Q: selecting Strat pups

[T50]

Gents
I just placed an order at Warmoth for a hardtail strat body and a neck.

Since the neck is compound radius with flatter string arc, do I need
pups with even pole heights?

Staggered or straight... Does it matter at all?

 

[PylonRacer]

It doesn't really matter a tremendous amount.  The staggard heights are for compensating for string gage too.  Flat poles will be more balanced string to string;  but staggered is fine if you want to go vintage.

 

[tfarny]

No, you don't "need" flatter radius pole pieces, but depending on your style, your sound and  your pickiness, it might be a good idea. If you are choosing between two otherwise identical sets, I'd get the flatter set.

 

[T50]

Thanks for the help, guys.

I'm looking to try Dimarzio's hum canceling  pups on this strat.
Does anyone know if they make flat ones? I only saw staggered
ones on their website...
:toothy10:

 

[Rouse]

I don't know what kind of sound you're going for, but I recently finished my Warmoth Strat and put flat poled pickups in it (Lollar Blondes) and I have no issues with string to string balance.

 

[Tempest]

The staggered designs were for back when they made the strings different, nowadays with modern strings the flat poled ones give you the best string balance.  This is what I've heard, if I'm completely wrong please correct me.

 

[TroubledTreble]

Nope, you are not wrong. Flat poles give you a nice balance. Humbuckers have essentially never had staggered poles and they work fine. String technology is much better today, there really is no need for the pickup to be adjusted.

 

[T50]

Thanks again for the info, guys!
ccasion14:

 

[shaggydawg]

I read somewhere that DiMarzio will build you a set with flat pole pieces if you ask them. With the upcharge though, it ends up costing you almost double the stock pickup price. Contact DiMarzio for more info.

 

[T50]

I read somewhere that DiMarzio will build you a set with flat pole pieces if you ask them. With the upcharge though, it ends up costing you almost double the stock pickup price. Contact DiMarzio for more info.

Dang!   I don't think it's worth that kind of money. Thanks for the info, though!

I've been looking around for a set of strat pups with the following features:
1. hum cancelling
2. flat pole arrangement
3. removable pup covers (because I want to use Warmoth parchment covers to match the pickguard)

So far, I haven't found one yet.  :-\
SD makes hum cancelling pups with flat poles. But the covers are fixed.
Dimarzio makes hum cancelling pups with removable covers. But the poles are staggered.

 

[jackthehack]

I've not had any issues with staggered pole SC pickups on a number of Strat builds with Warmoth Pro necks

 

[tfarny]

The dimarzio stagger isn't as much as some other pickups - it's like a gentle stagger. I have some, zero issues with volume balance. Don't make this into a big deal, cause its not.

 

[T50]

Okay, guys.
Thanks again for the help! Roger on the staggered/flat stuff.

I'm leaning towards Dimarzio Virtual Vintage pups.
I just found out that the covers on these pups are fixed as well.

One more question if I may:
I ordered Warmoth pickguard in "parchment" color.
Would this color be the same as Dimarzio's "aged white"?  ???
I know it's no big deal to many guys here... :laughing7:

 

[Patrick]

wire your own pickups!  :blob7:

 

[T50]

wire your own pickups!  :blob7:

I'll let the professionals do what they do.

 

[tfarny]

The Area series pickups' covers can be replaced and can be ordered in any color. Also true for VV 54 pro, not sure about any other dimarzios (no experience). Parchment and aged white might be just slightly different, but you can order parchment pup covers if it bugs you when you see it - not that every company's parchment will be identical, of course.

 

[T50]

Thank you all for the help!
Just pulled the trigger on a set on Dimarzio VV 54s and VV heavy blues.
:hello2: