Strat Pickups Much? What You Got?

[la szum]

Pickup threads are always fun. Who doesn't enjoy a Pickup thread?

I have a Strat-style guitar I am thinking of dropping some different Single-coils into.

Spare me the Ron Ellis recommendations unless you just feel like flexing in front of your Bros.

Seriously, what's wrong with Fender pickups, or other similarly priced sub-$200 Strat sets?

Anything you love in that realm, or hate?

Thanks!

 

[jellodog]

I wanted to play, but you said sub-$200, so I'm already out by +$10

 

[dk_ace]

I was just looking at strat pickups yesterday. I have some toneriders in there now that are 50s style. They’re just too bright in my particular strat though.

I might just put the stock pickups back in and see what I think about those, it’s been years since I tried them and I might like them now as my tastes and rig have changed a lot.

I’m up for just about anything short of Ron Ellis money. Gonna monitor this thread myself…

@Eagle - any recommendations? Seems like this is probably in your wheelhouse.

D

 

[TravisG406]

Love my zexcoils, I’m interested in their new ones!

Lawing Musical Products — Tru-Gauge™

The Zexcoil Z-Series Tru-Gauge pickups are the most accurate to vintage specs of anything we make. Tru-Gauge pickups utilize 42 gauge coil wire and some additional Tone Tuning Technology to more closely mimic the response of conventional single-coil pickups.

lawingmusicalproducts.com

Little over $200

 

[metropolis_4]

I tend to like non-traditional Strat pickups because many of them are so much more versatile than the traditional ones. Especially with gain.

My favorites are:

• Fender Eric Johnson set
• Dimarzio HS-3/4
• EMG SAX
• EMG SAVX

None of these have the same glassiness or complexity of vintage style Strat pickups, but they’re all way more versatile

 

[la szum]

No Rails or EMGs, please.

Thanks,
Mgmt

 

[la szum]

I am an unashamed traditionalist.

I would like a DG-20 setup in a Strat at some point.... but not now. Just want something traditional
in the A2/A4/A5 category with no need for noiseless, or batteries, or bluetooth!

 

[dk_ace]

I am an unashamed traditionalist.

I would like a DG-20 setup in a Strat at some point.... but not now. Just want something traditional
in the A2/A4/A5 category with no need for noiseless, or batteries, or bluetooth!

Same here. I want my strat to be an ultimate strat. If I want a different sound I’ll just grab a different guitar.

I hesitate to recommend them since they aren’t working out for me, but I really think it has more to do with not fitting the particular guitar than not being good pickups. That disclaimer aside, I’ve got the tonerider pure vintage pickups in there which are a nice budget option potentially. They are A5 magnets on neck, middle, and the EAD of the bridge pickup with A3 on the GBE of the bridge.

D

 

[metropolis_4]

I am an unashamed traditionalist.

Well disregard all my suggestions

I’m all about versatility over tradition when it comes to pickups

 

[fretworn]

I am an unashamed traditionalist.

I would like a DG-20 setup in a Strat at some point.... but not now. Just want something traditional
in the A2/A4/A5 category with no need for noiseless, or batteries, or bluetooth!

Ahem …

 

[Stone]

Sorry Dave only thing I know for my Charvel SSS, is a rail in the bridge and I know id like some Dimarzio Area's for middle and neck
other than that, I know nothing

 

[Stone]

Wow just looked at Ron Ellis Pickups, $250.00 for one pickup so x 3 in CDN funds is a Nice Solar Axe
so no thanks for me

 

[jellodog]

When @fretworn detects the scent of a fresh Strat pickup thread ...

 

[Jarick]

I really like Suhr V60LP as they are a bit hotter and have a good Strat tone with a tiny bit of high end roll off to avoid harshness. You can find them $200 or less for a full set used.

Tonerider makes good cheap pickups, I have the Alnico Blues which are like Antiquity Hots, warm and fat.

For noiseless I have the Dimarzio Area Injector set. They’re fine.

 

[Stone]

I have a set of tonerider Humbuckers anxious to get them installed in my Revstar II
I always hear great things bought solely on reviews and its price
I am also partial to Dimarzio because when growing up reading magazines DiMarzio was it
so dunno

 

[Gearzilla]

Fender Modern Classic set.

 

[fretworn]

Cheaping out on pick-ups is like cheaping out on tires … lulz

 

[FuzzyAce]

or other similarly priced sub-$200 Strat sets?

 

[FuzzyAce]

You sure you don't want noiseless?
The Fender Hot Noiseless are good. I have a set in a strat. You can get them for around $200.

 

[la szum]

Feel free to share your monthly income with me and I'll gladly spend your money for a good cause.