Fender CS54 vs CS69 pickups

[ILikeGuitar]

How do they sound different? And which do you prefer?

 

[SMark]

CS69 - Glassy, scooped mids, nice thump on the bottom. Classic NOS Strat tone.

CS54 - Sweet, rounded mids, very smooth, aged Strat tone. If you use your bridge pickup alone, the CS54 bridge pickup is Fender's best, IMO.


I like both, but I get better use of the CS54 set. Here's a snip of a recording I made using my CS54s...

http://marksmitchell.home.mindspring.com/Custom54.mp3

 

[gulliver]

I recently played a friends 54s, I agree, bold mids (I'd say upper mids, but it's all perspective). I think best for cleaner tones. Never tried the 69s, but the more mid scooped Dimarzio Area 67s have more of a snap on top. Better for more OD IMHO. I wonder if the 69s are more snappy with the same advantages with OD?

 

[wrightdude]

I like the 54 at the neck allot! Clean tone is sweet. I like the way it responds to gain, esp when you "dig in" a little... which makes it "expressive" IMO (using Budda SD18 gain channel). I'm another that hasnt tried the 69s tho

 

[gatornavy]

CS69 - Glassy, scooped mids, nice thump on the bottom. Classic NOS Strat tone.

CS54 - Sweet, rounded mids, very smooth, aged Strat tone. If you use your bridge pickup alone, the CS54 bridge pickup is Fender's best, IMO.


I like both, but I get better use of the CS54 set. Here's a snip of a recording I made using my CS54s...

http://marksmitchell.home.mindspring.com/Custom54.mp3

That's some really outstanding playing!! Makes me want to pick up my guitar and practice.

 

[Dezzy]

CS69 - Glassy, scooped mids, nice thump on the bottom. Classic NOS Strat tone.

CS54 - Sweet, rounded mids, very smooth, aged Strat tone. If you use your bridge pickup alone, the CS54 bridge pickup is Fender's best, IMO.


I like both, but I get better use of the CS54 set. Here's a snip of a recording I made using my CS54s...

http://marksmitchell.home.mindspring.com/Custom54.mp3

Texas special is the best strat bridge pickup, nice and hot, I don't buy into the whole buy lots of pickups, but I always like a big output for the bridge, as I like plenty of bite for solo's, any set of cs pickups for neck and middle does me,

 

[67mike]

Go to acmeguitarworks site and listen to the many clips on their sound clip page....the CS54s are as good or better than Fralins in my opinion.

Love the 54s.

 

[McStrats]

CS 54 Bridge and Mid, and 69 Neck is my favorite Strat configuration.