what would sound more different

[vtpcnk]

i have a standard strat with tremolo :  alder body, maple/maple neck.

what would sound more different than the above :

1. ash body (with tremolo), maple/maple neck.
2. ash body (with tremolo), maple/pau ferro neck.
3. hard tail alder body, maple/maple neck.
4. hard tail alder body, maple pau ferro neck.
5. hard tail ash body, maple/maple neck.
6. hard tail ash body, maple/pau ferro neck.

btw on my strat i have texas specials and lil 59. i am thinking of the robert cray ones for the new one (if i build one .

appreciate some insights.

 

[-CB-]

My experience says - those maple necks are all gonna sound about the same.
The bodies - trem has a different attack than the hard tail.
Given the same pickups - ash and alder are gonna be real close, if the only difference is the body wood.  They do vary, but... you have to consider other things too, not just body wood.  The body wood density comes into play.  I'd say your biggest "difference" in tone would be hard vs trem.  Given your choices that is.  In the BIG picture - pickups are gonna make a world of difference.  The fat 50's Strat pickups are really nice.  Not quite as hard edged as Tejas Especiales. 

 

[vtpcnk]

CB, any views on the robert cray pickups?

 

[jackthehack]

Which "Robert Cray" pickups? Pulls from a MIM or Custom Shop model?

 

[-CB-]

CB, any views on the robert cray pickups?

nada, never heard or played em

I mentioned the fat 50's because they sort of fill my idea of really good modern strat pickups - not overly harsh, not thin or weak, full bodied and balanced.  I really cant stand weak toned Strats, and while I like the TxSp pickups, the bridge pickup of that set is a bit over the top for my taste - too harsh in comparison to the other two.  That is, you dial in your amp for an ok tone on the bridge, and the neck sounds a bit muddier than it should.  Maybe its just me, but I think the bridge could have been made with weaker magnets and a few more windings - similar output, but a little thicker. 

What ya needa do, so see if you can play some, listen to some... all sorts of Strat pickups.  I put some phat cats in a strat for a bud.  I thought they were great for a strat - he didn't care for em, put the originals back in

 

[vtpcnk]

Which "Robert Cray" pickups? Pulls from a MIM or Custom Shop model?

mim pulls. \

i read that rc said they were louder/harsher etc.

but would like some real time opinion from ppl who have actually played/heard it.

 

[vtpcnk]

guys, another question : which strat neck/middle pups will go well with a sd jb jr at the bridge? any ideas?

cb, would the fat 50s balance well with a jb jr - or is the latter too high output for them?

 

[jackthehack]

Having a sets of Fat 50's/RGs in builds with a JBJr in bridge postion, if by "balance" you mean equalized output between pickups, consider installing a coil split switch on the JBJr. It's a lot louder/hotter than than the SCs, unless you split it to SC mode. I mainly use the neck/middle PUs on Strats, the JBJr. in the bridge gives you a whole different sound/attack, but needs the coil spilt to be at similar output levels.

 

[vtpcnk]

i have a strat with texas specials in the neck and middle and a lil 59 in the bridge - coil tapped. but when tapped it is weaker than the neck/middle. but i like the number 4 position - texas special with lil 59 (not coil tapped). kinda SGish.