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Post subject: Pickup Change to MIJ Strat
Posted: Thu May 25, 2017 11:39 am
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I have a 1997 MIJ Strat and I've never been completely happy with the pickups. I'd like something with a bit more output and bite.

Any recommendations would be welcome.


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Post subject: Re: Pickup Change to MIJ Strat
Posted: Thu May 25, 2017 12:41 pm
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Is this the same Strat you needed new pickups in 2016? viewtopic.php?f=6&t=100131

Anyways, choosing pickups is ultrahighly a personal matter.

That being said, the DiMarzio hints on the linked topic could very well apply, although some pickups today may be obsolete. Another option from DiMarzio; the Area™ Strat® Replacement Pickguard, part number FG2108A4.

If you want to stay inside Fender's selection:
Depending on how raunchy you want to go, you could visit a big enough guitar shop and play e.g. both Vaughan Bros Strats - Stevie Ray model has the Texas Specials, Jimmie (the other Vaughan, *grin*...) model has the Tex-Mex versions. To me, those pups are too in-your-face, but many like them, and they do have that output and bite you want.
And while at the store, test any Strat with the 4th generation Noiselesses - like them or not, you have some comparison points.
And then there are the Fat50's and CS69's; I think neither of these has haters.

Outside the Fender sandbox, and as an ultrahighly personal opinion: can't go wrong with Lollars. Plus, there probably is a custom pickup manufacturer in your 'hood, willing to hear all your wishes and realize them. :wink:


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Post subject: Re: Pickup Change to MIJ Strat
Posted: Thu May 25, 2017 12:59 pm
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Yes it is and I forgot all about that one. I've been playing it more and it's bothering me again. I never thought about playing other Strats.

Thanks!


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Post subject: Re: Pickup Change to MIJ Strat
Posted: Thu May 25, 2017 11:16 pm
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rwdavis2 wrote:
never thought about playing other Strats

That's one way to get some idea on what's a typical sound for a pickup set with your playing&musical style, allthough it won't guarantee that your guitar with a similar pickup set would sound exactly the same (even if you test with a similar amp).
Anyway, it's IMHO better than comparing by youtube videos or sound samples on webshop pages.

And a helluva lot better than trusting interweb advice from peers - the answers are (mostly?) honest, but the ultrahighly personal variables make it a mess. :lol:


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Post subject: Re: Pickup Change to MIJ Strat
Posted: Fri May 26, 2017 4:58 am
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interesting, I had a mIJ strat from that time frame, and I kick myself now and then for selling it. It was quite a sweet sounding guitar.

Anyways...

I have 2 strats one with a set of Texas Specials and Fat 50s.

Texas Specials will have some bite to them. But I think the story here is they are not for everyone. I like em, but I also like the Fat 50s.

There's a few places where you can get prewired pickgaurds with Fender pups (Texas Specials, Fat 50s, etc)

My band mate recently ordered one with Texas Specials to replace the stock pickgaurd/pups in his MIM strat.

Which he decided on after trying both of my strats with their pickup config into his rig.

he's been very happy with the results, and how easy the upgrade was using the pre-wired / pre-assembled option. The workmanship was top notch, he's a repair tech himself, and real good at soldering and wiring, he says he couldn't even do that good of a job.


Last edited by KidBlast on Fri May 26, 2017 5:03 am, edited 1 time in total.

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Post subject: Re: Pickup Change to MIJ Strat
Posted: Fri May 26, 2017 4:58 am
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rwdavis2 wrote:
I have a 1997 MIJ Strat and I've never been completely happy with the pickups. I'd like something with a bit more output and bite.

Any recommendations would be welcome.

Agree with JM that Texas Specials would probably give you what you want. Quite a few Strats hanging in your local music shop (if you have one) will have them, so it's easy enough to try them. The Special is a case in point.

Also (unlike the more esoteric brands), used sets are relatively common on Ebay, if you wanted to buy, the advantage being that you can sell them for much the same price if they don't suit. And as the same pickups can sound different on different Strats, buying your own obviously means you can try them on YOUR Strat for as long as you like...

I like them, but as JM implies, recommending pickups is highly contentious! There are many on this forum who wouldn't give 'em house-room - fair enough!

Cheers - Peter.


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Post subject: Re: Pickup Change to MIJ Strat
Posted: Fri May 26, 2017 5:11 am
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Peter S wrote:
rwdavis2 wrote:
I have a 1997 MIJ Strat and I've never been completely happy with the pickups. I'd like something with a bit more output and bite.

Any recommendations would be welcome.

Agree with JM that Texas Specials would probably give you what you want. Quite a few Strats hanging in your local music shop (if you have one) will have them, so it's easy enough to try them. The Special is a case in point.

Also (unlike the more esoteric brands), used sets are relatively common on Ebay, if you wanted to buy, the advantage being that you can sell them for much the same price if they don't suit. And as the same pickups can sound different on different Strats, buying your own obviously means you can try them on YOUR Strat for as long as you like...

I like them, but as JM implies, recommending pickups is highly contentious! There are many on this forum who wouldn't give 'em house-room - fair enough!

Cheers - Peter.


Good idea to look on ebay.


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Post subject: Re: Pickup Change to MIJ Strat
Posted: Fri May 26, 2017 9:02 am
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Some Fender Japan Strats were factory fitted with Texas Specials. Might be an idea to check under the pickguard see what's in there. Replacing like for like wouldn't be the best way.


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Post subject: Re: Pickup Change to MIJ Strat
Posted: Fri May 26, 2017 11:17 am
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If you haven't upgraded the POTs and switch, I'd start there. Often times this will improve the tone enough to satisfy. Otherwise there are many, many options out there to acquire a pre-loaded pick guard as already suggested. I wouldn't buy used unless you can inspect in person and or know and trust the seller.


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Post subject: Re: Pickup Change to MIJ Strat
Posted: Fri May 26, 2017 11:26 am
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With a MIJ/CIJ instrument, it may be prudent to use the original pickguard. Dimensional differences are a known issue with many of these guitars.

Arjay

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Post subject: Re: Pickup Change to MIJ Strat
Posted: Fri May 26, 2017 2:27 pm
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Retroverbial wrote:
With a MIJ/CIJ instrument, it may be prudent to use the original pickguard. Dimensional differences are a known issue with many of these guitars.

Arjay


Great point forgot about that.


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Post subject: Re: Pickup Change to MIJ Strat
Posted: Fri May 26, 2017 2:30 pm
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It's generally more of a problem with the Fender-Japan basses but some of the guitar models may not have 100% interchangeability with Fender-US (or aftermarket) parts either.

Arjay

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Post subject: Re: Pickup Change to MIJ Strat
Posted: Sat May 27, 2017 1:27 am
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In my experience (provided, of course, that one has chosen the right model pickguard), the fitting issues with MIJ's are usually no more than minor screw hole dislocations - and that can happen with any Strat when upgrading with an aftermarket = non-Fender part.
The neck butt and trem plate cuts for MIJ's don't differ from other Strats - and most contemporary pg makers seem to get these right.

On improving sound via upgrading pots and switch, I respectfully disagree. That upgrade may improve functionality (e.g. old scratchy pots and/or a crackling/cut-outing switch to new ones that work properly), but has no audible effect to sound.


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Post subject: Re: Pickup Change to MIJ Strat
Posted: Sat May 27, 2017 6:53 am
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Chalk me up as one of the guy's that HATE the Texas Special pickup's.
Marketer's make it a point to use 'guitar God' Stevie Ray Vaughn as the "foundation" of Texas Special sound...I bought into it...and I couldn't be more disappointed to find out that I am not SRV. :roll: :oops: :roll: LOL!

Seriously though; if you are looking for "hot", the Texas Specials may be for you....too hot for me, my style, and what I play. So, I can't tell YOU what YOU will like...just tell you what I DON'T like, and why I don't like them.

I actually like the stock pickup's of my 12' & 15' MIM Standard Strat's, and use pedals (on my Blues Junior and Solid State amps) and Super Champ X2 effects to change my sounds. It's already been said; maybe a pickup change is not what you need...perhaps you should experiment with effects?


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Post subject: Re: Pickup Change to MIJ Strat
Posted: Sun Jun 04, 2017 7:15 pm
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Before you go spending money on another set of pickup have you tried adjusting pickup height? That can make a huge difference.

Do a search for my post on "The nickel method". If you don't find it I will post it again.

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