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Alt '88 Strat Pickup - Treble
Loud, Quiet, Loud - Brighter, Attacking, Aggressive Strat Pickup. Designed for more Indie/Alternative styles & sounds
Magnets: Alnico 2 or 5
Coil Wire: 42AWG Plain Enamel
Lead Wire: Vintage Cloth
Output - Bridge: 8.4k
Output - Middle: 7.9k
Output - Neck: 7.5kThe Alt '88 pickup was inspired by the alternative music scene of the mid-to-late '80s and after feedback from Strat players the design has now been split into two distinct versions. Whereas the the "Alt '88 - Mid-Range" uses the same taller, stronger rod magnets but is wound with thinner 43awg coil wire for a fatter, fuller, more mid-range voice, the "Alt '88 - Treble" uses thicker 42awg coil wire and taller, stronger rod magnets for a brighter, more cutting, attacking sound. Both have been designed to have similar, higher, more powerful outputs - the difference comes from how they're voiced.
With more in the higher frequencies the "Alt '88 - Treble" can dominate in the mix a little more, that bit more aggressive, attacking, cutting - the brash side to its darker, warmer alternative.
Alt '88 Strat Pickup - Magnet Choices
With magnets, Alnico 2 is that bit weaker so ‘holds’ the strings a little less, allowing them to vibrate that little more to add a little more warmth & resonance to the overall sound. Alnico 5 is slightly stronger so therefore ‘holds’ the strings that little more for slightly more attack, focus, brightness and a little increased output. Magnets don’t have ‘tone’ but they do have strength to varying degrees which has an effect on the overall sound, all other things being equal. Alnico 2 can be great to tame a bright bridge sound whereas a stronger magnet can help to keep clarity & definition in the naturally darker neck position.
The Alt '88 range has been a real labour of love and these pickups and have gone through numerous changes before launch just to get them right. A great Strat rhythm or lead pickup if you want more bite with more of an an alternative/leftfield sound. The Alt '88 Stratocaster Neck can also be RW/RP if required.
You can find more details of my Creamery Custom Handwound Replacement Strat Pickups here.