pickup suggestion for stratocaster

[gwEm]

The apache seem cool but really low output/weak.

Hard to say really. The Apache's versatility is often spoken of. I don't have a set - my low output sets are Sultans and Slab boards. Nevertheless properly designed and made low output pickups can work in heavier styles. You can use Mules at Metallica gain levels for example.

Sometimes its good to have the reassurance of a 'hot' set, but they aren't always strictly needed with pedals or todays high gain amps.

My Sultan set certainly cuts the hard rock mustard.

Key for you will be checking there is a tone control on the bridge pickup, and that bridge baseplate also. For pedals, treble boosters are recommendable for single coil guitars.

[AndyR]

Yep, of the three sets I own, Sultans feel like lower output and "nice" pickups.

Apaches and ITs are bullies by comparison. I'd happily walk into a rock gig with either... I'd choose Apaches for "rock" (old school) and anything more musical, ITs for "blues"... but either would do the job for me...

Basically, I still think Slowhands is probably where it's at in this case, but I might put Apaches above ITs for what I've read so far in the thread... "fat - especially in the mids, and clear sounding when i turn up the gain" - that describes my Apaches better than my ITs (Oh, and I don't use pedals, I'm single channel raunchy valve-amp sort of guy).

[Ale84]

I'll be eaiting for a reply from bareknuckle.. In the meantime i will search for audio/ videos of the slowhand and apache. They might be my cup of the tea

[seancorker]

Pearl jam, smashing pumpkins.. And i play through a kemper profiling. So i want something powerful/fat but still vintage.. I want to keep the nature of the guitar

I would say slowhands with a baseplate on the bridge pickup. I think you'll be pleased.

Make sure the bridge pickup has a tone control wired to it too

I forgot to add that I also wired a tone control to the bridge - essential in a bright strat

[Ale84]

on mine the tone control is connected to the bridge

[Ale84]

Bareknuckle told me irish tour or cobra

[AndyR]

Interesting... so tempting to say "go for the Cobras!!" (so you can tell us what they're like )

I'd been imagining the new Cobras were the most extreme sounding, way past Sinner and Trilogy - perhaps not?

[Ale84]

They are too hot.. I think the right choice is irish tour or slowhand.. I only have to choose

[Telerocker]

You're strat has a maple neck/you want something fat: go Slowhand.

[Ale84]

Tim suggest irish tour with baseplate..

[Telerocker]

The IT with a baseplate is certainly ok, but you said you want something fat and the Slowhand has more mids and less topend, so is up to you now.