WTB - Cheap Strat pickups for my Squire project

SnazzyGeezer · April 10

I'm looking for some pickups for my squire Strat build.
Not looking for anything boutique (expensive)
More like Alegree old timers,Tone Riders,Iron gear.
Can be mix and match,I not bothered
But I don't want any ceramic pickups,
That's what I've just pulled out of there !

BillDL · April 10

What model of Squier was it (Bullet, Affinity, Classic Vibe), and what were the deficiencies with the sound that have made you want to change the pickups?

LionAquaLooper · April 11

Is it an HSS? I'm selling a Suhr set if so. Or see if you'd be interested in the two singles from the set. Check my ad for details.

SnazzyGeezer · April 11

That's way to much money than I want to spend on pickups for this Gtr.

SnazzyGeezer · April 11

It's a squire affinity I bought recently for £40
It plays great,after a bit of tweaking.
The pickups are a bit hard/dry, maybe compressed maybe the right word ?
Looking for a more airy sound.
over twenty plus years ago,I owned a set of SD pro II single coils they had a nice warm,acoustic sound clean,and a smooth, gritty tone when driven,if my memory serves me correctly.
I'm not crazy about bright,screechy Strat tones

BillDL · April 11

I know exactly what you mean. My Affinity Strat has what are probably the same ceramic pickups (unstaggered polepieces). Funnily enough I actually like the sound of those pickups in that guitar despite them being "hard / dry", but I have other Strats that sound different so that particular one suits my needs for certain things.

I'm not sure whether I would describe them as having a more "airy" sound, but the set of Alnico V IronGear Strat pickups I have in another guitar of similar quality to a Squier Affinity definitely have a much wider range of frequencies and are quite well balanced. The higher output bridge pickup has more midrange and sounds a bit beefier and less screechy than some other bridge pickups. Texas Loco in the bridge (7.6K), and 2 x Pig Irons in the middle and neck (5.5K and 6K respectively). The bottom of the page here:
Guitar Pickups from Axetec - IronGear Pickup Combinations & Sets

I think if you are looking for a "clean and smooth" sound, but still able to play rock stuff on an overdriven amp, perhaps you should be considering Alnico II pickups. The IronGear 6TS set are Alnico II and MIGHT be what you are looking for:
Guitar Pickups from Axetec - IronGear Vintage 6TS

I really liked the Vanson "Classic Pro" Alnico V set I had in a Strat copy about a year ago, but they are currently not installed and I would find it hard to describe the sound. A lot nicer and "wider" in sound than bog standard medium output ceramic Strat pickups, and half way between "vintagey" and modern in terms of Strat sound.
VANSON 'Classic Pro' Alnico V Ivory/Cream Single Coil Pickup Set for S – Vanson Guitars

SnazzyGeezer · April 11

Thanks for the information this stuff is gold.

Funkfingers · April 14

SnazzyGeezer said:

I'm looking for some pickups for my Squier Strat build

What is the fingerboard radius on that? 9½", 12" or flatter?

SnazzyGeezer said:
Alegree old timers

I have a trio of these in a Cort G200. (2x Chimer, 1x Blazer 12k Rails.)

The Chimers have some of the A2 smoothness and dynamics that you admired in Seymour Duncan APS-1 single coils. For a hotter single coil in the bridge/Treble position, consider the Striker model.

IMO, a Squier Affinity STRAT would go rather well with an Alegree Old Timer Scorcher/Chimer/Blazer set.