Apaches Installed - Strat Upgrade Complete....

[jordan]

Well I finally got some courage and installed my Apaches (RWRP, vintage stagger, parchment) into my upgrade project Strat, and surprise surprise, they're chuffin' marvellous.

I know it's easy to say how woody/clear/crisp/bright/toneful etc a pair of pickups are, but these guys really deliver. The seperation between notes is just fantastic. I was abit concerned at first that Apaches wouldn't cope too well with distortion, but after a chat with Tim I decided to go for these over the Irish Tours. I needn't have worried at all, the Apaches can MORE than handle their dirt....and they still keep a great clarity about them when cranked. As for the clean tones, they're stunning. IMO, exactly what a Strat should sound like.

If anyone's interested I created a blog to follow the upgrades to the Strat I've been working on. The BKPs were the last upgrade, and they've really finished the guitar well. You can check out all the other mods I made (as well as some more thoughts on the BKPs) here: http://creationoffrank.blogspot.com

Thanks to everyone on this board who gave me advice over the past month or so, it really helped. And massive thanks to Tim, who somehow finds time to answer the phone, reply to emails, post pickups the day they're ordered, and of course wind some of the best pickups out there by hand.

Cheers,
Jordan.

[38thBeatle]

I agree with everything you have said about Apaches Jordan- aren't they great. Classic Strat tone- articulate, warm and dynamic and they allow subtleties of playing to come out( I just have to learn to be subtle now). I think your next project should be a Tele- with Country Boys- they, to me, are what Apaches are to Strats. Just wait til you gig the Apaches- that is where they impress.

[willo]

I am having intonation problems with my strat, not really sure why, but it won't sound anything below the 12th fret. I miss my strat so much, I still play with it, just only above the 12th fret. Anyway, I have Mother's Milk, but my point is that they sound awesome in a band context and I'm sure your apaches will do the job great! I'm really hankering after a strat with apaches...All my life I thought I was a Gibson/Epi player til I got my strat, now I find the LP too cumbersome

[froglord]

Jordan, your blog is absolutely brilliant, especially for those of us thinking about frankenstratting. One question though - why did the tortoiseshell scratchplate go? I loved that!

[jordan]

Jordan, your blog is absolutely brilliant, especially for those of us thinking about frankenstratting. One question though - why did the tortoiseshell scratchplate go? I loved that!

Hey - thanks very much!
The scratchplate though.....come on, it was like an old pair of curtains hanging round a lovely bay window.....erm, or something!

The previous owner wanted it to look like a John Mayer strat I guess, whereas I was going for the 57 reissue look. I'm glad you found the blog useful!

Cheers,
Jordan.

[Bainzy]

Cool blog - did you find a difference in tone between steel and Graphtech Ferraglide saddles, and if so, was it a large difference? When I tried the other type of saddles they make (the all graphite ones), they changed the tonal emphasis of the guitar quite a bit.

[jordan]

Cool blog - did you find a difference in tone between steel and Graphtech Ferraglide saddles, and if so, was it a large difference?

Hi Bainzy,

I gotta be honest, I didn't notice a tonal difference at all. It could be my cr@ppy ears, or it could be 'over-sensitivity' on behalf of other users, I couldn't say for sure! In other words, I noticed a good difference with the trem block upgrade, and a large difference with the Apaches installed, but I really couldn't say I noticed a change with the Ferraglides. One thing I will say is that I've deliberately played the guitar hard to try and break a string, and I can't :) .....hats off to Graphtech, their nuts and saddles must be working in this case.

[Bainzy]

Yeah the graphtech stuff is phenomenal for stopping breakage. I used to break 2-3 strings a week, and I've always found that steel saddles are a complete PITA for burring - even if you smooth them out weekly the burring comes back quickly.

When I changed the saddles to the all-graphite ones, the tonal change was such that you couldn't miss it even if you didn't play guitar or were half deaf. Looks like I might be getting some Ferraglides for my USA strat then, as that breaks strings like nobodys business, but I'd still like to keep that vintage steel tone.

[Searcher]

Cool blog!  

So, err, clips?  ;)

[_tom_]

Yeah we need clips!

Also, Graphtech saddles are great, I have some on my LP and havent broke a string since they got "worn in" a bit, I snapped the D a few times but its been fine for months now  :D

[indysmith]

man that guitar is GORGEOUS. i bet your setup sounds godly :D thanks for the blog too! a good read

[TwilightOdyssey]

Interesting blog, thanx for the link.
Glad you're digging the pups!

I would love to hear some Blackmore/Malmsteen style stuff done on an Apache set!!!

[Searcher]

I would love to hear some Blackmore/Malmsteen style stuff done on an Apache set!!!

:lol:  I'd love to be able to play Malmsteen stuff.



*sigh*  Now where's my metronome . . . ?

[jordan]

I would love to hear some Blackmore/Malmsteen style stuff done on an Apache set!!!

Yeah you and me both :)
Ironically, when I was chatting to Tim about the output of the Apaches he said he plays Malmsteen with his, so maybe if we pester him enough he'll post some clips....

[5F6-A]

Congratulations..... the Apache set is simply gorgeous!!!
God bless you Tim!!