Strat pickups

horax

Joined: Mar 23, 2011
Posts: 518
colorado springs
United States

Posted on Dec 16 2019 11:50 PM

Dick Dale’s Beast was an early 60’s strat with late 50’s pickups, correct?

I have a strat that needs new pickups. Burgundy mist 60’s classic vibe.
I am torn because I play blues as well as surf, and prefer a warmer tone.

However, the fat 50’s pickups are in custom shop dick Dale signature strat. Would they be too NOT warm for blues?

What pickups would you suggest for somebkdybeoth my preferences?

Think John Mayer for blues, DD for surf.

Thanks!

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Samurai

Joined: Mar 14, 2006
Posts: 2290
Kiev, Ukraine
Ukraine

Posted on Dec 17 2019 01:02 AM

They are very balanced as for me) You may play blues, hard rock or whatever with them.

—

Waikiki Makaki surf-rock band from Ukraine

https://linktr.ee/waikikimakaki

Lost Diver

https://lostdiver.bandcamp.com
https://soundcloud.com/vitaly-yakushin

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DaveMudgett

Joined: Mar 17, 2019
Posts: 162
Central PA
United States

Posted on Dec 17 2019 02:23 AM

There is no specific era of Strat pickups that is specific to blues playing. There are blues players, well known and not well known, who use or have used Strats from every era imaginable.

Whether or not you'll like Fat 50s is an open question. I personally think they're a pretty versatile pickup but YMMV. The marketing blurb is

The Fender Fat '50s Strat Pickup Set gives you calibrated pickups constructed with hand-beveled, staggered Alnico V magnets and Formvar magnet wire. '50s Strat Pickups deliver enhanced bass response without the harsh midrange. The middle pickup is reverse wound/reverse polarity for hum canceling in positions 2 and 4. OEM on Custom Shop Fender Showmaster series Stratocaster guitars.

—

The Delverados - surf, punk, trash, twang - Facebook
Chicken Tractor Deluxe - hardcore Americana - Facebook and Website
The Telegrassers - semi-electric bluegrass/Americana - Facebook

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Samurai

Joined: Mar 14, 2006
Posts: 2290
Kiev, Ukraine
Ukraine

Posted on Dec 17 2019 03:11 AM

"50s Strat Pickups deliver enhanced bass response without the harsh midrange."

That's exactly what I hear + sparkling highs
Just love them on my strat.

—

Waikiki Makaki surf-rock band from Ukraine

https://linktr.ee/waikikimakaki

Lost Diver

https://lostdiver.bandcamp.com
https://soundcloud.com/vitaly-yakushin

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shake_n_stomp

Joined: Jan 09, 2014
Posts: 623
Vancouver BC
Canada

Posted on Dec 18 2019 09:28 PM

I found the Fat 50s to be too hyped in their sound. It seems weird to say this but they were almost like a caricature of the classic Strat sound. I have installed a set of Duncan California 50s (3x SSL-1) on each of my two newer Strats and they give me nicely balanced Strat tones. The other guitarist in my new surf band has ordered a set of them, too.

—

Lorne
The Surf Shakers: https://www.facebook.com/TheSurfShakers
Vancouver BC Canada

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edwardsand

Joined: Jun 29, 2018
Posts: 802

Posted on Dec 19 2019 09:26 AM

I've got a set of Tex Mex pickups in my partscaster, and I'd say they are better suited to blues, though there was a previous discussion about their suitability for surf. I think they sound fine but I'm just not thrilled by them personally, particularly the bridge - a bit too much output and too thick sounding.

I've got a couple of other strat pickups I really like in the bridge position, but I don't know what they are. They are Fenders, with 5.6k Ohm DC resistance, which matches the '57/'62 pickup spec. I got them off ebay as a mis-matched set (two alnico and one ceramic Fender strat pickups, all with black plastic bobbins). Does anyone have any clue how to pin down what these are in case I wanted to get a whole set? Plus it's hard to recommend them to others when I don't know what they are.

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kentano2000

Joined: Aug 26, 2012
Posts: 25

Posted on Dec 19 2019 03:17 PM

Are the Fat 50s in the DD the Josephine Campos hands wound versions? If so, I can heartily recommend them as I have a set in my CS 56 Heavy Relic Thinline (pic below). They sound massive! Big and bold, but still all Strat. They take no prisoners!

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duncanjames

Joined: Dec 20, 2011
Posts: 156

Posted on Dec 20 2019 07:54 PM

For what it's worth, I recall reading here somewhere that at least 2/3 of Dick Dale's pickups weren't original. I think it might've been Ivan that had been told a tech stole 2 of The Beast's pickups and replaced them with 70s strat pickups.

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Nitromessiah

Joined: Jul 03, 2012
Posts: 26

Posted on Dec 22 2019 02:10 AM

as a relentless tone chaser who's been through quite a few pickups, I can say you already have a great set of pickups if you have a 60's Classic Vibe. Of all my Strats, the CV60 is the most 'stratty sounding strat' of them all. If wikipedia had a Strat sound - it would be the CV60.

But like ALL pickups, they have to be adjusted height wise. This is the A #1 must do for all tone chasing. A great pickup poorly adjusted will sound worse than a bad pickup set to it's optimum height.

Your ear is the only tool that can do this. It takes patience and a screwdriver. That's it.

Top

Nitromessiah

Joined: Jul 03, 2012
Posts: 26

Posted on Dec 22 2019 02:12 AM

duncanjames wrote:

For what it's worth, I recall reading here somewhere that at least 2/3 of Dick Dale's pickups weren't original. I think it might've been Ivan that had been told a tech stole 2 of The Beast's pickups and replaced them with 70s strat pickups.

Steve Soest is the one that told that story. I'm shocked no one has came forward with them by now though. They would be worth a fortune.

Top

HighRoller

Joined: Feb 26, 2019
Posts: 16
Oregon
United States

Posted on Dec 27 2019 01:50 PM

Honestly, you can play any style of music using any type of single coil pick up. Of course, there are different builds for specific outputs, but dialing in your sound is really the way to achieve joy from playing.

My suggestion with the instrument: If you just bought or already have a guitar that sounds good when you play, intonation is nice, plays in tune, feels right, and all is working correctly, leave everything alone. No need to change out the stock pick ups, nor the potentiometers, nor the tuning heads, nor anything on the guitar. Please like the instrument for as it is and enjoy playing for how it is, if not then why did you buy it in the first place? Just make sure the instrument plays in tune, and always change the strings when in need of replacement so the instrument keeps playing in tune. For intonation, just make sure it's balanced, and considering the fact that there is no such thing as a guitar with perfect intonation, and if there were it would probably sound very bland. Again, just make sure the instrument plays nicely, in tune, and enjoy!

And apart from everything I mentioned, of course, have the instrument set up to your specific playing needs including string gauge, string type, and action. As important gear is to getting a good sound, tone is truly in the hands and emotions.

Last edited: Dec 27, 2019 13:52:01

Top

horax Joined: Mar 23, 2011 Posts: 518 colorado springs	Posted on Dec 16 2019 11:50 PM Dick Dale’s Beast was an early 60’s strat with late 50’s pickups, correct? I have a strat that needs new pickups. Burgundy mist 60’s classic vibe. I am torn because I play blues as well as surf, and prefer a warmer tone. However, the fat 50’s pickups are in custom shop dick Dale signature strat. Would they be too NOT warm for blues? What pickups would you suggest for somebkdybeoth my preferences? Think John Mayer for blues, DD for surf. Thanks! Top
Samurai Joined: Mar 14, 2006 Posts: 2290 Kiev, Ukraine	Posted on Dec 17 2019 01:02 AM They are very balanced as for me) You may play blues, hard rock or whatever with them. — Waikiki Makaki surf-rock band from Ukraine https://linktr.ee/waikikimakaki Lost Diver https://lostdiver.bandcamp.com https://soundcloud.com/vitaly-yakushin Top
DaveMudgett Joined: Mar 17, 2019 Posts: 162 Central PA	Posted on Dec 17 2019 02:23 AM There is no specific era of Strat pickups that is specific to blues playing. There are blues players, well known and not well known, who use or have used Strats from every era imaginable. Whether or not you'll like Fat 50s is an open question. I personally think they're a pretty versatile pickup but YMMV. The marketing blurb is The Fender Fat '50s Strat Pickup Set gives you calibrated pickups constructed with hand-beveled, staggered Alnico V magnets and Formvar magnet wire. '50s Strat Pickups deliver enhanced bass response without the harsh midrange. The middle pickup is reverse wound/reverse polarity for hum canceling in positions 2 and 4. OEM on Custom Shop Fender Showmaster series Stratocaster guitars. — The Delverados - surf, punk, trash, twang - Facebook Chicken Tractor Deluxe - hardcore Americana - Facebook and Website The Telegrassers - semi-electric bluegrass/Americana - Facebook Top
Samurai Joined: Mar 14, 2006 Posts: 2290 Kiev, Ukraine	Posted on Dec 17 2019 03:11 AM "50s Strat Pickups deliver enhanced bass response without the harsh midrange." That's exactly what I hear + sparkling highs Just love them on my strat. — Waikiki Makaki surf-rock band from Ukraine https://linktr.ee/waikikimakaki Lost Diver https://lostdiver.bandcamp.com https://soundcloud.com/vitaly-yakushin Top
shake_n_stomp Joined: Jan 09, 2014 Posts: 623 Vancouver BC	Posted on Dec 18 2019 09:28 PM I found the Fat 50s to be too hyped in their sound. It seems weird to say this but they were almost like a caricature of the classic Strat sound. I have installed a set of Duncan California 50s (3x SSL-1) on each of my two newer Strats and they give me nicely balanced Strat tones. The other guitarist in my new surf band has ordered a set of them, too. — Lorne The Surf Shakers: https://www.facebook.com/TheSurfShakers Vancouver BC Canada Top
edwardsand Joined: Jun 29, 2018 Posts: 802	Posted on Dec 19 2019 09:26 AM I've got a set of Tex Mex pickups in my partscaster, and I'd say they are better suited to blues, though there was a previous discussion about their suitability for surf. I think they sound fine but I'm just not thrilled by them personally, particularly the bridge - a bit too much output and too thick sounding. I've got a couple of other strat pickups I really like in the bridge position, but I don't know what they are. They are Fenders, with 5.6k Ohm DC resistance, which matches the '57/'62 pickup spec. I got them off ebay as a mis-matched set (two alnico and one ceramic Fender strat pickups, all with black plastic bobbins). Does anyone have any clue how to pin down what these are in case I wanted to get a whole set? Plus it's hard to recommend them to others when I don't know what they are. Top
kentano2000 Joined: Aug 26, 2012 Posts: 25	Posted on Dec 19 2019 03:17 PM Are the Fat 50s in the DD the Josephine Campos hands wound versions? If so, I can heartily recommend them as I have a set in my CS 56 Heavy Relic Thinline (pic below). They sound massive! Big and bold, but still all Strat. They take no prisoners! Top
duncanjames Joined: Dec 20, 2011 Posts: 156	Posted on Dec 20 2019 07:54 PM For what it's worth, I recall reading here somewhere that at least 2/3 of Dick Dale's pickups weren't original. I think it might've been Ivan that had been told a tech stole 2 of The Beast's pickups and replaced them with 70s strat pickups. Top
Nitromessiah Joined: Jul 03, 2012 Posts: 26	Posted on Dec 22 2019 02:10 AM as a relentless tone chaser who's been through quite a few pickups, I can say you already have a great set of pickups if you have a 60's Classic Vibe. Of all my Strats, the CV60 is the most 'stratty sounding strat' of them all. If wikipedia had a Strat sound - it would be the CV60. But like ALL pickups, they have to be adjusted height wise. This is the A #1 must do for all tone chasing. A great pickup poorly adjusted will sound worse than a bad pickup set to it's optimum height. Your ear is the only tool that can do this. It takes patience and a screwdriver. That's it. Top
Nitromessiah Joined: Jul 03, 2012 Posts: 26	Posted on Dec 22 2019 02:12 AM duncanjames wrote: For what it's worth, I recall reading here somewhere that at least 2/3 of Dick Dale's pickups weren't original. I think it might've been Ivan that had been told a tech stole 2 of The Beast's pickups and replaced them with 70s strat pickups. Steve Soest is the one that told that story. I'm shocked no one has came forward with them by now though. They would be worth a fortune. Top
HighRoller Joined: Feb 26, 2019 Posts: 16 Oregon	Posted on Dec 27 2019 01:50 PM Honestly, you can play any style of music using any type of single coil pick up. Of course, there are different builds for specific outputs, but dialing in your sound is really the way to achieve joy from playing. My suggestion with the instrument: If you just bought or already have a guitar that sounds good when you play, intonation is nice, plays in tune, feels right, and all is working correctly, leave everything alone. No need to change out the stock pick ups, nor the potentiometers, nor the tuning heads, nor anything on the guitar. Please like the instrument for as it is and enjoy playing for how it is, if not then why did you buy it in the first place? Just make sure the instrument plays in tune, and always change the strings when in need of replacement so the instrument keeps playing in tune. For intonation, just make sure it's balanced, and considering the fact that there is no such thing as a guitar with perfect intonation, and if there were it would probably sound very bland. Again, just make sure the instrument plays nicely, in tune, and enjoy! And apart from everything I mentioned, of course, have the instrument set up to your specific playing needs including string gauge, string type, and action. As important gear is to getting a good sound, tone is truly in the hands and emotions. Last edited: Dec 27, 2019 13:52:01 Top

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Strat pickups