Black Stool

I had a plastic pickguard from WD Pickguards and I can't honestly recommend them. The screw holes didn't line up right...maybe it's my guitar...but the Fender pickguards fit perfect as I have tried two of theirs. The WD Pickguard...granted...I picked it...but it looked cheap. I should post a picture. Thanks GBT...didn't know that. I know that carbon fiber is strong...they have it in racecars and airplanes...just didn't know that it was scratch resistant. Interesting.

I've got an American Fender Strat and wanted preferably a stainless steel pickguard, but may consider an aluminum one. Something simple like polished metal or a suttle design pattern. I'm NOT going for that Sears/Craftsman tool look with diamond plating. For those of you with aluminum pickguards...Do they scratch easily being such a soft metal? Have you guys seen any good links on the internet? Here's what I found and hope that it helps you: 1) Precious Metals: I love their pickguards, but they appear to be out of business. Their website has a note that says that they "are under new management and are backlogged on emails"...but I have sent about 10 emails from 3 different email accounts over the course of 2 months and NADA! So it is beyond backlogged or very poorly managed under the new management. I tried going to their eBay store - closed. Tried buying on their online store - can't purchase anything. What of waste of cyber-space! 2) Trick Millusion...sold at MusiciansFriend...look awesome but the products were rated horribly by 30 voters! That is a really bad sign. Either the fit quality was poor (screw holes didn't line up) or the finish wasn't too nice or maybe the aluminum scratches too easily...either way...that's a lot of unhappy folks. 3) Sharp Concepts...they do respond to emails but their products might be a little too industrial for me and I'm not sure that I am going for that Sears/Craftsman tool look. Maybe you will like this though, and they are email responsive. 4) JW Custom...the same as 3...but they don't answer their emails (sent 2)...maybe it's the "new management" there too. 5) CMK Pickguards: here's a nice idea...carbon fiber...I just think that it may get scratched too easily...like a wood pickguard.

No audio samples for the S or the SV unfortunately. Looking over the PDF documents for the EMG sets...there's a battery! Does the 9v battery for these active humbuckers really make a difference from a passive humbucker? In other words, is it worth the duracell hassel for the tone? Over time, I wonder if the wood screws for the pickguard may not hold as well over time, due to the increase of pickguard removal/re-attachment that a battery replacement may require (even if it's 3 times a year...that's a lot over 10 years). The Bill Lawrence's site looks like it was designed by his grandkids! I haven't got the patience to read through that mess. For those that want to see what I mean: www.billlawrenceusa.com I need to get noiseless pups. I have countered the hum by turning 90 degrees to the monitor, running good cables, adjusting the guitar's wiring, re-grounding, and adding shielding paint...Yet, my guitar still hums as if it doesn't know the lyrics! For those that haven't done some of this stuff...here is a good reference: http://www.guitarnuts.com/wiring/index.

Ahhh....your right. On the EMG site...a couple of the non-sets...(single pups) had audio files. The sets don't. Thanks for setting me straight. Kinman: Yes...I too am wondering if I'm sane considering pickups that cost what a guitar costs...half the price of an american strat....Kinmans Blues set are a little hollow...I guess they are just your overwound variety. The MKII's sound full though. I tend to like hitting the lower end of the spectrum more frequently than the high notes...so I will keep that in mind. Someone ought to tell the guy to stream line the site as there is SO much information you just feel confused. How about sound samples with all the effects off? Some have reverb, some don't, not to mention the songs are all different. Sure that guy can play but it's not good for comparison's sake...in my opinion. EMG: I will keep an open mind here on the EMG's. Any opinions for or against these? Any particular models favored? The David Gilmour setup sounds interesting...kind of getting away from that strat look though. I do like the sound of the SA's clean...hits some nice lows...bet it sounds good clean with just a touch of fender reverb...argh argh argh! What's good for blues and rock in their lineup? Seymour Duncan: Yes the JB jr's were a disapointment and was thinking that maybe the pickups weren't well matched with the stock pickups in the bridge and neck. Is there anything to the "pot has to match the pickups"? That seems to be a popular idea on Kinman's site. Fender: Does Fender sell their S-1 pot? I think they are doing a bit of pickup mixing too with that new pot. I like the idea of mixing pickups...just not sure if I want to mess with the wiring, the pots, jacks, etc. I can definately do it...just think I might let the experts match it up for me so I can focus on the playing.

I've looked on every web page of their site and wasn't able to find any audio samples. Perhaps I am on the wrong site (EMGinc.com). If they don't have samples that would just be a bad marketing move, but I have seen it before with other pup companies...I just don't understand this. David Gilmour also has Seamour Duncans and Kinmans I believe...I guess it just depends which guitar of their stockpile they decide to play...that must be nice. Anyone try the Fender Deluxe's new pickups? The Fender SCN Samarium Cobalt Noiseless Stratocaster Pickup Set? I need to go play with this guitar at the store...I heard a sample at Kinman's site...it was suppose to be a comparison, but I kind of preferred the lower notes that these pups were hitting. Kinman's claim is that people claim that the lows aren't very well defined....hmmmm. Anyone more experienced than myself agree with that? I know he is selling...I just need to weed through his hype and reputation. Keep the opinions coming guys...thanks.

Thanks for the feedback guys. I wasn't considering the EMG's prior, but the pre-wiring idea might be a good idea. I have a Seymour Duncan JB Jr in the bridge now. I don't know if the pots need to be matched or if it's the Fender pickups in the neck and middle but I wasn't too excited about the outcome. I tend to love hearing the lower tones and was hoping it would balance out the variety of the guitar. Now I am a bit torn to keep that fender tone with a Fender or Kinman product...or go down the Seymour Duncan or EMG road. Looking over the Kinman's site...he chats about matching the pot to the type of pickup and pre-wiring like Fender's S1...I think he called it his K9 wiring/pot setup. I like that idea. EMG's are considerbly cheaper...so it appears...but I haven't heard much about them...this could be good and bad. I have been played some sound samples from Kinman and Seymour...it is helpful. It's hard to want to buy EMG's with no sound samples...couldn't find any on their site. Anyone know a company that does stainless steel scratch guards? Thanks for the feedback guys...keep the opinions coming as I am enjoying the feedback.

Hi guys...I was hoping for some suggestions on choosing guitar pickups for my Fender American Strat (3 single coil size). I will be using this guitar with a guitar plug-in (either Guitar Rig 2 or AmpliTube 2). My current pickups are the stock, noisy versions...they hum better than I do and I have shielded the wiring cavity. So I was wondering if you had pickup suggestions. I like rock, blues, pop...I would like something a bit diverse so I can use the one guitar. I have been researching the Kinman site, Seymour Duncan & Fender sites and I am honestly just overwhelmed. First off, noiseless is important for recording so I was considering 3 different setups and would be interested in your opinions: 1) Fender: SCN Samarium Cobalt Noiseless Stratocaster Pickup Set [$200]. Like on a Fender Strat Deluxe. Concerned about the quality as compared to another model or brand. 2) Seymour Duncan: JB Jr. SJBJ-1B [bridge, black], SDBR-1N Duckbuckers [$73, middle, black, keep it close to the strings or may seem weak], & Seymour Duncan SL59-1N Little ‘59 [$73, neck, black]. Concerned a little that this setup will take away from the Strat's value or hide the Fender tone. 3) Kinman: Not sure which model pickup will be the right one and not sure if I will go with a K7 or K9 pots & wiring configuration. So much information on his site. Anyone have experience with his products or have suggestions?