SRV Strat owners - output question

[ljt101]

For all you who have the SRV strat - do you find the output from this guitar is lower than your other guitars? I have only had other non-strat guitars to compare it with, so I never thought about the lack of output because I was always comparing it to humbuckers. But I recently bought my son a cheap Squier strat, and even it was much louder through the amp (70s champ, in this case) than the SRV, which just seemed wrong.

Are the Texas Specials that low output, or do I need to do something simple like adjust the height of the pickups?

 

[Random Hero]

Have you tried 13s in Eb with the action at 5/64 and 7/64?

(Sorry, I don't own one and I'm just being a smartass.)

 

[pullagnm]

My SRV has more output than my American Deluxe Strat that has noiseless pickups.

 

[Red House]

Are the Texas Specials that low output, or do I need to do something simple like adjust the height of the pickups?

No. For single coils, Texas Specials are considered high output pups. Because they are high-output, they are mid-rangey, and to my ears, do not sound SRV-ish, at all.

The key 'secret' ingredient to SRV's tone is low-output pups.

If you're interested in authentic SRV tone (..since you're referring to an SRV strat), get a set of of CS 69's and never look back. CS 69's are low output, and will get you as close as humanly possible to nailing SRV's tone.

Provided you have the chops, of course.

 

[Strat87]

Most lower-end strats have ceramic pups which are louder compared to the alnicos found in your SRV. I had one for a bit and had the same problem.

 

[monty]

I have a Strat with TS pups, it is louder than my MIM but not as loud as my Squier.

 

[Tone_Terrific]

Most lower-end strats have ceramic pups which are louder compared to the alnicos found in your SRV.

Absolutely, and sound quite good though lack clarity at higher levels.
Good bedroom pups.

 

[VaughnC]

No. For single coils, Texas Specials are considered high output pups. Because they are high-output, they are mid-rangey, and to my ears, do not sound SRV-ish, at all.

The key 'secret' ingredient to SRV's tone is low-output pups.

If you're interested in authentic SRV tone (..since you're referring to an SRV strat), get a set of of CS 69's and never look back. CS 69's are low output, and will get you as close as humanly possible to nailing SRV's tone.

Provided you have the chops, of course.

I'm just guessing but, to my ears, Fender Texas Specials sound like they designed them to sound like a Strat with a Tube Screamer turned on. They are a little upper mid heavy but, like them or not, they have their own character.

To my ears, the SRV sound is based on lower output pickups wound around the 6k range and he typically used a Tube Screamer with the drive control set very low and the level control set high to overdrive his amps rather than actually using the Tube Screamer for creating distortion...which also kicked up the mids.

However, the best modern pickups I've heard for the SRV thang are the Fred Stuart "Brother Stevie" set. Here's a demo video:

 

[spitshineguitars]

For all you who have the SRV strat - do you find the output from this guitar is lower than your other guitars? I have only had other non-strat guitars to compare it with, so I never thought about the lack of output because I was always comparing it to humbuckers. But I recently bought my son a cheap Squier strat, and even it was much louder through the amp (70s champ, in this case) than the SRV, which just seemed wrong.

Are the Texas Specials that low output, or do I need to do something simple like adjust the height of the pickups?

I used to have a stock SRV and I know EXACTLY what you're talking about! I always thought it seemed low output next to my MIM 50's Strat. I figured..the Texas Specials HAVE to be hotter than these 50's style pups. Never figured it out. Sold them both

 

[rabbuhl]

Texas Specials are 6.2K (neck), 6.5K (middle), and 7.1K (bridge). American Standard pickups are 5.9K (neck), 5.9K (middle), and 7.3K (bridge). So, the Texas Specials are slightly hotter pickups in the neck and middle than the American Standard pickups. I am not sure what is in your son's Squire but it might be something even hotter than both of these pickups. Which model of Squire?

 

[ljt101]

I just bought him the Squier Bullet model for starting lessons. I haven't measured the output on those pups or the SRV pups. I wonder by simply raising the pups on the SRV if the output would be increased, or if others' experience was the same as mine that these were lower output.

I have no interest in copping the SRV tone at all, I stopped chasing that years ago. What was frustrating was with both of us plugged into the Champ, he was killing me with volume. Getting drowned out by an 8 year old on a $50 used guitar slamming the open strings and learning to play is a frustrating feeling!

 

[Tomo]

For all you who have the SRV strat - do you find the output from this guitar is lower than your other guitars? I have only had other non-strat guitars to compare it with, so I never thought about the lack of output because I was always comparing it to humbuckers. But I recently bought my son a cheap Squier strat, and even it was much louder through the amp (70s champ, in this case) than the SRV, which just seemed wrong.

Are the Texas Specials that low output, or do I need to do something simple like adjust the height of the pickups?

I took those out right away.. but even lower output pickup (real vintage Duo Sonic, Musicmaster) with lower side K... it sounds louder than you think.

Tomo

 

[gulliver]

Who cares about output, if they cover the freq range you like, and you like the pickups, stay with them. I switched the TS neck to a Dimarzio Area 67 but kept the TS middle as I liked the #4 position.

 

[robertkoa]

I'm just guessing but, to my ears, Fender Texas Specials sound like they designed them to sound like a Strat with a Tube Screamer turned on. They are a little upper mid heavy but, like them or not, they have their own character.

To my ears, the SRV sound is based on lower output pickups wound around the 6k range and he typically used a Tube Screamer with the drive control set very low and the level control set high to overdrive his amps rather than actually using the Tube Screamer for creating distortion...which also kicked up the mids.

However, the best modern pickups I've heard for the SRV thang are the Fred Stuart "Brother Stevie" set. Here's a demo video:

Based on this video - absofreaking- rutely !

I'd be interested in other pickups this guy makes.

Very ,very nice , and for a talented but non SRV to get those tones - exactly as you described.

 

[whiteop]

The Dimarzio Area 58's can get you there.