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Post subject: 2 Pickup MIJ Strat mini replacement
Posted: Sun Dec 11, 2011 3:44 pm
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Joined: Wed Aug 04, 2010 2:07 pm
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Hello, I'm look for some help. Recently I picked up a 1992/93 Mini Stratocaster MIJ.
There are only two pickups on this little guy. I'm guessing the pickups are pretty low quality and would like to change them. I've done some research, and guess I'm leaning towards the CS 69 or the Fralin Vintage Hot.

My question is, since there are only two pickups, should I get one of them to be reversed polarity?

I'm also curious about the Bass Plate that is offered by Fralin. What it is used for? Their site states "For Bridge pickups, not necessary for Steel Poled Sets".

Also, any suggestions on pots, caps, switches, wiring? There is only 1 tone control, volume and the two pickups. 3 way switch of course. I read somewhere the Fender CTS 250k was a decent pot.

I also read somewhere that add a Callahan Stainless Steel neck plate and screws does a lot to help the sound and increase sustain. Anyone familiar with that product?

Thanks,


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Post subject: Re: 2 Pickup MIJ Strat mini replacement
Posted: Sun Dec 11, 2011 4:00 pm
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Let's take it from the top:

The OEM pickups are "bottom feeders"

You're going from one extreme to the other with the CS69s vs the Fralin Vintage Hots.

If it is important to you to when you have both pickups on at the same time for them to be humbucking, then yes, one should be ordered RW/RP. Note that this is not an option with the CS69s.

The purpose of a base plate on any single coil is to alter it's magnetic field. This enhances the mids and lows while at the same time, gives the perception that the pickup is more powerful with the plate than without it.

Steel poled pickups have a bar magnet or magnets butted up to them from the bottom (base) of the pickup. This is why Fralin states a base plate is not necessary for steel poled sets as for all intents and purposes, the combination is already there, albeit in reverse.

CTS pots, OEM Fender caps and 22 AWG stranded core wire is quite adequate.

As to the Callaham plate, I have no first hand knowledge. IMO though, I don't think the money outlay vs. the claimed improvement justifies the expense.

StratJrSearch wrote:
Hello, I'm look for some help. Recently I picked up a 1992/93 Mini Stratocaster MIJ.
There are only two pickups on this little guy. I'm guessing the pickups are pretty low quality and would like to change them. I've done some research, and guess I'm leaning towards the CS 69 or the Fralin Vintage Hot.

My question is, since there are only two pickups, should I get one of them to be reversed polarity?

I'm also curious about the Bass Plate that is offered by Fralin. What it is used for? Their site states "For Bridge pickups, not necessary for Steel Poled Sets".

Also, any suggestions on pots, caps, switches, wiring? There is only 1 tone control, volume and the two pickups. 3 way switch of course. I read somewhere the Fender CTS 250k was a decent pot.

I also read somewhere that add a Callahan Stainless Steel neck plate and screws does a lot to help the sound and increase sustain. Anyone familiar with that product?

Thanks,

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Post subject: Re: 2 Pickup MIJ Strat mini replacement
Posted: Sun Dec 11, 2011 4:01 pm
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You intend to spend $400 in upgrades for a $100 guitar......?

:?

No matter.

Having one of the pickups as a RP/RW replacement will produce humbucking results and decrease spurious noise, but only when both pickups are selected.

Fralin VH's are a nice set to push an amp into compression and OD with, the CS '69s less so. A better choice might be the Texas Specials (the middle pickup of this set is RP/RW).

The base plate is intended to increase the magnetic field and overall mass of the magnets -- this yields a fatter tone, especially handy for taming the bridge pickup's "bite".

The CTS 250K pots are commonly used with traditional single-coil Strat pickups -- a US-made CRL or Oak-Grigsby switch will be a significant improvement over your OEM selector.

A neck plate is a neck plate -- any speculation to the contrary is pure sophistry.

Best of luck, HTH

Arjay

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