Strat pickup upgrades

Quattroste

I'm bored so I was wondering what you would suggest for a pickup upgrade for a strat. I have the Highway 1 start with standard "vintage" pickups! They seem pretty OK but I would love a bluesier sound. These seem a bit light and don't have that full blues tone.

Any suggestions and any idea of cost would be great.

Doctor J

Lindy Fralin make me go all gooey inside

Kinman make delightful pickups too but, going on the feedback from the FDP folk, Lindys are just supposed to be unbelievable.

Ancient1

If you're bored why don't you come over and hoover my place and do the dishes, you lazy bitch. :v:

Check out kinman.com - awesome stuff.

Quattroste

Ancient1 wrote:

If you're bored why don't you come over and hoover my place and do the dishes, you lazy bitch. :v:

Check out kinman.com - awesome stuff.

Bored in work Ancient! How could I be bored at home? I 'd have cranked amp, guitars and beer.

And do your own housework ya big slapper

Ancient1

Quattroste wrote:

cranked amp, guitars and beer.

I approve.

Also, have a look here. Bill Lawrence has some mean strat pups too.

How much are you looking to spend btw?

feylya

EMG's

Na, Lindy Fralins seem to be the shiznit these day.

Johnny Storm

I've read good things about Bill Lawrence too.

Quattroste

How much are you looking to spend btw?

I've never upgraded pups before so I haven't a clue how much good upgrades cost. I'd have to have someone fit them aswell.

What sort of price range are the good ones fitted? 300?

Ancient1

I think 2nd hand is the way to go, you might pick up some good deals on ebay if you keep an eye out. Depends if you buy them as a set or separately....keep an eye out either way.
Fralins tend to be on the expensive side, afaik, but well worth it.

As for installing them - if you read up about it you'll be able to do if yourself.

Paladin

I bought a seymore duncan hotrail for my neck pickup. Never looked back. Adds a deep growling sound to the strat without comprimising the bridge extra hot tex mex pickups characteristic strat sound. Pick em up on Thomann for about E75, or they are probably on ebay for cheaper.

Installing is not too difficult.

Karl Hungus

You know, you could really splash out and get yourself some Bare Knuckle Pickups. They're fairly on the expensive side, but people who've tried them have been absolutely singing their praises. I'd love to try a set at some stage.

Ancient1

Good one, KH. I almost forgot about Bare Knuckles!