Post by mward on Dec 24, 2006 9:56:19 GMT -7
I recently picked up a strat as I was missing that sort of sound and have been wanting one for a while. I bought a mexican strat, as, near as I can figure it (guitar snobbery aside) the big difference is a slightly better finish and better pickups on the USA guitars. When I was comparing the finish on the frets between the american and mexican strats at GC I was amazed to find they both sucked. Little barbs on the edge of every one of them. The pickups I planned on replacing either way and a fret-level and polish is simple so the decision was easy.
I had Lindy Fralin rewind the pickups in my tele and he did an awesome job. I have been a fan of his pickups for a long time and had planned on getting a set for this strat but at 220$ I couldn't quite make the squeeze. I found a company called Tonerider selling what the reviews say are approximately the same thing for way less. You can buy sets on ebay for 80$. I decided to give it a shot, based on reviews I had read. I bought a set of 'classic blues'.
The pickups arrived packaged very nicely, vintage cloth covered wire, etc etc. The pole spacing from neck to bridge is matched to the string width so you don't have the mismatch of string to pole like you do on most strat pickups. They also featured a modified height to correct some differences in output between strings and it's apparent they got that right when you're playing. They're made offshore (china?) but don't let that deter you.
I have a hard time describing tone, but I'll take my best shot at it. The sound of these pickups is very defined. When playing chords individual notes are well defined and not muddy at all. The output is a bit hotter than plain vintage and I can get everything from woody jazzy sounds to growly blues howl easily. They're pretty touch sensitive and respond to pick attack well. The highs are defined and thick and sound awesome through my Route66. They're every bit as good as the Fralins on my friend's strat, and sound far better than the stock American pickups I've heard. They'd be a good buy at 2x the price, given the sound. I wholeheartedly recommend them.
I had Lindy Fralin rewind the pickups in my tele and he did an awesome job. I have been a fan of his pickups for a long time and had planned on getting a set for this strat but at 220$ I couldn't quite make the squeeze. I found a company called Tonerider selling what the reviews say are approximately the same thing for way less. You can buy sets on ebay for 80$. I decided to give it a shot, based on reviews I had read. I bought a set of 'classic blues'.
The pickups arrived packaged very nicely, vintage cloth covered wire, etc etc. The pole spacing from neck to bridge is matched to the string width so you don't have the mismatch of string to pole like you do on most strat pickups. They also featured a modified height to correct some differences in output between strings and it's apparent they got that right when you're playing. They're made offshore (china?) but don't let that deter you.
I have a hard time describing tone, but I'll take my best shot at it. The sound of these pickups is very defined. When playing chords individual notes are well defined and not muddy at all. The output is a bit hotter than plain vintage and I can get everything from woody jazzy sounds to growly blues howl easily. They're pretty touch sensitive and respond to pick attack well. The highs are defined and thick and sound awesome through my Route66. They're every bit as good as the Fralins on my friend's strat, and sound far better than the stock American pickups I've heard. They'd be a good buy at 2x the price, given the sound. I wholeheartedly recommend them.