I've been thinking about getting a stratocaster a lot lately, even though doing that will make me loose at least half of my friends, but from experience i know i would hate the stock pickups, some I'm thinking about getting a combination of bkp pickups and see if i can get the sound i want.
For the bridge i want nice rock sound that retains some treble without sounding weak or ice-picky. Mids would be nice too, so I'm considering a slow hands bridge.
I want my mid pup to have a very natural clean sound but not too weak to avoid the feeling of treading water i get sometimes with weak strat pups. Irish tours? I'm clueless.
The neckpickup need to be full bodied but have some power and presence and mids to get both some nice jazzy cleans and good distorted lead a la gilmour. Apache?
The neck will be of the maple persuasion, any thoughts/suggestions/flaming for me?