Report on Custom Shop 69' Pickups

[basile865]

Guys I decided today to upgrade my current strat for a few reasons. Its a good base to start with and whenever I put it up against other higher end pickups mine sound like they have a blanket over them. I just wanted to get bang for the buck and if I bought a mexi 50's strat, itd just need upgrades. I've already refretted this one and put a bone nut on, so why not finish her up.

Went out and bought some 69's today for 159 bucks. They have the Abigail initials on them and are dated july of 08.

Installation was a MASSIVE bitch. For some reason the screws would not want to thread into the grey fiber bobbin, let alone even match up to where the screws were was hard in itself. It took me about 2 hours to do this. I've never done it before and I have no experience really soldering much. But still, I about lost all patience with those damn grey fiber bobbins!

Onto the sound.....

Plugged it in and fired it up, I was afraid of getting shocked or something blowing up haha. But no, they work great.

Am I floored by them? no, but its an improvement for sure. Theyre much warmer than I expected. I really was worried about them sounding thin and plasticy given theyre a lower output than my standard strat pickups. They actually sound just as warm. The difference is on top - they have more clarity. Thats the biggest message with these pickups is clarity. Its not brightness. They just picked up where the old ones left off. Its balanced well, warm and clear. 2 and 4 are more quacky.

Ive had them in for less than a half hour so we'll see how it goes down the road but to me, they seem solid.

Next on the list is callaham saddles and a block.

[Guitar-Sam]

yea miy set had the potting wax in the screw holes it was a bastard to get the screws threaded.
But try playing around with the pickup heights.Mine were very sensative to evan small adjustments.they sound good either way but when ya hit the sweet spot they really got something unique to them.Kinna scopped,with allot of clarity and IMO a complex lowend.
I'm actually sorry I sold that guitar now.

[basile865]

Alright I've had a few hours with these puppies now and I want to say I am excited !

All 5 positions are enjoyable now and I used to be a neck only player. They really do chime. Even the bridge is useable!

They just have a clarity and balance that makes the instrument feel ..........BALANCED for lack of another word. Theyre still plenty warm and big sounding even with them adjusted down to the pickguard. I'm really happy with them. They should be the industry standard in strat pickups.

[Guitar-Sam]

Yea but if they were standard in the American standard starts imagine the price.
$999 American strat + $159 for 69' Pickups = $2800+ in big buissness language.