Need Strat pickup advice for 70's reissue

[TonyGibson]

Ok, I am highly unschooled with all things Strat, so here's where I'm at:

I just bought a 70's reissue Mexican Strat in Arctic White with the big headstock, 3 bolt maple neck and fingerboard, etc. Ash body too, and it weighs a ton!

This thing plays great, but not surprisingly, I find the stock pickups to be lacking (especially compared to G&L Legacy's I've played). So my friends, I have two questions:

1) Is it worth throwing BKP in a Mexican Strat?
2) What would be a good fit for a 70's Strat? I don't know much about the BKP single coils, but my guess would be Apaches (especially considering the maple fingerboard). Am I off base here?

Comments appreciated!

[38thBeatle]

I have a 1970's Strat though with Rosewood 'board.It has Apaches and sounds as sweet as any vintage Strat. I love Apaches. From what I have read(i.e. not personal experience) maple board Strats are supposed to be brighter and as, I think, Elliott here would say, the Mothers Milks have more mids. But I have found my Apaches to be perfect for me and I wouldn't change them for anything.

[Elliot]

It is absolutely worth putting BKPs in a Mexi strat - Fender uses the same wood stocks for all their US and Mex guitars - the lower end stuff normally contain more pieces, but in terms of actual wood its the same as the US.  The thing that lets mex strats down is the electronics, so a pickup change is the first thing to do (and it still often comes in at less than a US version).

I would agree here and get apaches - you'll get super classic strat tone and they'll work nicely with ash and maple.  As the man says, Apaches are suprisingly meaty as well as tastefully stratty.

[Prawnik]

How does the guitar sound when played acoustically?  If it sounds good acoustically, it has the potential to sound good through an amp.  If it sounds like cr@p when played acoustically, well, garbage in, garbage out.  

One other good modification to a Mexican Strat is to change the trem block to a solid steel block.  Callaham makes the best ones, but a Gotoh or a steel Fender block is also good.

You can also change the nut and bridge saddles, which may improve your sound.  

Once you are sounding good acoustically, select pickups that will fine-tune your sound.

Oh, and yes, maple-board Strats typically sound brighter than rosewood.  Which is better depends on your taste.

[TonyGibson]

How does the guitar sound when played acoustically?  If it sounds good acoustically, it has the potential to sound good through an amp.  If it sounds like cr@p when played acoustically, well, garbage in, garbage out.  

One other good modification to a Mexican Strat is to change the trem block to a solid steel block.  Callaham makes the best ones, but a Gotoh or a steel Fender block is also good.

You can also change the nut and bridge saddles, which may improve your sound.  

Once you are sounding good acoustically, select pickups that will fine-tune your sound.

Oh, and yes, maple-board Strats typically sound brighter than rosewood.  Which is better depends on your taste.

It actually sounds pretty good acoustically...it resonates very well.

It looks like I'm going with Apaches then, but what is this block thing you're talking about? I don't know anything about trems...matter of fact I wanted a fixed bridge Strat anyway. Should I/could I just replace the whole damn bridge?

[38thBeatle]

Sorry, I didn't answer you question about whether it was worth putting in BKPs  but Elliott did and I agree with him.I have a MIM Tele and it has been BKP'd into a great guitar so go right ahead.I agree also with the other guys here regarding the other upgrades. I would say that you might like to check out http://www.guitarexperience.co.uk/ for some great options for the bridge-it has the trem block mentioned above by Prawnik plus a whole replacement bridge assembly if you are really keen. You can disable the trem with some devices that are available that will enable you to use it if you change your mind-or you could block it off with the time honoured bit of wood that is inserted between the block and the rear of the cavity. My 1970's Strat is a hard tail in any event though I do have another which has a trem and an upgrade is on the cards(it is a Jap r/issue. Also you can change the pots and switches-the MIM ones are OK but you can make a bit of a difference by upgrading the electrics.

[TonyGibson]

Thanks all! It looks like the first two upgrades are:

1) Apaches
2) Mint green pickguard and backplate...the guitar is too bland with white on white, but I don't want an obnoxious pickguard yet. :)

The other upgrades I'll start looking at after I hear how it sounds with the Apaches.