I'm looking at two USA strat fully loaded pickguards on Ebay. One is (quote) a 2008 fully loaded pickguard with hot alnico 3 pickups and the Fender Custom Shop designed "Greasebucket" circuitry (as used on the Custom Shop Stratocaster Pro model, producing the effect that when rolled down, the tone pot reduces the high frequencies, but does not add bass). The other is a 2008/9 which has (quote) the three newly introduced Alnico 5 pickups are fully wired up to the Fender Delta Tone Circuitry (CTS pots and 5 way switch)

Which is better?

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll? ... K:MEWAX:IT
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll? ... K:MEWAX:IT

I'm not going to get in the "which is better" conversation but if I were buying I'd get the Alnico 5 and the Delta Tone. I just don't care for the Grease Bucket. My opinion only. Good luck and enjoy either.

thanks fhopkins. Rather than 'which is better' what sounds can i expect from each type of pups? I love playing through the clean channel or through the AC30TB setting on my VOX amp. I play a lot of 60's ,shadows, the move and searchers stuff (just like me dear pa ) but I also play lots of ACDC tunes.

Well I like the Delta tone because it lets you use the pup without any coloring on it. It's just straight pup tone, no load.or you can add tone to your liking. Look up and read the differences between the Delta Tone and the Grease Bucket and it will explain it better than I can. Just google them. A lot like the Grease bucket. Martian surely can explain it better than me.
I'm sure you can find some sound clips on youtube and decide which pup and system you like the best!

Sir for hank tone dont go near any hot wound pickups. The period correct magnet would be alnico5 though there were a few guitars with alnico2 magnets made. I personaly suspect them to be responsible for the classic Marvin sound.

Why not look to a nice set of kent armstrong's or kinmans (Hank uses kinmans now, I think). If in doubt look for a nice hi-mid strong low powered pickup.

All the best with it. Hank tone is a quest thats 50 years old in England now. BTW if your in the UK i met a tremendous (i mean stunning) pickup maker from lincoln. At the time i was checking a 59LP and this guy wanders in with a 58 reissue with his own pickups in. I couldnt hear the difference. I'll try and get contact details.

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No no and no

I'm glad someone with more technical knowledge saved me here! Thanks Nick!

Am Std ... hands down. It is not the "standard" for no reason -- it is just a very solid, nice setup.

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Laughing out loud with fear and hope, I have a desperate plan ...

Alnico III pu's very versatile
and will give you the tones you want.

IMO, both circuits, the Grease Bucket (GB) and Delta Tone (DT) are gimmickry, yes, gimmickry and totally unnecessary. In a, "nutshell", the former narrows the frequency band, suppressing mids and lows in favor of inherent highs whereas the latter simply knocks out a goodly portion of mids and lows to emphasize inherent highs. You can now see why the transition from GB to DT would come in the name of more dramatic results.

As has been said here, there and everywhere a million times, way too many players have no conception of what a guitar's tone control is capable of as they never use it nor do they have any inclination to in spite of being informed time and time again of the worth of manipulating tone pots. They continually dismiss the concept yet at the same time, continually crave for more of everything from their guitars' electronics. So, here are two outstanding marketing ploys aimed at said players (and the otherwise gullible) to think there is a 'special', mystical, magical tone pot, worthy of their notice where an extension of a guitar's tonality is available for the very first time. Innovation? Please!

Consider:

For those who embrace either gimmick's supposed enhancements to their guitar's circuit, they would be better to simply set their amp to 'that sound' of preferred gimmick with a 'normal' guitar's circuit and then, believe it or not, back off on their 'normal' tone pot(s) as desired. They will be astonished that not only is all the tonality of these gimmick circuits still there but they can dial back any and all of what the chosen gimmick circuit has to offer and then some with more precision. I say, "and then some" as detents, ganged pots or 'special' increased or removed impedances in the circuit which by necessity, upset a 'normal' pot's dynamics are non-existent. Remember, we are talking PASSIVE circuitry here. Meaning, regardless of the chosen gimmick, whatever inherent tonality is in the guitar's circuit can only be REDUCED and NOT added to.

As to the whole Alnico magnet strength issue, you can make an Alnico V pickup react just like and Alnico IV, III or II by simply lowering the pickup accordingly. The magnetic pull on the strings will weaken as the distance of the pickup from the strings increases.

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You dig?

Martian, I am not enamored with any "Gimmick" pot that the manufacture installs on a guitar. I was simply (uninformed as I am) trying to answer the Op's question. My tele came with the Delta Tone and gimmick or not I like it. I do also know the value of rolling off the normal tone pot. As you put it, that is really all you need. I do however recognize your superior knowledge on the subject of electronics on guitars. I'm only a buyer and player not a tech. As always Thanks for your input.

I am well aware that you are the frustrated electronics and pup guru on the forum and that you probably tire setting us uninformed straight on the nuances of electronics on the guitar!

Believe me, this wasn't directed to, nor implied at you. So, if I've offended you in any way, I apologize as this was surely not my intention. I do acknowledge that for many too and in retrospect, I should have said this caveat, many who are avid 'normal' tone pot users, find the GB and the DT as conveniences which work well for their personal stylings.

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You dig?

No problem Martian as I understand! Now if I can retain the information!

As they say, there are many ways to skin a cat or to obtain a desired tone!

Just to upset the balance I've decided to opt for some kinman pickups!

I'm not into gadgets, guitar wizardry or guru knowledge of guitar electronics, i just go for sound. If i play something and it sounds right then i assume it must be!

All I know is, whatever guitar, amp and effect I use and whether it sounds distorted, clean, delayed or has infinite sustain... it still sounds like me playing! so i guess that its me that creates the sound and the music I make.

I think I have just received spiritual enlightment! (someone pass me another beer )