• From: Detroit
  • Registered: 2006-06-02
  • Posts: 5,807

Topic: Getting rid of my Texas Specials

Hey all,

Shoot me an email if you want my Texas Specials. I'd like to sell em, but since this is a message board and not ebay (or craigslist for that matter) - I won't put the details except for "why." My neck pickup is shorted out and does not work. At least I think there is a short in it. The middle and bridge pickup work great. I never really liked their tone, so I'd like to get rid of em.

Plus I'm taking recommendations as to what to replace them with. Was looking at RioGrande's.

- Nic from Detroit... posting on JB's Forum since 6-2-2006
Ask me about my handwound Great Lakes Guitar Pickups
Since 2010, Bonamassa fans have taken advantage of my JB friend discount = my cost + shipping. cool
  • From: N. Little Rock, AR.
  • Registered: 2007-03-02
  • Posts: 463

Re: Getting rid of my Texas Specials

Yeah, I can't stand the Texas Specials. I bet you'll be much happier with just about anything else.

    Rios are great! And nowadays, there are a LOT of great choices. So, you need to try and define what you're wanting. Also, what Amp you primarily play through. All the choices will be "Start" PUs. Not too much difference. But, if you choose wisely, you'll get a really nice mix.

    So, hotter than standard? Weaker, and more Vintage? Do you want a HB in the Bridge position? etc.

    Here's some great choices:

Seymour Duncan
Dimarzio
Fralin
Lollar
GFS
Armstrong
Rio Grande
Van Zandt
Fender
Bare Knuckle

    And there's a whole lot more!

    I would suggest going to every Music Store you can find, and playing every Strat (And, Strat-Styled guitar) you can. Listen to them all. See what brand and model PUs each has. Are there any commonalities between the ones you prefer? Or, between the ones you don't care for?

    Here's some choices for more "Vintage" type Tones:

    Fender 57/62s (Early 80s models), Lollar Tweeds, Lollar Blondes, Fralin Vintage, SD Antiquities, Bare Knuckle Irish Tour, Rio Vintage TallBoys

    For more "Modern" Tones:

   Fralin Blues Specials, SD Alnico Pro 2,
    Hotter PUs:

    SD Quarter Pounder (A personal Favorite. Kind of like a mini P-90!), Dimarzio HS-3, Rio Muy Grande

    Hope this helps to get you started. Also, check the website for ACME Guitarworks. They have a bunch of sound clips to listen to. So does the SD website.

Early 80's 1957 U.S. Vintage Reissue Stratocaster (Surf Green)-Warmouth Soloist  Pearly Gates Neck, Pearly Gates Bridge- Larrivee D-03 (Mahogany/ Spruce)
Carmen Ghia Head- Marshall 112 Cab W/G12H 30  or  Custom 4 X 6v6 Head  or  Budda Twinmaster Plus Head-Traynor 212 Cab w/Eminence Texas Heats. 
Mo'D-Eternity-Blues Pro- Timmy-BYOC Chorus/Vibrato- TC SCF- Korg DT 10 Pedal Tuner

3 Reply by Fandango1 (edited by Fandango1 2009-02-19 07:03:06)

  • From: Oakley, CA USA
  • Registered: 2007-05-24
  • Posts: 40

Re: Getting rid of my Texas Specials

NPB_EST.1979 wrote:

Hey all,

Shoot me an email if you want my Texas Specials. I'd like to sell em, but since this is a message board and not ebay (or craigslist for that matter) - I won't put the details except for "why." My neck pickup is shorted out and does not work. At least I think there is a short in it. The middle and bridge pickup work great. I never really liked their tone, so I'd like to get rid of em.

Plus I'm taking recommendations as to what to replace them with. Was looking at RioGrande's.

Went through the same thing...my Texas Specials are stored(special of course) in a box with all the rest of my costly ventures...I ended up likin and keepin my Kinmans...powerful, bluesy if ya want, but a bit more punch than those Texas things...check'em out...they are outta Australia but the transition was seamless...Good Luck ...Tim V

PS Fralins are good too! Run those in my Tele...

CURRENTLY: CAT5 JB PLEXI 50W, CAT5 1900 50W, Split 4x12 cab.
Fender Strat, Tele. Gibson LP including ole #174 JB Goldtop...

In heaven right now with the CAT5 rig!!!

4 Reply by JohnTB (edited by JohnTB 2009-02-19 16:57:36)

  • From: Lancashire
  • Registered: 2008-02-26
  • Posts: 700

Re: Getting rid of my Texas Specials

Im looking at a set of Bare Knuckle Apaches they sound very nice, if you go on the BK site there is a forum sound has a comparison between Irish Tours, Mothers Milk and Apaches (the 3 vintage type pick ups) http://bareknucklepickups.co.uk/forum/i … pic=1625.0

  • From: Was NY now FL/GA line
  • Registered: 2007-12-16
  • Posts: 2,855

Re: Getting rid of my Texas Specials

Check out my friend Jareds site http://www.brandonwoundpickups.com He'll make you a set to your specs. Don't like them, return them for a full refund. Guaranteed. Including tone.

I also have heard that Sliders Vintage Classics are good too. Slider only sells on ebay as far as I know.

  • From: Florida, USA
  • Registered: 2008-06-04
  • Posts: 1,420

Re: Getting rid of my Texas Specials

My favorite Strat pickups as of late are a set of '69 custom shops...they come stock on these guitars:
http://guitars.musiciansfriend.com/prod … sku=512767

I love them for the SRV/Hendrix/Trower thing better than Texas Specials, but are not the best choice if you are looking for more of the Clapton/Johnson/Gilmore smooth tones.  For the latter, I like the SCN pickups that come in the American Deluxe Stratocasters which are noiseless and very smooth sounding.

'67 and '74 Fender Twin Reverbs, '74 Marshall 1987 lead mkII, Metro Superlead 100. Pedals from TC Electronic, Ibanez, Dunlop, BK Butler, Electro-Harmonix, Fulltone, Maestro/Gibson, Loopmaster switching, VoodooLab, Boss. Gibson and Fender guitars, Dimarzio pickups.
  • From: Detroit
  • Registered: 2006-06-02
  • Posts: 5,807

Re: Getting rid of my Texas Specials

I don't know. I'm a Les Paul guy 1st. I get so fatigued when I look at single coil pickups. It's like walking around in an art gallery all day, you like art - but tired of looking at it.

What I'm really getting sick of (and no offense) is all the pickups that claim the "SRV" or "Hendrix" or "insert legendary strat player here" tone. What if I DON'T want freaking SRV tone? What if I want it to sound like a strat!? Is that too much to ask? I want it to sparkle like a strat, not too muddy and not too much quack, and not too much hum... if it sounds 'vintage' I'm sort of interested, and it if is noiseless - ok whatever... as long as it sounds like a strat I'll be happy.

The texas specials really got me away from pickups that claim "sounds like SRV" I'm tired of the marketing cliche.

sorry for the rant.

- Nic from Detroit... posting on JB's Forum since 6-2-2006
Ask me about my handwound Great Lakes Guitar Pickups
Since 2010, Bonamassa fans have taken advantage of my JB friend discount = my cost + shipping. cool
  • From: Lancashire
  • Registered: 2008-02-26
  • Posts: 700

Re: Getting rid of my Texas Specials

totally warranted I think NPB too many claims these days smile

  • ken
  • ken
  • Titanium
  • Offline
  • From: Orlando, FL
  • Registered: 2007-05-28
  • Posts: 949

Re: Getting rid of my Texas Specials

For great sounding pickups without all the hype, check out www.billlawrence.com. Have heard great things about the keystone brand (not noiseless, but still very quiet), or his noisless strat or tele sets. I have a couple of his tele pickups (noiseless singles and twin blades) and they sound great. Also much cheaper than others because he has been designing pickups (for Fender and Gibson) for over 40 years and owns all his equipment outright ($40-$48). He also has humbuckers.

Click on the Wilde link for descriptions of his different brands.

Warning: This is the most poorly designed website I've ever seen, and they don't answer emails consistently. The best way to contact them is by phone.

NPB_EST.1979 wrote:

I don't know. I'm a Les Paul guy 1st. I get so fatigued when I look at single coil pickups. It's like walking around in an art gallery all day, you like art - but tired of looking at it.</br id="pun_quote_tag"></br id="pun_quote_tag">What I'm really getting sick of (and no offense) is all the pickups that claim the "SRV" or "Hendrix" or "insert legendary strat player here" tone. What if I DON'T want freaking SRV tone? What if I want it to sound like a strat!? Is that too much to ask? I want it to sparkle like a strat, not too muddy and not too much quack, and not too much hum... if it sounds 'vintage' I'm sort of interested, and it if is noiseless - ok whatever... as long as it sounds like a strat I'll be happy.</br id="pun_quote_tag"></br id="pun_quote_tag">The texas specials really got me away from pickups that claim "sounds like SRV" I'm tired of the marketing cliche.</br id="pun_quote_tag"></br id="pun_quote_tag">sorry for the rant.

  • From: N. Little Rock, AR.
  • Registered: 2007-03-02
  • Posts: 463

Re: Getting rid of my Texas Specials

I'm with you, Bro! As much as I loved SRV, I won't ever sound like him. And I want a Strat to sound like a Strat!

    I would look into the Fralins, Lollars, and yeah, the Bill Lawrence PUs are very nice. I forgot about those. tongue


    And also, I forgot to mention Suhr. He has some really nice PUs available. Seriously good stuff.

    But, my first choice bar none, is the early 80s 57/62 Fender PUs. I feel that these are the closest they've come to nailing the Vintage Tones.

    And even though many people like them, I absolutely can't stand the "noiseless" variations out there. They all suck the Tone right out of the guitar, AFAIC. Kind of like playing a "Modeled" guitar. Might as well play a Variax! LOL

    Strats hum a little.

    Anyway, I hope you find what works for you. We can all share our opinions, but you probably need to play some guitars first-hand. And let us know what you find. It'll be cool to hear what you decide on, and why.

Early 80's 1957 U.S. Vintage Reissue Stratocaster (Surf Green)-Warmouth Soloist  Pearly Gates Neck, Pearly Gates Bridge- Larrivee D-03 (Mahogany/ Spruce)
Carmen Ghia Head- Marshall 112 Cab W/G12H 30  or  Custom 4 X 6v6 Head  or  Budda Twinmaster Plus Head-Traynor 212 Cab w/Eminence Texas Heats. 
Mo'D-Eternity-Blues Pro- Timmy-BYOC Chorus/Vibrato- TC SCF- Korg DT 10 Pedal Tuner
  • From: Florida, USA
  • Registered: 2008-06-04
  • Posts: 1,420

Re: Getting rid of my Texas Specials

I have to disagree about the noiseless thing, you can't tell me that Eric Clapton, David Gilmour, and Joe Bonamassa (when using the Clapton strats) sounded "modeled" or sterile.  I loved the original Lace Sensor-era Clapton Strats and hated the ones with the "standard" noiseless pickups.  But Fender got it right with the SCN pickups.  I'm a total believer in the noiseless thing.  BTW from what you described the SCN would be perfect (not blatently SRV wannabe sound, not super quacky Knopfler, not mega smooth Gilmour/Johnson but a little bit off all of them rolled in to one).  Try a American Deluxe and I think you will be pleasantly surprised.  Good luck on the hunt for the perfect single coil, it's a long and tedious adventure!

'67 and '74 Fender Twin Reverbs, '74 Marshall 1987 lead mkII, Metro Superlead 100. Pedals from TC Electronic, Ibanez, Dunlop, BK Butler, Electro-Harmonix, Fulltone, Maestro/Gibson, Loopmaster switching, VoodooLab, Boss. Gibson and Fender guitars, Dimarzio pickups.

12 Reply by ken (edited by ken 2009-02-20 21:58:34)

  • ken
  • ken
  • Titanium
  • Offline
  • From: Orlando, FL
  • Registered: 2007-05-28
  • Posts: 949

Re: Getting rid of my Texas Specials

I have kinmans in my strat...I really like them alot, but pricey.

Fandango1 wrote:

Went through the same thing...my Texas Specials are stored(special of course) in a box with all the rest of my costly ventures...I ended up likin and keepin my Kinmans...powerful, bluesy if ya want, but a bit more punch than those Texas things...check'em out...they are outta Australia but the transition was seamless...Good Luck ...Tim V

  • From: Detroit
  • Registered: 2006-06-02
  • Posts: 5,807

Re: Getting rid of my Texas Specials

When Buddy Guy's sig. strat came out, I got him quoted in Guitar One magazine that he wished it didn't come with Lace Sensors, but that was the 'new thing' and he was more or less stuck with it. He even preferred a regular single coil, but believes that no matter what "they" (Fender) won't make em like they used to.

who knows. I might try guitarfetish GFS pickups. Have had good luck with em, and not too pricey.

- Nic from Detroit... posting on JB's Forum since 6-2-2006
Ask me about my handwound Great Lakes Guitar Pickups
Since 2010, Bonamassa fans have taken advantage of my JB friend discount = my cost + shipping. cool
  • From: Was NY now FL/GA line
  • Registered: 2007-12-16
  • Posts: 2,855

Re: Getting rid of my Texas Specials

http://www.myspace.com/slidersvintagepickups

  • From: Detroit
  • Registered: 2006-06-02
  • Posts: 5,807

Re: Getting rid of my Texas Specials

cool sound. no contact info. I dont wanna sign up for myspace.

- Nic from Detroit... posting on JB's Forum since 6-2-2006
Ask me about my handwound Great Lakes Guitar Pickups
Since 2010, Bonamassa fans have taken advantage of my JB friend discount = my cost + shipping. cool
  • From: Was NY now FL/GA line
  • Registered: 2007-12-16
  • Posts: 2,855

Re: Getting rid of my Texas Specials

NPB_EST.1979 wrote:

cool sound. no contact info. I dont wanna sign up for myspace.

As I said before Slider sells on ebay. You can contact him via ebay for other sets he builds.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?Vi … 0377784222

This guy had a outstanding review of his pickups last month in ToneQuest Report. They don't give out favorable reviews unless the product is great.

Tell him I sent you.

  • From: Detroit
  • Registered: 2006-06-02
  • Posts: 5,807

Re: Getting rid of my Texas Specials

I ordered GFS Alnico II pickups
These were the first pickups I've ever soldered in myself. I MUST say they are great. Listen for yourself.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pzedeh9YbOQ

If you don't have that kind of time:
The Alnico II's sound more vintage, less output
The pole pieces are not dramatically staggered, more balanced
The middle pickup is NOT reverse wound, just like vintage pickups
And you can't say it sounds like SRV or any cornered sound except for it sounds like a STRAT.

When I wired it, I took Joe's advice and moved the tone control over to the bridge pickup. I now actually use my tone controls!

- Nic from Detroit... posting on JB's Forum since 6-2-2006
Ask me about my handwound Great Lakes Guitar Pickups
Since 2010, Bonamassa fans have taken advantage of my JB friend discount = my cost + shipping. cool