Strat neckded Tele - Suggestions?

I've been wanting to do this for some time. A recent TDPRI thread got me motivated and today I spent about 2 1/2 hours converting my FSR BSB to this. The neck is a mint 28 year old Strat. I had it refretted with medium jumbos and had a bone nut installed at Wild West Guitars in Riverside Ca. I also changed the bridge to a Gotoh modern and the tuners to staggered Schallers. I just finished the set up and played it for about 1/2 hour. I'm liking it so much that I've decided that I've got to take it all the way and go for new pups and wiring as well. So, I'm looking for advice in that area. I'm open to anything at this point so where do you guys think I should go with this thing?

http://i1081.photobucket.com/albums/j356/beachbum47/STRELECASTER/FMT022.jpg

http://i1081.photobucket.com/albums/j356/beachbum47/STRELECASTER/FMT043.jpg

I really like it as it stands, the Strat headstock completes the package for me, so I say leave it be.

A pair of Wide Range Humbuckers would be really sweet with the traditional hotdog control plate and the Strat peghead!

Beachbum,
What do you want to do with it - what kind of music do you want to make? And what don't you like about the current pickups?
I think if you were to give some hints about that, the guys here a lot smarter than me could offer some very good suggestions. And I want to hear their answers!

Rex

Oh, and I should have added - she's a beaut!

A pair of Wide Range Humbuckers would be really sweet with the traditional hotdog control plate and the Strat peghead!

Agreed. Looks great!

I love my Fralin Blue's specials and 4 way wiring...

Looks great as is, and if it's giving you the tone you want, leave it alone.

If not (as I don't know where "all the way" is), I hope someone with more experience than me pipes in :)

Congrats on a lovely looking guitar.

Beachbum,
What do you want to do with it - what kind of music do you want to make? And what don't you like about the current pickups?
I think if you were to give some hints about that, the guys here a lot smarter than me could offer some very good suggestions. And I want to hear their answers!

Rex


Sorry about that. You're right. I should have given you guys the info you need. I play several styles but this one is going to be mostly dedicated to Blues and Country. It's got the stock Mexican ceramics in it now and they don't sound bad at all but I really want to make this one something special and if there are some options out there that will make a substantial improvement I'm ready to spend a few more bucks on her. I'm not that familiar with the after market pick up choices and I know there are a lot of examples on You Tube but it would be great to get advice from players who have heard the stuff with their own ears.

If you want standard telecaster pickups on the cheap, I haven't seen anybody say that they didn't like Bill Lawrence's Keystones. I'd also recommend Texas Specials from Fender if you want to use a 4-way switch.

For humbuckers, I have almost no experience, but WRHB's or some PAF-style pickups would work.

If you want standard telecaster pickups on the cheap, I haven't seen anybody say that they didn't like Bill Lawrence's Keystones. I'd also recommend Texas Specials from Fender if you want to use a 4-way switch.

For humbuckers, I have almost no experience, but WRHB's or some PAF-style pickups would work.


So with the 4 way switch you get the 3 standard positions +?

I don't think I'll be going with double buckers but one at the neck with a well matched bridge pup is something I've been pondering.

So with the 4 way switch you get the 3 standard positions +?

I don't think I'll be going with double buckers but one at the neck with a well matched bridge pup is something I've been pondering.

You get both pups in series.

From what I've heard and read, if you want a more authentic Tele sound then ditch the ceramic pickups in lieu of AlNiCo 3's or 5's. They are what was used in the beginning and that's the sound that Teles should have IMO. You could experiment with winding your own, as many builders do, and then you'd be in control of the flavor of all the ingredients. I just know that cermaic magnets are too brash for a true Tele tone, and some day I'll pop mine out of the BSB Squier and get the real deal.