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Post by StrangeC on Dec 31, 2006 12:41:29 GMT -7
Looking at a new set to replace the Fender Vintage Noiseless that came in my CS Classic Player Strat (ash body, maple neck). I've got it narrowed down to the Fralin Vintage Hot (or maybe Real 54s or Blues Specials) or the Fender Fat 50s (or maybe the Classic 54s or Texas Specials). Both brands are great I'm sure so its not a which is better question but more of a what's the difference? Is there an argument for keeping the Fender CS CP Strat all Fender? Thoughts?
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Post by Curt on Dec 31, 2006 12:51:21 GMT -7
I had a set of Fralins from Callaham, 3% underwound I think, made for the best sounding most versatile Strat I've ever owned.
Fralins are all good and I think you'll be pleased over the noiseless Fenders.
I HIGHLY recommend the bridge baseplate on any Fralins you may choose.
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Post by Ryan (shorty) on Dec 31, 2006 13:59:55 GMT -7
I have Texas Specials in my Strat and I'm not changing them. All 5 positions sound great to me, especially positions 2 and 5 (neck). However, others seem to like the Fralin's and others, but the Specials seem to fit my style (blues/rock) and the guitar.
If I get another Strat, I'd probably try something different, but definitely not noiseless.
Good luck.
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Post by hdahs143 on Dec 31, 2006 15:57:00 GMT -7
Anything would be better than the Vintage Noiseless. I played a set of them a few years ago and a few months ago, and to me, they are lifeless and brittle sounding. The Fender SCN's are a lot better noiseless offering from Fender.
For true single coils, I love Seymour Duncan APS 1's alnico 2 single coils. They've got that nice s/c "bloom", and the sweetest, warmest strat sound. They sound great with OD as well.
But back to the thread, I've only heard great things about Fralin pickups, and may try a set in my strat down the road
Harold
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Post by cybergroupie on Dec 31, 2006 18:24:02 GMT -7
...new to the board here.
Have you tried the DiMarzio Area 58 and 61 yet? I just installed them in one of my strats and they are noiselss and sound like real single coils.
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Post by tele1962 on Jan 1, 2007 12:00:55 GMT -7
I agree. Anything but those Noiseless little pretenders. Fralin makes damn good PU's.
But here's the thing. What type of Strat do you want? The 50's models were more cut and dried, a bit more bite, and this was a result of the type of PU's used in that era. The 60's created the more smooth, creamy sounds like the great axes of the early 60's naturally had.
Custom Shop recreates both eras faithfully. If you want to stay with Fender PU's but really improve yourself, the Fat50's are great for that era sound, those '57/'62 's in the tweed packaging are smooth and creamy and true to period. You can't loose either way.
On boutique PU's...in a sense you can't loose either. Most of the mfgs. build very good quality PU's. Is there one or two brands that are " best" ? Likely not.
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Post by JChance on Jan 1, 2007 23:09:36 GMT -7
I have Texas Specials in my Strat and I'm not changing them. All 5 positions sound great to me, especially positions 2 and 5 (neck). However, others seem to like the Fralin's and others, but the Specials seem to fit my style (blues/rock) and the guitar. If I get another Strat, I'd probably try something different, but definitely not noiseless. Good luck. IMO, Texas Specials are the best Strat pickups Fender makes. I tried ALL of their "vintage" models at one time or another. Fat 50's, '57/'62, etc. Can't remember the other models but I had all of them at one time or another. TS are killer, but the rest of them don't even come close to Fralins. Fralins have this really delicate, detailed high-end that's hard to explain. Lindy is really masterful at designing pickups that not only sound "authentic," but also bring out the qualities of the wood in the guitar. He just "gets it." I compared my Vintage Hots to the pickups in my dad's '58 Strat, and was amazed at how close they were. The originals were better for whatever reason, but the Fralins were right there with them. There are lots of options out there, but the Fralins are hard to beat for THE vintage Strat or Tele tone.
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Post by slider on Jan 2, 2007 19:51:06 GMT -7
I just put Fralins in my 63 Strat. Love the sounds I am getting. The most "Strat" sounding pups you can get. All my classic Strat tunes sound better than ever with the Fralins.
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Post by dei305 on Jan 3, 2007 7:51:52 GMT -7
Rick, If you like the idea no 60 cycle hum, killer tone, and doing business with one of the most pickup knowledgeable person on the planet call (the real) Bill Lawrence. His pups sound great without having to take out a second mortgage on your home. Bill designed the SCN's for Fender. The SCN's would actually sound better if Fender had left their hands out of the recipe and let Bill do his thing. The great news is his pups do sound much better than the SCN's If you have a minute give Becky, Bill's wife a call to discuss which pups will work best for you. You will be glad you did! Toll-Free: 877-647-2651 www.billlawrence.com/Good luck with your tone quest. Rick
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Post by tele1962 on Jan 3, 2007 21:55:13 GMT -7
"I compared my Vintage Hots to the pickups in my dad's '58 Strat, and was amazed at how close they were. The originals were better for whatever reason, but the Fralins were right there with them."
I can just hear that Strat because I own a 1958 myself, and would NEVER replace the original Fender PU's in them. They've been challenged by everyone, and never even been shaken. Having said that...I will repeat myself. Lindy Fralin makes damn good PU.s!
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Post by StrangeC on Jan 5, 2007 16:01:00 GMT -7
Any thoughts on Lollars? My research has led me away form Fender CS and more toward Lollar or Van Zandt or ?
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Post by nitehawk55 on Jan 5, 2007 16:27:08 GMT -7
Any thoughts on Lollars? My research has led me away form Fender CS and more toward Lollar or Van Zandt or ? The more you look the more you will find to the point of total confusion and going stark raving mad !
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Post by tele1962 on Jan 6, 2007 12:53:27 GMT -7
What about Lollars, what about Kinmann, what about Bill Lawrence, Lindy Fralin, Abigail Ybarra, Custom Shop? What do we keep saying and saying and saying? They're ALL good. maybe a bit here and there to argue, but not much that's for sure.
Let's break this down nice and easy. Usually great instruments come with good PU's. Fender Custom Shop Guitars come with good PU's, Fender production products may not, Anderson guitars have nice PU's, Jay Turser guitars don't.
Anderson guitars are around $3G to 3.5G. Fender Custom Shop stuff is pretty close to that. Those are nice guitars. Mexican or Korean or Phillipino knock offs will make you change PU's almost immediately. And they're not worth the trouble. If you're a guitar player, buy a real guitar . If you're not, then a buy car, buy a volleyball...do something else.
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Post by dei305 on Jan 7, 2007 4:07:39 GMT -7
tele1962, Amen! Rick
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Post by Deleted on Jan 7, 2007 5:25:14 GMT -7
Lollars are great and I use his Blackface Strat set in my CS '69 strat. The best thing is to jump in and find what works for you. Nothing wrong with a little experimentation. There really isn't a wrong answer here as far as boutique pickup replacements go. Another Strat pickup that is great is the Suhr V60LP pickups. Talk to Brian at Amce Guitar Works. He has delt with all the pickups mentioned including the Fender Custom Shop Pickups and can give you some advice on what might work for you. There are also some clips on the website that might help. www.acmeguitarworks.com/www.acmeguitarworks.com/Strat_Pickup_Sound_Clips_W1.cfmAny thoughts on Lollars? My research has led me away form Fender CS and more toward Lollar or Van Zandt or ?
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Post by zdogma on Jan 7, 2007 8:42:03 GMT -7
Lollars are great and I use his Blackface Strat set in my CS '69 strat. The best thing is to jump in and find what works for you. Nothing wrong with a little experimentation. There really isn't a wrong answer here as far as boutique pickup replacements go. Another Strat pickup that is great is the Suhr V60LP pickups. Talk to Brian at Amce Guitar Works. He has delt with all the pickups mentioned including the Fender Custom Shop Pickups and can give you some advice on what might work for you. There are also some clips on the website that might help. www.acmeguitarworks.com/www.acmeguitarworks.com/Strat_Pickup_Sound_Clips_W1.cfmAny thoughts on Lollars? My research has led me away form Fender CS and more toward Lollar or Van Zandt or ? Hey Arun, How's it going, haven't seen you here in a bit Scott
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Post by skydog958 on Jan 7, 2007 10:46:57 GMT -7
Arun, your back! Welcome.
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Post by tele1962 on Jan 8, 2007 21:23:13 GMT -7
"There really isn't a wrong answer here as far as boutique pickup replacements go."
- Aruntang
"They're ( boutiques) ALL good. maybe a bit here and there to argue, but not much that's for sure.
- Tele1962
There ya go!
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Post by benttop (Steve) on Jan 8, 2007 21:45:34 GMT -7
What about Lollars, what about Kinmann, what about Bill Lawrence, Lindy Fralin, Abigail Ybarra, Custom Shop? What do we keep saying and saying and saying? They're ALL good. maybe a bit here and there to argue, but not much that's for sure. Let's break this down nice and easy. Usually great instruments come with good PU's. Fender Custom Shop Guitars come with good PU's, Fender production products may not, Anderson guitars have nice PU's, Jay Turser guitars don't. Anderson guitars are around $3G to 3.5G. Fender Custom Shop stuff is pretty close to that. Those are nice guitars. Mexican or Korean or Phillipino knock offs will make you change PU's almost immediately. And they're not worth the trouble. If you're a guitar player, buy a real guitar . If you're not, then a buy car, buy a volleyball...do something else. Fascinating. Well I have to disagree. I have a Mexican Strat here that knocks me out. I didn't get it with its original pups unfortunately - got it in a trade and the guy had put Fender Texas Specials in it. Sounded awful. I just sprung for a set of GFS Chinese pups off of eBay (full SET for $67) and this guitar just came to life! It sounds every bit as good as any of the "real" Fender's I've ever had here. I really believe we are living in a time of the largest selection of fine guitars ever. Here in the USA, we have innumerable boo-teek makers building exceptional quality instruments. But most of the imports are far and away better than any of the junk I had to learn on. And many imports are excellent professional instruments in their own right. My Mexi Strat just earned me a paycheck on Saturday night, and not one soul in the house had a negative word.
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Post by tele1962 on Jan 12, 2007 20:22:46 GMT -7
Everything is relative. No arguments.
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Post by tele1962 on Jan 12, 2007 20:39:38 GMT -7
Funny story just came to mind regarding things being relative. Had this really nice young lady in the shop around 1974, maybe 1975. She had this brightly colored blue electric guitar from Sears with the Silvertone nameplate. She said it played a bit hard, and could I fix it so it played nicer? No big deal, got it done best I could, called her...it's ready come and get it. Well she loved it! I'd cleaned it up nice, made it as playable as I could, adjusted the PU's, sprayed the pots...small things. To her this was the greatest guitar in the world ! Now right beside hers, as we handed it to her, was a 1959 Statocaster that had been brought in. Mint condition and likely one of the finest playing and sounding guitars of all time, it had been owned by Rick Derringer at one time. She looked at it.....it was in about 6 or 7 pieces on the table...and said " Mine's better than that, isn';t it?" I said " yes, dear, it surely is." And we both smiled and that was that.
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Post by skydog958 on Jan 13, 2007 12:26:21 GMT -7
It's all personal preference.
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Post by tele1962 on Jan 14, 2007 9:13:10 GMT -7
Yes it is. Once you're educated, that changes a bit. If you're educated lots, it changes lots!
The only people I gave a bit of lecturing to in all those years as a Fender dealer, and repairman were young cocky guys who THOUGHT they were educated, or older stubborn men who thought they had the "best" of something just because they'd plunked down money for it. Those types still are hanging around, sad to say.
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Post by frank4001 on Jan 14, 2007 10:43:41 GMT -7
I had a set of the early Texas Specials and took them out because I thought they were muddy. I had put the guitar together myself though. Now, years later, I have really come to understand the value of pro setups. Those pickups were probably fine. I think befor you do any parts swapping make sure the guitar has its optimum set up. You may be suprised. Another good reason to buy a guitar that plays and sounds good on the spot instead of thinking you can tweak it. Some can be, some cant and some are just right from the get go. Just something I've learned over the years (and money).
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Post by skydog958 on Jan 14, 2007 11:42:15 GMT -7
Yeah, I've been thinking about replacing the pup's in the Zion for two reasons: 1) The guitar is wicked bright and 2) can't use Suhr noiseless system. I thought I could fix number one by lowering the pickup height a bit, but the second not so much. I think I'll just send the mid pup for a Fralin rewind (it's a Blues Special I believe), same sound just reverse polarity. The clarity is great on the Fralins by the way.
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Post by tele1962 on Jan 14, 2007 13:08:48 GMT -7
Frank, you happen to be right. Arantung did us all a big favor a while back in posting a site that had clips of some the most talked about PU's around. Werent' those great sounds from all those companies? Man, I've been saying it all along...I don't think there's much to quibble on any of those.
One thing that confirmed something for me, and likely surprised the hell out of others was how great the Fender Custom Shop PU's sounded. Very true, very balanced and in control. They along with the Lindy Fralins were my favorites, not over-cooked, not over the top, just nice Fender tones. Certainly the others were very good as well, no doubt. But Custom Shop is starting to impress me more and more. It's like a fistfull of guys and gals there have got some pride!
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Post by StrangeC on Jan 14, 2007 22:00:39 GMT -7
I was talking to Brian at Acme Guitar Works the other day and he was less inmpressed with Fender CS - basically the gist was that they were being mass produced by machine 'based' on a CS design and marketed under the CS name.
Since the price of CS pickups is now the same as Lollar and 10% more than Fralins, he really thought the Fralins and especially Lollars were superior for the money.
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Post by tele1962 on Jan 15, 2007 21:56:26 GMT -7
Good. Done. Someone quick buy a lifetime supply of Lollars so we can start installing and stop yapping! How can you tell I made some money putting this aftermarket stuff into guitars? lol
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Post by chipstar75 on Jan 28, 2007 13:40:45 GMT -7
I have the Callaham Fraylins as well. and theyre quite nice ! He has them underwound but he cryo's them too. www.callahamguitars.com
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Post by funkyjazz82 on Feb 21, 2007 14:49:34 GMT -7
i just bought the woodstock fralin pups. what do you guys think about those?
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