[lunasparks]

Multi-part question and request for opinions...

1. It is my understanding that Strat pickups were staggered pole until mid-1970s, but take a look at the 3:15 - 3:35 mark on the link below:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YLzUme1gN8c

Those look like maybe flat pole to me, what do you think? If so, would these be some kind of custom (non-Fender) pickups? Anyone know or have a guess as to what the specs are on these pups?

2. How much of a difference would it make to switch to flat from staggered? Any preferences and why?

3. I love his tone in this era and in this show in particular. I have a Super Champ XD with Eminence Copperhead speaker and Tungsol 6v6gt power tubes, GGG stratoblaster and 1988 AmStd strat (with, I believe, stock pickups). Could a pickup switch (or other mods) help me to get closer to this sound? Tall order, I know, but thoughts appreciated. Could trying to get something close to the pickups in this video help -- and how could I possibly figure out what they are?

Thanks,

Vince

[JonnyBoy]

I don't know about those pickups, but they are staggered poles. I too am a fan of this era, and this video is the best. The crowd, the scene, the way of life. What a treat to see the Dead in a venue like that!!! With the pranksters on home turf??!! Priceless. I haven't put pickups against pickups, but I have played a bunch of strats, and the old mid 50's strats play like that, or the best IMO. But they all can sound close. A lot of Jerry is technique and dynamics. I checked out a bunch of modded strats and vintage ones to see what I liked. Since I couldn't have a vintage 50's strat, I bought the Area '58 DiaMarrzio pickups. I play at high volumes frequently and I don't want single coil noise, so I tried the humbucking singles. I am NOT unhappy with that choice. I use two area '58's in the neck and middle and a '61 in the bridge (similar sound but hotter). I think I have a close sound to that era, but our tapes and archives of music from that era have only been put to non decaying digital formats since the mid late 80's. I try to gauge it from the Europe '72 CD to get a grasp on what the real tone is. There is a project on a fender site about an Alligator remake, or CLONE TO THE T, you may want to research it. There was a post and link to it here not long ago. Good luck, JB