Mother's Milk and Maple

[scott_leder]

New to the forum - so please forgive if this has been covered...haven't been able to search it out.

I am looking for some definitive opinions (people that are currently using this set up) on the pairing of Mother's Milk with a maple board. The strat in question is a Buddy Guy signature Alder body with Maple neck with vintage hardware.

I should state that based on BKP soundclips and a random assortment of youtube clips these pickups are EXACTLY what I am looking for sonically. I do understand rosewood has an impact on tone - and that may be part of the recipe I am attracted to - but I also don't know that a maple board will shift the character that much as to negate what I am hearing in the clips.

Any real world experience/testimonials before I commit?

Also please feel free to add on thoughts on wiring/baseplates on the MM pups...

Much Appreciated!

[Telerocker]

Depends on how bright is your guitars natural voice, but Mother's Milk might a bit on the bright side. I have them in an alder Fender American Series with rosewood fretboard and they have quite some topend.
Check out the Pat Pend '63, that has a slightly rounder topend.
Btw, for maple necks the Apaches do very well and they are quite versatile.

[Andrew W]

Apaches aren't quite as woody sounding as Mother's Milks but equally don't be put off by the name - Apaches do a lot more than just ultra clean Marvin mayhem, though they do that too of course. I do worry that Mother's Milks in a maple boarded guitar make be a bit harsh though. Perhaps the Pat Pend '63s might provide a happy medium. I have Apaches in a maple boarded Strat and I love them and find them very versatile. I also have MMs in a Telemaster creation in the neck and middle position and they too are great pickups but quite edgy even with a rosewood board.

[Philly Q]

I'm no expert on the single coil models, but just wondering what musical styles you play?  And mostly clean or mostly dirty?

When listening to clips of the Apaches, I've always thought that as well as that nice not-too-bright clean tone, they seem to respond very well to distortion.

[38thBeatle]

I too would suggest Apaches.

[PhilKing]

Tim suggested the 63 Veneer Board to me for a 50's hardtail strat, so they may be a good pickup to look at if you want a bit more push than the Apaches.  That being said, I really like the Apaches in my 57 Strat, they cover a wide range of tones and are great in maple neck strats.