anyone familiar with Fender CS 69 pickups?

[helliott]

Thinking of replacing my old Strat's early noiseless pups with these. Have the classic 50s in another Strat and love them. Would go from HSS to SSS in the older deluxe Strat. Lovely guitar but the pickups have never been great and compared to the classic 50s they just don't cut it at all. Anyone else have thoughts on replacements?

[Jimi75]

I had the 69s in my Hendrix Sig Strat. Very balanced, no harshness, can be pushed nicely with an overdrive. The neck sound nice and deep. By far better than 1st generation Noiseless pickups, better than Mexican Classic 50s, because they deliver more roundness and deepens.

[helliott]

thank you sir

[duhvoodooman]

When you say "classic '50s", are you referring to the CS Fat '50s? I have a set of those in my '12 Am. Std. Strat, and IMO they're the best sounding vintage-style Strat pickups I've ever played through.

[helliott]

Yes, DVM, that is what I have in my 40th anniversary Strat and I do love them. Just figured might as well get a different sound if I am upgrading the older deluxe Strat so I'd have fat 50s in one and the CS 69s in the other. Or maybe I should just go with another set of CS Fat 50s.

[marnold]

I've never heard them personally, but I've only heard good things about the CS69s. I've also heard that they are more scooped in the mids than the CS54s, FWIW.

[helliott]

Thanks marnold. Have heard that as well. Some scooped options appeal, although not into metal stuff. Like that sound for blues rock though.

[duhvoodooman]

If you want to try something a little hotter but still in the vintage vein, I also like the CS Texas Specials I have in my '89 Strat Plus.

[Jimi75]

^
I've been playing Texas Specials in my Jimmie Vaughan Strat for almost 20 years. Great, great pickups! BUT definitely different form FAT 50s and 69ers.
The bridge pu easily gets in to hb territory. The TSs sound very warm and have a nice midrange. What I think is that they are not typically giving the sound we consider with a classic Strat.
They have way less chime than the 69ers. Go listen to Hendrix's original recording of "The Wind Cries Mary", although he might have played a 65 Strat at that time, this is exactly the sound the 69 set will give you.

[helliott]

Thanks everyone for the input. Like Texas specials but do think I am hooked on more traditional strat sounds so will probably go cs 69s to compliment the fat 50s on the strat that is currently #1