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Fender CS 60s pickups compeard

Neumann

New member
Joined
Jan 18, 2022
Messages
3
Hi, I have some questions about Fender CS 60s PU

I want a warm tone without shrill high end, I won't get distortion too much when I turn up the volume, which PU should I go?

I see the PU spec chart HW 60 、HW 64 both has lowest output, HW60 used alnico 2 、HW 64 alnico 5

does anyone share about experience? thanks!

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somebodyelseuk

Well-known member
Joined
Jun 10, 2020
Messages
454
I'm on the lookout for 1960 Strat pickups, myself.
I wouldn't consider any of those, but the nearest to what I'm after is the HW60 - if they were A5, I'd think about it.
I'm looking for 'made the way they used to' and they didn't make calibrated sets. They made ONE pickup, pulled three from a bucket and soldered them where they landed.
Something most people overlook/don't know about is that from 59 to 67 Fender put an aluminium shield plate (not a thin foil) on the back of the scratchplate, which has a similar effect to a cover on a humbucker.

Sorry, I didn't answer how you wanted.
 

Neumann

New member
Joined
Jan 18, 2022
Messages
3
I'm on the lookout for 1960 Strat pickups, myself.
I wouldn't consider any of those, but the nearest to what I'm after is the HW60 - if they were A5, I'd think about it.
I'm looking for 'made the way they used to' and they didn't make calibrated sets. They made ONE pickup, pulled three from a bucket and soldered them where they landed.
Something most people overlook/don't know about is that from 59 to 67 Fender put an aluminium shield plate (not a thin foil) on the back of the scratchplate, which has a similar effect to a cover on a humbucker.

Sorry, I didn't answer how you wanted.
I have heard original 60s strat, it's has very low output and has roll off on high end, I think that's magnetic decay
I think if I go with new CS PU with alnico 5, the sounds will very different.
maybe choose alnico 2 and low outpu PU more close vintage sound?
just my little opinion
 

Neumann

New member
Joined
Jan 18, 2022
Messages
3
For example like the video, I'm not sure what PU used on CS 64, maybe HW 64?
but original 64s sounds like that I have heard
 

somebodyelseuk

Well-known member
Joined
Jun 10, 2020
Messages
454
I have heard original 60s strat, it's has very low output and has roll off on high end, I think that's magnetic decay
I think if I go with new CS PU with alnico 5, the sounds will very different.
maybe choose alnico 2 and low outpu PU more close vintage sound?
just my little opinion
I agree. That aluminium shield plate has a lot to do with the high roll off, but I agree about the A5 magnets. I've always thought of an A2 as being a useful aged A5 substitute, but unless they're abused, AlNiCo magnets don't actually decay significantly - about 2% per hundred years, apparently.
As I said, of the options you list, my choice would be the HW60.
I think, but don't hold me to it, that the CS64 has Fat 60s in it. I would advise trying the guitar in person, though, if you can, simply because youtube clips aren't necessarily representative of what it sounds like 'in the flesh'.
 

somebodyelseuk

Well-known member
Joined
Jun 10, 2020
Messages
454
Hi, I have some questions about Fender CS 60s PU

I want a warm tone without shrill high end, I won't get distortion too much when I turn up the volume, which PU should I go?

I see the PU spec chart HW 60 、HW 64 both has lowest output, HW60 used alnico 2 、HW 64 alnico 5

does anyone share about experience? thanks!

View attachment 16840
Hiya.
Thought I'd update you on how my search for the 'definitive' set of 60s pickups went.
I contacted a winder here in the UK called Radioshop, based in South Wales. They do a set called the 'Case Study '63 set', which are based on a '63 Strat they were given access to measure every detail possible, without unwinding the pickups.
I bought a set, but requested that they fit mine with equal length leads. They arrived a couple of weeks later, I pulled them 'blindfold' from the box and "soldered them where they landed". They're A5, 42AWG Formvar etc with readings of (bridge to neck on MY set) of 5.9/5.9/6.1k.
I fitted them, along with Bare Knuckles 280k pots, a 0.1 uF cap, the aluminium shield plate and a steel block trem.
I was so blown away with them that I had them make me a set to a spec similar to a '54 (a variation of their Vintage '57s).
I'm extremely happy with both sets.
 

akstrat61

Well-known member
Joined
Feb 16, 2004
Messages
1,845
Most of you have heard of Wizz pups for your LP’s. I had him wire me a set of Strat pups that are absolutely fantastic. Not sure he is doing this anymore, but might be worth a try? I have a set of Wizz pups 8n my Skinnerburst as well.
 
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