Chubtone Custom Pickups '67 Reverse Strat

Actually a custom '67 set, I ordered the bridge to be a custom alnico II pickup for a rounder and sweeter top end.

These pickups went into a big headstock strat with a Highway 1 body. Since it is a seventies strat and I really like that hollow sound of my '73 black maple stratocaster it should have these '67's to sound period correct.

You like the sound of Edie Hazel, Hendrix, Gilmour and Tommy Bolin?
Well, this is my third chubtone set. What I really like about Mike Grays products is that he knows his stuff and the names of his pickups are not just numbers but really nails the sound of that area. His great '69's are sounding roughly the same but rounder and meatier, these '67's have more dipped mids -as he claims- and will sound not as smooth when overdriven but give a big hairy bark. Very much like the pickups of my '82 Smith strat - I love those to- but they can sound a bit hifi and "dry"; the '67's are more lively, very close to that early seventies Gilmour sound that we all love. The Alnico II in the bridge perfectly complements the '67's; a bit louder and a tad less highs but still smooth Fenderish, very much like the famous Fender X-1 pickup of the early eighties. If you have a late seventies strat with a puny and thin funky sound.... try this. It remains funky but it will add more psychodelic shimmer and belltone. People who want a big texas SRV sound, try his '63's.

When I contacted Mike, he always answered prompt on my emails and was very helpfull to answer specific questions about little silly details only guitarplayers seem to have. Since he doesn't seems to accept custom orders the only way to get his pickups is on Ebay. Don't let the inexpensive price fool you, the others charge to much as it seems.

Pickup features: single coil - set of three
Impedence or other specs: neck and midlle around 5,8 k/ bridge around 6,75 k - reverse wound middle pickup for humfree operation

Model of guitar or bass: Genuine '67 Fender stratocaster
Position: all positions
Pickup being replaced: Fender Voodoo pickups
Other pickups on guitar: n/a
Artists using this pickup: Me!
You musical style(s): Blues, Countryrock, Jive, Rock '& Roll, Rockabilly, western swing
Reason for pickup change: The Voodoo pickups gave me the lefthanded stagger and related balance, but sounded very harsh and very thin in the bridge position. I was looking for a 'truer' sound.

Perceived output level: As the name implies, not shrill or thin, not fat or muddy, but 'chubby' and still balanced and clear
Tone: Well balanced with balls and just enough extra oompff at the bridge without being overpowering.
Sonic evaluation: I amusing either a handbuilt replica of and old Tweed de luxe (5E3-type) or a point to point handbuilt Class A - 2 x El 84 combo by (dutch ampbuilder) Yde Rosier, called 'the Inside'. It's better and more versatile than a matchless/bad cat (I had both) and sounds true to the guitar plugged in. The guitar used is a genuine '67 strat which unfortunately came without the original pickups/pickguard (the rest is original).

For which styles and positions is this pickup (un)suitable: The set is balanced, with slightly and purposely mismatched coils for better quack in 'in between' positions.

Comments: I have been playing for over thirty years, I have played or am still playing many musicstyles in different bands, like a power blues trio, original folkrock stuff, classic rock, zydeco/tex-mex and rock 'n roll, polka tc etc.
I have owned many guitars, amps and pedals and still own quite a few - here we go (I can hear you yawn) - '55 Gretsch duo-jet, '59 Les Paul special, '63 ES-335, '65 Gibson SG standard, '66 telecaster, '67 Stratocaster, '67 Gretsch Nashville, Rickenbacker 381V69, Home built bariton telecaster, Metropolitan Tanglewood, Gibson J200, Robin Ranger pro and octave guitar, Amistar Tricone, Gibson '59 historic Les Paul flametop, Burns Brain May and shocks: Line 6 variax 500 (for recording purposes).
I've had Seymour duncan antiquities in my '67 strat (close but no cigar), Lindy Fralin blues specials (very good but too 'bloated') and the Fender Voodoo pickups (to thin and harsh). I like these pickups for the fact that they were handwound with the right spec wire and material for the periode (the closest I am going to get to a real set of '67 pickups) by a dedicated person who knows waht he's doing. I also like the extra vibe, created by the lefthand magnet stagger. This set has got slightly more balls than a standard set, but no too much so that it doesn't sound overpowered or bloated as the Fralin's did - my old strat sounds a lot more balanced and real and also has more sustain than with the previous sets of pickups.
If they were stolen, it would mean my old strat would be missing as well, but if by any weird coincidence the thief only stole the pickups, I would probably order the same set again from Mike at Chubtone. After all, a '67 strat needs '67 pickups, doesn't it?
Mike will wind you anything custom of any periode correct set of pickups at nearly half the cost of the other 'boutique winders' so give him a go - you won't be dissapointed