Noiseless Pickups for Stratocaster

[MJ Slaughter]

I've played for decades but never owned a Strat so I'm trying to decide which way to go. I don't care for the whole S-1 switching fender noiseless pickups but like the deluxe models. Considering changing pickups in whatever I get with Kinman noiseless Alnico pickups. Has anyone tried these or have any other recommendations on Alnico pickups that are noiseless? Fender's Alnico's in their American Standards are too noisy for me.

 

[gonzo]

Bill Lawrence.

either L-280, or L-200.

200 for the more authentic quack.

you'll not find a better pickup, for the price.

 

[Rocky]

Good call on Kinmans, they may be pricey but nobody makes a better 'noiseless' strat pickup.

The closest to Kinmans I have used are the SA models from Tom Anderson.

 

[jab]

I bought an American Deluxe Mahogany HSS with the humbucker in the bridge last month. Having played a '57 reissue the past 20 years, never thought I'd look at something with a humbucker, but it doesn't have the buzz/hum of single coils, and much to my surprise I can get those same single coil type chimey strat sounds out of this guitar. That was the real shocker - sounds just like a strat! It's a limited edition and GC still has a few out there and for whatever reason, this thing plays & sounds like a dream. Every review you'll read on musicians friend is true. I was about to go for the American Deluxe until I tried this. Loving it with the Stiletto.

Kinman's by the way seem to be the deal out there for replacement pu's, haven't tried one though.

 

[dmt]

Bill Lawrence.

either L-280, or L-200.

200 for the more authentic quack.

you'll not find a better pickup, for the price.

+1 You'll not find one better at any price is more like it.

 

[thirstypirate]

don't care for the whole S-1 switching fender noiseless pickups but like the deluxe models.

I didn't mess with the S-1 very much when I first got my Deluxe, but I have been using it a ton lately to get some thicker tones that are still very Strat like. It sounds great, but I had to adjust the settings on my amp and cut some bass and add some presence to get the most out of it. Once I got the amp set up for the S-1 tones it's been like having a whole new guitar and has really been a lot of fun to explore.

I think that the SCN's are doing me well, but would definitely like to hear about any PU changes you guys are doing to improve the Delx.

 

[Martin]

Definately get a set of Kinmans....

 

[dmt]

Go with the Bill Lawrence.

 

[moltar]

How much damage to the excess noise will star and shield grounding actually do?

I know I have only shielded the full cavity of my lower end guitar and still found the results pretty encouraging. I assume a power conditioner and eliminating ground loops through the star ground will only help matters.

 

[thirstypirate]

Bill Lawrence and Kinnmans, hmmmm. After reading up them I'm interested in both to shape my Strat tone. I think I'm going to try the Kinnman Woodstocks first.

I'll let you guys know what I think.

 

[samerics]

I've tried a boat load of them and my favourite proper strat type pickups are the SCN's. If you want more power and gain get Kinman Blues, though they are powerful and middly. The Vinytage Noiseless are thin and bright. Not bad in the Clapton, but awful in a passive guitar in my experience.

 

[thirstypirate]

I dig the SCN's as well, I would, however, like it if they were slightly warmer with a spankier personality while still keeping hum free.

 

[devilrob1979]

For what it's worth Dimarzio Area 58s work well for me in the neck and middle and I've heard that the Area 61 works quite well in the bridge but I have a 'bucker in there.

 

[sonic635]

I put Kinman's in my in my telecaster and love them to death. As well, if you go with the solderless set up you can have them installed on your guitar in no time.