Pickups for Getting Weird Sounds/Textures from a Strat

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mrplow

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Confused by the title? Let me clarify a bit.

I have a 95 (?) Fender MIM strat that has served me well for the past 8 years, but has fallen along the wayside with the arrival of a Fender Custom Shop strat and a Gibson Les Paul Std. I would still like to use this guitar as somewhat of a project guitar, in the hopes of turning it into something that can produce that 70s Eno/Bowie/Fripp prog-rockish sound. I'd use it for getting sonic textures and creating soundscapes (David Bowie - Heroes), and possibly a high-feedback (think Roxy Music - All I Want Is You) rhythm. All I really know about pickups is that I'm going to need something rather hot and high output. I'm looking to spend about $130-150 max on the pickups- can be wired active or passive. I'd appreciate any advice on this topic. Thanks!
 
umm... well i dont think that the tones your wanting are going to be directly affected by your pickups... more by your amp and effects and such. BUT if you want something besides that typical strat twang, you could get one of those mini humbuckers. this would give you some more low end to your sound, maybe a mellower sound. if you want something 'weird' well.. then try something weird. i've always wanted to put a viola pickup on a guitar and see what it sounds like....
 
Strip it.

I took off the pickup case from my highest single coil. Personally, I like the result. Even novices recognize a very distinct sound, it's great for feedback. At first it sounds acerbic, after working with it it just sounds raw.

If you don't like it, put the cover back on. Nothing more than that to worry about.
 
Seymore Duncan Hot Rails may be what you are looking for, mini dual coil humbucker type pickups designed to fit in a single coil space. They run around $90-$110 each. In the bridge slot they give more bite and crispness, in the middle they bring out your mid tones, and at the neck they add some growl.
 
The lead guitarist with the groups you mentioned was Adrian Belew. Played with King Crimson, Bowie, and also Talking Heads during that period in the 80s.

Do a google search on his gear, and you'll find all you need. He used to use a standard strat, but mangled it with various effects (I remember he liked the Big Muff). Now he uses a custom Parker.
 
Thanks for all the suggestions. Has anyone tried the David Gilmour ESP active pickups? Someone once suggested those to me...
 
Any opinions on Carvin pickups would also be welcome... thanks
 
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