Doctor_Morbius
Joined: Oct 26, 2008
Posts: 608
This Planet Earth
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Posted on Oct 29 2008 05:15 PM
I'm curious as to which Strat pickups the gurus here at SG101 would chose as the most Surfy. Below is a list of what I have. The guitars will be played through a DRRI with JJs tubes and a Weber 12F150 or a Hot Rod Deluxe with stock Groove Tubes and a Jensen P12N alnico speaker.
Feel free to comment and and even add your own favorite set of surfy Strat pups.
- Seymour Duncan Antiquity II w/Custom Bridge
Seymour Duncan SLL-1 California '50s
BG-Pups Vintage '60s (hand wound in USA)
Fender Custom Shop '54s (stock on the Dick Dale Strat)
Fender Custom Shop '69s (hand wound by AY)
Fender '57/'62
Fender Classics (Came stock in Classic Series '50s Strat)
Fender stock '08 American Series
Fender stock '06 Highway One (very HOT!)
Fender stock MIM pickups (the only ceramics on the list)
Tonerider Surfaris
GFS Vintage '64 Staggers
GFS Premium Alnico Staggers
Below is a pic of my #1 surf guitar. It is a Classic Series '50s body in surf green, of course, with a Robert Cray neck, locking Gotoh tuners, SD Antiquity II pickups, Wilkinson tremolo with push in arm and steel block, and a cream Warmoth pickguard. It's copper shielded with a star ground, has no tone control, but it does have a blender pot.
image
— Cats 'n' Strats, 'cause that's how I roll - I eat reverb for breakfast!
Fenderus Collecticus
Strat Blender Pot Modification HERE
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Kman1
Joined: Aug 29, 2008
Posts: 694
Surf City
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Posted on Oct 29 2008 05:21 PM
I don't really like the '69s I used them, they were too dull. I haven't really tried the others.
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Sonichris
I also like to think that all early 60's fender equipment is happy to be playing surf music again. After all, its the music it was meant to play.
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Nokie
Joined: Oct 06, 2008
Posts: 550
So Cal
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Posted on Oct 29 2008 05:37 PM
My preference for the pickups I prefer on a strat for surf depends on whether I'm playing in a three piece or four piece band. In the three piece I like the pick-ups that came on the '54 Masterbuilt Strat. They are not the same pick-ups Fender sells as "Custom Shop '54's". They are handwound (supposedly by Anabelle with an original pick-up winder) with a little less output (inconsistant) and larger diameter poll-pieces. They also have curved edge pick-up covers which make a huge difference in the sound...not. Many folks are parting out the 50th anniversary '54 masterbuilts so I bought a second set when it became available.
In a four piece band, I have to compete for volume and I prefer a higher output Strat pick-up. Any high output pick-up is fine in that situation.
-Marty 
— "Hello Girls!"
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synchro
Joined: Feb 02, 2008
Posts: 4562
Not One-Sawn, but Two-Sawn . . . AZ.
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Posted on Oct 29 2008 10:14 PM
Try playing something with Tex-Mex pickups. They are cheap, quick and dirty but they have a strong treble range and sound pretty good for Surf IMHO.
— The artist formerly known as: Synchro
When Surf Guitar is outlawed only outlaws will play Surf Guitar.
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Nokie
Joined: Oct 06, 2008
Posts: 550
So Cal
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Posted on Oct 29 2008 11:39 PM
synchro
Try playing something with Tex-Mex pickups. They are cheap, quick and dirty but they have a strong treble range and sound pretty good for Surf IMHO.
I know that a few folks have mentioned they like those. I switched 'em out in the one Strat I had 'em in 'cause I was too easily getting into the SRV sound. That was when I played through a Super. I'm guessing through the Dual Showman I have now, that's not going to be the issue.
— "Hello Girls!"
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Bengal65
Joined: Oct 12, 2008
Posts: 142
Houston, TX
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Posted on Oct 30 2008 07:56 AM
Well, I've got the Fender CS '54's in one Strat and my other 2 are Jeff Beck (JB) CS Strats. They both have the JB Noiseless pickups. I really like the JB Noiseless pickups. With the tone to the treble side, they can be very piercing. But, what is amazing is that for the first time ever I can use the entire range of the tone pot! I just back off the knob to let more bass frequencies come through. I also changed out my pots for the higher grade CTS pots that RS Guitars sells. They are heavy duty with brass shaft's and have a nice true audio taper to them. 
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synchro
Joined: Feb 02, 2008
Posts: 4562
Not One-Sawn, but Two-Sawn . . . AZ.
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Posted on Oct 30 2008 10:25 AM
Nokie
I know that a few folks have mentioned they like those. I switched 'em out in the one Strat I had 'em in 'cause I was too easily getting into the SRV sound. That was when I played through a Super. I'm guessing through the Dual Showman I have now, that's not going to be the issue.
I think that they'll deliver plenty of treble for you and will match the Showman nicely.
— The artist formerly known as: Synchro
When Surf Guitar is outlawed only outlaws will play Surf Guitar.
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Ruhar
Joined: Jun 21, 2007
Posts: 3909
San Diego, CA
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Posted on Oct 30 2008 10:37 AM
Whatever pickups come with the AVRI '62 strat (the '57/'62s?) sound great to my ears. Although I haven't tried all the pickups from your list, I have played through quite a few strat pickups and I like these the best by far. Definitely not "Blueshammer" pickups, but they're great for instro, surf, etc.
— Ryan
The Secret Samurai Website
The Secret Samurai on Facebook
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JoshHeartless
Joined: Jun 17, 2006
Posts: 1010
Bay City, Michigan
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Posted on Oct 30 2008 11:42 AM
i like jag pickups.
but the catch is, i also like to use a jag body and a jag neck as well...
but in all seriousness, try putting jag pups minus the metal claws in a strat, i've heard that is real nice.
i have '57/'62s in my strat and am honestly not that satisfied as far as surf goes. she can play literally anything else, and those pups nail a good del shannon/bobby fuller sound, but to me, doesn't get what i want out of a surf sound...
— The Tremblors on Facebook!
The Tremblors on MySpace!
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Doctor_Morbius
Joined: Oct 26, 2008
Posts: 608
This Planet Earth
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Posted on Oct 30 2008 12:14 PM
Ruhar
Whatever pickups come with the AVRI '62 strat (the '57/'62s?) sound great to my ears. Although I haven't tried all the pickups from your list, I have played through quite a few strat pickups and I like these the best by far. Definitely not "Blueshammer" pickups, but they're great for instro, surf, etc.
I like the '57/'62s as well. They are in a shoreline gold Classic Players '50s Strat. Should I ever sell the guitar I would definitely buy those pickups again and set up a swappable pickguard using them. I set up all of my Strats with swappable pickguards using wire nuts.
I'm surprised about the suggestions for the Tex Mex pickups. I would have thought them to be too hot for Surf.
JoshHeartless, thanks for the tip on the Jag pups in a Strat. I have thought about putting Jazzmaster pups in one using a custom pickguard, but then I plan to eventually own a Jazzmaster anyway.
— Cats 'n' Strats, 'cause that's how I roll - I eat reverb for breakfast!
Fenderus Collecticus
Strat Blender Pot Modification HERE
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Kman1
Joined: Aug 29, 2008
Posts: 694
Surf City
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Posted on Oct 30 2008 02:06 PM
synchro
Try playing something with Tex-Mex pickups. They are cheap, quick and dirty but they have a strong treble range and sound pretty good for Surf IMHO.
I know what you mean, if you go to a buy a '57 MIJ Strat, half of the ones I wanted to buy were modded with Texas Specials, but I ignored them, maybe that was a bad idea
—
Sonichris
I also like to think that all early 60's fender equipment is happy to be playing surf music again. After all, its the music it was meant to play.
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synchro
Joined: Feb 02, 2008
Posts: 4562
Not One-Sawn, but Two-Sawn . . . AZ.
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Posted on Oct 30 2008 02:32 PM
Kman1
synchro
Try playing something with Tex-Mex pickups. They are cheap, quick and dirty but they have a strong treble range and sound pretty good for Surf IMHO.
I know what you mean, if you go to a buy a '57 MIJ Strat, half of the ones I wanted to buy were modded with Texas Specials, but I ignored them, maybe that was a bad idea
I don't know if this is accurate or not but I've heard that the Tex-Mex has similar specs to the Texas Special. I do know that the Tex-Mex are more cheaply made but I've neevre had a picup fail due to structural failure of any kind so I'm not too worried. My old Tex-Mex Strat is now 13 years old and has had no problems.
— The artist formerly known as: Synchro
When Surf Guitar is outlawed only outlaws will play Surf Guitar.
Last edited: Oct 30, 2008 14:43:02
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Kman1
Joined: Aug 29, 2008
Posts: 694
Surf City
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Posted on Oct 30 2008 02:40 PM
synchro
but I've never had a pickup fail due to structural failure of any kind so I'm not too worried.
I didn't think it is possible, my brothers old beat up Mini Squier has really cheap pups, and they're working fine, after a couple years.
—
Sonichris
I also like to think that all early 60's fender equipment is happy to be playing surf music again. After all, its the music it was meant to play.
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synchro
Joined: Feb 02, 2008
Posts: 4562
Not One-Sawn, but Two-Sawn . . . AZ.
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Posted on Oct 30 2008 02:45 PM
as long as the windings stay intact you're usually alright.
— The artist formerly known as: Synchro
When Surf Guitar is outlawed only outlaws will play Surf Guitar.
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Kman1
Joined: Aug 29, 2008
Posts: 694
Surf City
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Posted on Oct 30 2008 02:56 PM
Maybe that happened to my Les Paul, I had to push the selector switch all the way in, or it didn't work. The switch is meant to stick out, but I had to push it in all the way, it's broken now.
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Sonichris
I also like to think that all early 60's fender equipment is happy to be playing surf music again. After all, its the music it was meant to play.
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synchro
Joined: Feb 02, 2008
Posts: 4562
Not One-Sawn, but Two-Sawn . . . AZ.
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Posted on Oct 30 2008 03:10 PM
Sounds like a bad switch.
— The artist formerly known as: Synchro
When Surf Guitar is outlawed only outlaws will play Surf Guitar.
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Kman1
Joined: Aug 29, 2008
Posts: 694
Surf City
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Posted on Oct 30 2008 03:12 PM
Well, no point in replacing it, its not really a great instrument unless coated with gain, then it's mediocre.
—
Sonichris
I also like to think that all early 60's fender equipment is happy to be playing surf music again. After all, its the music it was meant to play.
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Bengal65
Joined: Oct 12, 2008
Posts: 142
Houston, TX
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Posted on Oct 30 2008 03:26 PM
Kman1
Maybe that happened to my Les Paul, I had to push the selector switch all the way in, or it didn't work. The switch is meant to stick out, but I had to push it in all the way, it's broken now.
Sounds like your wires came disconected at the bottom of the switch and/or your 3 way switch is broken. Is your switch plate broken as well? Sounds like you need a new switch plate and possibly a new switch and perform some soldering.
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synchro
Joined: Feb 02, 2008
Posts: 4562
Not One-Sawn, but Two-Sawn . . . AZ.
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Posted on Oct 30 2008 03:33 PM
Kman1
Well, no point in replacing it, its not really a great instrument unless coated with gain, then it's mediocre.
At the very least a replacement switch would make it a lot easier to sell.
— The artist formerly known as: Synchro
When Surf Guitar is outlawed only outlaws will play Surf Guitar.
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Kman1
Joined: Aug 29, 2008
Posts: 694
Surf City
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Posted on Oct 30 2008 04:22 PM
synchro
Kman1
Well, no point in replacing it, its not really a great instrument unless coated with gain, then it's mediocre.
At the very least a replacement switch would make it a lot easier to sell.
Synchro, you're one of my best friends on here. Thank you so much, I forgot about my gear, a Les Paul Special II, Fender bass amp and Fender Bass should go for at least $300 right? With the $400 I get for my b-day, I can get a Jimmie Vaughan or '50s Classic Strat.
—
Sonichris
I also like to think that all early 60's fender equipment is happy to be playing surf music again. After all, its the music it was meant to play.
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