Seeking Advice on Upgrading Pickups for My Stratocaster

john

Hey guitar aficionados,

Hope you're all strumming away happily! I've got a Stratocaster (American Standard) that I adore, but I'm looking to switch up the pickups to get a bit more versatility. Currently, it's got the stock Fender pickups, and while they're solid, I'm curious about trying something new.

I've been checking out the Seymour Duncan SSL-5 for the bridge position and the Fender Custom Shop '69s for the neck and middle. Anyone here rocking these on their Strat? How do they handle clean tones and bluesy bends?

My setup details:

Guitar: Fender American Standard Stratocaster
Amp: Vox AC30
Playing Style: Blues, Rock, a bit of Funk

Would love to hear your thoughts or any other pickup suggestions you might have. Your experiences will help me make an informed decision.

Thanks a bunch!

danny

Welcome to the forum! Great to see someone diving into the world of pickups. I've had a similar setup on my Strat, and I can share my experience.

I've got the Seymour Duncan SSL-5 in the bridge, and it's fantastic for that punchy, Texas blues vibe. It really adds a nice bite to the overall tone. As for the Fender Custom Shop '69s, they're golden for those Hendrix-style cleans and smooth leads. The combination works well together, giving you a nice balance.

One thing to note, depending on your playing style, you might want to experiment with the pickup heights. It can make a significant difference in the overall output and tonal character.

Also, consider trying out the DiMarzio Area 58 or 61 for that vintage Strat sound. They're worth a shot if you're into that classic, bell-like tone.

Hope this helps in your quest for tone perfection! Let me know if you have any more questions.

Cheers,
Danny