80's Fender Strat Overhaul

[Fuzzbox100]

Hi all,

I'm just about to carry out an overhaul of a late 80's American Std Stratocaster. I'ts been fitted with a SD Classic Stack in the neck and a SD Hot Rails in the bridge. The middle is the stock 80's Fender pickup. (None of it's in balnce, of course, the Rails is way more powerful than the other two!)

I'm looking to return it to a more traditional Strat spec and was wondering whether I should go for Apaches or Sultans - and would these sound better that the stock 80's p/ips. (Which I still have).

And I'm possible thinking of making it an 'Eb' guitar so would the Irish Tours go better in this scenario?

Any comments gratefully received!

[gwEm]

i looked at a late 80s telecaster pickup before and wasn't impressed with the quality. i would say any of the sets you mention would out perform those stock pickups!

what sort of sound are you looking for? apaches are the archetypical strat tone, however maybe we can suggest something more specific if you give us more of an idea :)

[Telerocker]

As gwEm says, we need more info on the tones you're after.

[WhiteRam]

As gwEm says, we need more info on the tones you're after.

+2, as gwEm and Telerocker have said, more info on the tone voicing you seek.  I'll venture it's an Alder body, might we know if it's a maple or rosewood fretboard? :)

[Fuzzbox100]

Thanks for getting back to me chaps.

I suppose the 'archetypal' Strat type sound is what I'm looking, but at the rockier, bluesier end of the scale (Hendrix, SR Vaughan, Matt Schofield etc.).

So, I'm looking for a great 'woody' neck pickup, with a biting, but not too trebly bridge, with some 'qaucky' in bewteen (Pos 2 and 4), and good middle p/u for either those Jimmie Vaughan or Hank moments!

Of course, what I'm looking for is every brilliant Strat tonne from the last 60 years all wrapped up in a set of new p/ups and a stock 80's Strat. Not too much to ask for there!

As an aside, I've grown to like the middle p/up on the guitar which is the stock 80's one. But the bridge was always far too thin and trebly hence the 'Hot Rails'.

Many thanks in advance.  :P

[Mr. Air]

Have a look at the Mothers Milk set as they are often described as being very woody. There's some great sound clips at the BKP homepage.

[Elliot]

If I was in your position, i'd go with either the PAT Pending 59 slab board or the 63 veneer board set.

[djl]

When I spoke to Tim and asked for a set that would get the tones you're after (SRV, Matt Schofield) he suggested what was then the 62 set, which I believe is now called the 59 slab board set. They're awesome - warm, snappy strat sound. I've also got the 63s in a different strat and they are also a classic strat sound, with a little more scooped sounding mid range to my ears, a bit more aggressive. The 63s have the advantage of a slightly hotter bridge pickup which makes the bridge on its own much more usable I think. I will have to put some clips up comparing them sometime...

[Telerocker]

I would pick an Apache-bridge with baseplate (nice, thick and round, yet true vintage sc-tones) and pair it with Mother's Milks. I believe Tim has this combi in one of his strats.

[WhiteRam]

+1 ^

I re-read this thread and what the OP states a few times now, taking it all in...I think Telerocker has nailed it.

IMO if you like that stock 80's middle...wait until you hear Tim's hand wound single coils. 8)

[gwEm]

Try a baseplate on the bridge for a bit more body. I think you'll be happy with all the sets being discussed.

[Fuzzbox100]

This is terrific guys - many thanks for all the advice.

I like the idea of the 'mixed' Apache / Mother's Milk set - must admit, from the clips on here, I was homing in on the Mother's Milk set overall.

But I will also check out the '59 slab board' set as well.

Cheers!

[WhiteRam]

I too agree with gwEm you'd be happy with all pickups being discussed.  If the MM set is singing your song, you should go for them.  Under gain I find enamel wire responds and sounds better than formvar.

You might want to email BKP and tell them your guitar, woods, tones you seek and get their opinion if you should baseplate the bridge or not.  I personally don't like baseplates, they do give more body, bass and oomph, however I hear/feel what I call the 'Tele bounce' they give in trade...to each his own.

I understand you don't want to share your fretboard wood, the reason we ask such is because BKP really expose, re-act and reveal the guitar's woods.  In fact they're going to reveal everything about the guitar, rig, and you. :)

[Elessar [Sly]]

I was looking for that exact sound my self, I had the Mothers Milk put in and I really couldn't be happier! These guys know their stuff.

[Fuzzbox100]

I will drop an e-mail to BKP on this subject but the enthusatic advice is more than appreciated. What a great forum!

Back to the guitar - it's a 1987 presumably alder body (of gawd knows how many pieces - I don't really know, the 'Torino Red' poly coat is very thick and plasticky - but, apart from the old ones,  aren't they all!).

(As an aside, I have to say, the 'Torino Red' is one of my least fav red shades - I'm debating whther to get it stripped and re-finished in Fiesta or similar).

The neck is rosewood, a 1989 I think. (The guitar is a bit of a hybrid and had to have a neck change due to a non-adjustable truss rod).

When I get a moment, I'll stick a pic or two on here.