Anybody out there use Barden strat pickups? I have heard conflicting reports about these p/u's. A friend, who is also a tech, said that they are 'thin' sounding and suggested DiMarzio Virtual Vintage p/u's, which I ended up getting and hated!
Blues Ace Jimmy Thackery swears by them and he gets a fabulous sound...!
What is the real story on the Bardens?

I have a set of Strat Deluxe P/U's in my 56 Relic Strat.I didn't really like them at first until I got the adjustment right.Try 4/32" on the treble side and 5/32" on the bass side.Then tweak until you get your tone.The Bardens have a lot of output so if you get them too close you will lose chime.The lower you set them the less highs you will have.After playing them for a while I'm really starting to like them.Goodluck with your hunt for the right P/U.

If it ain't broke,fix it anyways.

Don't have 'em in a strat, but the set I have in my Tele is definitely staying right where it is. Great tele sound with NO noise. Personally, since the tele pups are so good, if I were to get a strat I'd at least try a set of Bardens out, I'll bet that I'd keep them too!

Hey Boz,
I've got Bardens in my Zion Powerglide (tele copy, ebony fingerboard, floyd rose) and love them. Lots of out put--not really that "Fendery" in a traditional sense--they have a bit more muscle to my ears. Dead quiet. I was skeptical when I first tried them out, I've been a big Seymour Duncan fan forever. The Bardens are dang cool--ultra sensitive to the height you set them at. I'd reccommend getting some...

"A guitar hero ain't nuffin but a sammitch.."
I am the WILLIEBUDDA!!!

I've got Kinmans in the neck and middle and a Joe Barden Strat Deluxe in the bridge of my G&L. The bridge is hot and sounds like a beefy, bright Tele bridge PU. I've heard and had just about every single coil size pickup there is including the Strat-sized humbuckers. The Joe Barden is much better than any of those. It distorts well and is good for hard rock, rock, and blues with a reactive, on fire feel. If you have other noiseless pickups and are only using one as in my situation, they mix well with each other. However, if you are mixing them with other single coils, you won't get the hum-canceling effects of two single coils or the Strat in-between sound. Even though Barden claims they are vintage and Strat sounding, the Strat Delux pickups are aggressive, punchy and trebly with a lot of snarl and bite, not like the classic Strat sound.

The Barden adds an optional edge to my G&L that is not present with my Kinman Traditional pickups alone; they're great, but the Kinmans are a very articulate, clean, sweet sounding pickup and don't get a good rock tone when distorted. For my needs, I've finally found the right bridge pickup with a Joe Barden. Like with any pickup, it is a personal choice.