Pickups for my Strat project

[jeffhef]

I'm rebuilding a frankenstrat I've recently acquired. The last strat style guitar I had - I loaded with Callahams. I really liked them but in the spirit of the project at hand I want to stay on a budget if possible.

What I want...

1 - 3 single coil setup with the middle reverse wound
2 - Vintage sound - in other words I don't want hot Texas Special type sound. I want more of an old strat sound - think Sweet Home Alabama.
3 - Something cheap...ok...maybe not "Cheap" in the negative way. In other words - when you put 'em in and play 'em you go..."I can't believe I only paid $XX for these!!"

Anyone got suggestions or relevant past experience with similar projects or goals?

Thanks,

jeffhef

[the-tone]

I never saw the point of saving money on pickups. All the good ones are around the same price anyway. Why not get the best when getting close to something good sounding would only save you maybe $50-75.
Make it killer and spend $200, you wont regret it.

[Mike9]

I have a set of Van Zandt True Vintage & a set of Duncan 5-2's for sale - I'll PM you.

[bmgblues]

Try Mick at Manilus pickups. Nice guy and real resonable on the price. I'm with you on the overpriced thing. I think any set of Strat pickups should cost no more than $150.00 max. After all its just a electromagnet.

[anyone]

These look pretty cool... http://www.bg-pups.com/sc.html

I've only heard soundclips of the pups, but I bought some cables from Bryan and he's really cool. I'm tempted to get some of his pups...

And I DID enjoy your blog, by the way! Good stuff.

Chris

[Dion]

You may want to check these out.
http://www.tonerider.com/index.shtml
I put a set of the humbuckers a my Les Paul and am really happy:)

Follow this link too as Ralph has so great deals on 'em right now!
http://www.thegearpage.net/board/showthread.php?t=244998&highlight=tonerider

[gkoelling]

These look pretty cool... http://www.bg-pups.com/sc.html

I've only heard soundclips of the pups, but I bought some cables from Bryan and he's really cool. I'm tempted to get some of his pups...

And I DID enjoy your blog, by the way! Good stuff.

Chris

I'm working on a parts strat and when it's time to order pups, Bryan is the one I'll go to. I don't know where else you can buy hand wound strat pups at $120/set.

[jeffhef]

These look pretty cool... http://www.bg-pups.com/sc.html

I've only heard soundclips of the pups, but I bought some cables from Bryan and he's really cool. I'm tempted to get some of his pups...

And I DID enjoy your blog, by the way! Good stuff.

Chris

Thanks for the blog comment and the pointer to the pups. Pups look interesting. I may check these out. I'm very close to tearing it apart so it could be soon.

jeffhef

[jeffhef]

I'm working on a parts strat and when it's time to order pups, Bryan is the one I'll go to. I don't know where else you can buy hand wound strat pups at $120/set.

I noticed that too. I'm intrigued.

jeffhef

[daddyo]

Seymour Duncan SSL 1 (vintage staggered) or SSL 2 (Vintage flat). You can find them for less than $56 ea and they offer a RW/RP for the middle. They sound very vintage. I'm sticking a set in my newest project strat - which is no budget guitar and I'm not on a budget - I just like these pups.
http://www.seymourduncan.com/products/stratsdescr.shtml#VintageStaggeredforStrat

[Montez]

GFS is the best tone for the buck! :D

http://store.guitarfetish.com/singlecoil.html

[mule train]

Fender Fat 50's

[the-tone]

http://www.buckcannon.com/ ......110%

[telemanjam]

GFS is the best tone for the buck! :D

http://store.guitarfetish.com/singlecoil.html


+1

As long as you're not a really anal retentive cork sniffer, I'm sure you'll like some GFS pickups. I have a set of the Premium Alnico II's, and they sound great. Too bad the middle isn't reverse wound. From what I understand, if you don't like the pickups, he'll exchange them.

[wavey63]

Asking what pickups to use is almost like asking what is the best beer in the world. I would say for singles, Lindy Fralin have been the best I have heard. For hums, I would sayDuncans, especially for the$$$.


Oh, and the best beer in the world is Ruination IPA... He he he he:BEER

[jeffhef]

Asking what pickups to use is almost like asking what is the best beer in the world. I would say for singles, Lindy Fralin have been the best I have heard. For hums, I would sayDuncans, especially for the$$$.


Oh, and the best beer in the world is Ruination IPA... He he he he:BEER

Actually...I was much more specific than asking what pups to use. I like Fralins a lot for high dollar boutique pups. I'm trying to find a little known lower priced surprise.

And London Porter is much better. :AOK

jeffhef

[michael30]

The last strat I put together used a set of Fender American Standard pickups which I happened to have in my parts drawer. They sounded surprisingly good and very traditional strat-like. Lots of people seem to change their AmStd pickups for boutique stuff which means that they are easy to find for a reasonable price.