In the world of guitar, It really doesn’t get much more “classic” than the Les Paul, the Stratocaster, and the Telecaster. They are the tools of Rock ‘n’ Roll, and defined the sound of Classic Rock.
Throughout our decades of care, research, and craftsmanship, Seymour Duncan has been able to offer pickups that achieve guitar tones spanning from vintage to modern and everywhere in between for all three of these guitar models… But, what if what you’re chasing is specific, and you know exactly the tone that you’re after? What if what you crave is the power and punch of Page’s or Townshend’s LP, or the snarl and aggression of Keith Richard’s Tele, or the thickness and bite of Ritchie Blackmore’s Strat? What if what you must have are the tones of Classic Rock?
In this episode of Seymour’s Studio, Kevin showcases three pickup sets that are ideal for playing Classic Rock in three iconic guitars – the Les Paul, Stratocaster, and Telecaster!
Saturday Night Special Humbucker Set:
In the Les Paul, Kevin shows us the Saturday Night Special Humbucker Set. The Saturday Night Special Humbuckers bridge the output level gap between vintage 50s and modern humbuckers and use a unique Alnico IV magnet, making this pickup set perfect for replicating legendary Classic Rock tones. Unlike traditional P.A.F. humbuckers, the Saturday Night Special humbuckers are voiced to be a little hotter and fatter in the bridge position, and a little clearer and less “wooly” in the neck. They’re more aggressive than 50s-style models, but without the compression of most high gain pickups.
SSL-4 Quarter Pound Flat for Stratocaster Set:
Kevin pays homage to legendary Deep Purple guitarist Ritchie Blackmore, demonstrating the huge Stratocaster tone that Ritchie’s favorite pickups can provide. The SSL-4 Quarter Pound Flat for Strat Set will transform any Stratocaster into a mean growling beast. These high output pickups will give you big, beefy chords, and single notes will jump out in a way that no other pickup can deliver. The individually hand polished ¼” diameter alnico 5 magnets help to give it plenty of the high-end sparkle and upper midrange harmonics that make this pickup so special. The middle pickup is RW/RP for noiseless operation in positions 2 & 4.
Little 59/Vintage Stack for Telecaster Set:
Kevin shows us just how chunky and powerful a Tele can really sound with a Little 59 for Tele bridge and Vintage Stack for Tele in the neck position. The Little ‘59 for Tele bridge model is like putting a well-balanced, full sized P.A.F. into the bridge position of your Tele. This medium output, single coil sized pickup has a nice, even bass and treble response with a slightly scooped midrange that gives it that classic, full bodied humbucker sound. The 4-conductor lead wire gives you access to parallel and split wiring options for added versatility. The Vintage Rhythm Stack is a noiseless Tele neck pickup that delivers classic output and tone. The lows are full and warm and the treble response has that classic spank.
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About Seymour's Studio:
Every Tuesday we launch a new episode straight from Seymour’s studio here in Santa Barbara. Seymour’s Studio covers a range of topics: stories from Seymour himself (and trust us, he’s got a few); other in-house pickup/pedal gurus covering how-to’s and other educational info; even artists interviews. We hope you dig it and if you have a question or topic you want us to cover visit us at http://seymourduncan.net/seymoursstudio