crunchee Posted September 13, 2022 Share Posted September 13, 2022 I've got a parts Strat with Fender '69 CS PUs, I like the '69s a lot but sometimes I wish the bridge PU had a bit more oomph to it. I'm looking at the DiMarzio FS-1 PU (as used by '70's Gilmour, continuous use by The Edge (U2), past use by Yngwie) vs. the Seymour Duncan SSL-5 (Gilmour's preference since the late-70's, equivalent to his original SD SSL-1C, which is an overwound SSL-1). Anybody have any preferences? Pros and cons? Any alternative choices? Keep in mind I'm NOT looking at stacked, humbucking, or 'noiseless' PUs, but more at a more powerful traditional Strat bridge PU. What say ye? TIA! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jakeboy Posted September 13, 2022 Share Posted September 13, 2022 If it was me, I’d have Rumpel or Gravelin wind me a beefier mid 60s pickup and I’ d have a baseplate installed while I was at it. Should result in a fatter sounding Strat bridge pickup witHout losing any Strattiness. Baseplate may not even be needed. Just overwind the pickup a bit to add some beef. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JGravelin Posted September 13, 2022 Share Posted September 13, 2022 Between adjusting the internal coil height, different non-standard magnet choices, adding iron to the interior bobbin build to increase inductance. reflector plates, different gauges of coil wire from 42.5, 43, and 43.5 either single coated or "Heavy" across all of them... there's a load of ways to massage the output gain and frequency response to suit your needs. I've been doing this since 1997, since 2010 in a professional capacity, and High Custom work is my specialty. I'm here if you need me so feel free to say hi anytime. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Travis Posted September 14, 2022 Share Posted September 14, 2022 I second the motion for a custom wind by @JGravelin The only single coils I use anymore are his. He wound a 10k bridge pickup for my Mirage (along with an 8k neck and 6k middle) that sounds absolutely fantastic. Fat and powerful. I’ve also got a pair of 6+k singles in the neck and mid of my Charvel and they’re every bit as fantastic. You won’t go wrong with a Gravelin. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MCChris Posted September 14, 2022 Share Posted September 14, 2022 15 hours ago, crunchee said: Any alternative choices? Don't rule out @Jeff R at Carondelet Pickups. Can't speak to his single coils but I recently had a set of his humbuckers installed in a guitar and they are exceptional. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kizanski Posted September 14, 2022 Share Posted September 14, 2022 16 minutes ago, MCChris said: Don't rule out @Jeff R at Carondelet Pickups. Can't speak to his single coils but I recently had a set of his humbuckers installed in a guitar and they are exceptional. This. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RobB Posted September 14, 2022 Share Posted September 14, 2022 I’ll take the 69 CS set if you decide to sell them. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jack C Posted September 17, 2022 Share Posted September 17, 2022 I bought a used but never installed Gravelin Strat pickup on the forum that’s supposedly in the ballpark of a Lollar Special. It’s fantastic in the bridge spot of my Strat. Balls but still Stratty. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
crunchee Posted September 17, 2022 Author Share Posted September 17, 2022 On 9/14/2022 at 11:12 AM, RobB said: I’ll take the 69 CS set if you decide to sell them. The neck and middle pickups are great sounding pickups, so they're staying for sure. As far as the bridge pickup goes, I'm still researching...I might be able to do with using a clean boost pedal instead. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
woodpile Posted September 19, 2022 Share Posted September 19, 2022 On 9/17/2022 at 2:49 PM, crunchee said: The neck and middle pickups are great sounding pickups, so they're staying for sure. As far as the bridge pickup goes, I'm still researching...I might be able to do with using a clean boost pedal instead. If you like the tone, a clean boost is a good idea. I've got an Xotic Super Clean that works great for that. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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