Fender SCN pickups

[ryanb]

So it seems that pretty much everybody agrees that the Vintage Noiseless pickups suck. But I was wondering about the SCN pickups. Anybody who has used them, what do you think? Are they any better than the Vintage Noiseless (as Fender would have us believe)? Do they sound like Strat pickups?

I am expecting to pick up a set of Dimarzio Virtual Vintage pickups soon anyway, but I was curious what you guys thought of the SCNs.

[bluealien]

Originally Posted by ryanb

So it seems that pretty much everybody agrees that the Vintage Noiseless pickups suck.

I just got a new Strat with Vintage Noiseless Pickups and I think they have great tone.

[TonyT1000]

The Vintage Noiseless are kind of a strange beast. They are certainly dead quiet, but I found them to be somewhat bland sounding unless you use a fair amount of EQ. I have not played with different pots and caps, though--just the factory ones.

If you are looking at DiMarzio, check out their Area 58 and 61 pickups. They are the updated Virtual Vintage line.

[Ayrton]

For strats I like Fralin vintage hots, or Duncan Alnico II.

[Drew]

Correct me if I'm wrong, but aren't there at least two versions of the Noiseless pickups? I remember playing them in a Deluxe strat right about when they first hit the market (think it was a deluxe, anyway), and them being absolutely sterile and lifeless. However, I think I recall being told that they've since redesigned them, and the newer versions are quite a bit better...?

[TonyT1000]

There are the Hot Noiseless used in the Jeff Beck sig guitar. They have ceramic magnets and are supposed to sound better.

[ryanb]

Originally Posted by Drew

Correct me if I'm wrong, but aren't there at least two versions of the Noiseless pickups? I remember playing them in a Deluxe strat right about when they first hit the market (think it was a deluxe, anyway), and them being absolutely sterile and lifeless. However, I think I recall being told that they've since redesigned them, and the newer versions are quite a bit better...?

Yes, the [current] American Deluxe uses the SCN pickups. They are the new "improved" version of the noiseless pups, which Fender claims are better. I was just wondering whether real users found them "less sterile" or just hype.

[ibanez2005]

Bit like the Fender Lace sensors from the mid eighties, they were/are crap. Probly why Jeff Beck changed em in his guitar.

[Thrash]

[quote=ryanb;522448]So it seems that pretty much everybody agrees that the Vintage Noiseless pickups suck. But I was wondering about the SCN pickups. Anybody who has used them, what do you think? Are they any better than the Vintage Noiseless (as Fender would have us believe)? Do they sound like Strat pickups?

What vintage noiseless pickups you are refering to Fender or Dimarzio? I haven't heard anything bad about the dimarzios.

[ryanb]

I was referring to the Fender ones.