software

I have a 2000 Fender American Standard Strat w/ an alder body, maple neck and 2 point wilk (about to get a Callaham). I get my gain from my amp, so I dont need it from the guitar.

I want a fat, tight, transparent, and warm on the top end style single coil.
I tried a 59 and it has too many upper mids, is too tight and sounds too heavy metal, although I kinda like the darkness on the low end.
The quarter pounder was kinda nice, but too stiff on the top end.
The Custom Antiquity II in the bridge was nice- but it was a little thin on the top. It was dark and twangy.

I guess my only other options are lil demon (if it has enough glass to it- I would consider a humbucker), Twangbanger (twangy dark and tight?), or something else.

Thanks!

I've recommended the SSL-3 several times.

It has a fat bold voice in the bridge, but the hot wind and flat poles smooth it out .. really great for rolling off a little treble and playing punchy chords

here's a few clips:
from : localhost/www.bluestheater.net/ssl-3.html

Dimarzio Virtual Vintage Solo Or Heavy Blues

Twangbanger is currently my favorite bridge pickup in a strat that is still single coil....Hands down!

I don't know if you can fit one in your strat, but the STL-2 hot tele lead I have in my Thinline tele sounds exactly like what you described.

I'm not quite sure what quot;too stiff on the top endquot; means referring to the Quarter Pound. However, if you still have that pickup and are buying something else from Callaham anyway, try one of his steel base plates under that QP. Kind of a homebrew Twangbanger on steroids. The baseplate seems to mellow out the high end some and gives the lower mids more authority, or something like that.

Anyway, I wasn't crazy about the QP initially in a thin-sounding MIM Strat until I put the Callaham baseplate on it. Right pickup for that guitar

Chip

P.S. I would've bought a Twangbanger instead - everyone here was raving about them but they weren't on the market yet. Had to quot;roll my ownquot; It was Butch's idea BTW.