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Post subject: 2018 Jeff Beck Strat - Changing pickups and pickguard
Posted: Fri Sep 21, 2018 1:18 am
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Hello fellow musicians. I just bought a Jeff Beck strat and I am hoping to get some guidelines on how I can change its pickups and pickguard.

It comes with the noiseless pickups and I would like to change them to an Eric Johnson pickups and a 3 ply mint pickguard (same pickguard as the american original 60's olympic white)

First, is this possible? changing a noiseless to EJ pickups? Second, is there soldering required here? Thank you guys!


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Post subject: Re: 2018 Jeff Beck Strat - Changing pickups and pickguard
Posted: Fri Sep 21, 2018 3:38 am
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The Jeff Beck model has a lot of features which (I thought) included a special "dual-core ceramic" version of the Noiseless pickups that are not on other Strats. And your taking them out 15 minutes after getting the guitar? And not sure if "solder" is involved? With all due respect (and I mean that sincerely), this sounds a little crazy to my ears ...

Which color did you get, though? The green or white? Can you post pics of it, please?

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Post subject: Re: 2018 Jeff Beck Strat - Changing pickups and pickguard
Posted: Fri Sep 21, 2018 5:44 am
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Keep the guitar stock!


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Post subject: Re: 2018 Jeff Beck Strat - Changing pickups and pickguard
Posted: Fri Sep 21, 2018 6:46 am
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Other Strat pickups and pickguards will fit perfectly and easily.

But yes, you have to solder. You could buy a loaded fully-assembled pickguard, but even with that you'd need to solder the wires to the output jack. (However, that's easier than soldering to the backs of the pots, and reduces the risk of mistakes and having to disassemble the guitar multiple times to correct those mistakes.)
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It's "just" a mass-produced current production guitar. Not a precious vintage instrument, and no reason to expect it to become a collectable where strict originality affects the value. Keep the old parts so they can be reinstalled -- a few new solder joints won't hurt the value.
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In general I'd agree with the advice to live with the guitar for a good long while before modifying it. Try adjusting the pickup heights and adjusting amp settings.

But it's entirely possible you have experience with Fender Noiseless and just don't like them. And bought that guitar for its other features, despite knowing you don't love the stock pickups.

It's your guitar. It's not like you're thinking of some crazy irreversible major mod. Swapping pickups isn't a big deal.


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Post subject: Re: 2018 Jeff Beck Strat - Changing pickups and pickguard
Posted: Fri Sep 21, 2018 9:03 am
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Aged Mint would be cool with the Olympic White body/Rosewood neck combo.


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Post subject: Re: 2018 Jeff Beck Strat - Changing pickups and pickguard
Posted: Fri Sep 21, 2018 11:41 am
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watch this video for how to change them.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BgYj1nlNFeU

I switched out the pick guard and pick ups on my MIM Strat.
it wasn't hard but I have a bit of experience with a solder iron.

I only had to do it once but take your time.


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Post subject: Re: 2018 Jeff Beck Strat - Changing pickups and pickguard
Posted: Fri Sep 21, 2018 2:25 pm
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strayedstrater wrote:
Other Strat pickups and pickguards will fit perfectly and easily.

But yes, you have to solder. You could buy a loaded fully-assembled pickguard, but even with that you'd need to solder the wires to the output jack. (However, that's easier than soldering to the backs of the pots, and reduces the risk of mistakes and having to disassemble the guitar multiple times to correct those mistakes.)
-----------------------
It's "just" a mass-produced current production guitar. Not a precious vintage instrument, and no reason to expect it to become a collectable where strict originality affects the value. Keep the old parts so they can be reinstalled -- a few new solder joints won't hurt the value.
------------------
In general I'd agree with the advice to live with the guitar for a good long while before modifying it. Try adjusting the pickup heights and adjusting amp settings.

But it's entirely possible you have experience with Fender Noiseless and just don't like them. And bought that guitar for its other features, despite knowing you don't love the stock pickups.

It's your guitar. It's not like you're thinking of some crazy irreversible major mod. Swapping pickups isn't a big deal.
+1

With ten tone choices on my Strat with noiseless N3s are they perfect? Nope! With the original sweet ‘62 Strat that I played at the age of 16 was it pefect? Some would say yes, others would say no. It’s all subjective. I have settings on my Amn. Strat that aren’t my thing, but more to other’s liking.

I fully agree to have the pups setup and amp tweaked or supplemented with electronics before and/or after the amp. If plugins are your thing that's cool too.

I could get a different Strat, or hot rod my existing guitar to more resemble a ‘62; but, I will say this (much to some others’ doubt) I can get my N3s (not all of course) to replicate that vintage sound. How? Well, you might get or progress to your tone by changing pickups and/or corresponding electronics.

I spent much time tweaking (knowing there’s an easier way to get the tone). I tested a lot of A/B comparison, recalling songs I played or knew from yesteryear, and finding the combination required, including changing brand and gauge of strings with a complete setup. I can’t say the tweaking is easy to replicate once undone, but I know what tone to reach for so I’m confident that I have an advantage. Moving ahead in years and genre I would have less of an advantage, but still it is not impossible; however, without knowing the basic rig it could be. Besides, you’d have to have all of the same equipment (in my case a 60s Bandmaster with a 1963 Fender vintage spring reverb and a 1962 Daphne Blue Strat)(one’s similar recording or otherwise) to A/B it. Therefore, close is about as good as one can expect.

The lesson here is to not cut your stock pups out until you’ve put in the time. You might be surprised. There are very few stock rigs to compare with on stage or in the studio. There is a lot of tone changing in front and after that axe, and much of it is either not revealed, customized, vintage, or one of of a kind solution.

I can buy a car like Richard Petty drove, and I did, but it ain’t Richard Petty’s - unless it is. Look at Willie Nelson’s Trigger or David Gilmour’s #0001 Stratocaster. Unique. Try and reproduce that! :wink:
Nevertheless, make it your own, and have fun with the project, pitman907, and good times with a welcome to the Forum.

FSB

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