Product: Brierley Pickups 50s Handwound Set
Price Paid: 263
Submitted
05/25/2009
at
07:28pm
by
strataminor
Email: strataminor at hotmail<dot>com
Features
:
Single coils, in true vintage style and sound. Bridge was custom handwound hotter at 8.3k for greater output and clarity.
Instrument
:
Installed in a ash body Highway One Stratocaster, 60s reissue style neck. Set replaces all positions. Didn't like the harsh bright Highway one PUPS and wanted a smooth vintage tone that really shines on clean or overdrive.
Sound
:
No Opinion
Amazing! The difference that a hand wound set can do, for basically the same as a set of mass produced Fender Custom Shops, Fralins, Kinmans etc...is like chalk and cheese. First thing I noticed was just how smooth the tone was. Full of dynamics, responsive, so articulate and pure, reflects all your nuances (makes you want to play WAY BETTER!!). Even the bridge is amazing, without any effects, reverb or anything. The test of a great pup is that it sounds fantastic going direct into a decent amp (preferably tube as I am using a Laney VC30 112).
The neck is beautiful, but not too boxy or too over the top "Fender" sound. Yes, it has that famous Strat 'Bell' tone, but really clear, with great mids, tight bass with the slightest touch of compression to them. The sound really just powers out, but not in a large output way, but with just a fat 50's type of tone, but way better. I played "Fender custom Shop Fat 50's" for years, and now I have found something that takes that tone, and adds more maturity, clarity and tone to it. Mick will look after you, and work through to get you what you want. Seriously, want something to grow with you? The middle pup is now usable, and the in between positions are magic. I just want to play so much better!! Get a 50s, 60s or his fat sounding 70's set (my next purchase!) and make your guitar sing, shine, growl and do all the things you want it to do.
Best $263 I ever spent (pretty cheap for hand wound custom pups!!)
Overall Rating
:
No Opinion
Yes, would replace them again. I mean, I play a simple chord progression through a chorus, and my goodness, it was so clear, beautiful and had a clarity despite the chorus effect that can muddy things. I totally love this set of 'fat' 50s he did (I got him to overwind just slightly with a hot bridge).
