Pickup Q’s: Piecing together a late ‘70s Strat (no wave/post punk trophy)

[preservation]

https://www.amazon.com/photos/shared/yA ... 7SIq0dBBmZ


Couldn’t resist this Strat body on clearance- especially because a friend recently gave me a Squier Affinity CBS neck (the headstock I instantly sprayed black).

I don’t always go for “relic” hardware, but I must say it tends to be quite comfy. I wanted to build something like I might find in 1979.

I’m going for a Gang of Four/Magazine/Clash/Stranglers aesthetic with a sound like Slint/Gang of Four/Sonic Youth, SO…

Should I really give a rip about pickups?

I haven’t futzed with Strats in a hot minute, and I’m not exactly after the Nile Rodgers quack funk sound. I know I don’t want lipsticks, but other than that… should I just find a cheapy set and maybe put a nice bridge PU in? That’s usually the PU I opt for most.


Any/all suggestions welcome. I don’t expect to buy a new set of Fralins or Lollars, but I know Porter pickups makes a $99 budget line…

Edit: years ago I never had trouble uploading/linking images, now I feel like a boomer!

[ThePearDream]

I've gotten great Strat (and Tele, JM, etc.) pickup sets under $100, from both Tone Hatch and Bootstrap

[threewordname]

Fixed that for you

[preservation]

THANK YOU!!!
I know that Bootstrap makes great stuff, I’ve heard of Tone Hatch…

[marqueemoon]

Sunday and Q pickups are two other affordablish pickups.

[preservation]

Sunday pickups are very nice but having gone through about three separate sets last year I’d not suggest his work unless you’re ready to really, really wait.

I’ve never heard of Q, but I’ll investigate.

Maybe I’m a weirdo but I mismatched pickups: unlike dirt pedals wherein massive dB shifts in modes drive me nuts, guitars that have huge jumps in tone/volume are exciting. That leads me to think that 2-3 wildly different pickups might do “wrong” in the best way.

[DaddyDom]

Hoping I don't desimplify your quest, but that was the prime era of brass nuts and phase switches.

[preservation]

Oh goodness… I’m even MORE interested now!!!

Edit:

Decided on some Bootstrap “Sun City Selects” for $55.
A Handwound set for $55? Why not? Worth the wait.
Then I won’t feel too bad if I wanna swap one of the pickups down the road.

I have a Bootstrap (Serrano?) humbucker in the bridge of a JM and it’s phenom.

[Jonesie]

Oh goodness… I’m even MORE interested now!!!

Edit:

Decided on some Bootstrap “Sun City Selects” for $55.
A Handwound set for $55? Why not? Worth the wait.
Then I won’t feel too bad if I wanna swap one of the pickups down the road.

I have a Bootstrap (Serrano?) humbucker in the bridge of a JM and it’s phenom.

Bootstrap pickups are great. I have some for my tele. Currently a Palo Duro in the bridge and a Pretzel in the neck. I also have a Pretzel bridge pickup that I may swap in.

[preservation]

Strat people:

Are there 2-point bridges, springs, and or wiring/caps that are must try?

I’ve never spec’d a Strat from zilch.