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Thread: Mod Shop Pickups

  1. #1
    Forum Member AudioHTIT's Avatar
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    Mod Shop Pickups

    Hi, new member looking for input on the current pickups available in the Fender Mod Shop, I’m doing a build with a relatively modern look and features. I don’t gig much anymore and mostly play either directly into Logic or GarageBand, or through a Helix LT pedal (sometimes only the pedal with headphones). Because of this, I’m less interested in the ‘native’ sound of the pickup, and more how it will work with effects and modeling.

    I’m leaning toward the “Generation 4 Noiseless” (or Noiseless HSS), because noise can sometimes distract or cause me to reposition, and again I’ll be modifying the sound (has anyone used these?) I’m also considering something ’different’ from my vintage Strats, like Texas Specials, but am open to most of the available options, considering my use case. I haven’t heard most of these pups.

    This page shows the Strat Mod Shop options, you can click pickups to see what’s available (some don’t let me choose the part colors I want, but most are good). Thanks for your thoughts.

    https://www.fender.com/en-US/mod-sho...181900706.html

  2. #2
    Forum Member phantomman's Avatar
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    Re: Mod Shop Pickups

    Your question is akin to asking the soda jerk behind the counter at Baskin-Robbin's what each of the thirty-one ice cream flavors tastes like.

    Basically, you pays your money and you takes your chances.
    "When injustice becomes law then rebellion becomes duty."

  3. #3
    Forum Member AudioHTIT's Avatar
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    Re: Mod Shop Pickups

    Quote Originally Posted by AudioHTIT View Post
    I’m leaning toward the “Generation 4 Noiseless” (or Noiseless HSS), because noise can sometimes distract or cause me to reposition, and again I’ll be modifying the sound (has anyone used these?)
    I’ll simplify the post …

    Has anyone used or heard Fender’s “Generation 4 Noiseless Pickups” (standard or HSS)? Do you have an opinion about them?

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    Forum Member Offshore Angler's Avatar
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    Re: Mod Shop Pickups

    No, but I've struggled with Fender Noiseless pickups over the years. You CAN make them sound halfway decent with enough mods and an EQ.
    "No harmonic knowledge, no sense of time, a ghastly tone, unskilled vibrato, and so on. Chuck is one of the worst guitar players I know" -Gravity Jim

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    Forum Member S. Cane's Avatar
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    Re: Mod Shop Pickups

    Quote Originally Posted by AudioHTIT View Post
    I’ll simplify the post …

    Has anyone used or heard Fender’s “Generation 4 Noiseless Pickups” (standard or HSS)? Do you have an opinion about them?

    Now it’s definitely easier to reply.

    Some folks, myself included, don’t like noiseless pickups. Others, like Phantomman, like them. Me, I did listen to most of the Fender noiseless options, and didn’t get along at all. I’m partial to Fat 50s on strats.

    What exactly are your needs regarding pickups?

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    Forum Member AudioHTIT's Avatar
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    Re: Mod Shop Pickups

    Deleted, formatting messed up

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    Forum Member AudioHTIT's Avatar
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    Re: Mod Shop Pickups

    Quote Originally Posted by Sérgio View Post
    Some folks, myself included, don’t like noiseless pickups. Others, like Phantomman, like them. Me, I did listen to most of the Fender noiseless options, and didn’t get along at all. I’m partial to Fat 50s on strats.

    What exactly are your needs regarding pickups?
    Quote Originally Posted by Offshore Angler View Post
    No, but I've struggled with Fender Noiseless pickups over the years. You CAN make them sound halfway decent with enough mods and an EQ
    Thanks for the replies, I was up against a deadline as I wanted a solid rosewood neck which was just discontinued. I’ll admit I was mostly going for a ‘look’ with this build, it’s similar to a Strat I had sometime back, but took it a little further.

    As I mentioned above, I mostly play through a Helix LT modeler or directly into Logic via a Focusrite, it sounds good, but noise sometimes distracts me or causes me to move around to make things quieter (especially with headphones). Hence my interest in the noiseless options, and because of the modeling, less concern about live or native sound.

    This will actually be my fourth Strat — Vintage ‘65 (purchased new), Mod Shop ‘50s build (w/late 50’s Pups), Acoustisonic, and this ‘modern build’, so definitely a whim. In the past I’ve preferred vintage options, and disliked the look of HSS pups, but I decided to be more flexible and modern, I chose the HSS Noiseless. I’ll find out in a few weeks how it works out.

    Here are a couple photos of the build and my choices:

    (maybe not, guess I’m too new for attachments)

  8. #8
    Forum Member phantomman's Avatar
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    Re: Mod Shop Pickups

    An option to Fender's noiseless pickups are those made by DiMarzio. I prefer the Virtual Vintage types for their tone and the fact that they are visually indistinguishable from standard single-coil Strat pickups. No additional body routing is required, they're compatible with 250KΩ volume and tone pots, they're quiet as a church mouse, and sound quite authentic. I do own a couple of Strats fitted with Fender's SCN pickups and they sound 'hokay' but not near as Stratty as the DiMarzio's.
    "When injustice becomes law then rebellion becomes duty."

  9. #9
    Forum Member AudioHTIT's Avatar
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    Re: Mod Shop Pickups

    Picked it up today, HSS noiseless pups. Haven’t plugged it in yet and still can’t post photos, I’ll give it more time tomorrow.

  10. #10
    Forum Member AudioHTIT's Avatar
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    Re: Mod Shop Pickups

    I’ve been a bit busy with spring mowing, but have now had a chance to play this a few times. I’m enjoying my newest Strat, it plays well, though I’m still getting used to the unfinished neck, and I like the looks too, similar to something I did with another Strat back in the 80’s. The noiseless pickups work well, not as nice as my vintage ‘65 or 50’s build Strats, but I’m mostly playing it through a Helix LT and there’s plenty of ‘modeling’ gong on, definitely enjoying how quiet they are. My first locking tuners too.

    I’m doing a bit of blackening on this now, but here’s how it arrived from the Mod Shop.



    Edit: Also first time I’m linking to Google Photos, please let me know if there’s any problem viewing this.

  11. #11
    Forum Member Michael Smith's Avatar
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    Re: Mod Shop Pickups

    I can see your guitar photo just fine. Ya, you have to save your photos to a hosting site and put the link here for them to appear.
    "When You're Riding Down the Highway at Night, And You're Feeling that Wild Turkey's Bite" ZZ Top

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    Forum Member OldStrummer's Avatar
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    Re: Mod Shop Pickups

    Nice guitar. And cool pillow, too!
    Striving to be ordinary

    Proud to be a TFF Dumbass!

  13. #13
    Forum Member AudioHTIT's Avatar
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    Re: Mod Shop Pickups

    Quote Originally Posted by Michael Smith View Post
    I can see your guitar photo just fine. Ya, you have to save your photos to a hosting site and put the link here for them to appear.
    Thanks for the confirmation, you used to have to jump through hoops to link to Google Photos, they finally made it easy, just wasn’t sure others could see it.

  14. #14
    Forum Member phantomman's Avatar
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    Re: Mod Shop Pickups

    Looks sorta "Gilmore-ish".

    I like it!
    "When injustice becomes law then rebellion becomes duty."

  15. #15
    Forum Member Offshore Angler's Avatar
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    Re: Mod Shop Pickups

    HARMONICA ALERT! HARMONICA ALERT! HARMONICA ALERT!
    "No harmonic knowledge, no sense of time, a ghastly tone, unskilled vibrato, and so on. Chuck is one of the worst guitar players I know" -Gravity Jim

  16. #16
    Forum Member blackonblack's Avatar
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    Re: Mod Shop Pickups

    Quote Originally Posted by Offshore Angler View Post
    HARMONICA ALERT! HARMONICA ALERT! HARMONICA ALERT!
    The only instrument you get better at by sucking more.
    Mark

  17. #17
    Forum Member AudioHTIT's Avatar
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    Re: Mod Shop Pickups

    Deleted

  18. #18
    Forum Member AudioHTIT's Avatar
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    Re: Mod Shop Pickups

    Quote Originally Posted by OldStrummer View Post
    Nice guitar. And cool pillow, too!
    Thanks!

    I have two pillows, think I found the covers and my wife stuffed them.

    Quote Originally Posted by phantomman View Post
    Looks sorta "Gilmore-ish".

    I like it!
    … but blacker!

    I like too how the skunk stripe looks against the rosewood neck …



    There should be a picture of the 'backside' here, but my Google Picture links aren't always working.
    Last edited by AudioHTIT; 06-29-2022 at 03:52 AM.

  19. #19
    Forum Member AudioHTIT's Avatar
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    Re: Mod Shop Pickups

    Quote Originally Posted by Offshore Angler View Post
    HARMONICA ALERT! HARMONICA ALERT! HARMONICA ALERT!
    Quote Originally Posted by blackonblack View Post
    The only instrument you get better at by sucking more.
    Though I wish I could, I can’t actually play them. Our other guitar player (who does play harp) sometimes forgets his, I bought these for him to play when he’s here. They do make good accessories!
    Last edited by AudioHTIT; 06-28-2022 at 08:19 AM.

  20. #20
    Forum Member phantomman's Avatar
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    Re: Mod Shop Pickups

    Quote Originally Posted by AudioHTIT View Post
    Though I wish I could, I can’t actually play them. Our other guitar player (who does play harp) some forgets his, I bought these for him to play when he’s here. They do make good accessories!
    Buy one for yourself and play around with it -- they're not that difficult to learn.
    "When injustice becomes law then rebellion becomes duty."

  21. #21
    Forum Member AudioHTIT's Avatar
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    Re: Mod Shop Pickups

    Quote Originally Posted by phantomman View Post
    Buy one for yourself and play around with it -- they're not that difficult to learn.
    My wife bought me one years ago, I tried for a while, just never clicked with me. Think I’m going to try and get my niece into it, maybe drive my brother nuts

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