Should I Swop Fender 57/62 For Apache's???

[asimmd]

Hi All

I have a Custom Shop Strat fitted with Fender 57/62 p/ups,ok,initially for playing Shadows/Knopfler,but I am wondering if anyone has ever swopped these Fenders for Apaches,and if so,what were your thoughts.

Any comments appreciated.

Been playing 47 years,you would think I would know better by now.

Still looking for that Strat Sound.I need help.

Thanks

Al

[38thBeatle]

Hello, welcome to the forum( great to have another Strat player along-we single coil gys are outnumbered). I think one of the guys here has used the ender 57's and might be able to comment. Certainly, to me, the Apaches produce what I feel is the classic Strat tone- warm, bright with that Strat "braang" but it is, my opinion. Some of the guys with Mother's Milks will drop by no doubt-also The Sultans will pop up in conversation.I am not sure how many of us have all three so that a judgement between them can be offered. The Apaches can kick it out when required too-definately no "one trick pony".

[Elliot]

I've had Fender 57/62s - the nearest to them is Mother's Milks.  I liked the 57/62s but prefer the Milks - they have a smooth woody tone.

If you want Knopfler, Shadows go Apaches - to me they are near perfect vintage, low output (which is good in strats) strat pickups: they do Hank, Surf, Knopfler but also go dirty very easily.
 
I happen to prefer Milks by a margin, but then the 'tone in my head' is Hendrix on Hey Joe or Wind Cries Mary and the Milks are that tone.

This is a good clip of the Apache:
http://www.bareknucklepickups.co.uk/forum/viewtopic.php?t=2591

and here:

http://www.bareknucklepickups.co.uk/forum/viewtopic.php?t=1990

[asimmd]

Thanks for the replies Guys.

I thought I may have got a few more comments, but it seems Strat players are in the minority.

I am ordering a set of Apaches tomorrow,Wednesday,new pot's and switch as well,and will post some thoughts as soon as I have fitted them.

I will also post sound files as well.

Thanks again

Alan

[PhilKing]

Hi Alan, I would have replied but I thought you were looking for a specific response from someone who had used the Fender 57/62 set.  I have Apaches, Slowhand, Irish Tour and Trilogy Suite in my current guitars, and have one on the way with Mothers Milks, so I know the BK sounds.  However I have never palyed a guitar with 57/62's.  If you want to know about getting a good Strat sound, then I don't think you can go wrong with the Apaches (though if you have a rosewood fingerboard, the Mothers Milk or Sultans might work better). Cheers, Phil

[Plexihead]

PhilKing - It appears you have all bases covered as far as BK Strat pickups.  I have WCR SR's in now and do like them, but am thinking of trying the BK's.  Which would you recommend for tones along the lines of Blackmore (Made In Japan), Gallagher (Irish Tour), Trower (Bridge of Sighs), Uli Jon Roth (Scorpions).  My main amp is a 50 watt NMV Marshall w/4x12 Greenbacks.  Thanks!

[Elliot]

Irish Tours are for that sought of sound.

[PhilKing]

I was thinking mother's milks, however since Elliot has them and I am still waiting for mine, he may know something I don't.  I think the Irish Tours will get close depending on your guitar, but they are more of a texas tone and slightly brighter than the sound I think you are going for.  For Robin Trower and Richie Blackmore, the Slowhands can get really close too.

[Plexihead]

Thanks for the responses guys!  I was leaning towards the Irish Tour's also and then use an overdrive for the Trower type of tones.  Not sure about the Slowhand's though, was never a huge fan of Clapton's tone.

I'll sure to be checking out one of the Bare Knuckle's Strat PU's for sure.

[Philly Q]

Not sure about the Slowhand's though, was never a huge fan of Clapton's tone.

I wouldn't worry too much about the EC association - I'm considering a set for my Strat, and I'm not a Clapton fan either.  My impression is that they're simply a warmer, rounder, slightly more powerful version of a "typical" Strat tone.

I may have this wrong - not owning any BK Strat pickups - but from what I've read my "mental picture" is that the Slow Hands could be seen as slightly hotter Apaches and the Irish Tours as slightly hotter Mother's Milks (not sure where Sultans fit in to that picture  :lol: ).

[38thBeatle]

Philly is right in that the Slowhands are not "Instant Eric"". The names are to give an idea of the "flavour". The Slowhands have more mids.

[pagan7]

Hi guys.I've been so in love with the Nailbomb humbuckers on my Ibanez since I fitted them a month back that my `72 Strat hasn't had a look in..but last year I fitted it with a set of Fender customshop Samarium Cobalt noiseless pickups which have a slight edge over the Fender Hot Noiseless ones I had on previously and definitely the best sound my Strats had since I bought it new in `72, but now that I'm a true believer in BKNs pickups I was wondering which BKN set is most like the Samarium Cobalt ones.
Anyone here done a comparison or have an opinion ?
Cheers

[pagan7]

Oops.....for BKN read BKP

[TwilightOdyssey]

Hello, welcome to the forum( great to have another Strat player along-we single coil gys are outnumbered).

Hey! I use single coils ... in the neck only ... with lots of gain. PDT_008

[Elliot]

Although BKP don't make noiseless single coils, i'd say the Trilogy was the nearest to the SCN sound.