Opinions on Fender Texas Specials for a Strat?

  • Thread starter Thread starter iplayloudly
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iplayloudly

iplayloudly

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Looking to replace the pickups in my MIM Strat. I'm sorta new to strats so I don't really know what I'm looking for. I'd like to keep the traditional "strat" sound, but the stock pickups just sound thin and weak. I'm reading pretty good reviews on the Texas Specials and they aren't too pricey. Anyone here have experience with them?
 
I don't have experience, so maybe I shouldn't chime in. I was seriously considering buying these, but I went for the cheap-o Tex Mex instead. Tex Mex are good hot n nasty pickups. Somehow I envision Texas Special to be like that only more subdued and vintage sounding. I have Texas Special Telecaster pickups, and while extremely bright and punchy, they are fairly smooth compared with the Tex Mex strat.

It's hard to go all-in on the Texas Special. Maybe someone can tell you for sure. I would think they would be good all-around pickups except with more bite and treble and more grit to the OD. (based on my experience with Strat Tex Mex and Tele Tex Special)
 
I don't care for them. They're ok, but as the other poster said, they're are hot and nasty. Got a lot of grit and hair on them. I like a really clean signal when it comes to single coils. Of course, YMMV. Only way to know is to try them out and see how you like them with your guitar and rig.
 
I would suggest the Custom Shop '69s or Fat '50's over the Specials.

Even better would be the Seymour Duncan SSL2 in the neck/middle, and an SSL5 in the bridge.
 
It's my favorite neck single coil. Hot and nasty is a good description. I've not heard the bridge model, but I really like the neck and middle version.
 
I had a set in a Strat for about 15 minutes, they are super noisy if you are using distortion. I would go with some variety of noise cancellation.
 
I like the Fat 50's and 69's........even over a bunch of boutiques. I'm not too fond of the TX Specials and certainly not the Tex-Mex.

The 69's are pure vintage/bell-like.....what a strat "should" sound like. The Fat 50's are beefier and the bridge is awesome.
 
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