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Tonight I spent some time on my trusty 50th Anniversary Strat and did a complete overhaul of the electronics. I replaced the pots with CTS 250K's, a new Switchcraft 3-way switch, and a new Mallory .047 cap. Of course, the stock pickups had to go, so I replaced them with Antiquity Texas Hots (with a RWRP middle and a Custom Bridge).

I can't believe how much better this guitar sounds. I knew the Antiquities would be great, but I wasn't expecting such a drastic improvement. Its truly a night and day difference. For the first time, I actually like the middle pickup in a Strat. The neck is also wonderfull. Its got a real quot;woodyquot; sound to it. Warm, and sweet.

I've got it wired up so that the Tones control only the neck and middle pickup, since I rarely change the tone knob for the bridge pup.

I couldn't be more pleased...

nice to hear that! i myself will be getting a set pretty soon. do enjoy your new baby.

cool - glad to hear it!!

what amp do you play the strat through?

t4d

Yup . . . sounds like a killer axe.

You will be posting clips . . . right?

Which 50th anniversary did you have? I have the ash-bodied model with the custom '54 pickups, and I cant imagine anyone wanting to change those out...

The first set of Antiquitys I owned was the Texas Hot Strat set. Blew me away! After that I converted most of my Strats and one Tele to Antiquitys. The Antiquitys have more vibe than almost any pickups I can think of. They sound old and soulful, as if someone has been playing heart felt music through them for decades. The Texas Hots have alot of quot;chewyquot; quot;pluckyquot; mids compared to the Surfers which are brighter and sparklier. Love 'em both! Congrats!


Originally Posted by martinsixstringcustomsTonight I spent some time on my trusty 50th Anniversary Strat and did a complete overhaul of the electronics. I replaced the pots with CTS 250K's, a new Switchcraft 3-way switch, and a new Mallory .047 cap. Of course, the stock pickups had to go, so I replaced them with Antiquity Texas Hots (with a RWRP middle and a Custom Bridge).

I can't believe how much better this guitar sounds. I knew the Antiquities would be great, but I wasn't expecting such a drastic improvement. Its truly a night and day difference. For the first time, I actually like the middle pickup in a Strat. The neck is also wonderfull. Its got a real quot;woodyquot; sound to it. Warm, and sweet.

I've got it wired up so that the Tones control only the neck and middle pickup, since I rarely change the tone knob for the bridge pup.

I couldn't be more pleased...

Sounds like a fantastic guitar!

Thanks guys. I'm really pleased with it. I'm playing it through my THD Uni-Valve.

Lew, your right on the mark about sounding soulful. I couldn't ask for more in a Strat pup and I've tried a bunch. I did like my calibrated set of APS-1's, but they just aren't in the same ballpark as the Antiquities (IMHO

I do find the Custom Bridge a bit on the bright side, but not enough that I want to wire back a tone control to it. The tone controls are wired to the neck and middle and work wonderfully for those positions.


Originally Posted by hackerWhich 50th anniversary did you have? I have the ash-bodied model with the custom '54 pickups, and I cant imagine anyone wanting to change those out...

Mines the 50th Anv. American Standard. I honestly can't remember what pickups they used stock. The stock ones sounded good, but the Antiquities sound unbelievable!