Author Topic: Need your advice (Read 4549 times)

Jp. · « **on:** August 14, 2005, 02:57:08 AM »

Ok I have a Fender Strat. Its an '04 American deluxe with the SCN pickpups and S-1 switching system.

Its a great guitar but unfortunatelly not very versatile.

Heres my problem, Its an Ash body with Maple neck and Single coils throughout. Fantastic for cutting through the mix in a jazz band but for most general work in cover band/rock band, Jamming and Gigging its got such a bright, glassy tone that for most work it really comes off with a very thin tone. I need to bring more mid range tone into the guitar.

It will always be a lighter voiced intrument. I know that but a friend of mine has the same guitar with an Alder body and its pretty much there as far as tone.

would the IT's be a good way to go or maybe a configuration change to a HSS setup?

Thanks - Jared

_tom_ · « **Reply #1 on:** August 14, 2005, 10:09:28 AM »

I dont own any of the BKP singles but there are 2 great clips of the Apaches by Gary in the Players forum. The Irish Tours are modeled on the Rory Gallagher tone apparerently. I also heard that a Crawler in the bridge and 2 Mothers Milks is a popular H/S/S combo?

Hope that helped a bit!

38thBeatle · « **Reply #2 on:** August 14, 2005, 10:21:58 AM »

I have Apaches and they are superb alround however if you are perhaps concerned about adding more mids, I have seen on another thread that Slowhands are are bit darker. I am sure others will chip in but as Tom said, there is an Apache clip in the players section and I am hoping to post one shortly.

Ratrod · « **Reply #3 on:** August 14, 2005, 11:06:43 AM »

Welcome JP.

The apaches are the 50's classic single coils. I think they sound great but they might be too much on the bright side. If it's mids you want, get the Slowhands like 38th said. The Irish tours will get you that Rory Gallagher and SRV tone. Irish Tours are what Texas Specials want to be.

PhilKing · « **Reply #4 on:** August 14, 2005, 12:42:56 PM »

Does your friends Strat have a rosewood neck? I find that the rosewood gives a mellower sound over the maple. I have a set of Irish Tours in a swamp ash body/maple necked hardtail strat, but I am thinking of putting a rosewood neck on it because it is a bit bright. I am just waiting for my Apache set to come (for a different guitar).

Tim always says the difference between the IT and Slowhand is the Texas vs English blues tone (even though Rory is Irish :lol: ). I also have a Slowhand that I might try in it to see how it compares (the slowhand is for a walnut guitar, but it is still in transit from England). The Mothers Milk should work well in an Ash/Maple setup too.

I also have a HSS set with Nailbomb and 2 Trilogies. This is a great combination for more power and a fatter tone. The Crawler is a great pickup and splits well (I have mine with 2 P-91's in a PRS EG). If your guitar has the swimming pool rout, changing to HSS is easy and you can just get a new scratchplate. If it is routed for 3 singles, then it needs some woodworking skills.

As always, listen to a few clips and ask Tim. He has lots of pickups that will give you a great sound.

Gary · « **Reply #5 on:** August 14, 2005, 05:45:30 PM »

Hi Jp,

I'm using Apaches in a US Strat (Rosewood fretboard) and as Tom said, I've got a couple of clips in the players' forum (just working on another one at the moment). I think there are some Irish Tour clips in there as well but sadly single coils seem to be under represented.

With pickups you usually can't try before you buy and you have to go with your gut instinct - I did and I wasn't disappointed. I play in a covers band and I would recommend the Apaches very highly but there are plenty of others to choose from.

Tim · « **Reply #6 on:** August 14, 2005, 08:55:14 PM »

Hi JP and welcome :D
The Apaches and Irish Tour sets are both really versatile Strat sets, check out the clips and then when you come over to the UK we can either deliver direct to your UK address or you can drop in on a BKP dealer.
Assuming you'll hit London on your visit, we'vre got Feline Guitars, Charlie Chandler's Guitar Experience, Soho Soundhouse and Holiday Music all within striking distance.

Jp. · « **Reply #7 on:** August 15, 2005, 01:53:57 PM »

Interesting, Ironic... and yet all together unoriginal.

LOL.

I'm talking about my reaction to your posts.

I'm a huge Eric Clapton fan and I suppose the tone I enjoy Listening to most would have to be my two favourite Guitar riffs of all time.

Being 1) Steppin out - Cream
2) Life in the fast lane - Eagles

Now I realize that both were recorded with Gibsons. But I just love the feel and playability of my strat. I waited months for this thing to arrive from America, I mean months So I AINT SELLING IT!!

I think I'll have to get a set of Slowhands, Irish Tours and and Crawler bridge. So i can mix and match. But that might change.