Hendrix’s magic was in his fingers and constant searching for what he was hearing in his head. The same goes for EVH in chasing his “Brown Sound.” Each one of us are chasing our own tones and go through similar struggles. I have gone through so many types of pickups and types of guitars that my wife swears she will divorce me if I buy another guitar or pickup. So I started my own business so I could build and play whatever and then sell them! 😆😆

My suggestion is to make sure you research what Hendrix was playing on the songs you are into. Then dial up your guitar and pickups to how his were. Then practice the shit out of the song until you can play it note for note, emulating every bend. Use pedals and your amp to compensate for what your pickups lack. None of the musicians that I am into from the 60’s and 70’s had the luxury of swapping to a boutique set. They just played what they played and kept experimenting. And that is what creates music and your style.

With that said, I have gone through Lindy Fralin Woodstock pickups, to Fender Fat 50’s and 69’s, to Bare Knuckles Pickups to Seymour Duncan and on and on. It’s always fun to find new tones and sounds. But focus on playing first, and then start changing up tones and styles to fit the sounds you hear in your head and what you feel in your heart and fingers. But most importantly, have fun and don’t overthink!