SinNombre
Joined: Nov 14, 2011
Posts: 79
San Diego
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Posted on Nov 30 2017 08:31 AM
The Strat I own is mostly for playing surf music. Years ago I replaced the stock pickups with a set modeled after '53s believing low powered vintage were the best for classic surf tone.
But I had always heard how much people liked Texas Specials in their Strats. I have never tried them so I don't know how hot or un-vintage they sound. I am considering buying a set of the Fender Tex-Mex pickups to find out and would like to hear any opinions people have on how well they are suited to classic surf music. Thanks.
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Surfadelphia
Joined: Sep 04, 2017
Posts: 435
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Posted on Nov 30 2017 08:54 AM
I'm not real familiar with Texas Specials except that they have a rep as good sounding pu's. With regards to output, I do not believe that you need lower output pu's for surf especially with single coils. For example, Moserite pu's tend to be wound very hot (higher than many P-90's) and do surf very well.
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MadScientist
Joined: Jan 17, 2008
Posts: 2188
Atlanta, GA
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Posted on Nov 30 2017 09:12 AM
I have Texas Specials in one of my Strats. They're fine pickups for a bunch of stuff, but I find them lacking for surf. They're a little crunchy and hot and lack a certain sparkle that my main '57/'62 pickups have. I adore those pickups.
My $.02
—
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WoodyJ
Joined: Apr 05, 2006
Posts: 1547
Bethlehem, GA
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Posted on Nov 30 2017 09:18 AM
First of all, pickup choice is an extremely subjective thing among guitarists of every ilk. You mentioned "classic surf music" and for that sound, absent of using a Jaguar or Jazzmaster, something like Fender AVRI '57/'62 or Duncan Antiquity pickups are a safe choice.
But back to the Tex-Mex pickups...some players love them, others hate them. I happen to love them as they provide an edgier sound than the AVRI's but are not over-the-top edgy. The "number one" Strat that I've had for decades and use for recording is a '84 Fullerton-built AVRI Strat that has Rio Grande pickups that were installed by the previous owner. It is the best-sounding Strat I've ever played for the sound/tone that I prefer. But those pickups also work well for slow, melodic ballads, too.
A few years back I acquired a MIM "Road Worn" Strat that came with Tex-Mex's. To make a long story short, I was stunned at how good this guitar sounded - as in maybe 85-90% as good as the '84 AVRI with Rio Grandes. A year ago I ended up with a second Road Worn Strat (I had an empty Strat case that needed a guitar...) and I am equally enamored with that one.
Regarding Texas Specials, I tried a friend's Custom Shop Strat that came with those and they were rather harsh sounding. I like it smooth with some edge.
Apologies for the rambling, but my point is, that if you would like a more assertive yet still melodic tone, my experience with Tex Mex pickups has been very positive. Others may disagree and that is OK as we like what we like. I'd suggest finding a music store that has Road Worn Strat so that you can determine if YOU like the sound. 
— Jack Booth
(aka WoodyJ)
The Mariners (1964-68, 1996-2005)
The Hula Hounds (1996-current)
The X-Rays (1997-2004)
The Surge! (2004, 2011-2012)
Various non-surf bands that actually made money (1978-1990)
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stratdancer
Joined: Dec 11, 2013
Posts: 2537
Akron, Ohio
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Posted on Nov 30 2017 09:28 AM
My first strat set up for surf used Tex mex and I really love those pickups. It is no longer a surf strat but make a great pickup for many many styles of music. Very underrated.
— The Kahuna Kings
https://www.facebook.com/pages/The-Kahuna-Kings/459752090818447
https://thekahunakings.bandcamp.com/releases
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SinNombre
Joined: Nov 14, 2011
Posts: 79
San Diego
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Posted on Nov 30 2017 10:15 AM
Thanks for the replies, they are pretty much in line with what I have heard over the years. Another reason I am attracted to the Tex Mex pickups is that they came installed in the Kenny Wayne Shepard sig guitar and I like his playing and tone a lot. I might use a Strat with hotter pups for blues/blues rock more than I do now.
Short of buying another used Strat and having both sets of pups available, I have thought of putting the Tex Mex pups in my Strat, see how I like them, and possibly combine my favorite three from the six I would have. I don't mind having an unmatched set as my Tele has a vintage neck pup and hot bridge pup and I like the contrast in tones that are available.
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ArabSpringReverb
Joined: Jul 13, 2012
Posts: 490
San Diego CA
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Posted on Nov 30 2017 12:53 PM
I think they are great if you're going for a more overdriven type sound ..I like them much more than ceramic single coil strat type . BUT I prefer lower gain pickups for surf....you can always add more gain in from outboard if needed but if its there from the start , its always there .
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Badger
Joined: Nov 16, 2013
Posts: 4536
Wisconsin
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Posted on Dec 01 2017 06:59 AM
I found Texas Specials to be a bit hotter and (to my ear) muddied up what I would want for a surf tone. I think it's worth noting Woody's astute comment about how subjective pickup choice is.
Frankly, I think it also matters what guitar they're in. I love - generally - the 57/62's and, in an experiment, tried them in a MiM 60's Lacquer Strat that had a very wonderfully light, breathy, airy quality to it that you could hear acoustically. They were phenomenal. The experiment then took the same setup to my AVRI '65 which is a bit of a darker guitar, relatively speaking, and they sounded like krap so their original pickups went back in. Just shows to go ya, it may not be the pickups' fault.
— Wes
SoCal ex-pat with a snow shovel
DISCLAIMER: The above is opinion/suggestion only & should not be used for mission planning/navigation, tweaking of instruments, beverage selection, or wardrobe choices.
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