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Post subject: Pickup upgrade??
Posted: Sun Jan 17, 2010 4:06 am
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As some may know, I got a Squier CV '60s for my birthday. Then later on I came across what appears to be a MIM Squier (no serial # or Country of origin on it). After hearing the pickups in the MIM, I decided that the CV needed to be up to par with it. The CV pickups just didn't compare even though it was obvious that the MIM pickups were stock Squier.

Since my band will be recording soon, I really wanted my CV to sound like my '57RI Strat. I don't wanna put a whole lotta miles on my '57 for live shows, but I want it for recording, and I want the same sound live.

I just LOVE the sound of a good '57, but the price for a set was a little too steep for me, and I just wasn't sure about Fender's 57/ "62" description. In other words, does that mean that the set is a cross between two eras? Wasn't sure. I wanted true '57.

'57 Strat pickups have a distinctive air about them. That's the only way I know how to describe it. '57s have an open air sound that really sings. Open air and full of flavor in the neck, a nice bright bite in the bridge, and midrange that just sings in the middle.. But a true '57 sound will make you have to almost struggle for sustain. You HAVE to use your fingers for it. It's there, but you have to work for it. Maybe I'm a fool, but I LOVE that struggle. In my opinion, it forces you to be a better player. You can't slack with a '57 sound. It doesn't allow your fingers to get lazy. Every nuance of your fretting gets heard, and the tone is unbeatable in my opinion. It's been my personal favorite for many years.

I ran across this guy on the net selling pickups that he claims to personally hand wind to the specs you describe.... For $76 a SET. At first I thought, "yea right, whatever". But then for some reason I thought, "Maybe he can. Who am I to say? What if he really can?" We're in an economy where people are trying to survive. So after a day or 2 of thinking about it, I shot him an email.

I explained to him what I was looking for along with some videos of the sound I was after. He replied and said he could do it. Very clear that he could recreate a '57 Strat sound, full set, for $76..I decided to give him a chance.

It was reaching about a month, and I hadn't received the pickups yet. I still think that was a little long to wait. But I didn't stress. Just wait for it. Be optimistic.

The pickups finally arrived. Right off the bat the first thing I noticed was that the pickups weren't the color I ordered. So I thought, "ok, here goes, not feeling good about this". But ok, I still have the pickup covers from the CV. I'll just make the swap. Long wait, wrong color, 0 for 2 so far. Although, it was never discussed how long it would take, so... OK. Glass is half full. Stay positive.

I wired the CV up like my '57RI. 250k CTS pots, Sprague cap in the tones.

I rigged up my amp with a DOD mixer box so I could A/B the CV with my '57 RI. That way I didn't have to turn the amp off, unplug, plug in another, turn on...etc... Just both guitars on, pick one up right after another and play.

Dude..... Freaking.... Nailed... IT!!!

I A/B 'd every switch position side by side, and literally couldn't tell the difference. My CV sounds exactly like my '57RI now to a capital "T".

Not only is this a nice upgrade, I really want to take my hat off to an honest guy who produced what he said he would at a low cost. I can overlook the time it took and a few pickup covers. THIS DUDE NAILED THIS SOUND!!

So if anyone is looking for their Squier to sound vintage and par with Fender pickups but can't quite afford them, I do recommend Benson Custom hand wound pickups. John Benson deserves props from me. He's genius. It blows me away that he nailed it this close being put in a Squier with a Rosewood neck as opposed to a real Fender RI with a Maple neck.

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Post subject:
Posted: Fri Mar 26, 2010 9:37 am
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Thank you. Always good to hear a success story.


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Post subject:
Posted: Fri Mar 26, 2010 1:36 pm
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Love 'em man. Since then, I've bought another set for one of my Stagemasters. I decided to turn it into a modern looking Duo Sonic so to speak. Only this time I just asked him to make whatever he felt he would like if he were to have this done to his guitar.

The pickups he sent me were once again freaking awesome!! Higher output, very balanced, nice clarity, killer bite in the highs in the bridge, nice bass tones in the neck, together they merge nicely.. I honestly have nothing bad to say about Benson pickups. Our other guitar player will be getting a set for his Tele tomorrow, and I'll be going for a 3rd set in the future for Zeke. Probably a 60's set. It does take a month for them to be made and arrive. But I have no problem with that. The product is very much worth it to me.

My Stagemaster:
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Don't be afraid to give these pickups a try.

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Post subject:
Posted: Sat Mar 27, 2010 5:50 pm
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Joined: Sun Feb 14, 2010 8:25 am
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Maybe a stupid question, but are there left handed pickups or can you just turn them around?

Thanks,

Brian


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