Has anybody used the Strat PAT Pend Series?

[rhodeo]

I'm building (well I say building, I'm really choosing parts for someone else to put together!) a new partscaster Strat and I'm leaning toward using the PAT Pend Series for the pickups. It's supposed to be an early-mid 60's sort of start. The specs will be;

Alder body
Maple neck w/ Rosewood board
Callaham hardware

I currently favour the '59 Slab Boards but am really struggling to choose. My neck will be a slab board as well incidentally. So, does anyone have any experience with these pickups, or any particular recommendations?

Thanks!

[djl]

I've got a set of each - a 59 set on an alder body and a 63 set on a swamp ash body

They are both really good choices for the "classic" strat sound, with loads of dynamics, and that really good woody neck sound, which is what I was after. They are quite similar in most ways, on the guitars I've got them on the 59s have a slightly warmer sound and the 63s sound slightly more focussed, but some of that will be because one's an alder body, ones ash.

I would say the 59s sound really SRVish to my ears, the 63s seem to have a slightly more mid scooped feel, but it's a subtle difference. Either way, they are both great sets and you won't be disappointed with either of them.

[rhodeo]

Awesome stuff, that's exactly what I wanted to hear. Sounds like the '59 slabs will be right up my street. Now I've just got to earn some money...  :)

[Nolly]

As djl says, the differences are subtle, but in direct comparison they are noticeable. I think the description of the '63s on the site nails the differences pretty dead-on:

"The '63 Veneer Board set is based on some of the slightly hotter coils from'63 & '64 with the slightly smaller diameter Alnico V magnets. While veneer board Strats are usually brighter than slab board Strats, the hotter wind helps to add body to the tone while the smaller hand bevelled magnets focus the magnetism under the strings. With deeper bottom-end than the '59 Slab Board set and a more solid high-end, chords carry plenty of weight with a very full, piano-like ring to each note."

It's also worth noting that the bridge unit of the '63 set is hotter relative to the middle and neck than that of the '59 set.

[B3]

By the way,  before jumping at Callaham hardware, send Tim an email and he may be able to hellp with really top notch stuff.

[rhodeo]

By the way,  before jumping at Callaham hardware, send Tim an email and he may be able to hellp with really top notch stuff.

Ah, if only I'd read that post a few weeks ago :( Just received the dreaded import duties letter through the post, added a fair bit to the price. Nightmare!