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Post subject: Replaced Stock 90's AmStd P/U's w/Fat 50's Pickups-help
Posted: Wed Jul 24, 2013 5:21 am
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I recently replaced the stock pickups from my 98 American Standard Strat with Fat 50's pickups. I'm looking to get that thicker, punch sound from my Strat while keeping the bell-like tones the original pickups had. Unfortunately, the new pickups have not delivered. On a clean channel the sound is only slightly better. The new pickups do sound better when over-driven, but only marginally. I have the settings (i.e. pickup and string height) set to factory specs. I'm disappointed. But before I gut the guitar, am I missing something? Do the new Strats have stronger pots or caps than Strats from the 90's?

Any information would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks,

Vinny


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Post subject: Re: Replaced Stock 90's AmStd P/U's w/Fat 50's Pickups-help
Posted: Wed Jul 24, 2013 6:12 am
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vinwop wrote:
I recently replaced the stock pickups from my 98 American Standard Strat with Fat 50's pickups. I'm looking to get that thicker, punch sound from my Strat while keeping the bell-like tones the original pickups had. Unfortunately, the new pickups have not delivered. On a clean channel the sound is only slightly better. The new pickups do sound better when over-driven, but only marginally. I have the settings (i.e. pickup and string height) set to factory specs. I'm disappointed. But before I gut the guitar, am I missing something? Do the new Strats have stronger pots or caps than Strats from the 90's?

Any information would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks,

Vinny


Welcome Vinny.

No, you're not missing something and no to new Strats having stronger pots or caps. What you hear is what you get.

One has to be careful when choosing a replacement set of pickups. Too many players forget to take into consideration what qualities they did like about the original pickups which might not be present in a replacement set. This appears to be your quandary.

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Post subject: Re: Replaced Stock 90's AmStd P/U's w/Fat 50's Pickups-help
Posted: Wed Jul 24, 2013 6:20 am
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Are you using a decent amp that can deliver the sounds of the new pups?

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Post subject: Re: Replaced Stock 90's AmStd P/U's w/Fat 50's Pickups-help
Posted: Wed Jul 24, 2013 6:27 am
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I'm using Fender Mustang II and Mustang V amps. Lots of sound options and I've tried them all.


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Post subject: Re: Replaced Stock 90's AmStd P/U's w/Fat 50's Pickups-help
Posted: Wed Jul 24, 2013 6:30 am
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Unfortunately for me, Martian, the sound I was hoping to get with the Fat 50's P/U's didn't occur either. Lose-Lose for me. For the $200 GC has them listed for it seems to be a bust. I guess these would be a good upgrade if someone put them in a guitar with garbage pickups to begin with.


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Post subject: Re: Replaced Stock 90's AmStd P/U's w/Fat 50's Pickups-help
Posted: Wed Jul 24, 2013 6:36 am
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IMO, I don't see any pups making much difference with those amps. The amps are OK, but not much in the way of tube harmonics, nor enhancing the nuances of various pups.

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Post subject: Re: Replaced Stock 90's AmStd P/U's w/Fat 50's Pickups-help
Posted: Wed Jul 24, 2013 7:31 am
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I find that setting pu's to factory specs will get you ballpark. Try adjusting a bit when playing through the desired amp. You'd be amazed at what slight adjustments to pu height can do. When I setup a new set of pu's I too start at thr recommended height, but can spend quite a bit of time tweaking them in from there. If not your kind of at a loss.

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Post subject: Re: Replaced Stock 90's AmStd P/U's w/Fat 50's Pickups-help
Posted: Wed Jul 24, 2013 8:17 pm
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shimmilou wrote:
IMO, I don't see any pups making much difference with those amps. The amps are OK, but not much in the way of tube harmonics, nor enhancing the nuances of various pups.


+1

If you dime a vintage Fender tube amp and light the front end up with a TS9 or an OCD you'll hear real mojo -- the same as is heard on thousands of legendary guitar anthems. Most modeling amps are sonic turds......they have no soul.

Arjay

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Post subject: Re: Replaced Stock 90's AmStd P/U's w/Fat 50's Pickups-help
Posted: Wed Jul 24, 2013 9:41 pm
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Welcome vinwop... :D


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Post subject: Re: Replaced Stock 90's AmStd P/U's w/Fat 50's Pickups-help
Posted: Fri Jul 26, 2013 8:32 am
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Thanks Arnold, I tweaked each. A noticeable difference!!

Thanks,

Vince


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