Author Topic: thinking about a strat set.... but not IT set (Read 11153 times)

Ced777 · « **on:** July 20, 2005, 11:13:25 AM »

Hi guys,

I'm not really decided, but think more and more about having a new 3 SC set for ma G&L legacy (swamp ash).

I already had 3 sets in this particular guitar:
- first the stock G&L set (same SC in 3 positions). Not bad but uninspiring.
- then a SR set from Wagner (Alnico V, www.crcoils.com). Nice, versatile, good biting tone. My favourite 'till now. 3 very different SC. (the middle SC being the most overwound: 7,6 K!)
- then a Irish Tour set.

Well to be honest, the IT set was really good. BUT, I finally sent it back (and take a Cold Sweat set for another guitar). I like the output, the PUs were a bit noisier than WCR (just a tad bit), but I think I did not choose the right combos for my need. The IT was a bit "thick" and I think I prefer a sparklier, edgier/biter/more treble content single coils tone. A bit more "airyness". The IT set was the best for gainy, even high-gain (!), stuff. Just a bit smooth maybe.

So for now, I stick to the SR set. BUT, if I would go for another BKP set, what set could do the job? For a classic strat tone, versatile, with woodyness and lots of sparkle?

I thought about the Apache Alnico 3 set. Or maybe the Sultans?

Ced777

Elliot · « **Reply #1 on:** July 20, 2005, 12:06:04 PM »

The Apache is the living emodiment of your sonic description!

Ced777 · « **Reply #2 on:** July 20, 2005, 12:13:07 PM »

I would like to be sure the Apache is not smoother (ie "less treble/sparkle/biting tone") than the IT. No mistake here: I like fat single coils tones. But prefer less "thick" (in the mids) tone and more sparkle.

HJM · « **Reply #3 on:** July 20, 2005, 12:40:01 PM »

The apaches still have a strat 'spike' to them, the sultans are a bit smoother. The tours are a higher output pickups so will pick up more noise. I personally prefer the Apache, Sultan and Mothersmilk sets. They sound very stratty. Tours are silly grin pickups, they sound like you're really playing the hell out of the guitar even when you're playing lightly!

You can get the Tour tone on other lower output sets with heavy stings and heavy picking, but you have access to purer strat tones too. I'd recommend the Apachies or Mothers Milk for what you want.

Ced777 · « **Reply #4 on:** July 20, 2005, 12:43:34 PM »

So the Apaches is probably the way to go. Thank you!

HJM · « **Reply #5 on:** July 20, 2005, 12:47:40 PM »

Just edited my first post - sorry!

Ced777 · « **Reply #6 on:** July 20, 2005, 01:22:19 PM »

Mother Milk is another competitor.... A bit stronger, Alnico V.... don't know what to choose between Mother Milk and Apaches....

I play with 10-46 (std tuning) strings.

HJM · « **Reply #7 on:** July 20, 2005, 01:49:08 PM »

The Apaches would be my first choice, they're a little more sophiosticated but still rude, compared to the Mothers Milk. The A5 in the MM give them a bit more aggression, great for Hendrix type crunch tones.

Elliot · « **Reply #8 on:** July 20, 2005, 02:22:02 PM »

MM are a bit woodier, darker, less bright and a bit acoustic in their dynamic - I have an apache bridge and a MM neck and middke - you can get great tonal range between the two.

I also have a Rothwell neck adder pot that allows you to dial the neck into the bridge incrementally - I find that putting the neck in at about 3 out of 10 is a brilliant way of smooting out the bright bite of the Apache if you want a smoother sound.

HJM · « **Reply #9 on:** July 20, 2005, 03:45:36 PM »

Wierd, I find them the Mothers more percussive, but still woody!

Ced777 · « **Reply #10 on:** July 20, 2005, 04:04:21 PM »

Quote from: Elliot

MM are a bit woodier, darker, less bright and a bit acoustic in their dynamic - I have an apache bridge and a MM neck and middke - you can get great tonal range between the two.

I also have a Rothwell neck adder pot that allows you to dial the neck into the bridge incrementally - I find that putting the neck in at about 3 out of 10 is a brilliant way of smooting out the bright bite of the Apache if you want a smoother sound.

I have a bass and treble control pot on the G&L (more interesting than tone control). I lower treble when I want a darker/smoother tone.
I think the treblier Apache would do the job for me. I really like bright single coils.

HJM · « **Reply #11 on:** July 20, 2005, 09:08:13 PM »

Go for it....the IT was a wrong choice, I'm not as much of a fan of it as the Milk, Sultan and Apache sets!

Ced777 · « **Reply #12 on:** July 20, 2005, 09:32:24 PM »

Apache are the Tim's favourite SC set too. I think I will go for it. I just have to choose the plot staggering (54 or 59) and the "RWRP-or-not" middle pickup.

big steve · « **Reply #13 on:** July 20, 2005, 10:26:01 PM »

why, are there disadvantages to using a RWRP middle pickup?

HJM · « **Reply #14 on:** July 20, 2005, 10:45:05 PM »

There's a slight tonal difference, according to Tim, I've not tried a stock set myself.