Bridge pickups: From Apache to Slowhand?

[Marco78]

I have get a set of Apache pickups for my Warmoth Stratocaster. Neck and middle pickups are perfect, but bridge (with baseplate) pickups is too bright/thin, isn't not a problem of output but only eq. I have experimented with height adjustement, but no work. I don't like a strong contrast from neck to bridge pickups like in this set.
I am thinking on slowhand bridge, it should be more thick in the middle and less bright. I search for a vintage vibe pickups but more meaty. Does someone have this two pickups? 

[darkbluemurder]

I only have a Slowhand bridge which I currently use in the middle position of my HSS strat (bridge is a Holydiver). I would assume that it will have a bit more output and meat compared to the Apache but I have no experience with that one. Best to ask the BKP team.

Cheers Stephan

[Marco78]

I only have a Slowhand bridge which I currently use in the middle position of my HSS strat (bridge is a Holydiver). I would assume that it will have a bit more output and meat compared to the Apache but I have no experience with that one. Best to ask the BKP team.

Cheers Stephan

Thanks my friend!

[Telerocker]

The Apache-bridge with baseplate should have quite some mids compared to other vintage(hot) singlecoils. I believe Tim uses a Apache-bridge with baseplate in combination with two Mother's Milk in his strat. I wonder if the wiring is ok.

[Marco78]

The Apache-bridge with baseplate should have quite some mids compared to other vintage(hot) singlecoils. I believe Tim uses a Apache-bridge with baseplate in combination with two Mother's Milk in his strat. I wonder if the wiring is ok.

Yes, the wiring is ok. I think that the baseplate give a "teleish" feeling to bridge pickups, and I don't like the tele bridge sound, too "metallic". Probably without baseplate the bridge pickup would be more adapt to my tastes, but I don't know. From the sample the SH should be more meaty, but I'd to get it only if there is enought difference in comparison to Apache bridge.

[38thBeatle]

Hi (I have seen your PM too) - I can  say that to my ears, the Slowhand does have a little more mids and a little more  output but I am surprised that you found the Apache thin. I would say that the Apaches do have that warmth to them and my concern is that if you think that is thin then you might also think that the Slowhand isn't what you are after. I am a bit busy at the moment but if I get time, I'll record a small demo of both for you for comparison-it'll probably be the weekend before I get to it though.

[Marco78]

Hi (I have seen your PM too) - I can  say that to my ears, the Slowhand does have a little more mids and a little more  output but I am surprised that you found the Apache thin. I would say that the Apaches do have that warmth to them and my concern is that if you think that is thin then you might also think that the Slowhand isn't what you are after. I am a bit busy at the moment but if I get time, I'll record a small demo of both for you for comparison-it'll probably be the weekend before I get to it though.

Not too thin at all, but in comparison to neck pickups. There is a lot of difference between neck and bridge sound, and I don't like this... I prefer less differences between neck (or middle) and bridge pickups. Output is good for me, not problem for this.

[Tim]

Personally I don't find the Apache bridge to sound thin, quite the opposite actually, it's a really fat tone however the baseplate will add more response in the high end as well as bottom end.
The Slow Hand bridge will certainly reproduce more mid range and the highs will be more controlled but you will notice quite a jump up in output. Maybe the '63 Veneer Board bridge coil would be a better solution - similar output range but fuller mids and bass from the AV magnets and you still get the clarity of a 42 AWG Heavy Formvar wound coil.

[gwEm]

What wiring have you used? Does the bridge have a tone control?

[Marco78]

Personally I don't find the Apache bridge to sound thin, quite the opposite actually, it's a really fat tone however the baseplate will add more response in the high end as well as bottom end.
The Slow Hand bridge will certainly reproduce more mid range and the highs will be more controlled but you will notice quite a jump up in output. Maybe the '63 Veneer Board bridge coil would be a better solution - similar output range but fuller mids and bass from the AV magnets and you still get the clarity of a 42 AWG Heavy Formvar wound coil.

Hi Tim, from the eq chart seems that '63 set have less mid in comparison to Apache and from the sample I have the same impression. Probably the problem is caused from baseplate that add some high frequencies. Is big the difference output with Slowhand? Consider that my Apache have baseplate, while the SH will be ordered without baseplate.

What wiring have you used? Does the bridge have a tone control?

I have used vintage wiring, no tone on the bridge pickups. Could be a problem?

[gwEm]

first thing i do with any strat is to rewire it so there is somekind of tone control on the bridge. its a one wire change to have the middle tone control also work on the bridge. it will roll off some highs just by connecting it, and you will have alot more control then of course.

alternatively, some wire their strats for master tone/volume.

[Marco78]

first thing i do with any strat is to rewire it so there is somekind of tone control on the bridge. its a one wire change to have the middle tone control also work on the bridge. it will roll off some highs just by connecting it, and you will have alot more control then of course.

alternatively, some wire their strats for master tone/volume.

Yes, I would rewire but I annoy to do the entire work only for reconnect the tone... Probably some high will be remove, but I think that the change will not be very satisfying.
Another thing: I love the Gilmour sound so I would to go in this ballpark, but remain in vintage stuff...

[darkbluemurder]

first thing i do with any strat is to rewire it so there is somekind of tone control on the bridge. its a one wire change to have the middle tone control also work on the bridge. it will roll off some highs just by connecting it, and you will have alot more control then of course.

Very good suggestion, and very easy to implement without defacing the looks of the guitar. In the 50s Leo Fender wanted the bridge pickup to be extra bright, hence no tone control on the bridge pickup. I think that already by the 70s most players would have disagreed.

alternatively, some wire their strats for master tone/volume.

Count me among those. That set up frees the third pot and allows you to wire it as a blend pot. You will get bridge + neck in positions #1 and #5 on the selector and all three pickups in # 2 and #4. 7 instead of 5 sounds, and again no defacing of the guitar.

Cheers Stephan

[gwEm]

alternatively, some wire their strats for master tone/volume.

Count me among those.

Rory Gallagher is with you there :) I didn't realise Leo Fender was deliberately aiming for that super-bright sound, I thought it might have been an accident/cost cutting exercise. Very interesting.

Marco: you may not initially like the idea, but at least it is cheaper than a new pickup..

[Marco78]

Marco: you may not initially like the idea, but at least it is cheaper than a new pickup..

You are right, I'll do this mod before to order a new pickup!! Thanks for the advice!!