Per the specs on Fender's website, both the American Standard Strat and the VG Strat have American Strat Single Coil Pickups. Yet when I A-B'ed the two guitars the other day (using the same amp), the volume output was significantly greater from the American Standard vs. the VG? I did make sure to have the VG in Normal mode.

First off, can anyone confirm that both guitars do have the same single coil pickups? And if they are the same, why would one guitar have higher volume-output than the other?

Thanks!

I am far from the all-knowing expert, but I don't think the VG and an MIA Std have the same pickups at all. I always thought that the VG had its own special pickups (I could be wrong, though...). Regarding pickups, they are (for the most part) passive electronic devices that have "resistance" which is measured in Ohms. As resistance increases or decreases (based on the type of pickup), then the current output will likewise change. This results is differing outputs for different pickups. That is why pickup matching is important -- as you don't want (typically) a high-output pickup on the same guitar with a low-output one.

Hope this helps...

_________________
Laughing out loud with fear and hope, I have a desperate plan ...