Author Topic: Got my Apaches! (Read 5736 times)

Dave_M · « **on:** April 01, 2008, 09:20:06 PM »

Finally I have installed my new set of apaches into my custom made strat assembled specifically for them! I wanted to share my impressions after a few mins setting it up messing with them (can't play it properly, the frets are still covered in lacquer from the neck finish!).

First in my hands they had a non perfect hand made sort of feel, but decent quality. I love the wax cloth wire. The tone... unspectacular BUT it didn't take long to realize how 'just right' these things are. The cleans are very clean. Exactly what I originaly wanted. The bridge is a little bright, I may wish I ordered it with the bass plate later on. I like POS 2 and 4 a lot, they will be getting some more use (I went with stock winding on all pickups). Over all very nice I would buy again.

Now I can really concentrate on improving my playing!

BTW I was wondering which BKP are closest to Frusciante's tone? I think he uses a '62 strat now. It's very vintage sounding, not clean like appaches or mothers milk, but doesn't sound like a hot pickup like irish tours not sure :S

Elliot · « **Reply #1 on:** April 01, 2008, 10:28:29 PM »

I have to say I disagree with you - first, that the tone of Apaches is unspectacular - I put mine in a semi-problem strat (great resonance but bassy and quite when amplified) - and it turned it the Strat into a classic toned instrument. No I have used Fralins, GFS Vintage Alnicos, Fender 57/62s, SD SSL6s, BKPs Mother's Milks and Dimarzios HS2s in this very instrument and the Apaches are very special indeed in tone.

As to Frusciante again I disagree - his classic tone is between Apaches and Mother's Milks and no hotter. The latest album were recorded with Duncans, so perhaps Irish Tours go there, but for his classic tone its Mother's Milks and a Marshall.

Elliot · « **Reply #2 on:** April 01, 2008, 10:29:32 PM »

he also uses an English Muff'n so that adds fatness.

38thBeatle · « **Reply #3 on:** April 01, 2008, 10:45:15 PM »

Like Elliott, I am surprised Dave that you say the sound is unspectacular but then again possibly you may mean that they are exactly what Strat pickups should be and indeed that would not be spectacular it would be exactly what you'd expect the best ( imho) Strat pickups to be like. I love mine because they give me exactly what I wanted- pure rich and warm Strat tone. Ther in between tones are a treat as you say. I'll be interesting to hear what you think when you give the guitar a good going over.

Dave_M · « **Reply #4 on:** April 01, 2008, 10:56:57 PM »

Well i've heard clips of say Fender vintage noiseless pickups. And what they try and do is turn up the 'tone' and they almost become a parody of real vintage pickups. Apaches on the other hand, sound great like normal single coils. That's why I call them unspectacular because they dont hit you with that 'tone' on the first note. It just takes a few sec of playing to realize that they are balanced and more or less free from imperfection.

Compare it to hifi systems. BKP would be like expensive audiophile setup (unspectacular but close to perfection). Lesser pickups would be like the sort of sound systems people put in there cars with a boot full of subwoofers.

Dave_M · « **Reply #5 on:** April 01, 2008, 11:16:49 PM »

Well that is how I would describe them in my own words. I think I have a good ear for sound quality. I just mean to say that the Apaches are not "hey look at me I sound great!". They are what they are which is very, very good. I get a feeling they are not trying hard to impress if that makes sence. They do not need to try hard it is more effortless.

What about Frusciante's intro to Can't Stop? That's some serious strat quack on clean channel.

Fikealox · « **Reply #6 on:** April 01, 2008, 11:25:43 PM »

Hey Dave :)

I'm thinking about getting a set of BKP singles for my strat, and I was just wondering how the hum is with the apaches? I have a SD SSL1, and it's a liiiittle annoying buzz-wise. I'm waiting on a new amp, which might make some difference. I love the single-coil tone, but I'm just trying to figure out how I feel about singles generally, and BKPs in particular, if that makes sense.

Also, if you have a rwrp middle coil, how effective is the humbucking in the 2 and 4 position? Is it just like a humbucker?

Thanks in advance!
-Liam

Dave_M · « **Reply #7 on:** April 01, 2008, 11:44:44 PM »

Hum isn't a problem for me. I get more buzzing from the amp. I don't have RWRP middle either it seemed more like a comprimise to me. No it's not like a humbucker at all. You say you have a strat you should know how it sounds already ;)

BTW I wanted to add I'm usually hard to please. I think Apaches are great I plan to keep them forever (good thing they've got lifetime warrenty ;)). I never said they were not special! They've got to be one of the best single coils you can get, which is why I bought them in the first place.

Elliot · « **Reply #8 on:** April 02, 2008, 12:19:23 AM »

hey were not attacking you - just a bit of debate dude.

I'll listen to that Frusciante track and come back!

Dave_M · « **Reply #9 on:** April 02, 2008, 02:29:04 PM »

Quote from: Elliot

hey were not attacking you - just a bit of debate dude

Yeah but I seem to have a way of explaining things in a way that only I understand lol. I didnt want it to sound like I was saying the apaches were nothing special.

badgermark · « **Reply #10 on:** April 02, 2008, 02:33:35 PM »

I kinda see where Dave is coming from, my Country Boys in my number 1 tele aren't jaw dropping. Though they are tonally very balanced, and sound awesome, they aren't flashy. Which is great! I want pickups that sound clear and don't have bells and whistles, hence my love for tonally neutral pickups that don't push an amp into overdrive.

Phew I rambled there, I apologise :P

Ted · « **Reply #11 on:** April 02, 2008, 03:53:03 PM »

Quote

That's why I call them unspectacular because they dont hit you with that 'tone' on the first note.

I dunno, I was a bit surprised to read this. Sorry to hear thats how you feel.

Everytime I plug my strat with apaches or play my bro's strat with irish tours, I think "this is how a strat should sound".

I love my strat with apaches as it sounds so right. I'd be amazed if it could sound better!

Ted · « **Reply #12 on:** April 02, 2008, 03:54:21 PM »

Quote from: Fikealox

Hey Dave :)

I'm thinking about getting a set of BKP singles for my strat, and I was just wondering how the hum is with the apaches? I have a SD SSL1, and it's a liiiittle annoying buzz-wise. I'm waiting on a new amp, which might make some difference. I love the single-coil tone, but I'm just trying to figure out how I feel about singles generally, and BKPs in particular, if that makes sense.

Also, if you have a rwrp middle coil, how effective is the humbucking in the 2 and 4 position? Is it just like a humbucker?

Thanks in advance!
-Liam

Mine are very quiet.

Dave_M · « **Reply #13 on:** April 02, 2008, 04:31:27 PM »

Quote from: Ted

Quote
That's why I call them unspectacular because they dont hit you with that 'tone' on the first note.

I dunno, I was a bit surprised to read this. Sorry to hear thats how you feel.

Dont be sorry! I love them! I would say it takes a few strumed chords to fully realize the capabilities of the pickups... maybe finger pick some and you can hear all the notes ring through clearly... yes just as a strat should sound! I would call the tone sweet, clear, fantastic, just right, sublime! But still i think they are unspectacular.

lulusg · « **Reply #14 on:** April 02, 2008, 05:14:13 PM »

These are great pickups in the way that they don't color, but rather maintain the natural quality and built of the guitar. We are , I think, being offered a pickup design that does not cater to the masses but away from the mainstream. It seems strange that something done to sound simple is rather a rarity nowdays. Peace amigos!!