Thanks to the UK recession we're not making a lot of commission at work right now and a colleague has started scavenging around Ebay trying to buy up genuine Fender parts cheaply. His intention is to build a Strat (he doesn't play but he likes making things) in the hope that he can sell it on and get a bit of profit for beer-money. He has come across some Fender 'Noiseless' pick-ups and knowing I had a Strat once (thirty years ago!!!) he asked me what they were. When I had a strat I didn't even know you could have different pick-ups but then I was a kid and probably just bought the cheapest strat in the shop.
Anyway so that I don't look like a complete numpty can anyone explain to me the difference between noiseless and standard pick-ups (Apart from the huge price hike) - I mean I assume the noiseless pick-ups still make a noise right? :p

Also he has come across them as 'vintage' and 'hot' versions and another ebayer was selling some that had been made for an SRV Signature model (would these be similar to the 'hot' noiseless pick-ups). Not knowing who the eventual owner of this Frankenstein might be (and therefore what style it will be played in) I guess it's not going to be possible to say what would be best but what are the essential characteristics of the 'Vintage' and 'hot' varieties?

Finally would he be better off getting Seymour Duncans rather than the Fender noiseless (The Fenders are about £160 per set).