Apache's or sultans?

[mcdookus]

hi there. Newb here and this is my 1st post. I'm getting a fender roadhouse in a months time and its loaded with texas special's. Texas specials are a little hot and a bit erm midrangey for me. I will be changing these to some bkp's and i'm looking at either the apache's or the sultans. I use lots of effects. I play mainly through a tc nova system and el capistan tape delay and sometimes lots of od or distortion. What I want from a pick up is lots of warmth but still retain the cliched bell like chime and to   sound good with pedals. Do you think the apache's or sultans would be better suited for this application. I'm looking for an early nick mccabe type tone (storm in heaven era tone, if that means anything to anyone)

[Telerocker]

I love the Apaches for their big warm clean fifities-strattones. They have way more midrange and pronounced bass then the Sultans. Both handle drive well. Choiche is a matter of taste and the amp you use plays a role too.

[roland_rat]

I have got a few Strats with with Bare knuckle in and a mate has got a strat with Texas specials in.  We had a bit of a jam at the weekend.  I can safely say that  the sultans and  apache's do not have that texas special gritty tone.  Both have great clean tones and both overdrive very nicely.  For me I would say the aphaces have a  very rounded tone    (not edgy). I Can honestly say both are great and not like texas specials but cannot say which will be better for your application.

Wellcome to the forum.

[38thBeatle]

Welcome from me too. I can't tell you about Sultans other than a friend of mine having got a set, said they were the best Strat pickups he has ever tried and they have helped change a lifetime of antipathy towards Strats. He hasn't tried Apaches however and I am sure he'd love them too.

I have a set of Apaches and have had them for around 5 years. They are, as has been said, wonderfully rounded and warm.They are not high output and work well with an amp with a great tone that takes to cranking when necessary.

[Telerocker]

Sorry, forgot to say welcome. Well: welcome here! The equivalent of Texas Specials are the Irish Tours and they are everything a Texas Special should be. But you want def. Apaches or Sultans.

[mcdookus]

thanks for the input. I was hoping that someone would put me off of one or the other. I think i'll be going for a set of flat pole sultans with the base plate. Just gotta decide on reverse wound poles or not. Decisions decisions

[Telerocker]

The Sultans will do, they have this hollow cluck.

[AndyR]

Yep, welcome :D

I can't put you off either of them either :lol:

I've got both (and ITs). I actually think any of the three would do you, but my gut feeling is Sultans. I like all three but use Apaches and ITs more. I use the Sultans when I definitely want a more hollow and clucky sound, OR when I want to use effects (not often for me!). The Apaches and ITs do it too, but my gut feeling is Sultans are best for you.