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I've read a couple times that a lot of the classic guitar players (Hendrix/SRV) did not use special pickups. They just used the stock Fender pickups wound in the 6.0-6.6k region. This made me curious, if it worked for them why wouldn't it work for me? So with that being said, what types of pickups (duncans or anything) are comparable to those vintage pickups?

The onle ones I can think of are...SSL-1, Surfers, Fender Fat 50's. Can you point me in the direction of some more?

Edit: I have a 2003 Fender Standard Strat HSS...anyone know about the pickups that would be in that? The website just says:

1 Humbucking Pickup (Bridge),
2 Standard Single-Coil Strat Pickups (Neck and Middle)

The Alnico II Pro or the antiquities would be the closest I would think

Seeing that all vintage Strat poickups (save for a few sets in 1954 that used Alnico II magnets) are Alnico 5 the closest Duncan is gonna be a SSL-1 or an Antiquity Surfer. Both of those usally come in at around 6.4 or so. Fender has some...the Vintage 54 set is usally just under 6 for the neck and middle while the bridge is in the middle 6 range, the 69 set is cool, all 3 pickups are around the 5.8 range, there is the Fat 50's set with all 3 pickups in the low 6 range, there is the 57/62 set with all 3 pickups around 5.6 or so, then there is the Tex-Mex set which is around 6.4 for the neck and middle and 7.4 for the bridge. Those are all the Fender pickups and I'll tell you this...I have never tried the Vintage 54's, the 69 set has a cool later Fender tone but they are kind of weak, the Fat 50's are very cool IMO, the 57/62 set is one of my least favs...in fact I don't really care for them, the Tex-Mex set is a great set of cheap pickups...you can pick them up used for less than $75.00 for a full set usally on a pickguard! Short of Fender and Duncan there are Chubtones which Gearjoneser raves about, as well as countless other boutique brands. If you want to do it like SRV and Jimi and countless other players did it with STOCK Strat pickups, get a set of Surfers or SSL-1's, don't get a hotter bridge and don't gt the RW/RP middle pickup.


Originally Posted by the guy who invented fireSeeing that all vintage Strat poickups (save for a few sets in 1954 that used Alnico II magnets) are Alnico 5 the closest Duncan is gonna be a SSL-1 or an Antiquity Surfer. Both of those usally come in at around 6.4 or so. Fender has some...the Vintage 54 set is usally just under 6 for the neck and middle while the bridge is in the middle 6 range, the 69 set is cool, all 3 pickups are around the 5.8 range, there is the Fat 50's set with all 3 pickups in the low 6 range, there is the 57/62 set with all 3 pickups around 5.6 or so, then there is the Tex-Mex set which is around 6.4 for the neck and middle and 7.4 for the bridge. Those are all the Fender pickups and I'll tell you this...I have never tried the Vintage 54's, the 69 set has a cool later Fender tone but they are kind of weak, the Fat 50's are very cool IMO, the 57/62 set is one of my least favs...in fact I don't really care for them, the Tex-Mex set is a great set of cheap pickups...you can pick them up used for less than $75.00 for a full set usally on a pickguard! Short of Fender and Duncan there are Chubtones which Gearjoneser raves about, as well as countless other boutique brands. If you want to do it like SRV and Jimi and countless other players did it with STOCK Strat pickups, get a set of Surfers or SSL-1's, don't get a hotter bridge and don't gt the RW/RP middle pickup.

In the book quot;The Stratocaster Chroniclesquot; It stated that Fender used A3 poles that were wider at .200 vs the later .187 sized poles in 1954....The pole sizes stayed the same in the plastic pickup covers all these years,even though the poles were smaller diameter after the 1954 series pickups.

Just wanted to add this info to your great post buddy!

I use the Fat 50s,Surfers,Texas Hots,and the APS 2.All are stellar pickups...

Twitch, it kind of depends on what sort of vintage Strat tone you jones for...50s or 60s. Once you figure that out, there are a ton of good choices at a variety of price points. I haven't tried a ton but I can say the Surfers and Fender 54s are both nice (but different) pickups.

SSL-1's would be the closest to an early 60's tone without blowing a lot of money. Personally, I like the APS's more. They are smoother and thicker, which makes them more forgiving with OD.


Originally Posted by STRATDELUXER97In the book quot;The Stratocaster Chroniclesquot; It stated that Fender used A3 poles that were wider at .200 vs the later .187 sized poles in 1954....The pole sizes stayed the same in the plastic pickup covers all these years,even though the poles were smaller diameter after the 1954 series pickups.

Just wanted to add this info to your great post buddy!

I use the Fat 50s,Surfers,Texas Hots,and the APS 2.All are stellar pickups...Thanks! I didn't know that the pole size changed as well...I guess they were using the same poles from the 50's A3 Telecaster pickups (the Tele's at that time also had larger poles!).


Originally Posted by the guy who invented fireThanks! I didn't know that the pole size changed as well...I guess they were using the same poles from the 50's A3 Telecaster pickups (the Tele's at that time also had larger poles!).

Yep....And the Nocaster bridge pickups I have in my Teles are A3 pole also...Kinda was some cool trivia when I read it...


Originally Posted by STRATDELUXER97Yep....And the Nocaster bridge pickups I have in my Teles are A3 pole also...Kinda was some cool trivia when I read it...

Are those the regular Fender Nocaster pickups that have the A3?

Thanks.