Medium Budget Strat Single Coil Pickups.

[The Link Wray Way]

Help, I'm overwhelmed......!

Ok, Here's the deal, I'm putting together a maple neck, alder body strat, vintage tremolo. Looking for a set of single coils. I'd like to stay below $150 for the set. So far I'm interested in the following and looking for some feedback from anyone who has used them:

(in no particular order)

• Fender Vintage Noiseless
• Semour Duncan holy grail (just can't hack $300+ for the antiquity set)
• D'marzio Area (what flavor exactly, I don't know)
  • Lace sensors (are they really 'that sterile'?)
  Being noiseless or not is not a big hang-up for me, but would be a bonus.
  
  I'm looking for a fairly conventional 50's 60's strat sound. Blues and Rock. I'm not so much set on the 'texas special' sound but it's ok too. I'm thinking something along the lines of Buddy Guy on Sweet Tea.
  
  Give me your opinions on what's available out there. This is a pretty overwhelming decision to make in a vaccum.
  
  John

 

[tfarny]

There are a huge number of good options out there, and you can choose any number and not 'go wrong'. I have and am really happy with Dimarzio Area noiseless 58 neck & middle, virtual vintage 54 pro in bridge (same tech different name). That combo nails noiseless vintage strat tones with a thicker more useful bridge. May get an area 61 some day to check out the differences.

If you're not set on noiseless I cannot say enough about the Bill Lawrence Wilde strat set on my "cheapo" (quotes because it's turning out to be one of my best guitars ever) strat setup for slide. Fantastic clear ringing tones, super airy and 'hi-fi'. Hugely versatile. Brilliant pickups especially for clean. The fact that the whole set costs $80 shipped is just a bonus - they are awesome made in USA (by a legend) pickups.

I don't really recommend the noiseless stuff from GFS, they are all right but can't touch the dimarzio. Did like their A2 vintage set though, I think it's a good deal but not up to the BL standard.
Also had some just so-so seymour duncan cali 50s set. BL are better than those regardless of price.

Some guys on here will recommend the fralins off of the Callaham website - never heard a bad word about those but I wouldn't call them mid-budget either. I'm also a huge fan of everything Lollar and would put his strat pups on the short list if I were looking.
Edit: Not many lace, fender noiseless, or SD single coil fans on here that I know of. I'm sure someone will chime in now that I've said that.

 

[The Link Wray Way]

Like you said, there are soo many choices in this area it's hard to narrow the field to just a few to pick from.....That said, you did a nice job of giving me a jumping off point. I'm always eager to hear folks opinions on the topic. Now that many companies are putting sound clips up for their stuff it's a little easier, but still nearly impossible to do an Apples to Apples comparison across different brands, let alone different models within the same brand.

Thanks

Who's next up????

 

[lafromla1]

I've got an Artist Series Clapton Strat with the Vintage Noiseless and they really sound great, especially for blues and blues/rock.  I also have the Jimmie Vaughan Strat with the Tex-Mex pups and they sound great for blues/rock, but the Vintage Noiseless are much cleaner on the highs.  Both sound great with some overdrive.  Haven't tried the others you mentioned, but I've heard great things about the Lace Sensors (Gold's in particular) and the DiMarzio areas. 

 

[tfarny]

Here's a fralin v fender comparo that is about as good as online sound clips can get. Don't even bother if you just have computer speakers - you need good cans or monitors to hear the differences.
http://www.acmeguitarworks.com/Strat_Pickup_Sound_Clips_W1.cfm

 

[TroubledTreble]

I love the sound Buddy gets on that album. He used to use Lace but for that album I.m fairly certain he used something else but I don't know what.

I personally don't care for the noiseless. It just feels like something is dropped. However I have seen some really fine work done with them, just not in my hands. Same goes for the Lace.

Are you a band member? Play live?

Link, out of curiosity, what is your location in the world?

 

[The Link Wray Way]

I'm located in the Midwest U.S.

Not a band member, just a personal player. I get together from time to time to jam with some friends. In the last few years I've started building my own equipment. Started with a few pedals, onto an amp, now parts guitar, this winter maybe another amp.

Anyone have experience with the Fender Custom Shop '54s??