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Author Topic: Single-coil choices - and colours(?)  (Read 3765 times)

jordan

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Single-coil choices - and colours(?)
« on: April 05, 2006, 03:46:39 PM »
Hey all,

My first post here after lurking for a while, and you seem like a very helpful bunch.

Firstly, I'm in the process of upgrading what started as a 50s reissue strat.  In terms of sound I'd cite Eric Johnson and Carl Verheyen as influences, but I also need to be able to deliver some moderate grunt when needed  - nothing metal-like, just overdriven rock I guess. At the moment I'm leaning towards the Irish Tours as these seem to be suggested as versatile single-coils - any other suggestions? I play through a Rivera R55 if that's any help.

Secondly, and this is a trivial one, does anyone have any examples of what the different colours look like for the pickup covers? Are there any photos of white/parchment white/vintage cream floating around?

Cheers in advance,
Jordan.
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PhilKing

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Single-coil choices - and colours(?)
« Reply #1 on: April 05, 2006, 03:53:51 PM »
I have Apache's on my 57 strat and I love the sound of them.  The IT's are more of a SRV sound, and I think suit a rosewood board more than a maple.  Don't worry about the Apache's push, they are a great strat pickup and can cover most sounds you would want.

In terms of the colours, parchment white is probably good for a 50's look.  White will work too for you too.  The cream is the wrong colour for the 50's strat, same with mint green.  You can probably see colours at someone like Allparts or WD.
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TwilightOdyssey

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Single-coil choices - and colours(?)
« Reply #2 on: April 05, 2006, 04:08:47 PM »
I have a parchment SC cover at home (For SOME reason, Tim thought I wouldn't want the bright yellow cover I ordered ;) ).

I can snap a picture of it for you tomorrow. The colour is really similar to the text on this forum, actually. It's a beautiful pale tan!
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5F6-A

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Single-coil choices - and colours(?)
« Reply #3 on: April 05, 2006, 05:55:51 PM »
Quote from: PhilKing
I have Apache's on my 57 strat and I love the sound of them.  The IT's are more of a SRV sound, and I think suit a rosewood board more than a maple.  Don't worry about the Apache's push, they are a great strat pickup and can cover most sounds you would want.

In terms of the colours, parchment white is probably good for a 50's look.  White will work too for you too.  The cream is the wrong colour for the 50's strat, same with mint green.  You can probably see colours at someone like Allparts or WD.


Listen to Phil.... he knows his stuff. I agree with him 100%
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38thBeatle

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Single-coil choices - and colours(?)
« Reply #4 on: April 05, 2006, 06:24:41 PM »
Me too! Phil is a guru.
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jordan

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Single-coil choices - and colours(?)
« Reply #5 on: April 06, 2006, 04:29:53 PM »
Quote from: PhilKing
I have Apache's on my 57 strat and I love the sound of them.  The IT's are more of a SRV sound, and I think suit a rosewood board more than a maple.


Thanks for all the advice chaps...

Pardon my ignorance here, but I didn't realise pickups were suited to particular fingerboard materials. As you've spotted I have a maple board.

I basically favoured the ITs from the outset as they are roughly in the middle of the output range from the strat SC sets, and therefore I assumed they would be most versatile. Am I right in thinking this way? Versatility really is the key to what I'm after, so a super-clean or super-heavy set doesn't seem overly logical.
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Elliot

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Single-coil choices - and colours(?)
« Reply #6 on: April 06, 2006, 04:53:44 PM »
Pickups do suit a fingerboard - I have a JV '62 strat which has (obviously) has a rosewood board and a Mex 57 which has maple.  I had an apache in the RW strat and although it had a good sound something always sounded 'wrong' to my ears - when I put it in the 57 strat is absolutely sang.  Likewise my Mother's Milks sound much better in the rosewood than the maple.

Its odd and I cannot explain the science behind it.

By the way Phil - do you have Slowhand - what board do they suit best?
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BKPS: Milks, P90s, Apaches, Mississippi Queens, Mules, PG Blues, BG FP 50s, e.60s strat custom set

PhilKing

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Single-coil choices - and colours(?)
« Reply #7 on: April 08, 2006, 12:41:33 PM »
Quote from: Elliot
By the way Phil - do you have Slowhand - what board do they suit best?


I have a Slowhand in the middle position of an all walnut guitar with an ebony fingerboard and set neck!  I am just getting one for the neck position of my 57 Tele.  The walnut is quite bright and so I am guessing that they suit a maple board (ebony is a hard board like maple).

They are a great sounding pickup but are little darker and more mid than the IT.  Tim thought that it would be a good combo with the brown sugar bridge in the Tele.
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TwilightOdyssey

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Single-coil choices - and colours(?)
« Reply #8 on: April 08, 2006, 04:56:02 PM »
As promised, here is a picture of both creme and parchment single coil covers.

Against the white background,  you can see the difference between white (background), creme (top) and parchment (bottom). Sorry it took so long! Today is my 1st day home this week!!

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jordan

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Single-coil choices - and colours(?)
« Reply #9 on: May 06, 2006, 05:57:36 PM »
Rather than start a new thread.....thought I'd pick this one back up....

I'm a week or so away from ordering, and have narrowed it down to either the Apaches or the ITs. As I said above, I figured the ITs would cover clean and dirty fairly well as they're roughly middle of the 'hotness' scale for single coils.

However, from listening to the clips the Apache's obviously have a great clean tone, and seem to be many peoples favourites. I've also heard them desribed as the most versatile SC set. Is this really the case? Do they have enough grunt to handle dirty rock tones as well? Think Bon Jovi, Whitesnake etc.....Metal tones aren't needed, but I need to make sure the 'classic-rock' tones can be handled.

Cheers for the help so far, these forums provide hours of entertainment :)
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PhilKing

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Single-coil choices - and colours(?)
« Reply #10 on: May 09, 2006, 09:08:11 AM »
Still suggesting the Apache's.  They were on the stand at LGS and people were playing all styles through them.
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everton_fc

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Single-coil choices - and colours(?)
« Reply #11 on: May 09, 2006, 11:18:12 AM »
I went from Irish Tours to Apaches....

The tours are fantastic pups, but for me Apaches nail the tone I was after even more... and like the guy above said, theres no need to worry about how much the Apaches can drive... just dig in hard and they respond so well... AWESOME... I find them very versatile, and they were a subtle change to the Irish Tours... Rock on strat stylee....
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