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Post subject: Does anyone have experience with...
Posted: Thu Nov 14, 2013 11:57 am
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The samarium cobalt pickups? I've seen them come up a few times and have heard some good things about them. I was wondering if anyone has had some experience with them and could share some personal insight on them?

I was wondering (I know it's tough to compare such subjective things, I'm just looking for opinions) if anyone has played them and the Fat 50's and could share some opinions on how they compare?

This is mostly out of curiosity, I'm thinking about what I would like to put in a future strat down the road.

Thanks guys


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Post subject: Re: Does anyone have experience with...
Posted: Thu Nov 14, 2013 6:02 pm
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The SCN's are *okay* -- that is, they do a fair approximation of the typical Strat tone and can be milked to sound "humbucker-ish" when wired with the S-1 harness. Height is critical, especially so with the neck position. Don't set them too close to the strings. I have two Strats configured with the SCN/S-1 wiring.

I also have a custom-built ash hardtail Strat fitted with Fat 50's. They are, hands down, my favorite pickups for traditional Fender squawk and quack. The extra mid-range grunt helps to tame excessively bright or shiny tone and the output is near perfect for driving most vintage Fender amps into sonic nirvana.

Arjay

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Post subject: Re: Does anyone have experience with...
Posted: Fri Nov 15, 2013 4:33 pm
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I've got two sets of the SCN Pups. One came stock in a late '03 Am Dlx Strat with the S-1 switching and they're pretty darn good for what they are, which is single coils losing the hum.

That's a version 2 deluxe Strat, which officially debuted in '04, so the pups were some of the first batch fender used. I also read, somewhere on the net, that Bill Lawrence, the designer was more hands on in the early production before turning it over to the fender team.

I've got another set of SCN Pups, acquired from ebay with no dating. That set frankly seems to have less presence. I haven't tried putting them in the Dlx Strat for a fair comparison.

Personally, I'll put up with a little hum to have my Pups full of life.

(edit) I was called to dinner and rushed the end. So, while the SCN Pups do the job admirably and are usable, IMO they're kind of tame. I like the edgier sound of an overwound Pup using Alnico V magnets.

It's not just me. Go to the Guitar store and check out the difference on the same amp settings and imagine yourself playing in a likely venue. Will the hum overpower the raw screams of adulation or will the subtlety of noiseless cause the ladies to swoon!

It's your movie!

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