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Post subject: How to ID Texas Special Pick ups
Posted: Sat Jun 05, 2010 5:27 pm
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Howdy from Big D.

Rookie player wondering how I can tell which pickups are in the used Mexican Strat I purchased. The previous owner upgraged the tuners, but I don't know what else.

All the talk about the Texas Special pick ups make me want to slap in a set. Do I need to pull the pick guard to see?
Image

Thanks, Todd

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Posted: Sun Jun 06, 2010 6:05 am
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Looking at the poles they appear regular Standard Strat (MIM).

You can take a few screws out of the side of the pickguard and peek underneath. Std. Strat pups would have two ceramic bar magnets underneath each pickup and Vinyl wires.

Custom Shop (like Texas Specials) pups have cloth wires (yellow, white, black are common colors) ..........some have staggered poles.

Alnico pole magnets (no bars).

A resistance reading is a good indicator too in finding out what they are, but if they have the bars, they are Std. MIM Strat pups. Those aren't too bad either really.

CERAMIC MAGS:
http://media.photobucket.com/image/fender%20standard%20stratocaster%20pickups/spud1950/MIMpickups2.jpg


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Posted: Sun Jun 06, 2010 6:33 am
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Looks like I've got the standard MIM pick ups. That helps a lot, thanks. I am going to stop by Guitar Center on the way back from playing disc golf today.

My playing has moved from just major chords and pent scales to several intros. Will these pick ups make my intro to "Gimme three steps" ring even better? Love that Skynyrd! Seriously, I'm not that good yet, but love the way folks talk about the Texas Specials. I took the strings off and peeled back the pickguard. Flash made the silver backing look a little bronze, but here is what I have:
Image
Thanks for the input, see you at GC!

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Posted: Sun Jun 06, 2010 6:41 am
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Good deal. Like I said those aren't too bad. They do sound Strat !

Try some different pickup heights. Try them real low (like almost level with the pickguard) and in the middle (between pickguard and strings). Heights can make or brake a pickup. You can balance them one to another when you find a sweet spot. Just strum a chord slow, then go to another pickup. They should be set up relatively close in volume of each other. That way they sound nice together ( parallel position 2 and 4)

Also have the treble side (high e) about 1/16"- 1/8" higher than the bass.

All this pickup stuff is VERY subjective so to each his own.

Best of luck in your playing/learning !


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Posted: Sun Jun 06, 2010 6:51 am
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Awesome, thanks. Can you adjust p'up height with strings on? Also, where do you take resistance readings, at the Jack or on the p'up?

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Posted: Sun Jun 06, 2010 8:37 am
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tbachli wrote:
Awesome, thanks. Can you adjust p'up height with strings on? Also, where do you take resistance readings, at the Jack or on the p'up?


Your very welcome !

You can do the adjustments with the strings on. The two scews on the outside of each pup do it. Clockwise is up.

Best to take readings at the switch. Test right on the lead from the pup that is solderd to a terminal. Make sure you don't have the pickup you are reading "ON" at the selector switch or the pots will through the reading off.

Id est, set the switch on #1 Bridge ( all the way back towards the vol. control) to check the NECK.

You can take the screws out of the pickgurad and lift it up a tad to get at the controls so you don't have to mess with loosening the strings. Wedge soemthing under it to hold it up on that side.


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Posted: Sun Jun 06, 2010 9:36 am
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I got home from work now and wanted to post this:
These are ones I removed from my Std. MIM

3 Standard Single-Coil Strat® Pickups (Ceramic Magnets)
(MIM)

Strat Bridge: my originals were: 6.85k

Strat Middle: " " 6.96k RW/RP

Strat Neck: " " 6.93k

Your Strat would be the upgraded one as well (late 2005 & up)

Model Name: Standard Stratocaster (Upgrade)

Model Number: 013-4602-(Color#) or Rosewood p/n 013-4600 - (color)

Series: Standard Series

Colors: NOTE: HSS had the same colors
(306) Black
(325) Chrome Red
(332)* Brown Sunburst
(375) Midnight Wine
(380) Arctic White
(387) Electron Blue
(Polyester Finish)

Body: Alder

Neck: Maple, Modern 'C' Shape,(Satin Polyurethane Finish)
Fingerboard: Maple, 9.5 in. Radius (241mm)

Rosewood (p/n 013-4600)

No. of Frets: 21 Medium Jumbo

Pickups: 3 Standard Single-Coil Strat Pickups (Ceramic Magnets)

Controls:
Master Volume
Tone 1. (Neck Pickup)
Tone 2. (Middle Pickup)

Pickup Switching
5-Position Blade:
Position 1. Bridge Pickup
Position 2. Bridge and Middle Pickup
Position 3. Middle Pickup
Position 4. Middle and Neck Pickup
Position 5. Neck Pickup

Bridge: Vintage Style Synchronized Tremolo

Machine Heads: Fender/Ping Standard Cast/Sealed Tuning Machines

Hardware: Chrome

Pickguard: 3-Ply White

Scale Length: 25.5 in. (648 mm)

Width at Nut: 1.650 in. (42 mm)

Unique Features: Vintage Styling

Strings: Fender Super Bullets 3250L, Nickel Plated Steel, (.009 to .042)

Accessories: Standard Gig Bag

Case: None

Introduced: 1/2006

Notice: Product Prices, Features And Specifications Are Subject To Change Without Notice
-------------------


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Posted: Sun Jun 06, 2010 4:11 pm
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Good Stuff, thanks again. I'll check my resitance on the stock p'ups and see if they match up. I'll check em again after I pop in the new p'ups.

I appreciate the extra info, every little bit helps understand these magnificent music machines!

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Posted: Sun Jun 06, 2010 7:03 pm
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ubetcha !

Happy pickin' !


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Posted: Mon Jun 07, 2010 7:59 pm
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Hey, sjtalon-

Quick update- pickups are in, no headaches at all. They definitely scream! Thanks again for the tips.

My next quest is to master setting up my Mesa Boogie Express 5:50. How can i get this mean, throaty tone:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=whZLAmzJ ... V45cNi3XJA

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Posted: Sun Jun 13, 2010 7:34 am
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Well I'm glad it all turned out right and you are welcome for the help.

To get that fat meaty tone is pretty hard with single coil pickups.


If you ever get to a guitar shop, play a guitar with humbuckers or P90's will give that. Some put them in Telecasters.

I guess you could say as far as Rock players now a days, the Gibson Les Paul seems to be the thing, that's what she is playing there.

Humbuckers just drive an amp well and are naturally FAT in tone so really give that chunky distorted tone you hear a lot of. Certain amps (Marshall) and pedals do a lot for tone too.

Gibson Gold Top (P90's)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XTEtDw_6KKc

Takes him a while to get going, but it's worth the wait !


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