Strat pickup unhappiness

DonovanB

It's not that bad... I am tending to want a softer, more tonal approach to a high output, SRV type vibe.

I have 2 strats. I have recorded similar clips of both, going from neck, to middle, then bridge. I'd like to hear which you guys prefer.

Strat 1 http://www.box.net/shared/f66z0hj1nx

Strat 2 http://www.box.net/shared/g3fk5k5ljy

I'm not saying which is which. I want your ear to tell you which one you like better.

AlanRatcliffe

I like neck and middle of Strat2 and bridge of Strat 1

Reinhard

I vote strat 2.

MikeM

Strat 2.. Undecided about the bridge ones tho..

If I had 2 strats I'd do this just after changing strings, using the same pg on either guitar. That's now a controled test ?

guidothepimmp

hmm... i like neck pup strat 2, bridge strat 1 and im undecided about the middle... leaning toward strat 1 there though :-[

MoJo-JoJoe

I think Strat 2 is the better sounding guitar, and I do prefer the tones of that guitar in your clip, but I'd have liked to hear the pickups from Strat 1 on Strat 2 since I think they would sound less 1-dimensional in that guitar and probably get closer to your SRV goal.

AlanRatcliffe

Ahh... Dom mentioned wanting to move away from SRV to "a softer, more tonal approach"...

MoJo-JoJoe

I see. I misunderstood what I read. Not too hard these days. In that case I still prefer Start 2 irrespective of which pups are in it ... though CS54's would be sweet.

Wizard

Strat 2

PeteM

Strat 2 - neck & middle.
Strat 1 - bridge.

[deleted]

Strat 2, for neck and middle... no contest

Bridge... ? :-\
If I had to, Strat 1...

Jack-Flash-Jr

2 all the way, although the neck and bridge on 1 have their own vibe! What gauge are you using?

Squonk

Definately 2, sounds very Hendixy but the bridge pickup sounds like pea soup.

arjunmenon

Squonk wrote Definately 2, sounds very Hendixy but the bridge pickup sounds like pea soup.

?

I'm going with strat 2. Really nice sound.

Still undecided about the bridge.

Bob-Dubery

I wonder if there aren't a little more tops on Strat 1, which are triggering the reverb better and thus makes the sound a little more spacious.

Overall I prefer #1, but as regards the middle PUPs in isolation I prefer #2, but not by much.

I think the mids are more emphasised on #2, so #1 has a little more of a chime and at the same time is a little darker.

[deleted]

Strat 2.

DonovanB

Squonk wrote Definately 2, sounds very Hendixy but the bridge pickup sounds like pea soup.

I don't want Hendrixy...

MikeM wrote If I had 2 strats I'd do this just after changing strings, using the same pg on either guitar. That's now a controled test ?

Both had been restrung the same day anyway, with the same brand and gauge of string.

The answers have been interesting. I'll have to let you know why a little later as I have to attend to something now. Maybe we can solve my problem and learn something too ?

DonovanB

ok here goes...

Personally I don't like either and I have been having issues with a bucker on a strat anyway, purely because the output is too high.

Strat 1 is my MIJ Squier
Neck - Standard pup
Middle - Fender Hot Noiseless
Bridge - Standard pup

and Strat 2 is the MIM Power strat.
Neck and middle, Tex mex Singles and Bridge is a Tex mex humbucker (according to Fender.com. AFAIK nothing's changed)

I want a mellower vibe now. I have dropped the TM's as low as possible and am still not happy. they are just too big for me. Unless I play a lot softer I don't think they will work for what I want.

I guess when I can, I am going to go for some lace Sensors or the Tonerider Pure Vintage.

What I was thinking was getting a set of vintage for the MIM, Then putting the 2 single TM's in the MIJ (with the Hot noiseless), to have one HOT strat and one smooth.

Whaddaya'llthink?

AlanRatcliffe

Do yourself a favour and swap the pickguards around (although the Power humbucker might not fit on the MIJ) first and see what happens. It'll give you a better idea of what's what.