Author Topic: Best BK Bucker for Vintage Clapton Tones In Strat? (Read 9322 times)

Armotron · « **on:** June 16, 2005, 09:49:36 PM »

Hello,
I'm new here, thinking about a first Bare Knuckle purchase for my Fender Stratocaster( Alder w/ Maple Neck/Fretboard). I currently have 2 SD Antiquity Surfers for my neck and middle pickups and a Lindy Fralin SP43 in the bridge. I want to change my pickguard to HSS and throw in a BK Humbucker in the bridge with low output.

I'm basically looking for a nice warm vintage tone, and a pickup that I can use for the "woman tone" when i roll down the tone knob. I've heard that Clapton was using Alnico 5 humbuckers in his SG, so I wonder if maybe the Stormy Monday w/ Alnico IV would be good because my Strat is a bright wood? I'm not a BK expert so what would you recommend?

Thanks-
Alex

HJM · « **Reply #1 on:** June 16, 2005, 10:33:04 PM »

Mule (58/9 paf) for claptons Les Paul tone, or a Stormy monday (60s PAF) for the SG one perhaps!

Tim · « **Reply #2 on:** June 16, 2005, 10:37:56 PM »

Hi Alex, welcome to the forum.

Alnico V's always bring out the best in an SG but you're right an AlnicoIV would sound better in a lower output siuation with your Strat. I think the Mule would be my choice over the Stormy Monday which would probably sound too bright.

Armotron · « **Reply #3 on:** June 16, 2005, 11:22:17 PM »

Thanks Tim and HJM,

Quote from: Tim

Alnico V's always bring out the best in an SG but you're right an AlnicoIV would sound better in a lower output siuation with your Strat. I think the Mule would be my choice over the Stormy Monday which would probably sound too bright.

Tim, I think your right, The Mule probabally would be less bright in the Strat due to those extra winds? Would those extra lows help me to get the Clapton SG tone in the brighter strat possibly?

Ratrod · « **Reply #4 on:** June 17, 2005, 10:42:26 AM »

While you're at it, get some slowhand single coils to go with the Mule.

You'll have to save up a bit more but I think you're gonna want to do it in the future anyway.

Armotron · « **Reply #5 on:** June 17, 2005, 04:17:36 PM »

Quote from: Ratrod

While you're at it, get some slowhand single coils to go with the Mule.

You'll have to save up a bit more but I think you're gonna want to do it in the future anyway.

What would those pickups give me that the Surfers don't have? I'm not really looking for claptons single coil tone if thats what you mean, are those pickups much better than the singles I already have?

Ratrod · « **Reply #6 on:** June 17, 2005, 04:38:22 PM »

There are plenty of Strat players on the forum. Most use Irish Tours and Apaches. Most of them used to have Duncans in their Strats. I'm sure they'll be happy to tell you how they compare.

Personally, I think you'll find the improvement astonishing. And if you get 'em as a HSS set, they will be calibrated to work together.

TwilightOdyssey · « **Reply #7 on:** June 17, 2005, 04:45:49 PM »

Anitquities are nice ... Joe Bardens are better ... Irish Tours rule alllll!!!!!

Armotron · « **Reply #8 on:** June 17, 2005, 05:10:02 PM »

Daaang, you guys are making me want to spend even more money now, haha. Guess I have to save up a little more money maybe, can anyone tell me the difference between Irish Tours, Slow Hands, and The Apaches? I don't think there are sound clips for all of them?

Ratrod · « **Reply #9 on:** June 17, 2005, 06:07:56 PM »

Irish Tours: Blues, Rory Galagher, Texas Specials a la Aston Martin.

Apaches: Vintage '50's Strat with bite.

Slowhand: Clapton, blues, hot

There are some clips of the apaches and Irish tours in the players section.

Also check out the Uber single coils that are posted.

TwilightOdyssey · « **Reply #10 on:** June 17, 2005, 06:11:18 PM »

I have to make a clip for WFD this weekend, so I'll do a neck pos. Irish Tour clip, as well. :)

Armotron · « **Reply #11 on:** June 17, 2005, 06:16:52 PM »

Would the Slow Hands get me that nice Hendrix clean tone somewhat also? I think the Irish Tours are a little to clear and bright for my tastes, not really looking for that percussive Stevie Ray tone. Maybe something a little more middy. not as much bite, and just a tad bit beefier, yet very gentle and warm and smooth, but still low output, Im thinking the Slow Hands might work quite well?

Elliot · « **Reply #12 on:** June 17, 2005, 11:24:06 PM »

From what you are saying I would say Mother's Milk - The Duncan Surfers (as I understand it) are based on a '63 strat pups - i.e. the era of the strat guitarists of the High tide of Surf Guitar: Belairs, Chantays, Dick Dale and the Surfaris - Looking in my Fender boys book of facts, these were Alnico 5 bevelled magnets with (what we now call) vintage windings - Well that is the Mothers Milk to a tee. I have them in neck middle on my strat - they are woody, bassy without too much bass and heat up when driven. They have that Belairs: Mr Moto acoustic sound.

Apaches are also good for that sought of sound - but a more bit trebly and bright - ie more 50s Strat than 62 strat.

I could be wrong - I am not an expert, but they are s**T hot pups for the classic strat tone.

Armotron · « **Reply #13 on:** June 18, 2005, 12:35:17 AM »

Ya you're right Elliot, but I'm looking for a somewhat different sound than the surfers, I notice now, they are somewhat thin for my tastes, I think im gonna try to improve on that and change it up a bit, try to get the sound I stated previously.... something maybe more britsh in character persay, not so bright or thin, but middy, warm, somewhat ballsy low output. I'm thinking Slow Hand, but I may be wrong?

Tim · « **Reply #14 on:** June 18, 2005, 11:32:06 AM »

The Slowhand singles are exactly what you're describing -they have extra beef in the mids without sounding honky and I'd describe them as a Brit sounding single as opposed to a US single which is characteristically smoother in the mids.
The SHs are hot without being over the top and definately not thin sounding.

Author Topic: Best BK Bucker for Vintage Clapton Tones In Strat? (Read 9322 times)

TwilightOdyssey

TwilightOdyssey