Cable Strat
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 LOCK Sun Lite Cable 3mmX33f STRAT SEAT LEASH  US $5.68
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The Foundation of Tone: Guitar Pickups
As guitarists, we're obsessed with tone and finding the right gear to work for the sound we are after, for our band, or for the studio. We've tried a whole lot of guitars, amps, pedals and everything else looking for that "it" thing. We've come across some things that have worked for us, and some that have been a frustrating purchase because the hype didn't match the gear. For every good gear purchase we've made, there's probably a few we've regretted making. Since one can never have enough gear, we are always looking for what can improve our sound and our setup.
The part of the setup that often gets overlooked or ignored is the pickups. We've spent a lot of money on guitars, cables, pedals, and amps, but so often replacing the pickups has not been a part of the equation for seeking better tone. The basic job of a pickup is the translating of the string vibration into a small electric signal that goes through the rest of the setup and then gets amplified. A well made and designed pickup can be crafted to more accurately translate what is being played. Since the pickups job is to capture what you are playing, it is crucial to your tone.
Pickups can be custom designed to capture and translate your tone through a variety of ways: Each magnet type used in a pickup has certain tonal qualities. Pickups can be wound with different wire types and sizes to match vintage specs, or give you a modern sound. Each wire type can also be wound with different tension and number of turns, and the pattern of the wire can effect the tone as well. All of these design factors can be matched with styles of the player and the woods in the guitar to make a truly custom tone translation for the player. All of the sudden your guitar will sound better, and you might end up holding on to some of the rest of your gear line since a more custom and accurate translation is now headed through it!
There's a wide range of great pickup companies out there. Spend some time researching what each offers and learning more about what you are looking for. Chances are the more you know ahead of time, the closer a pickup maker can get you what you are after. Just make sure to warn others of the impending face melting (See: Indiana Jones and the Raiders of the Lost Ark).
Brian Porter is the owner of Porter Pickups. He started Porter Pickups as part of his obsession for tone, and the desire to offer others custom made pickups at an affordable price with the look and sound they are after. Visit his website at www.porterpickups.com
About the Author
Brian Porter is the owner of Porter Pickups. His company specializes in hand wound pickups for electric guitars. They have several models of replacement pickups such as Strat, Tele, Humbuckers and P-90's. Visit the Porter Pickups Website at http://www.porterpickups.com
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Seymour Duncan SSL-2 Strat Pickup $54.99 This Strat pickup is designed for use with most Strat -size pickup-equipped guitars and features a waxed cloth hookup cable that allows for easy connection. |
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Squier Affinity Strat Pack - Black $249.99 This guitar pack features a Squier Affinity Strat , 15-watt / two-channel amp, stereo headphones, instructional DVD, chromatic tuner, strap, gig bag, cable and picks. Everything you need to Stop Dreaming and Start Playing! |
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Squier Affinity Strat Pack - Blue $249.99 This guitar pack features a Squier Affinity Strat , 15-watt / two-channel amp, stereo headphones, instructional DVD, chromatic tuner, strap, gig bag, cable and picks. Everything you need to Stop Dreaming and Start Playing! |
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Seymour Duncan SSL-1 Staggered Strat Pickup $54.99 This staggered Strat pickup features a single-coil design for a focused tone and light bass response. The waxed cloth hookup cable allows for easy connection. |
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Pink Strat $11.49 Pink Strat |
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Seymour Duncan SSL-1 Staggered Strat Pickup - Black $64.99 This staggered Strat pickup features a reverse wound, reverse polarity design that ensures hum canceling for pure sound. The waxed cloth hookup cable allows for easy connection and helps deliver a light bass response. |
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Fender Strat $6.99 Fender Strat - Poster |
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Seymour Duncan APS-1 Alnico II Pro Staggered Strat Pickup - Black $54.99 This staggered Strat pickup features Alnico II rod magnets and moderate windings for natural string vibration. The waxed cloth hookup cable allows for easy connection and helps deliver an impressive bass response. |
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Electric 39-inch Strat Guitar $199.55 This guitar features classic styling and a double cutaway body that allows easy access to top frets making this perfect for beginner and intermediate players. A beautiful maple neck and rosewood fretboard add sophistication to this electric guitar.Color: Pink, transparent red, natural black, metallic blue, white black, zebra, white white, cherry sunburst, natural white, transparent green, sunburst, metallic red, black, silver Materials: Maple, rosewood Perfect for the beginner or intermediate playerSolid bodyThree powerful single coil pickups One volume and two tone controlsFive position pickup selector switchBeautiful maple neck with adjustable truss rod and reinforced bolt-on neckVintage fulcrum bridge with six adjustable saddles3-ply pickguardGig bagTremolo barCable includedDimensions for each piece: 39 inches high x 12 inches wide x 2 inches deepWeight: 9 pounds |
