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Post subject: New pickups in my Squier Strat!
Posted: Sun Feb 14, 2010 8:29 am
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I just finished doing all the upgrades I've wanted to do to my 2007 Squier Standard Stratocaster (CII), and I couldn't be happier.

Apart from the pearloid pickguard that you can see in these photos, I also added Fender Vintage Noiseless pickups and all the circuitry that entails.

ImageImage

These are the same pickups that come in the Eric Clapton Signature Strat (admittedly without the mid boost). I've always loved the look and feel of this guitar, and now it sounds incredible too! 8)

UPDATE: Check out the cool custom neckplate that forum user Ceri made for me!

Image
:)

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I really like all them "Aster" guitars. You know, like the Stratoc, Telec and Jazzm. :wink:


Last edited by russianracehorse on Tue Mar 09, 2010 2:06 pm, edited 1 time in total.

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Posted: Sun Feb 14, 2010 9:08 am
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they look great in there and i bet they sound even better.
grats on the new pups.


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Posted: Sun Feb 14, 2010 2:18 pm
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What kind of sound do they produce? I've just bought an Affinity Strat and want to upgrade the pickups. Want to give it some more grunt without losing that Strat sound.


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Posted: Sun Feb 14, 2010 3:55 pm
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bensophie123 wrote:
What kind of sound do they produce? I've just bought an Affinity Strat and want to upgrade the pickups. Want to give it some more grunt without losing that Strat sound.

To me it's the vintage 50s sound: nice and jangly for old-time rock & roll. But the neck pickup is nice and creamy for a bluesy-jazzy groove.

Judge for yourself. Here's a guy (not me) playing his Squier Strat with Vintage Noiseless pickups: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D7iyaVywa7Y

For comparison, here's another guy with a before and after video of his Squier Strat with Hot Noiseless pickups: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OdhJtTSvq9k

Finally, if "grunt" is what you seek, you might consider the Texas Special pickups. Here's forum member texasguitarslinger wowing the crowd with her Squier Strat fitted with those pickups: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u9B46QSdi8Y

I hope this helps! 8)

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I really like all them "Aster" guitars. You know, like the Stratoc, Telec and Jazzm. :wink:


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Posted: Thu Feb 18, 2010 12:59 am
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NICE!

One question though. Heard alot of people say that they expected alot out of the Vintage Noiseless and felt let down with the results. Then they replaced the stock 250k pots with 750k or more and got what they were looking for. Your post states that you replaced the circuitry - does that mean that you got the full kit? If so, what was the value of the pots that came with the kit. From what I've read Fender recommends 1000k pots and that is what they supply in the kit. Others have said that going with 1000k was almost as bad as keeping the stock 250k pots and got the tone they wanted with 750k. Referring to the stock 250k tone pots - not the 500k volume. Some people seem to love the vintage noiseless and others hate them. Think the haters are the ones who try to use them without changing the pots.

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Posted: Thu Feb 18, 2010 6:40 am
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Hi stagemasterplayer! Yes, I did buy the kit, which includes the pickups themselves, a capacitor, a resistor and three pots: 2x 1M for tone and 1x 500K for volume. The set also came with a wiring diagram. I had the work done by my guitar tech, so I don't know exactly what the differences are between the noiseless circuit and the standard version. My tech also had to change out the five-way switch because the original Squier switch would not work with the noiseless circuit--I don't know why, but I wasn't going to kvetch over six bucks. What I do know is the sound is louder, cleaner and slappier than before. Of course, part of that probably comes from going from .009 to .010 strings. But the thing is truly noiseless without sacrificing the classic Strat tone, and I like it.

BTW, these pickups come with covers in either black or antique white. Ceri helped me find some true white covers, which gave me exactly the look I wanted.

I should mention a few adjustments I've made since I got the new pickups installed. First of all, I found the recommended pickup heights to be much too high and shrill. You may be able to tell from the photos that I have them pretty low. I've also rolled off the tone: 5 on the neck and 7.5 in the middle. Perhaps the "haters" didn't take the time to make these fixes.

So the bottom line is that you can give your Squier Strat the same guts as the Eric Clapton Strat (minus the mid-boost) for a lot less money. I say go for it! 8)

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Posted: Thu Feb 18, 2010 8:05 pm
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Thanx from a transplanted Texan!!!

Didn't notice at first, but the pups DO look a little low. Was wondering where you got the "new" white since all I've seen is antique white and black. Mine is an HSS so just plan on replacing the neck and mid. The bucker is black so was going to opt for the black covers. I also have only 1 tone pot and it controls the mid and mid/bridge - not sure what the 1m tone pot is going to do to the tone of the hb in the bridge and I don't have a problem with tone of it now. Seems like I remember reading that Fender uses 500k tone pots on their HH models so should be able to go at least that high without any problem - might even make the hb sound better but 1m might be going too far. That's why was hoping that the kit came with a 750k. Been saving up for a MIM and was going to load it with Texas Specials but now starting to reconsider and think might be better off going with Texas Specials on the neck and mid of the Stagemaster and going with the full noiseless kit on the MIM. Thanx again!

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Esteban Celestial Night(nicely tweeked)
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Posted: Fri Feb 19, 2010 2:56 am
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:) They look great, bet they sound great aswell.

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