Post by stratman2 on Feb 13, 2007 21:12:04 GMT -5
Hi everyone!
Thanks to some excellent advice from Sumgai and ChrisK, I managed to install a set of SCN's into my US Strat. As instructed, I attached the coloured leads to the switch and green & black to ground. Worked first time even after my dodgy soldering skills!
I have to say my first impressions are very favourable. I have two 62 reissues with Kinman AVN's and have tried most brands of single coils over the years including Seymour Duncan Alnico Pro's (lovely warm, soft sound but noisy), Dimarzio stacks (horrible), EMG's (quiet but sterile), Texas Specials (raunchy but too noisy), Standard Strat (decent sound but, again, too noisy)
I love the bridge pickup in this set. Totally quiet, even with distortion, with plenty of midrange bite. The in-between positions are OK but lack a bit of the expected quack. Love the middle pickup (although it's actually another neck!) it sounds better than the Kinman equivalent to my ears. The only slight disappointment is the neck pickup. My Kinman sings with that lovely flutey tone that defines vintage Strats. The SCN seems to lack definition and sustain but I'll defer final judgement until I've played live with it and tinkered with the height etc.
I might be mistaken, but they seem as quiet as the Kinman's and I was able to play riight next to my PC without a hint of buzz. They don't seem as powerful but nothing an extra bit of gain can't put right. Can't wait for band rehearsal on Thursday night to really try them out. They should sound even better!
I still feel that Kinman set the standard in single coil tone but the SCN's are well worth trying and a third of the price here in the UK!
As I said in my previous post, I needed to change the pickup
cover on the bridge from the original black to aged white and discovered how to do it. Just insert the end of a pen or pencil into the metal studs which hold the adjustment screws and push the studs out of the bottom plate. They can then be gently prised out with your finger and thumb.
Once removed, the cover just slides off. The only problem is that the original cover is much taller and slightly wider than standard covers and I split my aged cover when installing it! However, it is unnoticeable when on the guitar so only a minor issue. You might even know where to find a direct replacement to alleviate this problem.
Buying a matched set would have eradicated this problem but I bought mine separately on purpose to save having to pay customs charges... nothing payable up to a purchase value of £18 (37USD).
Hope this has been informative and can help in your quest for the perfect sound. I realise sound is very subjective and a matter of personal taste and style of music played but I do firmly believe that these SCN's offer terrific value, low noise and great tone!
Your thoughts and opinions welcomed.
Stratman2
Thanks to some excellent advice from Sumgai and ChrisK, I managed to install a set of SCN's into my US Strat. As instructed, I attached the coloured leads to the switch and green & black to ground. Worked first time even after my dodgy soldering skills!
I have to say my first impressions are very favourable. I have two 62 reissues with Kinman AVN's and have tried most brands of single coils over the years including Seymour Duncan Alnico Pro's (lovely warm, soft sound but noisy), Dimarzio stacks (horrible), EMG's (quiet but sterile), Texas Specials (raunchy but too noisy), Standard Strat (decent sound but, again, too noisy)
I love the bridge pickup in this set. Totally quiet, even with distortion, with plenty of midrange bite. The in-between positions are OK but lack a bit of the expected quack. Love the middle pickup (although it's actually another neck!) it sounds better than the Kinman equivalent to my ears. The only slight disappointment is the neck pickup. My Kinman sings with that lovely flutey tone that defines vintage Strats. The SCN seems to lack definition and sustain but I'll defer final judgement until I've played live with it and tinkered with the height etc.
I might be mistaken, but they seem as quiet as the Kinman's and I was able to play riight next to my PC without a hint of buzz. They don't seem as powerful but nothing an extra bit of gain can't put right. Can't wait for band rehearsal on Thursday night to really try them out. They should sound even better!
I still feel that Kinman set the standard in single coil tone but the SCN's are well worth trying and a third of the price here in the UK!
As I said in my previous post, I needed to change the pickup
cover on the bridge from the original black to aged white and discovered how to do it. Just insert the end of a pen or pencil into the metal studs which hold the adjustment screws and push the studs out of the bottom plate. They can then be gently prised out with your finger and thumb.
Once removed, the cover just slides off. The only problem is that the original cover is much taller and slightly wider than standard covers and I split my aged cover when installing it! However, it is unnoticeable when on the guitar so only a minor issue. You might even know where to find a direct replacement to alleviate this problem.
Buying a matched set would have eradicated this problem but I bought mine separately on purpose to save having to pay customs charges... nothing payable up to a purchase value of £18 (37USD).
Hope this has been informative and can help in your quest for the perfect sound. I realise sound is very subjective and a matter of personal taste and style of music played but I do firmly believe that these SCN's offer terrific value, low noise and great tone!
Your thoughts and opinions welcomed.
Stratman2