Pickup recommendations for 1968 Starfire IV

[Triangle Going Sick]

I'm giving up hope finding an original set.

As I've never played a IV before I'd like to know what others have used as direct replacements and their thoughts etc. I have heard the original pups from that era are really quite good. Will anything compare or are there pups from the same era (but different guitar) that will fit and sound right? Need covers as well.

 

[Jahn]

hmm well they do pop up on ebay here and there, you just have to keep a lookout. and i know the owner of the project starfire i bought last week managed to source some nickel ones, tho this VI should have gold but that's ok, i like nickel too. Or is it chrome? Silver? Whatever the hey, the mini HB-1s are worth holding out for in my opinion.

 

[fearless]

Just (regretfully ) sold my '68 Starfire IV. The mini HB-1s gave a wonderful bluesy, gritty tone and I'm sorry I can't suggest an equivalent. I second the notion of keeping on the lookout for original pups. I you haven't seen before, here is LTG's bluespicky (Pascal) playing his:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZbFSBkPA_qg

 

[fearless]

Just a thought, but maybe p-90s? They'd be very different, but might fit and it would be interesting to see how they sound.

 

[kakerlak]

Just a thought, but maybe p-90s? They'd be very different, but might fit and it would be interesting to see how they sound.

I suspect they'd be too wide in the direction perpendicular to the strings...

I think the only thing you could drop in (w/ custom bezels) without routing somewhere would be Gibson mini-hums. I always thought those sounded pretty good, but they're still different sounding that stock ones.

As much as it's frustrating, if your guitar hasn't been routed out for something different ever, I'd hold out until you can score some Guild minis.

 

[dapmdave]

Hold out for the real deal, triangle. The originals are really awesome, and will also preserve the value and character of your guitar.

Dave