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Boutique Strat Pups

akstrat61

Well-known member
Joined
Feb 16, 2004
Messages
1,845
What are some of the better pups out there for Strats? I'm looking for a set for a guitar that was built for me many years ago. I tend to enjoy that out of phase quack, honk and pinch harmonics that I can only get with a Strat. Thanks for the help!:dude:
 

jb_abides

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Joined
Apr 6, 2005
Messages
5,276
The company that has really surprised and impressed me with recent offerings is... Fender.

Agree. I would've suggested had the OP not specified "boutique"...

I have 51 Nocasters in a Tele, Vintage 65 in a Strat, both amazing sets :salude
 

sonar

New member
Joined
Jan 10, 2003
Messages
3,589
Agree. I would've suggested had the OP not specified "boutique"...

I have 51 Nocasters in a Tele, Vintage 65 in a Strat, both amazing sets :salude

I really like the Vintage 65's. Maybe not a quacky pickup like the OP wants, but for Surf to early Hendrix it nails that veneer board tone.
 

akstrat61

Well-known member
Joined
Feb 16, 2004
Messages
1,845
Good suggestions!

I have a set of Wizz's in my Skinnerburst, love em.

I have another Strat with Jim Rolf pups, good for sure.

Lastly, the Fender Strat pups I have left me wanting more, just not there. MHO I do have a '51 Nocaster and I agree, the pups are killer!

Anyone here using Zexcoils or the Mojotone Quiet Coils?
 

El Gringo

Well-known member
Joined
Apr 8, 2015
Messages
5,657
Oh shit. That's gonna cost me...

They look pretty nice and they even have an option for a hotter bridge pickup in either the 63 or 64 set and has me seriously considering them for an alder body 57 reissue USA Stratocaster of mine that has okay tone with the Fat 50's pickups .
 

Texsunburst59

Active member
Joined
Feb 15, 2004
Messages
765
I have a '15 Suhr Classic Pro SSH guitar I picked up last year.

I really loved the vintage toned V70 singles in the neck and the SSV humbucker in the bridge.

My son played the guitar a lot and really loved all the classic clean and ovdriven tones he was able to get with these pickups.

He's always been wanting a Fiesta Red Strat styled guitar, so I had one custom made for him.

The guitar included Roasted Flame neck, stainless steel frets, 10-12 compound radius neck, ash body, the V70 neck/middle, and SSV humbucker in the bridge.

These pickups actually sound way better in this custom build than they do in the Suhr guitar.

Here's some pics of the build.


48603594182_83daeeff0f_b.jpg
 

somebodyelseuk

Well-known member
Joined
Jun 10, 2020
Messages
454
If you're in the UK, Matt at Montys would be worth a call.
Best known round here for his PAF, but I believe Teles are his passion. I believe Mark Knopfler uses his pups, but whether that's PAF, Strat or Tele...?
 

garywright

Well-known member
Joined
Aug 17, 2002
Messages
15,583
I’ve had a set of Seymour Duncan antiquity Surf IIs in my 2k ‘57 ri for years ..they sound great and are very reasonably priced.
 

gmann

Well-known member
Joined
May 26, 2003
Messages
6,147
Check out Kleins and and read the descriptions carefully. They make many sets, some with minor variables, that make it easier to get exactly what you want. Also, you can't go wrong with Don Mare pickups. Talk to him on the phone, if you can accurately describe what you want he can make it.
 

latestarter

Well-known member
Joined
Nov 9, 2009
Messages
4,173
I'm using Q pickups in my Korina bodied Strat. They were advertised as hot Strat A5's, SRV style, and I had an extra bridge one wound at around 7.2-7.5. I love them. Clear, rich, as good as anything else I've heard including my pre CBS stuff. Price was remarkable too - maybe $135 including the extra bridge p/u.
 

AA00475Bassman

Well-known member
Joined
Apr 26, 2016
Messages
3,769
I'm using Q pickups in my Korina bodied Strat. They were advertised as hot Strat A5's, SRV style, and I had an extra bridge one wound at around 7.2-7.5. I love them. Clear, rich, as good as anything else I've heard including my pre CBS stuff. Price was remarkable too - maybe $135 including the extra bridge p/u.

I bought a Q dog ear P90 for my single cut JR very pleased!
 
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