Big and bluesy, great for solo noting, this is a higher output Strat set. Still capable of maintaining a crisp edge on the note, these are perfect for those wanting that special Strat tone. Alnico V staggered or flat magnets. Handwound with a heavy scatter with thinner 43 gauge wire for that thicker, edgier tone and richer output. Smoother highs, bigger mids, and fatter lows – this is a great set of pickups for those who like the output and darkness of humbuckers. Vintage specs, handwound, fiberboard bobbins, cloth leads.
Stock output: neck and middle 8K (RWRP option), bridge: 9.5K
Fred R. –
The Texas Roadhouse is quickly becoming my favorite Strat bridge pickup ever. With a name like that, I was expecting the familiar bump in output, midrange, and bass (at the bridge) that sounds almost like a Strat-Tele hybrid.
I usually go for that less for the “Texas blues” thing and more for an alternative, pushed sound, for which it works well. While my Roadhouse pickup is definitely more in the same ballpark as that classic “Special” than a vintage-style pickup, I was pleasantly surprised to hear something I hadn’t really gotten out of a single coil before: squishy, saggy midrange. Even a very pleasant high-mid bump.
In some ways, it reminds me of some overwound humbuckers in character, but still retains the much more dynamic response typical of single coils (more than the Texas Special). But my favorite part is I now get clarity and note distinction I had never gotten before with the same setup and high gain.
Unfortunately, as often happens when combining different pickup brands and manufacturers, the wind and polarity of mine didn’t match up perfectly with my middle pickup. But it says a lot that I don’t mind, as I am now almost always in position 1, where the Texas Roadhouse is!