#1343026 - 09/25/01 03:56 PM
New Pickups for a Fender Strat.
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Dank
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Registered: 12/13/00
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Loc: Phila,PA,UNITED STATES
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I have quite a collection of guitars (too many to play), and one of them has rarely been out of its case: A 1996 50th Anniversary Fender Stratocaster with a flame maple sunburst body. I believe the pickups are standard American Strat pickups (At least, according to a Fender rep.). I would like to install pickups with noise cancellation (for recording purposes) and a bit blusier tone. Does anyone use or recommend the Texas Special pickups? The noiseless pickups? Joe Barden pickups? I don't want to lose the characteristic Strat tone. Any advise? Thank you.
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#1343027 - 09/25/01 08:13 PM
Re: New Pickups for a Fender Strat.
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d gauss
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Registered: 02/15/01
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Loc: Somewhere in the Swamps of Jer...
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<>
if your usual pickups are played out, try these:
"hey, is that a whammy you got there or are you just happy to see me?"
"hey, nice g-string!"
-d. gauss
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#1343028 - 09/25/01 11:38 PM
Re: New Pickups for a Fender Strat.
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rog951
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Registered: 09/25/01
Posts: 1626
Loc: Ijamsville, MD
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Dan,
I've got Joe Barden's in my tele and I must say they are quite nice. I thought it sounded "country-fied" before, but once the Barden's went in it sounded even MORE like a Telecaster! Unfortunately, that's not much help when it comes to a strat...a whole different animal.
I have two strats, one American and one Mexican. I opted to leave the American alone 'cause it sounded pretty damn good already. For the Mex, I dropped in a David Gilmour signature EMG system. It's dead quiet and still sounds totally like a strat to me. It basically sounds like "Division Bell" -era Pink Floyd...very crisp and airy but it's a fairly hot setup when you use the bridge pickup alone. They make other signature systems if you don't care for the Gilmour tone. One kinda cool thing about using the EMG system is that you don't need to solder/desolder anything. You can just pull out your old pickguard and drop in the new one (well, you do need to futz with the output jack, but it's still easy compared to replacing all three pickups separately). This might be a good thing for you considering you've got an anniversary model. It'll probably appreciate in value eventually and, if you ever decide to sell it, it might help to be able to drop the original parts back in and still have all the original factory solder joints intact.
Best of luck with whatever you decide!
Rog
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#1343029 - 09/25/01 11:39 PM
Re: New Pickups for a Fender Strat.
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Lisa
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Registered: 11/16/00
Posts: 235
Loc: New York,NY,UNITED STATES
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I've tried some of the Duncans, DiMarzios and Fender replacement pickups. It's really hard to just pinpoint one particular set that would be best for your because there are a lot of good-sounding ones out there and the ideal tone is really a matter of personal preference. Additionally, the tone of a pickup will vary based on the components and inherent tonal characteristics of your guitar, your amp and your playing style.
Do some checking around. Phone up some local music stores and see if they have any Strats in stock that are loaded with any replacement pickups. Some stores do have demo guitars for that purpose or maybe they have something used that you can try out. Some of the new guitars available are also stocked with pickups that you can purchase separately. Also check with some of your friends to see if they might have guitars you can check out or if they know someone who has a something you can hear. Bring your guitar and play it side-by-side to the other guitars and you'll get a better idea of what's available. Hopefully it will help you to decide what you like and don't like.
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#1343030 - 09/26/01 01:23 AM
Re: New Pickups for a Fender Strat.
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d gauss
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i use the texas specials. look on ebay fro 'em cheap.
-d. gauss
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#1343031 - 09/27/01 02:12 AM
Re: New Pickups for a Fender Strat.
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Anonymous
Anonymous
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Something else that you may want to look for are the Kinman noiseless pickups, out of Australia. Not that many dealers for them in North America, though.
When I was on a business trip to Brisbane, I had a chance to check them out. I tried them on a demo guitar with interchangable pickguards loaded with different pickup sets - very cool. Anyways, I voted with my wallet, and have been very happy. They still have that Strat sparkle, and I don't have to turn off the computer monitor to record anymore...
But, as always, YMMV. I certainly would echo Lisa's recommendation that you should try before you buy - I always do.
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#1343032 - 09/27/01 03:58 AM
Re: New Pickups for a Fender Strat.
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BK_dup2
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Registered: 03/19/01
Posts: 113
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Hey Dan,
Man I think I have spent hundreds of $$$$'s on strat pickups.
My suggestions would be:
Van Zandt - Fullertone Blues My Fav...
Rio Grande - They all sound great.
(these are all from the Great State Of Texas!)
Of Course Texas Specials are always nice. I my exp. they sound a little harsher then the above.
I haven't checked out the noiseless vintage. Let us know if you go that route.
Oh Yeah Lindy Fralins are great but lots o' $$$$.
Good luck
BK
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