Schlatte's HSS "StratoMaster" Pickup Quest(ion)

[Schlatte]

Hi guys!

So I got my new guitar right here:


and as you can see, it has strat style controls (5-way switch, tone, volume) and a strat style tremolo. It has an offset body, so I just like to call it the Stratomaster

I already set it up, adjusted the trem and it stays in tune surprisingly good and plays very nice. The only thing I don't like about here are her Pickups.
So I'd like to put some new PUs into her.

Now I need recommendations/opinions/reviews on the following pickups, as well as opinions on aesthetics, design, etc.

I was thinking for the Bridge Humbucker I'd go with a Power Rail 'Bucker:
http://www.guitarfetish.com/GFS-Power-R ... p_341.html


And for the Middle/Neck Singlecoils I'd go with those Brighton Rock Single coils:
http://www.guitarfetish.com/Brighton-Ro ... _1516.html


To match the pickups, I'd put a black switch tip on the 5-way switch (like this one: http://www.guitarfetish.com/Import-Spec ... _1466.html ) and replace the knobs with those "LP Style" black Speed Knobs... huurrrrmm?
I'm kind of on the fence about it tho.. I don't know if the black pu's and controls will fit the rest of the guitar... but on the other hand they would fit the dark color of the fingerboard (rosewood)...

For reference- the stock pickups look extremely "white" in the picture, but in reality they're like a light cream... so idk.. maybe I should go all white with the pickups/controls?

I'm open to other suggestions as well... Really need some help deciding on this...

THANKS GUYZ!

[FuzzHugger]

Class!!!

I kind of love the white/cream/mint look. So sharp!
I have a hard time visualizing without trying to Photoshop it together...I do think the black/chrome on the Brighton SCs would look good. Sound??? Idk. What sound are you going for?

[Schlatte]

I think the chrome/black look of the Brightons would fit too... but would it match the bridge humbucker? Maybe I should consider one of those chrome ones for the bridge.... but I think that would be too shiny/too much chrome....
As far as sound goes - I just want more.
I had the lil puncher XL humbucker in my previous guitar and it sounded so big and powerful.... the stock pickups in this one are quite shitty. The SCs sound weak and have practically zero definition/clarity. And they're more than just noisy.... they're like a noise generator. The humbucker is not noisy, but far too weak/thin. I want o bring out the big guns when selecting the bridge humbucker, you know? Now it's like "oh, he has a little squirt gun" - I want it to be like "AAAAHHHH! HERE COMES THE MASSIVE TANK OF ARMAGEDDON, DOOM AND DESPAIR !!!! AAAAHHH!" So yeah.. chuga chuga for the bridge, nice sc sound for neck/middle.

[Schlatte]

Ok... I suck at image editing
But I painted together (literally... MS Paint is the shit) this thing:




yay or nay?

[Chankgeez]

I feel almost unqualified to answer this question, but I think I found what you need:



http://www.inlaystickers.com/servlet/th ... cker-(PINK)/Detail

I think I like the all whitish look the best, but your mock up with the black isn't too bad. The black speed knobs are a nice touch.

You should really go with the pink though.

[Schlatte]

That actually looks pretty pimp!
I just did another paint thingy with all white pickups... looks kinda meh. The light cream and the white wouldn't go well with each other. I think I'll order the black ones... does anybody have any experience with any of those?

[FuzzHugger]

LOL at the MS Paint mockup. But it actually helps to envision it. Though my personal tastes would stick with white/cream (cause I like the off-ness of white+mint+cream), the black pickups look great to me too!

Love the look of the Brightons. I'd personally be afraid that they'd be too...bright(on). But maybe that's what you're going for.

More importantly, I'd be afraid of the output difference between the Brightons and the high gain Rail'Bucker.
I'd probably go with the hotter 8k (typically bridge) Brighton in the middle and neck to try to balance it out. Worst case, you'd want a separate Vol knob for the Rail'Bucker so you could back off its output to get it in line with the Brightons.

I don't know for sure...I just know that even 8k is probably gonna result in a vol difference. Even though GFS calls the 8k Brighton "HOT," they also call their 8k bridge lipstick "HOT" and that has a volume drop even using it with low-output Alnico strat pickups.

[Schlatte]

That is a good point... maybe I'll just stick a little trim pot inside or a voltage divider to bring the humbucker to the same level. Hmmm.. I still have some white singlecoil pickup covers at home... gonna try them when changing strings the next time. If it fits I'll order the white rail'bucker and some different "normal" single coils. Guhh.. I don't like normal
But then I'll do white knobs and switch tip too. I like dem speed knobs.. I have to see if I get different ones, tho.. just checking alternatives.. let's see which single coils gfs has.

[IEatCats]

http://www.inlaystickers.com/

I actually kind of like the Sakura fake inlays. I might pick them up for the SG I'm playing on right now.

[Schlatte]

Ok, I just tried the white pickup covers. Looks horrible. The cream/mint does NOT go well with white. Not at all.
So I think I'll just order the black ones. If I don't dig I can still flip them... and get cream pups, right?

[Schlatte]

Got all the parts in. Work starting now.
I haven't fully decided on knobs yet, but either those black speed knobs or the black/chrome old school style knobs are up for it... we shall see.

[Schlatte]

IT IS DONE!... well.. almost

I need your input on the knob choice...
Speed knobs:


or old school knobs:


I really can't decide.. although I'm leaning more towards those old skoolers...

[Obulus]

Old skool that fukka
Looks good too, with the black pickups!

[skullservant]

Yeah I'm going to have to go with the Old School knobs too, but they might be a little harder to use

[kosta]

Old Skools look good with those pickups.