Pickup recommendations

[David Eastwood]

I’m the proud owner of an old Hondo copy of a Fender Lead II, which I bought back in 1982 or so in the UK before I came over here. I didn’t bring it with me - but was reunited with it in 2015. The full story is here - https://www.acousticguitarforum.com/...d.php?t=405355 - which may help you understand why I’m rather fond of it.

I’m just starting the process of refurbishing it. I’m going to put it back to its original 2-single-coil setup, and would like to buy a pair of Strat-sized single coils for it. I don’t want to spend a fortune - I’d love to use Fender Noiseless in it, but those are more than I want to spend, and are typically sold in 3-packs.

I’ve been looking at Kent Armstrong pickups - I know they have a good reputation. Anything else in the $40-50 (each) range that I should consider?

[Mbroady]

It might help you you mention what you budget is

Tonerider pickups gives you a few options that all fall within the classic strat sound. Not the cheapest but they won’t break the bank.

These are sets but you can get them as singles and pairs.

https://tonerider.com/category/picku...v=7516fd43adaa

[David Eastwood]

Originally Posted by Mbroady

It might help you you mention what you budget is

Tonerider pickups gives you a few options that all fall within the classic strat sound. Not the cheapest but they won’t break the bank.

https://tonerider.com/category/picku...v=7516fd43adaa

I did - see above.

[Mbroady]

Originally Posted by David Eastwood

I did - see above.

Missed that. Been a long day

[David Eastwood]

Originally Posted by Mbroady

Missed that. Been a long day

No worries - thanks for the link. I’ll take a look.

[rmp]

check out Guitar Fetish??

https://www.guitarfetish.com/GFS-Gui...ckups_c_7.html

[David Eastwood]

Originally Posted by rmp

check out Guitar Fetish??

https://www.guitarfetish.com/GFS-Gui...ckups_c_7.html

I’d forgotten about them - thanks for the reminder!

Have you ever used any of their pickups? I see that they have a couple of ‘noiseless’ options for very reasonable prices.

[Dru Edwards]

I would look for some used pickups if possible. Not sure if $50 each gets you into Seymour Duncan (SD) SSLs or not.

At least you only need 2 pickups.

[David Eastwood]

Originally Posted by Dru Edwards

I would look for some used pickups if possible. Not sure if $50 each gets you into Seymour Duncan (SD) SSLs or not.

At least you only need 2 pickups.

I’ve got my eyes open for them, Dru - I picked up a couple of used Fender Noiseless for a very modest price a few years ago. EBay hasn’t shown much of any interest yet - I should go and look at Reverb, I suppose.

[Blackmore Fan]

I'd recommend the Fender "Tex Mex" set. They're $80 for a set brand new, and they'll pull off the Fender "vintage" sound quite well, while having a little more juice for the bridge pickup.

[M Sarad]

These were put into my MIM Sunburst Strat to replace the
The Seymour Duncan Everything Axe set.
https://bootstrappickups.com/collections/s-style
The '54s sound quite vintage.

[David Eastwood]

Originally Posted by Blackmore Fan

I'd recommend the Fender "Tex Mex" set. They're $80 for a set brand new, and they'll pull off the Fender "vintage" sound quite well, while having a little more juice for the bridge pickup.

That’s a great suggestion - thanks!

Originally Posted by M Sarad

These were put into my MIM Sunburst Strat to replace the
The Seymour Duncan Everything Axe set.
https://bootstrappickups.com/collections/s-style
The '54s sound quite vintage.

I’d not heard of these before - can’t beat the pricing!

Plenty to think about - as I expected