Pickups for Upgrading Encore Strat

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Re: Pickups for Upgrading Encore Strat

Postby SJB » Mon Oct 05, 2020 9:16 pm

Thanks Chaps
I think I will go for the Ironstone Golds.
Some time ago (1998) I shielded the body cavity fully and the pickguard. I noted at the time it then seemed to give a fuller sound (possibly as the extraneous noise cleared). But now I have the Deluxe and Roadhouse strats and also I am more astutely attuned as it were I feel better pickups will give me a reasonable single coil pickup guitar that is not too expensive.

Will follow up when installed. Possibly post a recording.
I do have a recording I did recently - Apache - so will do it again with the new PU's and post both.
I will consider the 10 way switch later.
SJB
 
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Re: Pickups for Upgrading Encore Strat

Postby Stu's Dad » Mon Oct 05, 2020 9:39 pm

I've got a Classic Vibe 50s Strat that produces great Shadows tones. The pickups have Fender stickers on the bottom but I've been reliably informed by Bor64 that they're actually Toneriders, and when I looked at the Tonerider range I found the Tonerider Surfaris which are identical in every way. They're alnico 3, which is probably authentic to the 50s. I'd certainly give them a whirl if I was looking to upgrade a set of Strat pickups.

I tried Ironstone Golds on another Strat I owned, and they're not bad, but not a patch on the Toneriders.

Len
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Re: Pickups for Upgrading Encore Strat

Postby SJB » Mon Oct 05, 2020 11:11 pm

Oh No!!! What do I do?

Decisions - Decisions

Thanks "Dad"
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Re: Pickups for Upgrading Encore Strat

Postby anniv 63 » Wed Oct 07, 2020 11:58 am

Likewise the Simon Neil Classic Vibe Model 60s Rosewood has these excellent
pickups by Tonerider indeed worth considering.

Mike
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Re: Pickups for Upgrading Encore Strat

Postby SJB » Wed Oct 14, 2020 9:58 pm

The new Ironstone pickups are installed.
I can't hear any difference from the original encore pickups. Maybe better level across the strings?
I had to open the pickup guard slots about 0.5mm each end of the slot - no problem.

Anyway I attach a recording mix of old and new.
As the track progresses phrase by phrase - first is the Old Pickup and then the Ironstone ones.
I have had to reduce the file size so only half the track.

Please bear with me on the standard of play. When doing the first take my eyes were flooding every time I looked down. (about 4 weeks ago).
Today (I don't think I have Covid) but I feel as if I have just come off a roundabout - and the strings on the encore are closer together (excuse).
Perhaps I should practice it a bit more - when you don't ---- it catches you out.

Here is the file - Apache
Comp Orig Pu and Ironstone ones.mp3
Comparison of Encore and Ironstone pickups
(539.59 KiB) Downloaded 448 times


I am wondering if as one uses different effects / pickup selections - then differences my be noticed.
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Re: Pickups for Upgrading Encore Strat

Postby Uncle Fiesta » Sat Oct 17, 2020 7:16 pm

I listened to the track through my best headphones - I can hear a slight difference. The Ironstones sound better to my ears but not by much.

You see, I did tell you I didn't like them!)
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Re: Pickups for Upgrading Encore Strat

Postby SJB » Tue Oct 20, 2020 3:19 pm

Uncle Fiesta wrote:I listened to the track through my best headphones - I can hear a slight difference. The Ironstones sound better to my ears but not by much.

You see, I did tell you I didn't like them!)


Well what can I say. :oops:
The recordings were made with my DAW using DAW speaker simulation and effects.
A couple of days ago I checked out the guitar with my G3x effects - into first my MV50/BC108 and then my AC10 (modern one).

These pickups are performing better than the original when using the amps - I think the volume levels across the strings is better - and I have not got some of the irritating ringing I used to try and eq out.
I found that the AC10 was much sharper / livelier than the MV50/BC108. AC10 with tone controls both centre and the MV50 tone centre.
If I turned the MV50 tone to max it performed almost exactly the same as the AC10.
A music friend suggested I go up from the 9-42's to 10's. I tend to keep to the 9's as I have had carpal tunnel ops on both hands. But with the narrower fingerboard on the Encore I think it will be ok.
There is quite a big difference in the fingerboards of my Delux Player and Roadhouse strats - to the Encore. But I am happy that I have a cheap workhorse I can take anywhere.

Just ordering new strings now. Being in Wales - been keeping safe and now lockdown again - need to get down to it when my vertigo finally passes off. At least I can stand now and use the PC.
Part of my decision to go Ironstone was that they are made in the UK.

Everyone keep safe
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Re: Pickups for Upgrading Encore Strat

Postby SJB » Thu Nov 05, 2020 10:27 pm

I Have fitted the new 10's strings.
This seems to have improved the fullness of the tone - especially the 1st string.
So this is ideal for playing shads stuff now. The heavier strings feel a bit tight - but then I realise I have not played much anyway so fingers are a bit weak.

The experience in working on the guitar has been good.

Still not fully out of the vertigo - been referred to ENT - but that could be a while away.
When I feel I am in a good patch I will bang out a recording - which is the best way to do this - "Soundcloud"? because the file size is limited here.
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