Questions regarding my beloved Daytona?

[hamerfan50]

April8, 2016

Dear Hamer Guru's,

I have magnificent Hamer Daytona, that I absolutely cherish! (LOL. I know I'm on meds.)

The questions I have are simply two fold.

1. Has anyone changed out the stock Wilkinson bridge and if so, with what and why?

2. Has anyone changed out the pickups and if so, with what and why?

FYI...I play primarily blues and praise and worship music.

Thank you all so very much for your gracious time and wisdom.

With heartfelt gratitude.

Westley :-)

 

[hamerhead]

I've had 4 and didn't change a thing on any of them. They were so much better than what I knew as a 'Strat' that I didn't feel the need. Daytonas are pretty well done just the way they are, and if it ain't broke......

[mrjamiam]

People have, although I've left my two stock.  If you use the forum's search function, looking for Daytona and Wilkinson for example, you'll probably turn up threads where you'll find relevant discussion.

[carfish7]

Had a green one with a Fender bridge that worked fine. Never had a real issue with the stock Wilkies, but have avoided the major rot that they can fall prey to

Pickups for me always included a humbuckers of some sort in the bridge just because I have little use for a stick bridge single in a Strat or variation thereof.

[hamerfan50]

Thank you all very much for your time and wisdom.

[anotherfreak]

I changed my pickups around a bit when I first got mine,

SD STK S4's, and then settled with the Dimarzio Area pickups

I also wire the neck/middle pickups to the first tone pot and the bridge to the back tone pot which is also a push/pull to add the bridge pickup to whatever position the 5way switch is in.

but other than THAT, the Daytona is perfect 

[HamerDave]

My Daytona came with the bridge pickup swapped out for a Duncan Lil' 59er. Didn't really care for it. I've since replaced the whole shebang with a set of Lace Sensor Hot Gold pickups, the extra hot gold bridge.  This I love. Gives me all the sweetness without the usual hum. I was originally planning to replace the bridge, it's the Wilky, but, after fiddling with it and fixing the things I found annoying I decided to keep it. I had that saddle rattle problem. Once I figured it out it was an easy fix. Unless I find something that is a clear step up, it stays forever. Good luck with yours. Welcome to the Daytona owners club!✌

[BubbaVO]

Yes to both. 

Plenty of threads opining on what to replace them with.   Do a search and you'll see lots of options.  I've settled on bill n' becky pups and a mannmade trem.  That works for me.  YMMV.

[Roshark]

Welcome Hamerfan50 . I have tried several different sets of pickups on my Daytona . I am sure you know how many different brands and versions of strat pickups are out there . It depends on what kind of sound you want, vintage, high gain. The Daytona's stock dimarzio pickups are good alnico 2 . Some replacement sets seem to have a little more magic . In the vintage camp Shur makes a great set . Klein '59's set is sweet, warm with a vintage sound at the same time . Very useable bridge PU . There is something special going on in that Klein set . Fralin makes a great alnico 3 set that sounds very open and vintage . I had Harmonic Design wire up a set of their vintage + strat pickups with a volume, master tone and his mid cut circuit . This is a very clear, articulate, full sounding, powerful set (great mid content). It is extremely versatile with the mid cut . The cut brings you back down to the classic mid scooped strat sound . The volume on the vintage+ is very useable throughout its entire range . The one mod that I really like is a blender knob instead of a 2nd tone so you can blend the neck and bridge together . The other mod I really like is Xotic's raw vintage trem springs . You can use all 5 of those springs and it will give the Daytona a feel of 3 regular springs . There are so many ways to set up a strat so I was very skeptical but thought $12 what the hell . It makes the guitar a little more resonant, a little livelier, and acoustically louder . It is a subtle but very real difference . You wont take these springs out and put back in the originals . The trem will also feel less jerky and more refine . Again subtle but something you just have to try with your set up . The Wilkinson bridge is a little more difficult to set intonation on but a good bridge . Calaham makes a great vintage strat bridge if you feel compelled to go down that road . Hope this helps you and welcome to this forum .