Decisions....decisions....

[elrodphil]

Ok guys, I've decided on an EMG SAV set with the EXG control pot. I'm gong with Sperzel tuners and a Callaham bridge. When it comes to Warmoth compound radius necks will the narrow string spacing work better with th Callaham term? I know someone mentioned it before in another thread. What about spacing for the EMGs matches no the Callaham? I got the six screw vintage routing on the body...hope everything matches up....any advice? Also, are Warmoth ouch guards shielded and should I shield the cavity in the body even though Iwill have active EMGs?

Thanks for all your input...you guys have been very helpful...

 

[TBurst Std]

To address some points:
String spacing and fretboard radius are not related.  Choose what ever string spacing you want.  (I’d recommend narrow)

Don’t worry about string spacing to pole pieces.  If you every visualized the magnetic field above a pickup, you wouldn’t ask.

Why hope everything matches? Documentation is your friend.  Forget terms such as vintage and modern. What was the Screw spacing for the bridge route you ordered?

Active pickups as a whole do not require shielding (rule of thumb).

 

[elrodphil]

Thank you for you help...I ordered 6 hole vintage for the tremolo...good to know about the string spacing!

 

[TBurst Std]

Thank you for you help...I ordered 6 hole vintage for the tremolo...good to know about the string spacing!

And 6 hole vintage is what Screw spacing? Better know before you order a bridge. 

 

[Rick]

I'm glad you went with your instincts on the pups, I'm curious though, what was it about the EMG's you liked?  Not that there's anything wrong with them, I just ask for information purposes.  What amp are you using?

 

[elrodphil]

Thanks for all your help guys! I'm hoping the spacing is the same on the Calllaham and the Gotoh vintage 6 hole that Warmoth sells. That is what I got my body routed for.

I decided on EMGs because I play all over the place and many of the venues have grounding problems from old buildings, florescent and neon lights. I used to have a 1975 strat that was awesome to play but it buzzed really badly in certain places. I tried other non-active pickups and they buzzed as well...I went through lots of trouble finding grounding solutions. I'm not a big fan of humbuckers and prefer the single coil sound. Most of the sound clips of non-active pickups I've heard on you tube have a slight buzz...if I'm going to pay premium bucks for a vintage sounding pickups then I want them to be studio grade quiet and I mean so I can plug them straight into a computer interface and hear dead quiet with the volume on max. I haven't been able to do this with any other pickups I've tried.

The main reason for building this guitar is to create a guitar that is pro grade and versatile. Warmoth guitar necks and bodies were recommended by a friend of mine who has been a pro musician and music store owner for 50 years. He's played the same Warmoth guitar for over 25 of those years and plays EMGs...I play through a Fender Twin Reverb and a Blues Junior (Lots of mods)...I love the sound of Fralins but I am concerned about the hum... 

Any input is definitely welcome...

 

[Cagey]

The Strat "single coil" style Fishman Fluence pickups sound incredibly good, and are some of the most faithful to single coil sound of all I've used. It's an entirely different design unique to them you can read about at the link above. Best of all, they're noiseless, so you get the best of both worlds.

 

[elrodphil]

Interesting!!! Over the years I have used Fishman products but only for acoustic guitars....Might have to look into these...I think it would be really cool to have these fluence pickups and then have the power bridge that makes the guitar sound like an acoustic....