hwy 1 that was nearby - I thought the Hwy 1 sounded much better and had much more of that classic strat sound I had in my head.

You know, I recently bought a set of the new hot noiseless pickups that Fender worked with Jeff Beck and made. They're really nice. They're actually hot and noiseless. I agree with you on the SCNs. They were never really my cup of tea either and I always thought the tex mex and texas specials got too harsh at the top as you mentioned. Take a look at the hot noiseless. They are hot but without the harshness.

I will definitely check out those sites. I know it's going to be tough to get a consistent recommendation due to the subjectivity of good tone.

Thanks for the response

OK. Sounds like you have made up your mind to try something else.

I have 2 non-Fender suggestions.

Contact Jim Wagner at WCR www.crcoils.com and see if he has any of his SR sets left. WARNING: You will not find them on his website.

Contact Becky Lawrence at www.billlawrence.com Bill Lawrence is actually the one that designed the Jeff Beck pickups for Fender. Bill's pickups are great!!!

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Chet Feathers

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I didn't Lose my mind, I traded it for this guitar.

I replaced the vinatage noiseless that came standard in my American Deluxe with Suhr FL's. Amazing pickups. You can get them standard (slightly hot) or classic (vintage). Great classic tone through my DRRI. The Suhr website has some video clips, and there are a few on youtube.

http://lacemusic.com/electric_pickups/l ... _specs.php

Emerald, Silver, Purple. Think they call it the Monterey Set
no noise, plenty of Strat tone

tried the EMG Gilmour set, was really disappointed, they just don't have that Strat sound

There's a lot of faithful SCN users here, myself included (you'll have to forgive us).

If you're really bent on something new maybe CS 69's are what you're looking for.

I didn't even know Suhr made single coils. I'm sure they're nice, but are they $240-a-set nice? Haven't checked eBay, so I don't know if they can be had on there for less.

I just came across a link for this site in the Pickups & Accessories forum:

http://www.acmeguitarworks.com/Strat_Pi ... ips_W1.cfm

Nice comparison between all the CS pickups. They all sound somewhat similar for the most part. Seems the 69's are a little more bassy to my ears. Texas Specials seems to be the hottest. Those Fralins sound real good, too!

I think they're worth it. Amazing tone and super quiet. You can buy them individually too for about $75-80 if you're on a budget and want to buy one at a time. I don't think Fender gives you that option. But, that being said there are lots of good options out there. Unfortunately pickups aren't as easy to try out as a new guitar or amp.

Oh, I email Suhr about a wiring question I had, and John Suhr himself replied a couple of hours later offering more help than I ever could have needed. Great company!

I don't know what bad reviews you may have heard about the 69s. They are pickups and the sound is very subjective. I could understand if a person got a dead pickup, but other than that, it depends on the type of sound you want. I like the 69s. I think they sound more full and round than the SCNs.

Personally, I actually like the Fat 50s better than the the reset of the CS pickups. I like how the bridge is nice and bright, but not thin sounding. Then the neck and middle are full of tone. Plenty of bottom end and nice clear tones on the top end.

Check out this site and listen for yourself... http://www.acmeguitarworks.com/Strat_Pickup_Sound_Clips_W1.cfm