What would you choose for Fender Strat Replacement Pickup(s)?

Orion

Hi Guys! Glad i found this forum, ?

Ok, hope this thread is in the right place, and I checked existing threads, but didn't find what I was looking for, surprisingly, since I believe what I am doing it is fairly common.

I have a Fender USA Stratocaster (SSS, in black, loverly guitar!), and I was thinking of replacing either just the bridge pickup, or all 3 of them. I know nothing about pickups though, so I thought Id ask for some help.

I have been playing a lot of metal type music lately, and obviously the single coil just doesnt seem to have the balls. Any suggestions on what to get? The guy at the music store recommended i buy a set of 3 EMGs, and just replace the lot. But I have no problem with the sound of the neck or mid pickups, just the bridge pickup. I have heard of the Duncan Rails bridge pickup, apparently it gives quite a brutal sound. Also, I heard something about a stacked humbucker that fits in the singlecoil slot.

Any ideas?

AlanRatcliffe

Lots of ideas Orion - almost too many in fact...

OK. Firstly, you are looking for either a full-size humbucker or a "rails" type. Stacked 'buckers excel at getting more single-coil type tones, which is what you are trying to get away from.

I mention full-size humbuckers as many Strats are already routed for them and all you need to change the pickup to a bucker is to change the pickup itself and the pickguard. Going full size, means you have access to all the great humbuckers, like the Duncan JB or the DiMarzio Tone Zone (and dozens of others...).

Going for "Rails" type pickups, you are better served looking at DiMarzio IMO, as they have a wider range of good pickups of this type. Specifically they have the Tone Zone and the Super Distortion, which are both popular with metal players. Duncan have the Hot Rails (which I've never liked, but some do).

Orion

Alan Ratcliffe wrote: Lots of ideas Orion - almost too many in fact...

OK. Firstly, you are looking for either a full-size humbucker or a "rails" type. Stacked 'buckers excel at getting more single-coil type tones, which is what you are trying to get away from.

I mention full-size humbuckers as many Strats are already routed for them and all you need to change the pickup to a bucker is to change the pickup itself and the pickguard. Going full size, means you have access to all the great humbuckers, like the Duncan JB or the DiMarzio Tone Zone (and dozens of others...).

Going for "Rails" type pickups, you are better served looking at DiMarzio IMO, as they have a wider range of good pickups of this type. Specifically they have the Tone Zone and the Super Distortion, which are both popular with metal players. Duncan have the Hot Rails (which I've never liked, but some do).

Hehehe, was hoping you would reply,I know that you are a "Strat Man". Thanks for the info, and I can't believe that one of the guys at the music store(not the EMG guy) told me that a stacked humbucker was gonna solve all my problems! I'm really glad that I ended up here, so thanks again.

Im still open to ideas guys, any more tips etc.

I didnt know that my Strat might be able to accomodate a full size bucker, that might be really cool. Will pop off the scratchplate this weekend and see. Im guessing I will just see a cavity big enough to fit a bucker, and that means I am good to go?

AlanRatcliffe

Im guessing I will just see a cavity big enough to fit a bucker, and that means I am good to go?

Yup -exactly. For minimum hassle, just use a different pickguard already cut for HSS. You can modify the existing one, but you end up with two extra holes and if you ever want to swap it back to sell or something, it's nice to have the original guard with the original pickup...

Orion

Alan Ratcliffe wrote: Yup -exactly. For minimum hassle, just use a different pickguard already cut for HSS. You can modify the existing one, but you end up with two extra holes and if you ever want to swap it back to sell or something, it's nice to have the original guard with the original pickup...

Thanks. Yeah, that is true, I might just keep the original pickguard and pickup incase I ever wanna swop back, or incase I prefer the "singlecoil size" Rails etc. Definately.

DNC

Do what to change the middel en neck pick als well?

Orion

DNC wrote: Do what to change the middel en neck pick als well?

Dont know really, i was thinking about that, but im not sure how different it will sound. That is why i only looked at changing the bridge pickup - because i know i want a different sound from that. What would you recommend?

andrewjbryson

funny how people often underestimate a Fender Stat's ability to play metal style music.

My buddy has a mexican with a S-D little 59 in the bridge and it cooks with hard riffs because of its darkish natural tone.

Personally I love the feel of a Fender for any hard/ riffing types.

Orion

andrewjbryson wrote: funny how people often underestimate a Fender Stat's ability to play metal style music.

My buddy has a mexican with a S-D little 59 in the bridge and it cooks with hard riffs because of its darkish natural tone.

Personally I love the feel of a Fender for any hard/ riffing types.

Yeah, well that is why I didnt want to sell my Strat for something else, I know I can get the sound and feel I want from it, just have to make a couple of tweeks. ?

Vintage-Vibe

+ 1 w/Andrew - Iron Maiden played with HB brige position loaded Strats, and Judas Priest liked double fat Strats (2 x HB's) - and they do the riffy/classic metal thing really well !

VV