Strat and pickups

[80sRock]

Last weekend I bought a used USA strat.I think it is a 2000 model. I'll post pics later. I think I got a good deal. $550.00 with case and Sperzil tuners. I want to replace the bridge pickup. What would you recommend. I just installed a Duncan Hot Rail, though it now gives great distortion and is supposed to be a double coil it still has that Strat quack in it, though subtle. At least it seems to me to have it. I am thinking about going to a full size double coil. What do you guys like. The problem may be I am comparing it to my Model 2. It has a Duncan Distortion in the bridge and a distortion in the neck. Yes it is a model 2, some one added the neck pick up. I love the set up. 2 humbuckers one volume knob, a switch no tone control. But I do like the feel of the strat. Any suggestions?

[Jim Shine]

Re: Strat and pickups

I would definitely go with a full sized humbucker to get the sound you want.

[80sRock]

Re: Strat and pickups

Well after sleeping on it and playing it today. I made a couple adjustments on pickup height and on My Mark IV and it is really growling now. I am really getting good tone out of it. The Hot rail is a pretty hot pick up. I found that playing with the volume knob makes a difference in the sound. It has turned into a very versatal pickup. After sleeping and not second guessing myself the pickup actaully doesn't have that quack int it. If I go to clean and put the switch in position 2 it can still get that "Sweet Home Alabama" quack. I just need to install a switch to split the coils and I am set. I did try to install an allparts volume with push pull switch but I screwed it up when I grounded to the switch case. Some solder must have gotten in to it. It wouldn't push pull anymore.

[Grandturk]

Re: Strat and pickups

I swear you really can't go far wrong with a Hot Rails pickup. Its really one of the best sounding pickup Duncan makes. It actually sounds OK split because it is so hot. If you go with a full size bucker and you want to split it, make sure you get something hotter than a PAF/vintage hummer. I like the Duncan Distortion split.

[Number Of The Priest]

Re: Strat and pickups

Another vote here for the Hot Rails and its splitting ability. Works wonderfully in the neck position of my Soloist, exactly the place I like both a humbucker AND a single coil to be. [img]/images/graemlins/grin.gif[/img]

[ShredFred]

Re: Strat and pickups

I tried a Duncan Little 59 in my strat a few years back and it was not a happy time! [img]/images/graemlins/frown.gif[/img]

[hippietim]

Re: Strat and pickups

I've had JB Jr's in Strats in the bridge position - sounded pretty darn good.

Personally, I like the single coil tone out of the bridge on a Strat. For that I'd recommend a Duncan Quarter Pound or a Fralin Blues Special if you want more output. Just for tone, the Fender Custom Shop '69 set.

[speed monkey]

Re: Strat and pickups

Another smoking Strat bridge pickup is the Rio Grande Muy Grande, or the Stelly....The Muy is pretty hot - The Stelly is just as if not more so, but with more clarity....not split-able, but great tone.

Steve E