birv2
June 10th, 2008, 12:09 AM
I have two Strats: both in my sig. I've had the Affinity Squier for about 4 years and recently was able to buy a "real" strat, a Jimmie Vaughan. The former owner had installed CS Fat 50's in the JV.
I've played the JV almost exclusively since I bought it. Naturally, it cost a lot more, and it's a "real" strat. Last week, I grabbed the Squier and took it to the jam and had a horrible realization -- I liked the sound of those pickups more than the JV. The guitar just sounded better to my ears. Of course, Custom Shop pickups are better than Mighty Mite Tex Mex pickups. But to my ears, the sounds coming out of the Squier hit me just right: more sustain, more grit, etc. I like the JV, but those pickups are so clean, and most pedals I use don't really get me where I want to get.
So, in a fit of madness, I took both guitars to my guy and instructed him to swap the pickups. I won't get them back for a few days, and in the meantime, I'm wondering if I'll end up with TWO guitars that don't sound quite right. I suppose I could also end up with two guitars that sound better. It's the not knowing that's worrying me.
Plan B -- I sell the fat 50's and get a hotter set of pickups for the JV. Any suggestions? I'm looking hard at the GFS offerings.
I play blues through a Pro Jr (not much headroom). What I'm coming to realize is that the tone I hear in my head is influenced a lot by the guitar tones I heard when I was growing up in the 60's. So singing sustain, overdrive, etc., all sound "right" to me. I appreciate the "woody" tones of the 50's, but they don't do it for me. And by the way, does anyone else think we sound like wine tasters when we describe pickups?:whatever:
I'll update in a few days....
Bob
I've played the JV almost exclusively since I bought it. Naturally, it cost a lot more, and it's a "real" strat. Last week, I grabbed the Squier and took it to the jam and had a horrible realization -- I liked the sound of those pickups more than the JV. The guitar just sounded better to my ears. Of course, Custom Shop pickups are better than Mighty Mite Tex Mex pickups. But to my ears, the sounds coming out of the Squier hit me just right: more sustain, more grit, etc. I like the JV, but those pickups are so clean, and most pedals I use don't really get me where I want to get.
So, in a fit of madness, I took both guitars to my guy and instructed him to swap the pickups. I won't get them back for a few days, and in the meantime, I'm wondering if I'll end up with TWO guitars that don't sound quite right. I suppose I could also end up with two guitars that sound better. It's the not knowing that's worrying me.
Plan B -- I sell the fat 50's and get a hotter set of pickups for the JV. Any suggestions? I'm looking hard at the GFS offerings.
I play blues through a Pro Jr (not much headroom). What I'm coming to realize is that the tone I hear in my head is influenced a lot by the guitar tones I heard when I was growing up in the 60's. So singing sustain, overdrive, etc., all sound "right" to me. I appreciate the "woody" tones of the 50's, but they don't do it for me. And by the way, does anyone else think we sound like wine tasters when we describe pickups?:whatever:
I'll update in a few days....
Bob