I just bought a new Fender "Standard" Strat (Mexican) and I'm looking for advice re pickup (and other) upgrades. I play lead guitar in several groups - mostly for "country showcase" types of venues, Legion dances, etc., where the main focus is on "traditional/classic" country music. I normally play a very clean style, and use very little, if any, effects other than reverb. (I also play pedal steel, banjo, dobro, fiddle, & acoustic guitar.) I have several amps - A Roland Cube 60, a Peavey Classic 30 with a Celestian "Vintage 30" speaker, and a Sho-Bud Custom with a 15" JBL, which use mainly on stage, as it has 2 seperate channels, allowing me to set up one for pedal steel, and the other for lead guitar.
I'm looking for a clean balanced sound, with lots of "sparkle", good sustain, and good clear note separation. I find the stock pickups are ok, but am looking for advice re different pickups, pots, capaciters, bridge/saddle replacement, etc. Any comments/assistance will be greatly appreciated!
Thanks, J.J.

First, you didn't want a Tele? Ok. Not being sarcastic here...

do not go the alnico V route, yes, super clean glassy but thinner than you need...

Based on your amps I would lean towards the Roland 60 (get another one and connect them). I know of a pro who does this with great effect and volume. I would NOT attempt things with the Peavey Classic, great amp, but far too warm and edged for what you're looking for. Also the EQ in the Roland is great which leads me to suggest...

first, go lower with your pu's, airier, more vintage effect, play with the EQ A LOT...and test at higher volumes...

I do not necessarily recommend the too hot Texas Specials for the straight ahead country you are looking for...

BTW, no plans for me to change the stock pu's in my Standard Strat and I do play country...

Thanks for the quick reply! I do have a Peavey "Reactor axe" (US made) "Tele style" guitar, which I have had for over 20 years, (now with Kinman pickups).
I love this guitar, and would never part with it. I also have a hollow-body arch-top Ibanez with stock humbuckers.
But I've never owned a Strat, always thought I might get one someday, and just recently "bit the bullet" - treated myself - when this one came up for a really good price on sale - Ijust fell in love with the neck, really.....& I also like the Candy Apple Red color a lot...thinking of going with a white Pearloid pickguard.
I probably will use this guitar mostly for that "strat" sound (pick-up selector switch on 2nd or 4th pos.). I'm going to enjoy having the flexability of a lot of choices/options between guitars, depending on the mood, style, venue, etc.
I'm experimenting with different pickup placements, amp settings, etc., getting used to the guitar, doing a lot of pickin' and a whole lot of grinnin'!
Cheers, J.J.

I thought about your question more and my most honest answer actually is to play a Tele. When you are using words like traditional and classic I have to say Tele.

Ultimately you will not get that with even the best pickups on a Strat IMO.

I know this is a purist view, but in your case that sounds like what you are really looking for.

My own country style and needs does not sound like your own.

The bridge pickup on a Tele IS classic country....

Clean channel bright on the Roland is amazing with the Strat Standard...kist trying it oit myself...and consider picking up another Roland 60...noy joking...2 together is a monster set up....

If you are going with the 4 and 2 positions to contrast...sorry if I read into your use of classic...

and as I said...lower is better with those pu's on the MIM Standard...

and so much of classic is in your own hands...

Go for it--I did!



It's my favorite color combination.

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

Welcome.

You know, I read your post twice and both times, I came to the same conclusion: What pickups for a Strat to make it sound closest to a fine, country Tele.

As has been said, the Tele is your best bet but there ARE ways with a Strat...

If it were me, I'd put a Fender CS 69 in the neck position, a Duncan SSL-1 in the middle position and a Fender CS 54 bridge model in the bridge position, adjusting each pickup's height to taste, of course.

The OEM pots and cap values are alright as they stand. I would however, rewire the upper tone pot so that it services the middle AND neck pickups by themselves and rewire the lower tone pot so that it services the bridge pickup by itself.

On to the pickup selector switch (PSS). Without having to go out and by a "Super Switch", I'd rearrange the wiring configuration on your stock one. This might sound a bit confusing but it is the least invasive, doesn't cost anything and would suit your purposes the best:

I'd reverse the bridge pickup and middle pickups' normal wiring positions on the PSS along with my aforementioned tone pots orientation suggestions. In terms of pickup(s) selection, here's what this will do:

Position #5 (switch tip aimed closest to the neck) on the PSS will give you the neck pickup only; position #4 will give you the neck and bridge pickups - This is VITAL for your Tele tones. Position #3 will give you the bridge pickup only; position #2 will give you give the middle and bridge pickups - A nice, vintagey, chimey quack. Position #1 (switch tip aimed closest to the bridge) will give you the middle pickup only.

Yes, you lose the middle and neck pickups together in combination but tonally, they are somewhat redundant with the middle and bridge. The only differences being, with the former, there is a hair more volume and bass which is not necessarily better for your purposes. Besides, having gained the ability to have the neck and bridge pickups in combination is infinitely more important!

As a matter of fact, you might even want to try this PSS wiring with your OEM Strat pickups. Who knows? It just might work for you as your OEM pickups are reasonably crisp and clean sounding.

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You dig?

I was thinking Seymour Duncan Lil '59 in the neck for clean country sounds.

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