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Post subject: Texas Special vs Ceramic Noiseless
Posted: Thu Jan 31, 2013 8:23 pm
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Hi, can anyone who has strats equipped with Texas Specials and Ceramic Noiseless give some feedback as to how much better or quieter the Ceramic Noiseless really are at high volumes and if they are really worth it? My style is mostly clean with some medium overdrive tones.

I am basically comparing 2 strats I am considering buying. A Jeff Beck artist model and a AM Special in Surf Green. My main thing is I just want a Surf Green (I never had one) , but the 2013 AS only comes with a maple neck, and I would prefer a rosewood as I am more used to it.

(Yes, I realize that the price difference between them is a lot more than just the pickups, but I figure I can always setup the strat and or upgrade bridge and tuners myself if I really need to.)

p.s. if anyone got the JB model recently, did it come with the funky matching green strap? Cause I have to have that strap. :)

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Post subject: Re: Texas Special vs Ceramic Noiseless
Posted: Fri Feb 01, 2013 3:51 am
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I have both in 2 guitars, the TS are very hot, and noisy as hell through a tube amp with a lot of gain,
works great with a noise gate added, very hot vintage sound, SRVish.
the noiseless are very quite, and a lower output, works great for everything,
high gain or clean. they do make a hotter version, but i haven't tried them,
i would rather have my amp making all the gain, and not my pups.

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Post subject: Re: Texas Special vs Ceramic Noiseless
Posted: Fri Feb 01, 2013 9:53 am
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Noiseless are really stacked humbuckers. Their tone is a little mellow but full. Not quite as quacky as regular single coils. Texas Specials are hotter wound single coils with large magnets. Much different tone between the two, but it really depends on what sounds best to you. Try out an American Special Strat and a Deluxe Players Strat the next time you're out. Both are near the same price and the American Special has your Texas Specials and the Deluxe Players has the noiseless...

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Post subject: Re: Texas Special vs Ceramic Noiseless
Posted: Fri Feb 01, 2013 11:03 am
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If you're interested in noiseless but want to keep some lead in your Strat's pencil, look into the Virtual Vintage 'Area' series of pickups from DiMarzio. They smoke anything from Fender IMO.

Arjay

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Post subject: Re: Texas Special vs Ceramic Noiseless
Posted: Fri Feb 01, 2013 12:52 pm
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Big Dimarzio consumer here
The Virtual Vintage are not my faves
I have had about evey model once and the Area 61 or 67 is about good for a middle pickup only

The Dimarzio Injector now there is a beast, Bridge or Neck its the $@!&

Image

Image

Image

I dare any strat pickup to compete

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Post subject: Re: Texas Special vs Ceramic Noiseless
Posted: Fri Feb 01, 2013 1:46 pm
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Thanks for the great information and suggestions.

I have another 89 Strat which I replaced all the single coils (they were too noisy live) with dimarzio humbuckers; it seemed like a good idea at the time and worked great for reducing single coil noise, except, I think I completely lost that "Strat" sound in the process.

So I assume a Jeff Beck production Strat would be comparable to a Deluxe and not a Special. Can anyone confirm that the 2013 Specials will really be make in USA?

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Post subject: Re: Texas Special vs Ceramic Noiseless
Posted: Fri Feb 01, 2013 2:03 pm
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What Dimarzios did you use I have The Injecter Neck and the Area 61 and they are very straty.

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Post subject: Re: Texas Special vs Ceramic Noiseless
Posted: Fri Feb 01, 2013 2:15 pm
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donnycraven wrote:
What Dimarzios did you use I have The Injecter Neck and the Area 61 and they are very straty.


I would have to look that up. I did this like more than 10 or 15 years ago. They look like this http://www.dimarzio.com/sites/default/files/imagecache/product_pickup/dp187w.jpg

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Post subject: Re: Texas Special vs Ceramic Noiseless
Posted: Fri Feb 01, 2013 2:46 pm
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Oh yeah I only use those in a bridge I use the Super Distortion S
They are called Fast Tracks or Choppers a few names

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Post subject: Re: Texas Special vs Ceramic Noiseless
Posted: Fri Feb 01, 2013 11:08 pm
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darkogav wrote:
I am basically comparing 2 strats I am considering buying. A Jeff Beck artist model and a AM Special in Surf Green. My main thing is I just want a Surf Green (I never had one) , but the 2013 AS only comes with a maple neck, and I would prefer a rosewood as I am more used to it.


I'm in a similar situation; I need a surf green Strat with rosewood fretboard. I don't like having JB's signature on the front of the headstock, and the custom shop one feels way overiced (no?). I don't like the oversize headstock of the Am Special either. So, now I'm looking at the MIM Classic Series 50s, and turn it into a project - replace the neck with 9.5 rosewood one from eBay/Craigslist; replace the pickup with nice Dimarzios, and replace the plastic parts with aged mint green ones.


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Post subject: Re: Texas Special vs Ceramic Noiseless
Posted: Fri Feb 01, 2013 11:09 pm
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gus wrote:
So, now I'm looking at the MIM Classic Series 50s, and turn it into a project - replace the neck with 9.5 rosewood one from eBay/Craigslist; replace the pickup with nice Dimarzios, and replace the plastic parts with aged mint green ones.


You're on a roll.

Go for it!

8)

Arjay

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Post subject: Re: Texas Special vs Ceramic Noiseless
Posted: Sat Feb 02, 2013 12:52 am
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Can anybody justify paying >$2k for any Strat, custom shop or not? Unless you are collector I guess.


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Post subject: Re: Texas Special vs Ceramic Noiseless
Posted: Sat Feb 02, 2013 6:09 am
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gus wrote:
Can anybody justify paying >$2k for any Strat, custom shop or not? Unless you are collector I guess.


Yeah, I agree with you. It does seem the prices are pushing it a bit. However, I am quite surprised how guitar prices are fairly stable. I recall buying a new MIA Tele about 20 years ago and paying $750. Now they go for about what, $1000 to $1100? Do you have a clue how much houses were 20 years ago? Or just compare your cable bill or food prices 20 years ago.

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Post subject: Re: Texas Special vs Ceramic Noiseless
Posted: Sat Feb 02, 2013 7:56 am
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Quote:
gus wrote:
Can anybody justify paying >$2k for any Strat, custom shop or not? Unless you are collector I guess.


Ive got about 2 grand in my 08 american deluxe and yeah its worth it.
I bought the guitar at about 1300 then I wanted the ABS case so that was another 100
Then I wanted Dimarzios so figure out about $70 ea Injecter Neck Area 61 Middle and D'Activator Bridge.
Then a new custom pickgaurd all new wire and electronics
Then I wanted a real Floyd Rose over Mini Floyd because I wanted to lift harmonics and have flutter.
Thats was about a $500 endevor.

Thats kind of like asking is it worth it to get a real Les Paul Custom?
The Answer will always be Yes.

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Post subject: Re: Texas Special vs Ceramic Noiseless
Posted: Sat Feb 02, 2013 8:12 am
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I have a MIM Strat i set up with Di'marzio area pickups and I love them. I just set up another MIM Strat with a set of Texas specials and so far I'm happy. I'll be trying out my Texas Specials in a live setting in a few weeks.

I can stand a little noise "live", but when I'm playing in Church I try to use noiseless pups to avoid an unwanted distraction. Either set sounds best through a good tube amp.


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