Hey guys, what color pups for my Floyd Classic Strat? (or what pups?)

[SonataGuitarist]

Hi all, earlier today I won an auction for an 04' Fender Floyd Rose Classic Stratocater HH, a guitar I've been really yearning for after I let one slip out of my grasps at the local Sam Ash a while back. Anyhow, as you can see, this one included everything but the pickups, so decision time. You guys are awesome about helping people on this, so thanks in advance.

Anyhow here she is, a beautiful natural burst strat with tortoise shell guard:



My first question is about pup color. My initial thought was that black pups would look mighty sexy on this one, given a swap out for black knobs, but now I'm not so sure, might make it too dark, but still a possibility. Need a pic. Advantage is, tons of black pups on the used market.
I have nothing against white, except for it's pretty common, but at least I know what that would like, sorta:


What I would really dig, is some white Evos with gold bezel, ala Jem7VWH. Are these commercially available anywhere, short of a Dimarzio special order?

Currently I'm thinking cream pups/cream knobs, for a smooth vintage feel, but they may not mix with the shell guard as well as with a cream guard. But I do so love cream pups, and right now I favor them...

Next question is regarding my pup selection. Right now it's looking like Evo neck and Evo/Evo2 bridge. I have Evo bridge in my other strat, and love nearly everything about it, difference is it's running through 250k pots.
Now I'm anxious to try Evo2, but I don't wanna sacrifice the amazing crunch and overall tone of Evo, and reviews of Evo2 leave me unsure still.
Another option is ToneZone, never tried it, heard all the best things about it, but I'm hesitant, as w/ everything. Anyone tried in alder? Evo has all the chunk I need, but TZs thicker lead tone could be nice.

My last option is this, stick with white pups, take the Evo out of my strat, put it in this one (I know I'll like it) and put a Norton where the Evo was. The other strat is a mex fat strat HSS, which deserves a good vintage tone, and Jemsite reviews inparticular have made me anxious to try the Norton.

Choices, choices.

I know I'm getting ahead of myself here, but I wanna order the pups pretty soon, so theres no waiting once this axe hits my doorstep (cue jinx). So whaddya think? Im open to anything. Thanks guys.

p.s. whats that virtual guitar maker website? cant find it!

[David McCarroll]

Black and Cream zebra coils, surely? Or all cream - no other colours are going to look okay against sunburst....... just my humble opinon of course!

Cheers,

David

[BiggieAL]

You should consider getting the pickups with covers, I think gold or silver would look great with that color scheme of the guitar. But thats just my strange taste.

[mi2tom]

Stick with white

[katrina]

Zebra ALL THE WAY!!!!

~ Katrina

[Mr.WizardNeck]

That's what I voted too ^_^.

[Flobanez]

White would be my choice too, it looks classy with white, of course I think white pickups look good in just about anything, im a huge fan of white pickups.

Nice Strat by the way.

[SonataGuitarist]

Thanks much so far guys (and gal). I'm kind of relieved to have you all picking a color for me as right now I'm going nuts over which pup. I thought I had it all figured out, but a few hundred Harmony Central reviews later.....

Looking at: [B/N]
1)Evo/Evo (I can get the white w/gold, yes!)
2)Norton/Paf Pro or Norton/Norton
3)Paf Pro/Paf Pro

I want crunch, and full leads. When I say crunch, think the main riff to Erotic Nightmares, thats the rhythm tone in my head. Evo hits it fine, but I also want to challenge myself to venture outside of distortion-class pickups.

+ lol

[Ant1981]

Zebra or white would look a treat in that guitar.

I'd say if you want the full leads, go for the Evos. They will deliver, especially if you're driving a valve amp. And back the volume off if you want to venture out of distortion class, to have some crunch.

[SonataGuitarist]

bump for wednesday, i sorta limited the poll to 10 days (=stupid)

[ibanez2005]

Go with white. That looks classy.

[marianozz]

Cream man, no question about it

White will be too bright, black will be too dark, and zebras will look stupid from a distance (like youre missing one pickup, specially on a strat)

SO, full cream buckers will do the trick

[jim777]

I'm with Al, I think it would cool and classic with nickel covered PAF types, like Seth Lovers or something.

[SonataGuitarist]

Originally Posted by SonataGuitarist

p.s. whats that virtual guitar maker website? cant find it!

Phooey, still cant remember it/find it with search. Anybody?

Also, I think my curiousity regarding the fred is going to win me over. However, any thoughts about paf pro vs. paf joe? I ask b/c almost no p-joes on the used market, is it worth the extra dough? (Any vast improvements?)

[Roadstar]

air zone and paf pro this set in double black/ creme in that strat is perfect