Author Topic: New set of Strat Pickups but which ones??? (Read 4665 times)

Hand of Ike · « **on:** February 01, 2007, 07:23:18 PM »

Sorry I bet this quesion gets asked a lot but which pickups will suit, and what polarity

I play mainly funk so I need a good cutting treble sound I favour Middle only and Middle/Bridge for Rhythm work so they need to be Funky!

I also love to pyche it like Hendrix for solo's.

Can't decide between Apache or Irish Tour sets which to choose???

Help please

Ike

Canadian Steve · « **Reply #1 on:** February 01, 2007, 08:25:54 PM »

I would lean more towards the Apaches for funk and I would also consider a set of Mother's Milk. I would also definetly go for a stock middle p'up (not reverse polarity or wound).

jordan · « **Reply #2 on:** February 01, 2007, 10:25:35 PM »

I was in your position, choosing between ITs and Apaches.
I went with the Apaches, and I think I made the right choice. They're very versatile, and don't be put off by their seemingly low output rating. Every gig I put them through their paces playing typical function stuff and this covers everything from clean and funky, gritty blues, overdriven rock, and pretty saturated lead work. For me, they handle everything with ease and maintain note clarity in all situations.

I got an RWRP set, and the sound I get in position 4 with a nice clean amp makes me grin every time.

So, as you might have guessed, its a +1 for the Apaches from me.

Hope that helps,
Jordan.

38thBeatle · « **Reply #3 on:** February 01, 2007, 10:57:42 PM »

I think I would addd my vote to the Apaches inasmuch as they are very adaptable.They are the classic vintage Strat tone.

Hand of Ike · « **Reply #4 on:** February 01, 2007, 11:14:36 PM »

Ok, It sounds like the apache are a good bet - still tempted by the wail of the Irish so this is a bit of a heart / head battle at the moment.

How much will the apache wail? Will I get a decent Hendrix tone? I'm really into Funkadelic side of funk which gets pretty fuzzy - how do the apache go through fuzz?

Vintage tho' thats a word that always temps me - the classic vintage strat tone that hard to turn away from!!!

Still these pick ups are not over priced so I can afford to make a mistake!

Ike

38thBeatle · « **Reply #5 on:** February 01, 2007, 11:22:17 PM »

I can't imagine you being disappointed-they are the quintessential Strat tone to my ears.I can get a great "Little Wing" tone with mine -they have this kind of "organic" quality by which I mean they just seem to breathe life into the music (mind you, that seems to be a trait of BKP).They are Tim's favourite I gather. I did post a clip ages ago but I believe it was gone in the great clear out.They are not high output but that is a plus point in my view as it allows them to provide tone. let the amp work too is my motto.

everton_fc · « **Reply #6 on:** February 02, 2007, 11:22:41 AM »

Dude I went from Irish Tours to Apaches - the Irish Tours sound AMAZING but I guess the Apaches absolutely NAIL the strat tone. I can go from Hendrix, to Chili Peppers to Classic Rock overdrive easily. They are very versatile - dont be put off by the name! These pups can wail big time. Not that there is anything wrong with Hank!

TonyGibson · « **Reply #7 on:** February 02, 2007, 07:41:58 PM »

Not to hijack this thread but...

1) What tone are the Irish Tours based on?

2) What does everyone think of the Slow Hand set?

Kepu · « **Reply #8 on:** February 02, 2007, 07:56:38 PM »

I can only answer to the first as I've never used Slowhands (yet)

the name comes from Rory Gallagher - Irish Tour
so they're for some gritty blues stuff, think SRV and Rory Gallagher just to name few

Hand of Ike · « **Reply #9 on:** February 02, 2007, 07:58:09 PM »

Sold - I'm getting a set of Apaches from my local shop - last set they got my friends Dad sets up guitars for a part time job is fitting them while I'm away on a 3 day break (well break for my Girlfriend but I'll be itching to get my hands on a Guitar as always!) they be in when I get back - Oh heaven!

Thanks all!

38thBeatle · « **Reply #10 on:** February 02, 2007, 08:58:26 PM »

Good choice, I am sure you will be delighted. A week or so ago a good friend of mine used my Apache laden USA Strat at a rehearsal.He is a very knowledgeable tone buff and superb guitarist. He used it all night (I expected him to play a "strange" guitar for no more than two or three songs) and was grinning like a Cheshire cat all night. He rang me a night later to get the details etc and will be buying some at the LGS. He just loved the Apaches.I love them best with just clean amp and guitar- no effects-just drive the amp and add a dash of reverb-sounds bloody wonderful.

Hand of Ike · « **Reply #11 on:** February 02, 2007, 10:28:00 PM »

Thanks

38thBeatle can I ask what are the country boys like - I'm really into Danny Gatton now someone lent me his two hotlicks DVD's - I'm planning on a Tele, but his sig model is out of my price range and Joe Bardon pickups are no longer available - will these pups (Country Boys) give me that Gatton twang?

38thBeatle · « **Reply #12 on:** February 02, 2007, 11:08:00 PM »

Well I would describe the Country Boys as being the Tele equivalent of Apaches inasmuch as they are classic Tele tones so I suppose the answer would be yes..pretty much. Danny had such a feel and so much was in his hands that I wouldn't begin to compare my playing to his. I did post a clip in the players section-I will try and post the link.

tremblox · « **Reply #13 on:** February 02, 2007, 11:18:34 PM »

just wanted to say that the mid pickup ón a strat was never my fave position. The Apaches changed it for me - best mid pickup I've ever heard. I also agree very much with stock winds - those funky "in between" positions are just that much sharper with stock winds. Anyway just wanted to put in another vote for the Apaches.

Tremblox

38thBeatle · « **Reply #14 on:** February 02, 2007, 11:35:34 PM »

Totally agree with that Tremblox-I actually have used the middle pickup always but, as you say, the in between sounds are particularly good though I would say that my Slowhand set is better for these-but not by a great margin. In the meantime, for Hand of Ike, I have posted the links for my Tele and Apache Strat clips I did ( I thought that the latter had gone but it hasn't).

http://bareknucklepickups.co.uk/forum/viewtopic.php?t=2040&highlight=

http://bareknucklepickups.co.uk/forum/viewtopic.php?t=2606&highlight=