by alanbakewell » 26 Jul 2017, 21:22
Hi Dale, I too have a Fender CS 56 NOS Stratocaster. I bought it, new, from Peter Cooks Guitar World
in 2004. The only thing I've changed is the tremolo for a Callaham block and stainless steel arm.
I've never even dreamed of changing the Custom Shop Fat 50's pickups.
You ask about CS 54's. I have a 50th Anniversary Stratocaster. The real 50th anniversary. Two tone
sunburst, maple neck, 50th Anniversary case and, Custom Shop 54 pickups. And.....I changed
the tremolo for a Callaham block and stainless steel arm. I've owned the 50th Anniversary for about
ten years now. I fitted the Callaham block and arm shortly after purchasing the guitar.
In my opinion, ( and my opinion is all it is because everyone hears things differently ), the Custom
Shop 54's are not as full a sound as the Fat 50's on the 56 NOS.
So, my answer to changing the pickups on your 56 NOS is, don't even think about it.
I recently purchased a 1997 USA Standard Stratocaster. My plan was to try a different set of pickups
and, of course, replace the block and arm with a Callaham. The theory being that I got the guitar
at a reasonable price and there would be no harm done with a bit of experimentation.
So far I'm perfectly happy with the sound as it is. ( Again, my opinion ).
One last thing for now. The main item apart from the guitar and the amplifier giving me a
Shadows sound is my Zoom G3X with Ross Hall's patches.
Again, there are many effects pedals and many different opinions.
I hope this helps you.
Cheers, Alan.
To know and have known the love of a little dog is a truly wonderful thing.