Help from Stratocaster players

[P. Aaron]

I have a Surf green (MIM) 1999 '57 Stratocaster. I love the feel, and the maple 'v' neck, and the tone is good...but the stock pickups make that "noise".

I would like a good replacement set (all 3) for this guitar that keep the Strat-Fender tone but have more flexibility toward humbucker-like distortion tendencies. I also want to keep the look the same, no humbucker routs.

I want the Jekyll-Hyde Fender tone & 'dial-in' crunch...if I can get it and still have it sound like a Fender.

I am currently using a Mesa-Boogie F-100.

Suggestions?

[jemplayer55]

Here, check these out....

http://www.fralinpickups.com/stratstyle.asp

http://www.has-sound.com/pickups.htm

Or you can go to the DiMarzio site and check what they have too!

[ScottB]

Fender Hot Noiseless for the Jeff Beck growl-like tone.

Fender Vintage Noiseless for a sweeter, chime-like tone.

[Gudster]

Lace Sensors.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GHEw_bCaQ0c

http://lacemusic.com/electric_pickup...ic_pickups.php

[Drew]

Tough to say. I've been using Fender Gold Lace Sensors for YEARS now, with absolutely no regrets, and I've gotten a number of compliments on my tone over that time (though to be fair, part of that has probably been my Mesa, and especially with something as touch sensitive as a Strat, a lot of that is in your hands). However, I've also heard some people who don't think Lace Sensors really sound Stratty. I think the Gold ones do, anyway, but...

...oh, wait, never mind, I know what you need. EMG SA's. Honestly, listen to David Gilmour's guitar tone on "The Division Bell." Every once in a while I re-remember these, but I haven't yet gotten to the point where I'm ready to spend $300 on the pickguard assembly, and I'd rather not deal with the hassle of active pickups. Still, even guys I know who DON'T like EMG's say these sound awesome.

FWIW, unless there's a new generation of Fender Noiseless, i hated them - they sounded sterile, cold, and unresponsive.

[Eggy]

My thoughts would be to give the Dimarzio HS3's try out.

[IbanezNorthwest]

Check out the Suhr SSC backplate system

[maelduin]

Another vote for the Lace Sensors here. I have the Blue, Silver, Red combo. Still sounds strat like to me.

[jemaholic]

Simple answer: Dimarzio Yngwie pickups (JYM).
Simply the best of both humbucker power with strat tone.
Really.

[bammbamm]

I'd go with the lace sensors as well, my Drummer has a 40th ann USA version with red, gold & blue in their respective positions and it is all the strat tone with none of the hum. Not to mention you can get em to sing for ya.

Pricey, but you get what you pay for.

[sugizo_esp]

the fender noiseless sucks. its very dull and you loose that fender bell ring.
If you can afford it. Kinman pickups are the best. Its noiseless and it also retains the strat characteristics.

[Guitarminator]

If you're talking about 60 cycle hum, before you change you're pickups, try shielding(if you haven't already done it) the body cavities with tape or conductive paint.

If that doesn't quiet it down to your liking, try upgrading your pickups. I'm of the opinion that the bit of noise, if not too excessive is just the nature of the beast of open single coil pickups. I've shielded both my strat and Tele all to hell, and it quieted them both down.

An upgrade in pickups will probably improve the sound as well though. I have a texas special bridge p/u in my tele that's sweet and really dynamic. I got it because my friend's roadhouse has 'em and I think they sound amazing. I hear Fralin's and Lollar(sp?)are really well liked too although I've never used them.

I would also suggest a single sized hot rails if you want more grunt. Get a push pull tone pot for a split coil operation for single coil bridge sounds, and you're off to the races. You'll sacrifice your single coil bridge sound slightly that way, buit will give you more options.

[newbieguitarmaker]

Originally Posted by sugizo_esp

the fender noiseless sucks. its very dull and you loose that fender bell ring.
If you can afford it. Kinman pickups are the best. Its noiseless and it also retains the strat characteristics.

I agree they are not very good pickups, they came in my American Deluxe, I might get Lace Sensors in a separate pickgaurd for my fender

[shotgunlew]

Sheptones man check em out, greatest single coils ive ever heard!

[EL-CeeDee]

Originally Posted by jemaholic

Simple answer: Dimarzio Yngwie pickups (JYM).
Simply the best of both humbucker power with strat tone.
Really.

I have a set of YJM and HS-3.
Though the output is very low, I'm not complaining.
The stacked humbucker concept really works and the guitar is free of 60 cycle hum ( or 50 in europe ).
Output can be boosted if necessary with a boost pedal, if you're not into that, check the dimarzio site for single coil sized pickups with the same design idea.