Just picked this up as a "consolation" for selling the CS Clapton guitar. ;D The rest of the cash went into the new-roof fund. :-\
This is a Squier Deluxe Strat in daphne blue. Been wanting one of these for a couple years. The quality overall has exceeded my expectations, and it arrived perfectly set up (and in tune!) straight out of the box from Sweetwater. The neck is almost exactly the same feel and shape as my '91 American. Same radius, too (9.5").
I would say that nothing *needs* to be upgraded on this model. The hardware and electronics are actually quite decent (or better). But of course, I have already ordered locking tuners. ;D
So I want opinions from the peanut gallery on something. Since I have a Strat set up with the classic SSS config, I was thinking about doing this one with two humbuckers. Either that, or doing two single coils a la the old Duo Sonic setup (minus all the switches and whatnot). I like the 25.5" scale, but I also like two-pickup setups. What do you guys think? Should I do something unconventional or just leave it as is?
(https://i.imgur.com/mJl5A79.jpg)
HSS is quite an unbeatable combo if you ask me, provided the pickups are nicely balanced. With strats, I absolutely need that neck + middle sound and a good fat neck on its own. For searing rock leads, switching to a bridge humbucker is a total winner. Hence, HSS.
Another nice option is to have 1 master tone pot and use the other one to blend in the middle pickup in parallel with the bridge. On the on hand you can have that very well defined spanky bridge pu and with the turn of the pot you can blend in the middle in parallel for a faux humbucker. Less clarity with that last sound, but very nice with overdrive.
So in all, maybe first get exotic with the wiring, then maybe add a bridge HB?
I'm pretty much in total agreement with Rockhorst. Especially about needing those classic neck and neck/middle sounds. That's the whole point of having a strat, IMO. The day I pulled out the neck and middle lace sensors and put in vintage PUs was like the parting of the clouds and the angels singing (not to bag on lace sensors, which I really like--especially the red and silver (and not the blue) ones). But having a high output PU in the bridge is really sweet, and if you've already got a vintage style strat, then I'd definitely go that way on this one.
So I'd go HSS. Even though I love duo sonics, I'd resist the urge to make a strat two pickup just because the neck/middle sound on a strat is so important. There's so much to lose if you get rid of it and so little to lose if you keep it. So I think you should keep it. But I would also say don't go humbucker in the neck position. Humbuckers in the neck on a strat...it's just...eeewww. It's against nature. Or maybe I just never heard the right humbucker. But IME it doesn't have the smooth mojo of a tele, it doesn't have the punch of a gibson...it just...sounds dull and wrong to me.
What you should do is the Gilmore mod, and put some single space humbuckers in it. I have an HSS that feels great, but rarely gets played, and 4 SSS, two with the mod that get played more. I'd say it's the Strat equivalent of the 4 way tele switch. So do that or look at other wiring mods.
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Honestly I'd play it like it is for a while before changing anything. You never know it could turn out to be great the way it is once it's been broken in a bit.
If not I vote Duo-sonic meets the Wayne Kramer.
You can probably get pickgaurd for it for $10 on Amazon, and I bet it's already routed as a swimming pool.
Quote from: Matmosphere on August 04, 2018, 01:40:58 AM
Honestly I'd play it like it is for a while before changing anything. You never know it could turn out to be great the way it is once it's been broken in a bit.
If not I vote ...
SD Twang Banger Strat bridge with a Tele gold foil neck. But then, I did almost every mod and swap except that on a sweet-feeling MIM strat and still never bonded with it ... so traded it for a Tele!
Also, if it is a swimming pool route, make a reverse bridge pickup pickguard, and put a reverse headstock neck on it. I want to try that to get different sounds.
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Any thought about what role you want it to play?
Backup strat?Fender-scale rocker?Alt-tuning guitar?Knockaround beater?"Third-tone" something unique for kicks?
Timbo's Firebird PUs have ruined me. Lively, smooth and bright like singles, but no hum. Like they're born to love gain boxes.
What about a bass contour for that 3rd knob?
Forgot to say: That's one sharp guitar. Love the color and maple neck. Imma feeling some GAS pains.
Quote from: jubal81 on August 04, 2018, 02:25:54 AM
"Third-tone" something unique for kicks?
Kinda this. I want to do something a little off the beaten path. I have a classic Strat setup already in my other Strat. So I don't need this one to do the same thing. I also have a shredder guitar (Ibanez 770DX...original, not reissue!). And of course, I have a Les Paul and a PRS SE Custom 24, so I have the dual bucker blues lawyer angle covered. And I have a semi-hollow.
So I'd like to try something a little different here. The great thing is that I can just pull this pickguard and leave it 100% intact so it can easily be put back later if I feel the need.
This one is routed HSH, so it's got some flexibility. I actually like two-pickup guitars, but I'm most at home with a Strat body/neck and 25.5" scale length. That's why I was thinking a pseudo Duo Sonic setup (different scale length but same pickup arrangement) or a dual bucker setup. Actually, I'm tempted to go with a pair of G&L MFD pickups (like the ones in the S500) because I love their tone and relative hum-free performance. I have Dimarzio Areas in my other Strat, so i'd rather not go that route again. I could also be on board with a couple of Dimarzio blade pickups (Air Classic or Air Norton, probably) because they can be tapped/cut to offer more options. And of curse, regular old humbuckers are on the menu as well.
Choices! ;D
You could do a couple of Filtertrons or Fender Widerange pickups. Or do something you don't see as much and get a couple of Mosrite style pickups. I believe you can buy some from Hallmark guitars.
Jazzmaster pickups.
dave
Sounds like you're leaning toward some uncommon hums. Creamery Jaime has an interesting lineup over in Juan's neck of the nape.
https://www.creamery-pickups.co.uk/
I've put a SuperD in the bridge, and an SSL5 in the neck of mine. But it also has a floyd... The SSL in the neck is very nice and thick, like it a lot.
Quote from: culturejam on August 04, 2018, 02:57:17 AM
I have a classic Strat setup already in my other Strat. So I don't need this one to do the same thing. I also have a shredder guitar (Ibanez 770DX...original, not reissue!). And of course, I have a Les Paul and a PRS SE Custom 24, so I have the dual bucker blues lawyer angle covered. And I have a semi-hollow.
Umm, I never thought that
I would be the one to say this, but... no Tele? What about you go master tone and make the other tone knob give you the option to go bridge+neck, like a Telecaster middle position? That or Jazzmaster pickups as Dave suggested.
Quote from: Aristatertotle on August 04, 2018, 03:48:04 AM
You could do a couple of Filtertrons or Fender Widerange pickups. Or do something you don't see as much and get a couple of Mosrite style pickups. I believe you can buy some from Hallmark guitars.
Any of these + a tort pickguard gets my vote
Stra-dogs from Vineham in Canada. P90's fit for a strat! Just do two, one in the neck, one in the bridge. You'll need a pickguard with no middle position cutout, but hey, you could get a set of three!
I like HSS for many of the reasons Rockhorst said, but I've thought about doing a Filtertron + S + S, which would be odd, yet awesome (I think). Something like a TV Jones Classic would balance better with many singles as far as output, but can rock better than most singles, and would sound like it's own thing.
How about some splittable EMG's for that active flavor?
Tele pickup in the bridge (might have to swap the neck and middle around to get them to hum cancel with it). Then add a super switch and wire it for the following options 1-B, 2-B&N, 3-M, 4-M&N, 5-N. Because strateles are where it's at :)
Quote from: JC103 on August 04, 2018, 07:02:37 PM
Stra-dogs from Vineham in Canada. P90's fit for a strat! Just do two, one in the neck, one in the bridge. You'll need a pickguard with no middle position cutout, but hey, you could get a set of three!
Bookmarked his site, thanks, had never heard of him before.
dave
Neck and Bridge Filtertrons, Jag, Tele neck, or Lipstick middle. Johnny Hiland wiring with Oak Grigsby 5-way 2 pole for neck, middle, neck+bridge, middle+bridge, bridge.
Also the Guitar Fetish solid Trem blocks are a nice upgrade over the pot metal Squier units. I have done many guitars with the steel version and it is great.
Liking PD's Filtertron suggestion. That will turn some hands and make it a conversation piece after every gig you do with it ;)
I too, prefer locking tuners. As soon as I heard about Sperzel, I installed them on all my guitars.
Once, during a gig, I broke my high E. I was able to change it mid-song.
I got a set of HipShot locking tuners on there today. They are excellent! Wasn't sure what to expect as I'd never used any of their parts in the past (and it was fairly cheap), but color me impressed.
Now, the stock tuners aren't garbage like you usually see on cheaper import guitars. They are decent enough, but they don't lock and have a 14:1 gear ratio. The HipShots are 18:1 and are smooth as butter. They require a bit of pressure to get moving, which I think is a good thing. Here's a link to the ones I got: https://amzn.to/2OeXB25
I love the mounting plates which negate the need for drilling holes. So you can add these tunes without altering the headstock in any way.
Got some Fender string trees while I was at it. I hate those flimsy little three-piece trees that came on the guitar. Petty thing to nitpick, I know. But I likes what I likes. ;D
Quote from: culturejam on August 05, 2018, 03:01:16 AM
I got a set of HipShot locking tuners on there today. They are excellent! ...
I love the mounting plates which negate the need for drilling holes. So you can add these tunes without altering the headstock in any way.
Nice!
(I had to do a bit of drilling for the Sperzels)
I wind my strings the way Joe Bonamassa does it, although I'm sure he isn't the original to do it that way. But it works really well, I had some slippage on my SG that wouldn't stop, and this did the trick.
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I did some play testing last night with this new Strat vs my PRS SE Custom 24. Definitely digging the humbucker tone over singles with heavier drive. Clean, I like them both, although these Duncan-designed singles are a little thin/bright for me.
So yeah, I'm going to go with dual humbuckers in the Strat. Just need to pick a wiring scheme. I'm thinking one with some coil cutting in the 2/4 positions and the middle position with two cut coils together will give some flexibility (and I never use both humckers on anyway).
I use the Jimmy Page 50's style wiring on my SG. It is very versatile, I highly recommend it.
Quote from: culturejam on August 05, 2018, 03:01:16 AM
I got a set of HipShot locking tuners on there today. They are excellent! Wasn't sure what to expect as I'd never used any of their parts in the past (and it was fairly cheap), but color me impressed.
Now, the stock tuners aren't garbage like you usually see on cheaper import guitars. They are decent enough, but they don't lock and have a 14:1 gear ratio. The HipShots are 18:1 and are smooth as butter. They require a bit of pressure to get moving, which I think is a good thing. Here's a link to the ones I got: https://amzn.to/2OeXB25
I love the mounting plates which negate the need for drilling holes. So you can add these tunes without altering the headstock in any way.
Got some Fender string trees while I was at it. I hate those flimsy little three-piece trees that came on the guitar. Petty thing to nitpick, I know. But I likes what I likes. ;D
My guitar tech swears by Hipshots. I put some on my CV Tele, and they're great. The mounting plate is ingenious. They also make a staggered post height version which eliminates the need for string trees.
I know I'm late to the party and you already have your config picked out, but I wanted to chime in that I think doing it up like this would be cool
(https://media.gettyimages.com/photos/prince-during-super-bowl-xli-indianapolis-colts-vs-chicago-bears-half-picture-id114611649?k=6&m=114611649&s=612x612&w=0&h=Sy-BJfEALEFQf7U4lDRxxDMVwUS779fdmzF-94-nhHA=)
Quote from: dan.schumaker on August 05, 2018, 11:27:19 PM
I know I'm late to the party and you already have your config picked out, but I wanted to chime in that I think doing it up like this would be cool
Is that a single up front? I might be up for that with a bucker in the back. I'm going to mull things for a few more days.
That's a serious bridge pickup too.
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Quote from: culturejam on August 06, 2018, 12:08:13 AM
Quote from: dan.schumaker on August 05, 2018, 11:27:19 PM
I know I'm late to the party and you already have your config picked out, but I wanted to chime in that I think doing it up like this would be cool
Is that a single up front? I might be up for that with a bucker in the back. I'm going to mull things for a few more days.
Here's a better picture of that Strat.
(https://static01.nyt.com/images/2017/04/23/arts/20prince-archives6/20prince-archives6-superJumbo.jpg?quality=90&auto=webp)
If your Strat has a pool route, you could keep the battery in there and not have to route for a battery compartment. Would be a bit of a pain to have to take the pickguard off anytime you need to change the battery though.
Quote from: Aristatertotle on August 06, 2018, 03:01:53 AM
Quote from: culturejam on August 06, 2018, 12:08:13 AM
Quote from: dan.schumaker on August 05, 2018, 11:27:19 PM
I know I'm late to the party and you already have your config picked out, but I wanted to chime in that I think doing it up like this would be cool
Is that a single up front? I might be up for that with a bucker in the back. I'm going to mull things for a few more days.
Here's a better picture of that Strat.
(https://static01.nyt.com/images/2017/04/23/arts/20prince-archives6/20prince-archives6-superJumbo.jpg?quality=90&auto=webp)
If your Strat has a pool route, you could keep the battery in there and not have to route for a battery compartment. Would be a bit of a pain to have to take the pickguard off anytime you need to change the battery though.
Yeah, that looks great. I'l also a fan of Daphne Blue with a white guard and EMGs.
(https://i.imgur.com/z1mAzCZ.jpg)
All right, I'll throw out a love it or hate it option.
Two P-Rails, V/T setup, two DPDT switches for the pickups (or 1 if real estate is an issue), and an on board Bloviator (trimmer pots inside to tune, switch in the second tone position to bypass).
P-Rails are the Swiss Army knives of pickups - they don't do anything particularly great, but they do a decent job of all three. I have found they sound better in Fender-ish guitars and longer scales.
Quote from: GermanCdn on August 06, 2018, 01:10:14 PM
All right, I'll throw out a love it or hate it option.
Two P-Rails, V/T setup, two DPDT switches for the pickups (or 1 if real estate is an issue), and an on board Bloviator (trimmer pots inside to tune, switch in the second tone position to bypass).
P-Rails are the Swiss Army knives of pickups - they don't do anything particularly great, but they do a decent job of all three. I have found they sound better in Fender-ish guitars and longer scales.
Throw a couple of push pull pots instead or switches.
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Quote from: jimilee on August 06, 2018, 01:18:49 PM
Quote from: GermanCdn on August 06, 2018, 01:10:14 PM
All right, I'll throw out a love it or hate it option.
Two P-Rails, V/T setup, two DPDT switches for the pickups (or 1 if real estate is an issue), and an on board Bloviator (trimmer pots inside to tune, switch in the second tone position to bypass).
P-Rails are the Swiss Army knives of pickups - they don't do anything particularly great, but they do a decent job of all three. I have found they sound better in Fender-ish guitars and longer scales.
Throw a couple of push pull pots instead or switches.
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Yeah, the push pots for the P-Rails limits your switching options to Humbucker OR Single Coil OR P-90 (i.e both pickups are setup in the same configuration, so if you want to run a HB in the bridge and a SC in the neck, you have to mission control the switches) if I am not mistaken (it's been a few years since I installed one). Two switches gives you the AND ability in that configuration.