Can't Believe It!!!

Tom A. · September 8th, 2003, 11:30 AM

I like my Strat 60's Classic as much as my '52 RI Tele. Of course I did do some mods to it. The biggest change was to put in some Fralin Vintage Hot pups, this has got to be the best pups ever for a Strat. I had some 57/62 in before which sounded OK for the price but they can't touch the Fralin's. I also changed the bridge saddles to the ones Callaham makes and also changed to the tremolo steel block they sell. I added a push-pull switch so i could get the neck-bridge combination and rewired so I can get a tone control on the bridge pup. I almost forgot, I also added a steel plate to the bridge pup. I am well pleased with the changes I made. I am sure the Fralins made the biggest difference but I think the little changes also helped.

genelovesjez · September 8th, 2003, 11:35 AM

Yeah, those Fralins VHs are pretty great! I've got them in a CIJ 68 RI, and they sound amazing. I have another CIJ 68 RI with the stock Texas Specials, and it pales in comparison (although in fairness, I haven't done a thorough test with all my amps yet).

Blues Hurler · September 8th, 2003, 08:53 PM

The Fralins are that much better than the Tex Spec's? Wow! What would you say the difference is? I'm not expert, but I thought the Tex's were pretty hot. The Fralins are pretty pricey though, aren't they? How much cash are we talkin' about if I may ask....(in Cdn $).

genelovesjez · September 8th, 2003, 11:20 PM

My rating the Fralins over the Texas Specials is just an initial impression (through a Pro Jr. at pretty low volume). I reserve the right to change my mind when I give them a workout with the Super Reverb or the Marshall. Also, the usual caveats apply: JMHO, YMMV. The funny thing is, acoustically the guitar with the Specials sounds better.

As far as the price, I can't remember how much they cost for sure because I traded in a set of pickups and then paid $150 CDN on top of the trade. They're not cheap that's for sure. I think they were at least $350 CDN, but I could be wrong.

Charlie Bernstein · September 15th, 2003, 06:46 PM

i think of set of vintage hots is about $220 - and they offer some inexpensive add-ons like a bridge plate for a bigger bridge sound, a volume kit so you can roll off the volume withough losing highs, a blender pot to add neck/bridge and neck/middle/bridge to the usual five switch positions, and custom winding at your request. details at http://www.fralinpickups.com.

folks like 'em a lot. had some fralins in a parts tele once and sold the guitar for as much as a u.s. fender tele would've gotten me - everyone was happy. i'm looking forward to popping a set in my new warmoth bod. want a strat that puts my american standard to shame.

twang on!

genelovesjez · September 15th, 2003, 07:04 PM

Well, I had my little shootout, and I regret to say the Texas Specials will be coming out, and another set of Fralins will be going in. The TS's just could not compare - thinner sounding, less complexity, less quack in the 2&4 positions. All the way around the Fralin VH's were more like the Strat sound that I'm looking for. I wish I could give more technical information, but that's all I got.

September 8th, 2003, 11:30 AM	#1 (permalink)
Tom A. Tele-Meister Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Byram, Mississippi Age: 58 Posts: 434 9 Photos	Can't Believe It!!! I like my Strat 60's Classic as much as my '52 RI Tele. Of course I did do some mods to it. The biggest change was to put in some Fralin Vintage Hot pups, this has got to be the best pups ever for a Strat. I had some 57/62 in before which sounded OK for the price but they can't touch the Fralin's. I also changed the bridge saddles to the ones Callaham makes and also changed to the tremolo steel block they sell. I added a push-pull switch so i could get the neck-bridge combination and rewired so I can get a tone control on the bridge pup. I almost forgot, I also added a steel plate to the bridge pup. I am well pleased with the changes I made. I am sure the Fralins made the biggest difference but I think the little changes also helped.

September 8th, 2003, 08:53 PM	#3 (permalink)
Blues Hurler Tele-Holic Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: Toronto, Canada Posts: 728 5 Photos	The Fralins are that much better than the Tex Spec's? Wow! What would you say the difference is? I'm not expert, but I thought the Tex's were pretty hot. The Fralins are pretty pricey though, aren't they? How much cash are we talkin' about if I may ask....(in Cdn $). __________________ The blues ain't about theory, they's about therapy.

September 15th, 2003, 06:46 PM	#5 (permalink)
Charlie Bernstein Friend of Leo's Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: Augusta, Maine Posts: 4,134	fralin price tag i think of set of vintage hots is about $220 - and they offer some inexpensive add-ons like a bridge plate for a bigger bridge sound, a volume kit so you can roll off the volume withough losing highs, a blender pot to add neck/bridge and neck/middle/bridge to the usual five switch positions, and custom winding at your request. details at http://www.fralinpickups.com. folks like 'em a lot. had some fralins in a parts tele once and sold the guitar for as much as a u.s. fender tele would've gotten me - everyone was happy. i'm looking forward to popping a set in my new warmoth bod. want a strat that puts my american standard to shame. twang on!

September 8th, 2003, 11:35 AM	#2 (permalink)
genelovesjez Friend of Leo's Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Toronto, Canada Age: 42 Posts: 3,736	Yeah, those Fralins VHs are pretty great! I've got them in a CIJ 68 RI, and they sound amazing. I have another CIJ 68 RI with the stock Texas Specials, and it pales in comparison (although in fairness, I haven't done a thorough test with all my amps yet).

September 8th, 2003, 11:20 PM	#4 (permalink)
genelovesjez Friend of Leo's Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Toronto, Canada Age: 42 Posts: 3,736	My rating the Fralins over the Texas Specials is just an initial impression (through a Pro Jr. at pretty low volume). I reserve the right to change my mind when I give them a workout with the Super Reverb or the Marshall. Also, the usual caveats apply: JMHO, YMMV. The funny thing is, acoustically the guitar with the Specials sounds better. As far as the price, I can't remember how much they cost for sure because I traded in a set of pickups and then paid $150 CDN on top of the trade. They're not cheap that's for sure. I think they were at least $350 CDN, but I could be wrong.

September 15th, 2003, 07:04 PM	#6 (permalink)
genelovesjez Friend of Leo's Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Toronto, Canada Age: 42 Posts: 3,736	Well, I had my little shootout, and I regret to say the Texas Specials will be coming out, and another set of Fralins will be going in. The TS's just could not compare - thinner sounding, less complexity, less quack in the 2&4 positions. All the way around the Fralin VH's were more like the Strat sound that I'm looking for. I wish I could give more technical information, but that's all I got.

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