Hello all..... I have a MIM HSS Strat that I just recently bought in April. This may be a dumb question but.... if I want to replace the humbucker with a single coil can it be done? The reason being, I am getting another guitar with humbuckers and may want my Strat to have the classic single coil tones.... Thanks!!

I'm sure it could be done, but you'll be left with a big, ugly hole in the body twice the size of a normal single coil. Also, you may have t have the body re-routed since the rear single sits on an angle whereas the humbucker is, I believe, perpendicular to the strings.

There are people better suited to answering this than me, it seems.

Thanks... I know ther will be a big ugly hole but a figured a new pick guard will hide that. I may have to just sell it and get a single coil model... no biggy. I was just wondering.

easily done Bro and most Strats are routed H S H now anyway, even the SSS ones so it doesn't matter that it originally came HSS.

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If I am not mistaken (and sometimes I am) the Humbucker routing in your guitar is big enough to fit a Single Coil in it's normal angled position.

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I didn't Lose my mind, I traded it for this guitar.

Sure is.The new SSS pickguard will do the rest. Mike

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So this is no big deal then. Cool.. That's very convenient that the new Strats are all cut out that way. Makes sense for the Mexicans I guess... Since I will have to pop in a new single coil it will be a great time to upgrade all the pups. When the time comes I'll be looking for some advice on that too! Thanks again!

Saljam all you need is the new pickguard, the singlecoil pickup, a screwdriver and a soldering iron. When your ready come back and we will be glad to help.
Here is a good lesson on strat rewire from seymour duncan. He shows how to make a really neat job of those wires.
http://www.seymourduncan.com/movie/Strat_High/330/250

Good luck.

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Thanks alot dude!!!!

Just remember even Seymour Duncan draws on a piece of paper what wires go where before he does anything. Its a good idea for you to do it too.

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I consider myself very handy but when it comes to electronics of any sort I shy away (like changing a light switch) I can handle changing light bulbs though!! .... Is this something you recommend someone trying for the first time or having a pro do it?

Its not difficult if you can use a soldering iron, draw a sketch of where your pickup wires go to now (make sure you mark their colours down too) and make sure you understand which wire goes where with the new pickup. Practice a bit with a soldering iron if you have little or no experience of using one. I dont know you or your capabilities so if you think it may be a bit too much then get a repair man to do it. It shouldnt cost more than £20 in england, $30 in the usa.

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Coil tap!

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Changing pickups is very simple. The schematic that comes with the new pickups are usually very clear and in general (Yes there are some exceptions) wherever the original wires come off, the new wires go on.

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"Life is like eating jalapenos. What you do today may burn your arse tomorrow"

Thanks for all the help... Last question.. Can i just buy a single bridge pickup to match the existing ones on my MIM Strat? If so, how do I know what type came stock and where can I purchase just the bridge pickup? If it's any help, I bought my MIM Strat in April of this year from Musicians Friend...