Pickups - OK, I've HAD IT!! What to try next??

bonedaddio · **Posted:** Wed Sep 22, 2010 1:46 pm

bluesky636 wrote:

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.

Yes, it's my first rodeo and you must be the clown!
You are no help, and obviously not interested in helping.

Please, read and think before posting, like, read my sig. I don't use a strat exclusively; although completely different, the amps both sound absolutely great, just no so much with the Strat.

Marshall 40w Haze combo: yes, it can sound a little boxy, but with an appropriate overdrive pedal on the clean channel, such as the Blackstar HT Dual, it's amazing. The overdrive channel is nice too, but kind of limited.

I want the strat to sound good to my ears: when I tried out a Fender Blues Jr., I took it back because I didn't like the sound. I had a Line6 Spider Valve for a while, and I've settled on the Haze as a very decent small amp.
The next step in my process will be getting the Strat to sound like I want.

Pickups are a very logical place to start. I'll be interested in hearing how the Area 51s work out, let us know!

Les

bluesky636 · **Posted:** Wed Sep 22, 2010 1:52 pm

bonedaddio wrote:

Yes, it's my first rodeo and you must be the clown!
You are no help, and obviously not interested in helping.

Funny, but by 16 posts, most people here learn some manners. You obviously have not. Good luck on your quest. :roll:

Retroverbial · **Posted:** Wed Sep 22, 2010 1:57 pm

bonedaddio wrote:

I want the strat to sound good to my ears

Help us out here......

Did your Strat ever sound good?

Arjay

Martian · **Posted:** Wed Sep 22, 2010 2:54 pm

Bill,

I hate to add to the confusion here but the SCNs (Bill Lawrence designed) as well as the outright Bill Lawrence pickups you are using now both and all use ceramic based magnets.

Per my interpretation of your opening post (and please correct me if I'm mistaken), it appears you want first and foremost, some kind of Alnico magnet in all your pickups. In accordance with this, I'm also interpreting that you prefer whichever pickups themselves to be clearly more powerful than that of the usual or 'traditional' Strat pickup.

Am I on the right track here?

CAFeathers · **Posted:** Wed Sep 22, 2010 3:05 pm

bonedaddio wrote:

CAFeathers wrote:

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.

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

Bill and Becky are my friends so I am very familiar with their pickups and the "nickel method" of pickup height adjustments.

bluesky636 · **Posted:** Wed Sep 22, 2010 4:03 pm

Martian wrote:

Bill,

I hate to add to the confusion here but the SCNs (Bill Lawrence designed) as well as the outright Bill Lawrence pickups you are using now both and all use ceramic based magnets.

Per my interpretation of your opening post (and please correct me if I'm mistaken), it appears you want first and foremost, some kind of Alnico magnet in all your pickups. In accordance with this, I'm also interpreting that you prefer whichever pickups themselves to be clearly more powerful than that of the usual or 'traditional' Strat pickup.

Am I on the right track here?

I think you have me and the OP confused. :wink:

Martian · **Posted:** Wed Sep 22, 2010 4:25 pm

bluesky636 wrote:

Martian wrote:

Bill,

I hate to add to the confusion here but the SCNs (Bill Lawrence designed) as well as the outright Bill Lawrence pickups you are using now both and all use ceramic based magnets.

Per my interpretation of your opening post (and please correct me if I'm mistaken), it appears you want first and foremost, some kind of Alnico magnet in all your pickups. In accordance with this, I'm also interpreting that you prefer whichever pickups themselves to be clearly more powerful than that of the usual or 'traditional' Strat pickup.

Am I on the right track here?

I think you have me and the OP confused. :wink:

Indeed, I do; my apologies, Bill. :oops:

Les, what say you?

bluesky636 · **Posted:** Wed Sep 22, 2010 4:39 pm

Martian wrote:

Indeed, I do; my apologies, Bill. :oops:

No need to apologize but thanks.

bluesstrattone · **Joined:** Fri Jun 20, 2008 11:08 am **Posts:** 2265

you could try fat 50s.
i for one didnt like the marshall haze.

bonedaddio · **Posted:** Wed Sep 22, 2010 9:03 pm

I didn't start the condescending posts, but I'll be happy to play too.

I'm chasing some of the sounds of the strat/marshall/sunn combinations on Axis Bold as Love, primarily, plus later, more overdriven denser versions of those sounds (think "High Road Easy" by Sass Jordan).
I saw the Axis tour at Hunter College in New York, and it's never left me.

I'm not sure I can help with any confusion... the Hiway 1 comes with "Hot Single-Coil Strat® Pickups with Alnico 3 Magnets and Reverse Wound/Reverse Polarity Middle Pickup". It's a 2008 model.

I really don't care what magnet material is employed (maybe I should??!!!), I just want a fuller sound with less "bite" at the top. And I'd prefer a noiseless design. And world peace, I'd like that too, please.

And so it goes...

bluesstrattone · **Joined:** Fri Jun 20, 2008 11:08 am **Posts:** 2265

bonedaddio wrote:

I didn't start the condescending posts, but I'll be happy to play too.

I'm chasing some of the sounds of the strat/marshall/sunn combinations on Axis Bold as Love, primarily, plus later, more overdriven denser versions of those sounds (think "High Road Easy" by Sass Jordan).
I saw the Axis tour at Hunter College in New York, and it's never left me.

I'm not sure I can help with any confusion... the Hiway 1 comes with "Hot Single-Coil Strat® Pickups with Alnico 3 Magnets and Reverse Wound/Reverse Polarity Middle Pickup". It's a 2008 model.

I really don't care what magnet material is employed (maybe I should??!!!), I just want a fuller sound with less "bite" at the top. And I'd prefer a noiseless design. And world peace, I'd like that too, please.

And so it goes...

good tune by the way, i love the tone with the p94 on that gibby.
the strat in question sounds like a vintage tweed tube amp cranked up in position 4 neck/middle. with vintage style pickups.
when i was searching for an amp, i tried the haze, i could be wrong, you may not get that tone you seek http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z5eSOGftP8w
try a classic players 50 0r 60s at your local gc hook up to a haze, then hook it up to a blues jr or hot rod deluxe, take an od pedal. you may be surprised and find the answer your looking for. i understand your frustration, and am posting in good intentions, no quarrels.

Martian · **Posted:** Thu Sep 23, 2010 4:37 am

bonedaddio wrote:

I didn't start the condescending posts, but I'll be happy to play too.

I'm chasing some of the sounds of the strat/marshall/sunn combinations on Axis Bold as Love, primarily, plus later, more overdriven denser versions of those sounds (think "High Road Easy" by Sass Jordan).
I saw the Axis tour at Hunter College in New York, and it's never left me.

I'm not sure I can help with any confusion... the Hiway 1 comes with "Hot Single-Coil Strat® Pickups with Alnico 3 Magnets and Reverse Wound/Reverse Polarity Middle Pickup". It's a 2008 model.

I really don't care what magnet material is employed (maybe I should??!!!), I just want a fuller sound with less "bite" at the top. And I'd prefer a noiseless design. And world peace, I'd like that too, please.

And so it goes...

The magnet material surely does make a world of difference.

Look into DiMarzio's Virtual Vintage Area series. Specifically, their Area 58, 61 and 67 models.

As far as world piece goes, that ain't never gonna happen without Divine Intervention. YMMV.

nikininja · **Posted:** Thu Sep 23, 2010 5:27 am

Axis was predominantly a p90'd V into a bassman on the record.

Not totaly the same but a lot nearer than you'll get with a strat

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zHIz6Dbeq9s

Simon M · **Posted:** Thu Sep 23, 2010 6:08 am

danielhelc wrote:

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).

+1 for this option.

kenjd6 · **Joined:** Fri May 14, 2010 3:22 pm **Posts:** 13

Seymour Duncan, I put a little 59 at the neck (I have HSS) and a pearly gate at the bridge,sounds pretty good,oh a classic stack plus in the center.

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