The Psychedelic Strat has become so popular, we now stock and sell this model on our main website. You can order one using this link:
https://www.seymourduncan.com/single-product/psychedelic-strat
For those of us who aren’t able to own a late ‘60s Stratocaster, installing a set of our Psychedelic Strat pickups will get you pretty close.
Using traditional materials and period accurate wind, these pickups have high highs, low lows, and a lot of space in between so that the mids have a scooped sound. This EQ profile will add depth and fullness to your tone.
DC Resistance: 5.98k, 6.07k, 6.13k
Application: Strat single coil route
We are passionate about quality so we ask for your patience while we craft your pickup. For shipping time estimates, please visit the Shipping & Returns page.
Posted by Emilian ("Woj") on 3rd Jan 2022
These pickups are exactly as advertised, that Fender late 60s enamel pickup sound - but with modern adjustments like a RWRP middle pickup, and lowered magnet pole height to compensate for unwound G string.
Those two modern changes were why I bought these pickups for a big-headstock 4-bolt neck Strat. Most of the guitar aftermarket does some sort of "period correct" re-enactment rock, focused on pretending to be Jimi Hendrix. So the magnet stagger that's meant for a lefty pickups, but for righty players is the other most common thing on 1969 style pickups (plus no RWRP middle)
All that messing around with stagger means you also have to use different string gauges to have balanced sounding notes across all strings - .010, .013, .015, .026, .032, .038.
https://www.guitarworld.com/artists/secrets-jimi-hendrixs-guitar-setup-interview-roger-mayer
(b/c the poles would be reversed) What a pain in the ass!
I just want to use Ernie Ball 10s (regular slinky) on a early 70s or late 60s Strat, and not have issues with hum from lighting transformers.
Seymour Duncan seems to be the only company offering that! I checked all of the other boutique makers, and they do vintage staggers or put their own spin of wind specs on it. I didn't look at Dimarzio b/c I don't wear vests without a shirt...
The pickups were sent in a much shorter time than 6 weeks. I was considering sending a note/request for ascending winds of ohms going from neck top bridge, to tame the shrillness that Strats can get in the bridge position. But didn't, just "rolled the dice" so to speak.
MJ read my mind, and the pickups were 6.1k, 6.2k, 6.3k, from neck to bridge - a very subtle overwind that helped tame my ash body Strat highs on the bridge.
Overall I don't have any negatives to report on anything with these pickups, b/c they were exactly what I was looking for. The price may seem like a negative, but Novak/Klein/Lollar all charge around the same amount.
Maybe the only slight negative would be that you shouldn't expect to sound like the video demo, he's tuned to D strung with 12s! Plus the guitar is a '62 AVRI slab fretboard, nice amp & speakers... I don't sound like the demo at all, but didn't really expect to since all my gear is different. That sure is a great sounding demo, good job!
Posted by MikeyG on 10th Aug 2020
I bought them awhile ago, but better late than never. These were exactly what I was looking for. They do everything a vintage pickup can do. I noticed they are very sensitive to changes in pickup height, but when you find that sweet spot.....these things sing. I don't regret buying these. Btw....shipping was pretty quick. About as simple as it gets. I ordered my magnets aged and also had them wax potted.Thanks for the great p'ups!
Posted by Kyle on 6th Nov 2019
After playing for so many years, I found my self chasing a tone that I couldn't put my finger on that I was looking for. Playing a lot of different expensive and cheap guitars over the years for some reason just didn't deliver the tone I wanted. I set out to build my own guitar with all the components that i think would make a great guitar. The one item that took the most time researching were the pickups. After almost 6 months of searching i came across this SD strat set. Finally! These pickups delivered on the tone I was missing. The neck pickup has such a great clear, warm, well rounded tone, and also sounds great with a little or a lot of dirt thrown on it. As you work your way down the switch, the tone gets nice and crisp. It makes some great funk sounds, and sounds great with a wah. String clarity will still sound clear, even when rolling off the tone as well. I will definitely be buying another set for my next guitar build. Best sounding pickups I've ever played!
Posted by Jason Jones on 17th May 2019
I've owned a 63' and 64' Stratocaster with original pickups. Seymour Duncan's antiquity psychedelic Strat pickups are as close as you're gonna get without breaking the bank. These pickups are smoky, clear, and give back what the player puts in. SD makes a lot of products, but the brand is as tried and true like Fender, Gibson, etc. etc.
Posted by Mark Dewey on 8th Nov 2018
The first thing I noticed is that the pole pieces of the bridge had been reversed. Gimmic or not who cares. I have a shit ton of guitars and Hot Rod everything. I will tell you the bridge is thin and lacks balls BUT and I say that with a punch, you put any kind of overdrive or compressor to boost your front end and you have got the most awesome tone in any position with these pickups. They are frigging Great>! Expensive yes but they rock. They roll down sparkling clean. Absolutely use Dimarzio custom taper pots and recommend a push pull tone to turn on your bridge in any position. Sounds great with the neck and bridge. MJ not only are you the goddess of tone, you are one of the sweetest human beings I know. Thank you Seymour Duncan. Home frigging run people. Get them>!
Posted by Robert "Bob" Lesko on 25th May 2018
There are many ways of describing tone, and pick-ups, bold, raw, tight airy, and on. I will try and stay away from using these words, since all of them are subjective. What I cab say about the Psychedelic strat set is WOW. They truly are a work of sonic art. Maybe not for everyone but if you love the sound of the late 1960s early 70s this set nails it. I bought these after I installed the Hendrix set in a strat wondering how much better I could get another strat to sound, They made a great sounding strat sound phenomenal. The staff at Seymour Duncan answered all my question and were very helpful in my decision. This is the first Custom Pick up set I have bought from Seymour Duncan and will not be the last, worth the wait and the money. The quality and sound is worth every penny and then more. I was approached by a regular at a show I just did, and the question “ What did you do to make your guitar sound so great?” says it all.
Posted by Erik on 30th Aug 2017
Love em. I've owned fralin's, Klein, and others. These are my favorites
Posted by Unknown on 20th Jul 2017
Very nice bridge and middle. Neck is so dark, I brought the guitar back to the installer to check installation. Next time, i'd go for their less expensive set.
Posted by Vaughn G on 30th Sep 2016
My Guitar Tech installed these in my right-handed Hendrix Strat - We ordered a left-handed set with the middle pickup RW/RP. The results . . .
They have creamy tone be it Slowhand Clapton, Jimi Hendirx Manic Depression vibe or even Terry Kath 25 or 6 to 4 and clean bell like tone when you turn down the volume . . . true sweetness or heavy classic rock tones!!!
Posted by NR on 20th Sep 2016
Very good quality pickup with the classic tone (Trower, SRV, Hendrix) got
it a lot sooner than expected thanks Seymour.
Posted by Paul on 14th Feb 2016
Great tone.. Beautifully built.. What you'd expect from Duncan, worth your earned dollars
