Hi, I have this guitar for about 1 year, as many of you know this guitar comes with 2 Texas Special and 1 Seymour Duncan Pearly Gates. I know that these pick ups are really good, probably im just a fool but im thinking changing the pick ups, I would like to have something different because nowadays there are some guitars(like lonestar strat) with these pick ups and i would like to have something different in my guitar, something that will make my guitar "my guitar".
I've been looking for some pick ups and i figured out some that i thought interesting but not sure if it would be worth the change.

I would like a really nice clean single coils on the neck and middle position and a good humbucker with a vintage rock n roll sound.

I saw the seymour duncan antiquity both single coils and humbucker...
I saw also sd zephyr humbucker...

I have a nice budget and i could go to custom if recommended.

Im receptive to other brands so i would like if someone could help me, all suggestions are welcome...and im sorry about the bad english.

Regards to everyone from Portugal.

Diogo.

Welcome Diogo.

Your English is excellent.

The "Pearly Gates" you now have in your guitar is in fact, a, "Pearly Gates Plus". This pickup is closest to a slightly more powerful Seymour Duncan's "59" model rather than their actual "Pearly Gates" model. Keeping this in mind, if you replaced your PG+ with a Duncan "Antiquity", you'd be getting essentially the same pickup you have in there now but only weaker and maybe with slightly more midrange.

To me, the "Zephyr" is an expensive gimmick. Granted, it has all sorts of desirable electrical properties but consider the fact that since the inception of humbuckers, literally everyone has quite successfully gotten by without them right up to (and through) this posting.

As there are so many vintage voiced, 'conventional' humbuckers by many manufacturers to choose from, you'd have to be much more specific as to which vintage tonal traits in particular you desire. The same applies to your clean sounding single coils. I do suggest that you might want to replace your single coils with humbucking pickups which would fit in a single coil slot. The reason I say this is because to me, it makes no sense to have a Stratocaster where only one third of it is humbucking as this will cause noise and tonal problems when switching back and forth between humbucking and non-humbucking applications, especially if you tend to use any kind of preamps such as pedals, amp overdriving, etc. As I'm sure you've noticed too, there is a huge difference in volume between your full sized humbucker and your two single coils. This too can be equalized if you so choose.

Keep in mind though, you will probably be getting a plethora of suggestions, all valid where it may or may not leave you more confused.

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Thank you very much...that really helped and yes I really feel the huge difference of volume when I switch between the single coils and the humbucker.
When I first bought this guitar I wanted something versatile since I liked to play 90's stuff(mostly "grunge" I still like but don't play that much anymore), I love Mark Knopfler tone of course with this kind of guitar i won't reach that tone but just to have an idea, Gary Moore is also a really nice tone and i love it.
The idea of the humbucking sound on single coils really makes sence and yhea would be completely different of normal series of HSS and that is really what i want something different.

Any suggestions about humbucker(single coils sized) that you think would match well with this guitar?

Thank you again,
Diogo Santos

You're welcome.

For single coil sized HBs, consider DiMarzio's Virtual Vintage series if you want Mark Knopfler tones. These will positively get them for you. Specifically, take a close look at the Area 61s and Area 58s; if you want a really "quacky" Strat, consider the Area 67s. For Gary Moore's tones with the full sized HB, consider a Duncan JB. Granted, there will still be a huge difference in volume with the JB versus the DiMarzios but based on your requirements, the above suggestions should definitely achieve your goals.

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Ooooh...Di Marzio Virtual Vintage didn't know those! I guess Di Marzio ones are moderate output and the SD JB high output, so to avoid the big difference on volume i would have to choose the full sized HB moderate output as well instead of high output?

Have you ever experienced this kind of pick ups?

Do you think would be definetely different and better sounding guitar?

Remember, ANY full sized humbucker is going to be louder than the DiMarzios which I've recommended. Notwithstanding, if you want a lesser output one while still keeping with your requirements, try a DiMarzio 36th Anniversary PAF. Make sure you get the "F spaced" version as the polepieces and strings will line up best with it.

You name the (high end) pickup, I have experience with it. So yes, I'm quite familiar with all of them or I wouldn't have recommended them.

Yes, your guitar will sound infinitely superior with the DiMarzios than with what's in there now.

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Yhea...sooo, I have now in my mind this: DM VV Area 67(Neck), DM VV Area 61(Middle) and the full sized the 36th Anniversary...or
I don't know if you know these but i saw some Seymour Duncans when you first introduced me to this kind of single coils, and im thinking this: SD Vintage Rail(Neck), SD Duckbucker(Middle) and an Hot Rail as full sized...

Any better combinations you might wat to point it out?

The Vintage Rail and the Duckbucker are not in the same league tonally as the DiMarzio Areas. As a matter of fact, the Duckbucker is a VERY weak pickup to begin with, surely weaker than what you have in there now or any of the single slot DiMarzios. Of note is the fact that any 'rail' HB is designed for more modern stylings (Heavy Metal, etc.) and in the case of the full sized HB rail versions, these are typically even louder than many full sized, polepieced HBs. You are actually straying far, far away from your original postulation(s).

Your question, "Any better combinations you might want to point it out?" has me somewhat taken aback. Again, based on your preferences, I cited the pickups which I thought would best suit your requirements the FIRST time around. It would be illogical for me to state otherwise.

Good luck with whatever your selection is.

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I see...Yhea i realized i know $@!& about Pick Ups but its really good that ppl like you are able to help guys like me...Im the kind of guy that grabs the guitar, amp and overdrive and just plays, but i really feel that with you i learned something good and that will definately help me to find a better tone.

About all the topic, im sure im gonna try Di Marzio, seems the best option, the option that makes more sence and that probably will get me a better tone.

Your help meant a lot for me...
Thanks for all the help and im sorry for my ignorance.

Best Regards

I apprectiate your kind words. You are quite welcome and no apology is necessary. Please let me know how the new pickups work out for you.

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Hi!
Im working on changing the pick ups now!
I really want the 36th anniversary in my guitar do you know if is available in Dimarzio the 36th with worn nickel cover f-spaced?
How i order that?

Regards, Diogo.

They have exactly what you are looking for at Musician's Friend. Just select from the drop down box.
http://www.musiciansfriend.com/accessor ... tar-pickup

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tdiers
Guitars
2012 Fender Modern Player Stratocaster HSS
2012 G&L ASAT Deluxe Carved Top
2012 Ovation Elite 2078AX
2012 Applause AE128 Bubinga
Amp
Fender Mustang II
Fender Mustang I

Yhea musiciansfriend is really cool they have everything, its just a shame im currently living in Norway and i would pay a lot for border taxes.

The 67 is a bit bright for the neck, and the 61 a bit powerful for the middle.(IMHO)
I have this combo in one of mine and love it!
Area 58(n)
Area 67 (m)
36th Anniv. PAF (br.)
The 'bucker doesn't overpower the singles....and the sound is nothing short of incredible!
I gotten compliments of this combo when I played out live!

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