... found some mods made by a previous owner.

Here's the story. I bought this '93 MIM last year.
It has beel always my favorite one because of its nice and loud tone.
I was curious about why it sounds much better than my '98 MIA.

I had to change the output jack (the other was an "el cheapo") and swap it for a Switchcraft. At the same time, it was a pretty nice occasion to check the electronics of this axe. Here's pictures :

Overall view-


Question: to me it looks like USA Standard pickups, am I right ?
I bought this week three 2009 Standard pickups from Stratosphere and they look a lot like these.

The pots-


Question: 500k pots for single coils ? Maybe it's part of why this guitar sounds so bright and full, right ? (Gotta some nice quacks from it)

The switch selector-


Question: Is it the stock MIM switch selector ? I can read GAE print on it.

Many of you will agree with the fact that we are searching for "THE" best tone by adding minor but very important mods. If you look carefully, you see a green cap (prolly for the high bleed). Is there some better caps I could use ? I know this guitar is pretty much close of the "traditional strat" tone but it still missing something to make me happy.

Any help will be welcome ! help me elude the mystery of this '93

Ray.

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1998 American Standard Strat MIA
2008 Fender Strat Road Worn 50's Sunburst
1993 Fender Standard Strat MIM (MY BABY)

Nope those are stock MIM pickups, if you will notice those little bars on each side of the pole pieces, those are ceramic bar magnets. An American Doesn't have those as they use Alnico magnets. Also older Mexis came with 500 k pots stock, but the newer ones have the same wiring harness as the MIAs. Also that circuit board switch looks period correct as well

Those are stock mim pups and so is the 5 way, the pots may not be stock. Here is a couple pics from my 94 mim with the same pups (which are very hot) 1 from before I put in new pots and 5 way and 1 from after.
before (stock)

after (new pots and 5 way)

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Stratohawk Guitar Works Custom Handwound Pickups-
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The pots (and values), switch and pickup selector are all standard and fine for a 93 MIM. My 95 was exactly the same.

Agreed on them ceramic's. I cant think of much that sounds better for harder styles.

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No no and no

+1 on the ceramics that's why I left them in. Great overdrive tone. The pots and switch are out of a 57ri hot rod.

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Stratohawk Guitar Works Custom Handwound Pickups-
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Thanks guys for verifying what a lot of others and I have been saying all along,MIM Strats can have really hot pups.

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'65 Strat,65 Mustang,65 Jaguar,4 more Strats,3 vintage Vox guitars,5 Vox amps,'69 Bassman with a '68 2-15 Bassman cab,36 guitars total-15asst'd amps total,2 vintage '60s Hammond organs & a myriad of effects-with a few rare vintage ones.

Whoa, thanks for the infos.

Yeah, I "booh" anyone who says that MIM are cr@p, when they hear this
baby, they automatically looks at the headstock for that "made in usa" logo ... but unfortunatly, it's 'only' made in mexico ... suddenly they are speechless as ever

I know there are some incredible MIM out there. You know, I read somewhere that the 1st generation of MIM (early 90's) were the crappiest production ... WHAT A LIE !! d@mn, I mean all the older MIM I tried and owned are the best I had ! And they almost all had lightweight body.

@Yogi: you said
So the one I bought are MIM but newer, right ?
Here's a pic, I've installed them into my son's Squier bullet yesterday:

What the heck is that these pickups anyways ? 1st time I saw these :


After the installation:


Now, the sound is warm BUT too faint, if I change the pots to 500k, that will help getting those high upfront ?

Also, Stratohawk you change the pots and the switch selector, which selector did you install ? I can see you have changed the cap as well, what is the values of it ?

I know, I know, I'm asking way too much questions but I'm still learning and tweaking, discovering and learning about guitars is a big world of fun.
I'm totally addict and I've learn so much from you guys, thanks again !

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1998 American Standard Strat MIA
2008 Fender Strat Road Worn 50's Sunburst
1993 Fender Standard Strat MIM (MY BABY)

Ah Raymix your entering a world of endless avenues, guitar wiring.

The best thing you can do is search "strat wiring mods" in google.

My particular favourite is the blender mod. Search that and give it a go mate.

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No no and no

You bought MIM Standard pickups. Not American Standard pickups. I hope you got a good deal on them (about $15 each ???). They are okay pickups, as you are finding out. Lower them and they sound pretty good, but I don't have a lot of experience with them ...

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Member #26797
My other guitar is a Strat.

Raymix, Asking questions is how you learn. The pots and switch are out of a usa 57ri hot rod so the cap is stock for a usa 57 ri hot rod. I'm not sure what its value is but I could check. The switch is a oak usa 5 way with usa cts pots that can be bought at guitarcenter for $4.99. Also check out acmeguitarworks.com they have wire harness upgrades that include pots, switch, cap, jack, and wire for decent prices.

_________________
Stratohawk Guitar Works Custom Handwound Pickups-
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https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCc72Re ... qfXXXkVTqA