Tried a head to head with my Brothers Strat with the noiseless pickups( not that they are a yardstick but if they were what was originally fitted, as good a yardstick as any). The Apaches sounded way way better-much more bite, warmth and clarity.My Brother noticed it immediately-we used identical amp settings. His Strat has a maple board, mine Rosewood. Mine is a hardtail though so that may account for a bit more of everything I don't know. Unfortunately I didn't have enough room in the car today to take the Slowhand equipped Strat. Not much of a conclusion I know-whilst I can see where Phil & 5F6-A are coming from and have great respect for their knowledge but I don't think there is a lot in it. Incidentally, the noiseless pickups were indeed noiseless however the Apaches are not that noisy-certainly not an issue.