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Post subject: Question about internal Strat modifications
Posted: Wed Oct 22, 2008 3:10 pm
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Hi guys! I am new to the forum but not to Fenders- after many long years I have finally found my perfect guitar... A black '62 reissue. I think it's one of the best looking, best playing guitars ever made!

The build quality, fit and finish on mine rivals most of the Custom Shop Strats I have played in every department except the pickups, pots, etc.

My question is where can I find a good resource explaining the sonic characteristics of different pickups, pots and how to properly mix them. I am certain that after I sort all of that out I will have a keeper for life.


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Posted: Wed Oct 22, 2008 3:17 pm
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Concerning the change of pickups and mixing and matching, some people might say thats the best way to find out, and to some extent I have to agree. I loaded my first guitar which was a $@! knock off of a jaguar with Dimarzio Rails and a Jb Duncan pickup for the neck. I suggest doing some research on pickups but I said in previous forums that Dimarzios are wicked in strats! And about pots and all that good stuff. Try to get top of the line brand names and if you are using humbuckers, find 500k pots, for single coils, 250k's will do it. But remember your guitar is your own ID, give yourself a reputation with a wailing guitar man!

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Posted: Wed Oct 22, 2008 3:51 pm
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Thanks, Azzy

I am pretty familiar with the basics- I am hoping to find something outlining the affects of different caps and pots, etc. I want to try to use the information to really dial in a sort of custom tone, as unique as possible but still being classic strat.

Is there anywhere that has alternative wiring diagrams, maybe some sound samples? I'd really like to avoid having to buy a hundred different pickups to find three good ones!


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Posted: Wed Oct 22, 2008 3:58 pm
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It might sound cheesy but try youtube, Im sure if you type in (custom pups strat) or something you will get a nice load of vids. Like I said its all in research but you will find what you are looking for. :shock: Even bring your strat down to a mom and pops store and hear what they say, I find it better than hearing what those blondes over at guitar center think :wink:

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-1957 Super Strat (HSH)
-1982 Ibanez Destroyer II
-Crate Flex Wave 120 Stack
-Dunlop CryBaby Wah
-Boss DS-1
-Boss Acoustic Simulator
-E Bow
-Yamaha Multi Effects Processor

***POWDERKëGG***


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Posted: Wed Oct 22, 2008 5:51 pm
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Most of the pickup manufacturers have sound clips on their websites. They might have some info on pots, etc.

Acme has good sound clips as well.

http://www.acmeguitarworks.com/Strat_Pi ... ips_W1.cfm

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Posted: Wed Oct 22, 2008 6:01 pm
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Hi CWPainter: if you visit the websites of many of the well known independent pickup manufacturers you will find heaps of wiring diagrams and often sound clip demos of their various pickups. Now, how much store you set by one manufacturer's demo against another's, recorded on different instruments through different amps and different mics etc - well, that's up to you. But it's a start.

A few names to search for on Google:

Seymour Duncan (who's website is a primary source of wiring diagrams)
DiMarzio
Lindy Fralin
Bare Knuckle
Lace
EMG
Kent Armstrong

And of course I'm missing a few in that quick list.

Also, this page will offer you several books on guitar electronics: wiring and pickups and such. I have Guitar Electronics for Musicians and it is reasonably useful, depending how knowledgeable you already are at electrickery:

http://www.stewmac.com/shop/Books,_plan ... onics.html

Hope that's of help...

Cheers - C


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Post subject: Re: Question about internal Strat modifications
Posted: Thu Oct 23, 2008 1:30 pm
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cwpainter wrote:
Hi guys! I am new to the forum but not to Fenders- after many long years I have finally found my perfect guitar... A black '62 reissue. I think it's one of the best looking, best playing guitars ever made!

The build quality, fit and finish on mine rivals most of the Custom Shop Strats I have played in every department except the pickups, pots, etc.

My question is where can I find a good resource explaining the sonic characteristics of different pickups, pots and how to properly mix them. I am certain that after I sort all of that out I will have a keeper for life.


I spent a couple of years modding 4 different guitars. I learned everything from the Internet. The best resource for me was the Seymour Duncan Forum. The members on there will give you specific answers to all of these questions.

http://www.seymourduncan.com/forum/


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Posted: Thu Oct 23, 2008 2:14 pm
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That's awesome information, guys. Thanks a bunch! I'm going to spend a while going over it and I'll let you know what I end up with.


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Posted: Sun Oct 26, 2008 4:09 pm
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pickup selection taks a really long time :P but in the end youre happy hah a h


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Posted: Sun Oct 26, 2008 4:18 pm
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It looks like I'm going to end up with these: http://www.seymourduncan.com/products/c ... trat_75_1/

I'm going to go all out and get the sonic/cosmetic aging too. I decided to stick with the original pots and wiring scheme (I do have the 5 way in my '62) I have tried a few variations recently and found that for me the original is the best. I use the middle pickup a lot (there's that Trower influence again) so switching the second tone to the bridge didn't work for me and combining them gave a muddy sound.

Thanks again for all of your help guys!

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