single coil pickup recommendations?

[Jack FFR1846]

Since my attention span is 15 minutes, I'm on my way to some more modifications to my Sublhouette. I've taken a silo spec pickguard off F'ing's hands and so am now (for pretty much the first time ever) researching single coils to fill the neck and mid positions. The noiseless ones intrigue me since....well....I like "no noise". I would be leaving the Sub-1 humbucker in the bridge and my plan is to run a traditional strat 5 way and add a coil splitter for the hum.

Things that I would love......the sound of the Albert Lee from those.....and of course any recommendations for lower cost, good sounding pickups. I won't do active, but pretty much anything else would be considered.

thanks for any help for this pickup newbie.

[B2D]

For noiseless, I'd check out the Lace Holy Grail pickups. Great vintage strat tones with no noise. The best noiseless singles I've tried.

For regular Strat-style singles, I'm happiest with a set of Texas Specials or a Duncan SSL5. The Texas Specials have a bit more bit and are hotter, while the SSL5 is smoother and rounder. Both are pretty beefy-sounding, though.

[Kaloyan]

Check out the Yngwie Malmsteen DiMarzio.

[gtrman66]

Kinman also makes a great noiseless strat pickup.I have a set in my strat and love 'em.Your results may vary
Kinman - Sounds

[beej]

I've tried quite a few over the years, including the Kinmans, Dimarzios, etc.

I think the Bill Lawrence L200s are the best of the bunch (I've got them in my AL and Morse). Dimarzio Areas are pretty good as well (esp the '67), but with a bit of gain you can really hear them compress. The Lawrences don't do that and sound more like singes. They're also $40/ea, so the least expensive.

[PugNinjas]

I just installed a SD Duckbuckers and also the new Vintage Hot Stack plus as replacements for the singles in my Morse. The Duckbuckers is awesome and ridiculously clean and sparkly. The Vintage HS is a beefy version of a silent single coil, it sounds great reminds me of a Van Zandt Blues (although those are pretty rare too)

Like Beej said, plenty of options out there so take your time and really research them.

Good luck

[threeminutesboy]

Good luck in your sonic quest Jack

Fralin are also very good pups and Andy from Spain has install recently the new Fender noiseless (check his thread as I don't remember the reference)

[Jack FFR1846]

I've tried quite a few over the years, including the Kinmans, Dimarzios, etc.

I think the Bill Lawrence L200s are the best of the bunch (I've got them in my AL and Morse). Dimarzio Areas are pretty good as well (esp the '67), but with a bit of gain you can really hear them compress. The Lawrences don't do that and sound more like singes. They're also $40/ea, so the least expensive.

*Bill Lawrence Store

Are these superceded by the L250? Did you use them in both neck and middle? They sort of look to only be available through Bill Lawrence directly.....that's ok.

Good luck in your sonic quest Jack

Fralin are also very good pups and Andy from Spain has install recently the new Fender noiseless (check his thread as I don't remember the reference)

Yup.....that post got me thinking about noiseless, since this guitar has no silent circuit.

For noiseless, I'd check out the Lace Holy Grail pickups. Great vintage strat tones with no noise. The best noiseless singles I've tried.

These get pretty good reviews too.

I wish pickups were as easy to check out as guitars.....so I'm going to pick something and go with it.

[beej]

*Bill Lawrence Store

Are these superceded by the L250? Did you use them in both neck and middle? They sort of look to only be available through Bill Lawrence directly.....that's ok.

No- that's the "fake" guy. BL's old partner. Those are all old designs.

Official BL products are here:
Home Page

Basically you have 200s, 280s and L45s. L200s are the easiest for the vintage strat sound. 280s are more even across the frequencies, more "hi fi". L45s are new, have blades not pole pieces. Some guys like those the most- very stratty. Haven't tried them yet. There's also a 298, it's more of a meaty p'up for the bridge only.

For the classic strat sound, I'd look at 200s or the L45.

[Mick]

kinmans in all of my SC guitars, every model he produces

[andynpeters]

Good luck in your sonic quest Jack

Fralin are also very good pups and Andy from Spain has install recently the new Fender noiseless (check his thread as I don't remember the reference)

......yes I did & very nice they are too.
http://www.ernieball.com/forums/musi...-facelift.html

I also have a Warmoth Start with Lace Gold sensores....also noiseless & nice

[Andrew Whitmore]

Area '58s are beautiful clear, clear, clear pickups.

Area '61s have more punch. Think Texan style SRV pickups.

Area '67s are pure quack in a pickup. Nuff said.

[RocketRalf]

From the clips I've heard from my own research, I like Area 58s. Also consider a Virtual Vintage Heavy Blues 2 if you want to pile loads of distortion on it.

[Jack FFR1846]

I'm quite interested at this point in the Bill Lawrence pickups. Beej....have you tried the L200 tele pickup? I'm thinking at this point in doing a L200 in the neck and L200-tele in the middle. I know that sounds a bit strange but.....well.....I'm a bit strange.

[beej]

Not strange at all- I'd thought about it. But no, I haven't.

When I did look into it, I found that there was no real difference between the tele and strat versions. Most of "that" sound is coming from the tele's bridge. (Adding a baseplate on a regular p'up itself just increases the inductance slightly, and on a noiseless p'up doesn't work the same way.)