Hi all, seeking advice, input, and probably abuse.
I have a 2007 Hiway 1 strat.
I'm using a Marshall Haze 40w combo, and a Mustang II, both of which have a wonderfull sound, really just about amazing tone.
The stock strat pickups were really thin and had a high "bite" that wasn't all that good sounding, pretty harsh. I love strat tones, obviously, ala Hendrix, Jeff Beck, not so crazy about the SRV thing.
I put in a set of Bill Lawrence pickups (L280S neck and middle, L298 bridge), and although they are damn near silent they sound very similar to the stock HW1 Fender pups in the neck and middle positions.
Still somewhat thin with a kind of harsh upper bite.
What should I try next, Area whatever Dimarzios? Fralins?
Anybody wanna set of Bill Lawrence noiseless pups?

Thanks,

Les

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"When the going get's weird, the weird turn pro."
Dr. Gonzo
1994 PRS CE 24-White
1964 Gibson SG-Cream Yellow??!!
2008 Hw1 Strat-Sunburst/Maple
2010 Epiphone Les Paul Plustop ProFX

Did you try getting rid of the greasebucket circuit and go with a standard Strat style of wiring? Did you play with pickup height?

If you wanna just get rid of the BL pups free I'll take them.


My suggestion would be an SR Set from http://wcrguitar.com/ You have to contact Jim to ask about them as he only makes them once a year and only a few sets so they are not on the website.

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Chet Feathers

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

My favorites...Van Zandts.

I did toss the greasebucket and go with a conventional strat circuit (more or less, second tone is now for bridge pickup).

I'll try the pup heights again, right now they are set at the suggested nickel/2nickels heights, and the highs are harsh and bitey...

Nah, but if you want some the Wilde pups, they're ridiculously cheap for noiseless pups...

Les

_________________
"When the going get's weird, the weird turn pro."
Dr. Gonzo
1994 PRS CE 24-White
1964 Gibson SG-Cream Yellow??!!
2008 Hw1 Strat-Sunburst/Maple
2010 Epiphone Les Paul Plustop ProFX

My vote, as always, for the strat thick, warm and clear attributes goes to Fender CS69. Be aware that they pronounce all your playing mistakes and are noisy buggers (no RW/RP in the middle pickup).

LS280's shouldn't sound like that. They should be a good thick sounding pickup.
Pot values maybe?
A cold solder?
Did you wire the bridge pickup to a tone control?

Just suggestions.

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No no and no

Maybe the Stratocaster simply isn't 'your' guitar......?

Arjay

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"Here's why reliability is job one: A great sounding amp that breaks down goes from being a favorite piece of gear to a useless piece of crap in less time than it takes to read this sentence." -- BRUCE ZINKY

Yeah, well that's what I think too... shouldn't sound like that.
The 298 sounds fine.
I dropped the (290s) pups way down, and now they sound better, I'll try it like this for a while.
No cold solder, I did move the lower tone control on to the bridge pup. Why would that matter?? Have I revealed a crucial strat ignorance??

I think a strat is fine for me, perhaps I'm just serious about how it sounds... I do play for money (I setup, practice, teardown, rehearse for free, however...) and probably I'm just a critical listener.
If the lowered (drastically) pups don't work out, something else will.

I confess, I did just get an Epi Les Paul, and I absolutely love it.

Les

_________________
"When the going get's weird, the weird turn pro."
Dr. Gonzo
1994 PRS CE 24-White
1964 Gibson SG-Cream Yellow??!!
2008 Hw1 Strat-Sunburst/Maple
2010 Epiphone Les Paul Plustop ProFX

What's the value of your tone cap?

Arjay

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"Here's why reliability is job one: A great sounding amp that breaks down goes from being a favorite piece of gear to a useless piece of crap in less time than it takes to read this sentence." -- BRUCE ZINKY

Having a tone pot in the circuit of a pickup, even if it is always on 10 takes a little of the high end out of the sound.
Unless of course it's a deltatone pot.

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No no and no

I have on order, 2 Dimarzio Area 58s for the neck and middle and a 61 for the bridge for an Agile ST1000. I hope to get a little more thickness in the tone. The stock pups are kind of thin.

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I'm with you fellers!
www.thissideup.us

Why is it that when someone posts about a crappy Strat (or Tele, or whatever) tone, the first responses are always to change the pups (after which there are 10 pages listing everyone's favorite pups), followed close behind by recommendations to change the tone control circuit on the guitar? Does anyone ever consider the amps and speakers that are being used and the eq settings on the amp? Seems to me the answer is "no". I have Fender SCNs (which some seem to hate, but I love) in my Strat along with the Greasebucket tone circuit on the neck and bridge pup. I play through a Fender Blues Deluxe Reissue (which some people hate, but I love). By twirling the eq controls I can make my Strat sound like heaven or hell.

So, Mr. OP, have you tried adjusting the amp eq for your guitar? Especially important since you are using two very different amps? BTW, how can the amps have a "wonderful sound" but the pickups sound "thin with a kind of harsh upper bite"? It is after all, the pickups sound you are hearing through the amps.

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Bill

What you will find with all Marshall amps is that you have to run em hard and that the eq controls are very interactive. You don't want your channel volumes on any less than maximum with your master volume on anything less than 7. Their a waste of time otherwise. Also keep the mids up, way up. The treble down to one or two and the bass above the mids.
1x12 Marshall combo's can sound very very boxy.

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No no and no

Good advice (I guess. I know nothing about Marshall amps! ). When I changed from the stock ceramic pups in my Strat to SCNs. I had to totally redo my amp eq settings to get them to sound like I wanted (Which was not like the stock pups).

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Bill

I've got CS 69's (and the grease bucket circuit) in one of my Strats and I love 'em.

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"Life is like eating jalapenos. What you do today may burn your arse tomorrow"