I just bought a new Strat and because of the amazing deal I bought a HSS model instead of the SSS I was looking for. So I will be replacing these pups. Then I want to put these into my old Squire Strat to improve her sound. So I actually have 2 questions.

First- My Squire is a SSS config. It is a 2002 20th Aniv model. So I'm hoping to be able to move my HSS pups from my new strat to this one. Does anyone know if the routing on the Squire will fit the HSS pups? (I"ve never looked under the hood on her so I have no idea)

I never wanted HSS pups, but now that I have em I love the way they sound. (they just are not the sound I'm looking for for my Fender Strat) So I hope I can improve my Squire Strats sound with these.

Second- Can you guys offer ideas on what pups to take a look at? The music I play is mostly a mix of Hendrix/SRV with a good chunk of classic rock thrown in. Think Zep/AC/DC Maybe some GnR. I know alot of pups will cover that music pretty good. But my main concern is I will also throw in a good helping of Metallica. So is there a pup that will be able to handle a good mix of blues rock/Classic and modern rock/Metallica?

I wont be playing anything harder then Metallica.

The routing in the Squier should accommodate the H/S/S combo.

I'm a bit confused with your aim for the new Strat. Will this be an S/S/S or H/S/S combo?

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You dig?

it will be a SSS. I never wanted the HSS. I just bought it because the deal was insane! But now that I've played the HSS set up I love the sound. So I will move these to my Squire to make her sound like a real guitar. (right now she is toooo thin and weak sounding)

I'm going to black out all the parts on my new one and improve the sound of my old on. All in one swap!

The HSS sound is not what I want out of my new strat but will (hopefully) greatly improve my squire.

Based on your requirements and if you don't mind the S/S/S combo remaining single coil (meaning, not stacked HBs), I'd put a Seymour Duncan SSL-3 in the bridge, a Seymour Duncan SSL-6 in the middle and a Seymour Duncan SSL-2 in the neck. I'd also add a blender pot for any and all combinations of the pickups. I've just done this to one of my Strats and believe me, it covers EVERYTHING you've listed EXCEPTIONALLY well!

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You dig?

Why is it that the first thing people want to do when they buy a guitar is change the pickups? Why not buy what you want in the first place?

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James Burton Upgrade Telecaster
Hot Rodded Am Fat Strat Texas Special (now featuring Kinman Traditional II pickups)
Fender Blues Jr.
SWR California Blonde
Pedals Pedals Pedals

My Squier Standard Strat is routed for H-S-H, and yours probably is as well. This should give you all the flexibility you need to upgrade the instrument.



Remember to show us lots of nice before-and-after pictures!

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I really like all them "Aster" guitars. You know, like the Stratoc, Telec and Jazzm.

because the guitar was brand new and half the price! But mainly because I bought this Strat specifically for a project guitar. The only reason I don't buy exactly what I want off the shelf. Is because Fender does not offer it. So to get what I want I can do it myself. Or go through the Custom shop and pay three times the price (or more) if I did it myself. And still not get the custom design I want.

IRISH TOUR Single Coil Set

Take on the Texas Longhorn with real Irish passion. Gritty, bright and hot, these will cut through the smokiest of clubs night after night.

The Irish Tour single coil set comes with flat profile Alnico V magnets and extra winds of 42 guage plain enamel wire to really drive the front end of your amp hard.
Reverse wound, reverse polarity middle pickup as standard for hum cancelling in position 2 and 4 of a 5 way switch, this set is powerful yet articulate and extremely versatile with bags of single coil character.

Traditional cloth 'push back' cable and fully wax potted to prevent microphonic feedback, the Irish Tour set will have you over hot coals for life - guaranteed!
http://lothsonguitars.com/bareknuckle-pickups.html
Get away from the mundane and live a little. You will be supprised what you get when you try some of the less common commercial name brands.
Rio Grande pickups are smoking good as well.
http://www.riograndepickups.com/index.html

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The strongest reason for the people to retain the right to keep and bear arms is, as a last resort, to protect themselves against tyranny in government.

Thomas Jefferson

Why not just get a new pickgard and put a single coil in the bridge?

I'm looking to do the same thing. I wanted to paint my own strat so was looking for something cheap to paint. I got a 2006 Strat HSS cheap, but wanted 3 single coils. So I think I'm going to put the HSS in my 87 squier. My squier is the best sounding strat I have, Unplugged, but once I plug it in it kind of dies on me. So I think this should be somewhat better than the stock pickups. Then I need to pick out some single coils. Those Irish Tour ones look to fit my need, but the price is a little high.

I might go with the Power Lace Sensors with the black covers, but have 2 Strat Plus' with Lace Sensors, so would like to try something new.

I'd rather get the sound I want all in one shot. Instead of just replacing the Humbucker with a single to find out its not what I was looking for. Then having to do it all over again anyway. New pups are pretty inexpensive. So I'd rather do it all while I have the pick guard off at the same time.

Thanks for the info cvilleira. I do like the tone on the Irish Tour. Nice clean tone. I wish the Rio Grande pups had a sound sample. Kinda hard to buy a pup without hearing it first.

I put a set of Irish Tours infor someone and was blown away at the sound. I tend to shy away from the common Seymour Duncan's because I tell My customers find your own sound of course some want the Seymour's or some other because thats what everyone else uses. Sometimes its a cost matter.

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The strongest reason for the people to retain the right to keep and bear arms is, as a last resort, to protect themselves against tyranny in government.

Thomas Jefferson

And sometimes the Duncans are exactly what is required tonally without having to ridiculously overpay for a very simply constructed pickup.

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You dig?

SD's don't really interest me. Not sure why. Maybe it is because its what everyone else has.

I am interested in staying with Fender Pups or pups offered by Fender. But I am in no way set in stone on that. Just a preference at this point.

But I won't rule anything out. What ever will do what I want and sounds the best doing it is what I want to go with.

Basically I just want something that can handle some SRV a little Jimi and some Metallica and sound great with each of them.