So Many Pickups to choose...

[DrakeZero]

Well next part of my strat build is near, and right now I am browsing for pickups and was curious about the opinions out there. I'm looking for a SRV tone for this build, but would like to explore other pickups besides the texas specials. I keep hearing mixed reviews about them, but was wondering has anyone tried out the other custom shop pickups from Fender like the 54, fat 50's, and 69's? I have seen them on ebay going for $143US on all of these sets.


So what would you guys suggest?

[chuckdup]

your gonna find that about half that SRV tone comes from his amp..
that and the 16/60 string set he used tuned down half a step.. ok it wasnt that bigga guage strings but more than im man enough for..

...............laters...chuck

[kurdt]

didn't he use like 12s or 13s?

[DrakeZero]

True, he used 13's early in his career, but it took a toll on his fingers and before the accident he was said to be using 11's and 10's so it would be easier on his fingers.

[Epinez]

I know a lot of people contribute his tone to his big strings - but I've found I can get convincing SRV tone with simple 10s. I've gotten decent tone with both overwound and vintage spec pickups. I agree with what is said above - the huge strings did add to the depth of the tone, but the majority was his amazing hands strength with that great bending and vibrato.

I've gotten great SRV tone out of my CV50s, 57/62s, CS69s which are all quite different pickups - so I think you can go any way you choose.

I think I'm probably with chuckdup above - the amp is going to have the biggest tonal influence - anything blackface will get you in the ballpark.

And lastly playing style ESPECIALLY developing the SRV vibrato technique. Every day I get a little better, and my tone gets better and better. IMHO my improvement is largely due to my continued development of proper bending and vibrato technique.

sorry this response wasn't very helpful with a particular pickup suggestion - but just wanted to pass on my experience over the last couple years that pickups (IMO) are not the most important factor - any of the vintage offerings available will get you there. Of the ones you mentioned above I'd go CS54s or CS69s. The CS69s would probably be my choice - that produce amazing big and tight lows (but not boomy - as the 57/62s can sometimes be), and they can really scream on the high strings for those AK / SRV bends.

[SurfNut]

I have Nico's Vintage American 69's in my MIM and they sound great. You can get a complete loaded pick guard for $115 or $125 if you get the vintage wires. pickersparts dot com is where I found them. Good luck with your search for tone... it is a life long journey.