Pete Biltoft blade pole piece for strat

**Dan__Man** · 06-12-2019, 12:31 PM

Does anyone have any experience with these blade style single coils? I'm thinking about revitalizing an old strat, and I'd like to upgrade at least the neck pickup. I've considered actually routing out the body for a full size cc pickup, or p90, but if I can approximate that sound with a drop in replacement, that would be ideal.

Thanks!

**jads57** · 06-12-2019, 06:43 PM

Peter Biltoft is an excellent pickup builder. I have had numerous pickups including custom ones built by him. Reasonable prices and great service.

The CC Rider Tele Neck was great as well as a custom built humbucking CC floater for my archtop.

**Doug B** · 06-12-2019, 08:20 PM

Originally Posted by Dan__Man

Does anyone have any experience with these blade style single coils? I'm thinking about revitalizing an old strat, and I'd like to upgrade at least the neck pickup. I've considered actually routing out the body for a full size cc pickup, or p90, but if I can approximate that sound with a drop in replacement, that would be ideal.

Thanks!

I had Pete build me exactly that-a CC blade pickup for A Strat neck position. Yes, it is a compromise and is about 1/2 way between a strat pickup and a full size CC pickup. However it sounds great!

**rlrhett** · 06-12-2019, 08:38 PM

I have the CC in Humbucker size for the neck pickup on my Tele-ish guitar. It is the best pickup I've ever had.

**oldane** · 06-13-2019, 06:38 AM

Originally Posted by Doug B

I had Pete build me exactly that-a CC blade pickup for A Strat neck position. Yes, it is a compromise and is about 1/2 way between a strat pickup and a full size CC pickup. However it sounds great!

I have one in a Strat and I also have a full size HCC in a partscaster and in a Painter laminate archtop. I have the same experience as you. The width of the coil does play a role.

**robertm2000** · 06-13-2019, 06:44 AM

I will add a HUGE second for Pete Biltoft's pickups. I used to have 15 electrics - but when I got Pete's pickups for one guitar, they were so good I sold all my other electrics!

The cool thing about Pete Biltoft is that he answers his own phone, and he will talk with you till he understands exactly what you want in the way of pickup sounds and case/mounting styles. And Pete can build darn near any style of casing and mounting! He also has a very cool feature in most of his pickups, where you can change magnets in a few seconds. Biltoft includes your choice of two kinds of magnets with each pickup, and he carries Alnico 2, 3, and 5, and ceramic magnets. It gives his pickups amazing sound versatility.

I wanted a Charlie Christian - sounding pickup for the neck pickup in my homebuilt guitar. Pete would build that one but he suggested I try one with a bit finer wire than the Charlie Christian pickup uses - 42 vs. 38 gauge wire. And it worked! The new pickup, a CCRider, sounds full, but has a good top end. I'm sold on Pete Biltoft pickups and they are what I will use from now on!

**Dan__Man** · 06-13-2019, 11:55 AM

Originally Posted by oldane

I have one in a Strat and I also have a full size HCC in a partscaster and in a Painter laminate archtop. I have the same experience as you. The width of the coil does play a role.

Thats my concern. I would much rather have a full size p90 (or CC), but i can imagine getting a pretty steep bill from a luthier for all the routing work. Is the tone pretty full/warm with the Biltoft strat pup, or does it sound fairly thin/stratty?

**rlrhett** · 06-13-2019, 12:57 PM

Have you taken the scratch plate off? Most modern Fender Strats are either routed HSH or swimming pool. All you need for a different configuration is a new scratch plate. It’s worth checking, at least.

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**Dan__Man** · 06-13-2019, 01:45 PM

Originally Posted by rlrhett

Have you taken the scratch plate off? Most modern Fender Strats are either routed HSH or swimming pool. All you need for a different configuration is a new scratch plate. It’s worth checking, at least.

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Just opened it up, and it does have the HSH routing. Thanks for the suggestion. That solves my problem!

**zcostilla** · 06-14-2019, 07:17 AM

I have had Pete make custom pickups for two guitars and wouldn’t hesitate to trust his judgment for a pickup recommendation. Shoot him an email and he’ll give you honest feedback about expectations and fit. He had me take precise measurements for my pickguard mounted Charlie Christian pickup and made sure the spacing would be just perfect. We talked tone, magnet selection, spacing, and more and I ended up with exactly what I was looking for to take my 5th Avenue sound to the next level.

**DRS** · 06-14-2019, 10:16 AM

I have a Biltoft CC in the neck of a Tele and a Biltoft Humbucker in the bridge of my Les Paul. Very nice pickups. Personally, however, I like the tone of a traditionally voiced single coil Strat neck pick-up and feel that sound is quintessential to the Strat sound.

**zcostilla** · 06-14-2019, 11:44 AM

Originally Posted by DRS

I have a Biltoft CC in the neck of a Tele and a Biltoft Humbucker in the bridge of my Les Paul. Very nice pickups. Personally, however, I like the tone of a traditionally voiced single coil Strat neck pick-up and feel that sound is quintessential to the Strat sound.

Sure, if that’s the sound you’re going for. Maybe quintessential is overrated

(tongue FIRMLY planted in cheek because I play a P90 loaded Hamer single cut Special and a 5th Avenue with a CC pickup).

Zac