It seems it is verified you have a bad pickup. The good news is for you..it seems this is a stock pickup for a 93 USA standard. Replacements are a dime a dozen if you just want to leave it original.

Here is one for 27 bucks with shipping "buy it now"...

http://cgi.ebay.com/Fender-USA-Stratoca ... 45f4380ce2

I am not 100% sure on a stock 93 USA standard if all 3 pickups are the same part number..but I believe they are. On my 2002 standard all 3 pickups are identical part numbers so no need to worry about if it is a specific neck, middle or bridge. Just pop out the bad one, solder in the new one and shes good as new for under 30 bucks..maybe less if you can wait for an auction.

If it is a position specific pup..just note the number on the back of the pup, and purchase one that matches..it won't be that difficult.

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I'm almost out of stuff to sell.

Thanks. I think pickup repair is beyond me right now but I will try to replace. Is it better to replace just the bad one or do a complete set? What is recommended for this guitar, mostly it will be used to play blues with a small group. And should I go ahead and replace the switch while I'm there?

Well it's very easy for us to spend your money..but bottom line are you happy with the sound from the other pickups? If so, just replace the one bad one..you might even be able to sell the bad one for 5-10 bucks and recoup a little.

As far as the switch...I would think there is no reason to replace it unless it was bad..the chances are pretty good that the middle pickup AND the middle position of the switch wouldn't both go bad at the same time so I would just leave it ..sometimes those switches can last forever.. I guess so should pickups really..no moving parts. But the wire is like a human hair...so they do break..not so hard to fathom.

If you have the funds to do a complete replacment..asking which pickups are better for blues on a strat forum is like asking which is better...coke or pepsi..and then someone will say "root beer", you are opening a huge can of worms here lol.

I like CS 69's for a Hendrixish sound if you are more heavy rock/blues..if more SRV type blues..the Texas Specials are usually a good bet. But this is just my opinion. Expect to spend a minimum of 150 bucks on ebay for either set...closer to $200 at a music store.

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I'm almost out of stuff to sell.

This is getting crazier. So, before I bought a replacement pickup, I thought I'd check one more time. NOW, the middle pup is reading 5.98, just like the bridge and about the same as the neck. I did the tap test with the switch and I'm getting sound from positions 1, 2, 4, 5 but nothing right in the middle. Before I do anything else (and I'm guessing) but the problem is in the switch, right? If so, will a regular Switchcraft 5-way do the trick or is there an 'upgrade?" Sorry for all the simple questions but, hey, I'm learning. Thanks.

If you are getting readings from the middle pup..and no output when the switch is in the middle position, then the problem is honed in. Either it is a bad switch, or bad wiring at the switch.

The only way to know for sure, is to de-solder the middle pup wire from the switch (us geeks call this "isolation"), and check it's reference to ground. If you get a reading, then it is verified you have a switch related problem.

I can not (nor can anyone else) guarantee whether it is a bad switch , or a break in a wire or bad solder joint...but at least if the pup has a reading, you know it is not a bad pup..the meter does NOT lie.

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I'm almost out of stuff to sell.

If it is the switch sometimes you don't get need to replace it might just need to give it a clean. I think since you can hand a basic resistance check your ready to move up to something move advanced.

Download the wiring diagram and trace out the circuit properly make sure its wired correctly and the ground wires are in the correct places etc.

If you look at the "Support" menu above at the top of the page you will see "Technical Specs" then "Wiring Parts/Diagrams" look up your model there.

Take note also of the exact replacement switch part number (normally go for around $15-20).
If you go for a genuine part you may pay a few more dollars but are less likely to accidentally pick up a counterfeit part especially if going through a reliable seller.

I printed out the wiring diagram and when comparing it to the guitar I think I might have a different model than what I thought. This guitar has some kind of 'stacked' volume pot. It looks like two pots one on top of the other and its not wired like the American Standard diagram. I also noticed that with this pot there's a kind of 'indent' when you turn the knob, maybe halfway through. I have a couple of pictures but don't know how to add them. So, what is this? Thanks by the way for the wiring diagram headsup. A big help.[/img]

Man, this is fun. Did some searching and found the answer to my question. This guitar has one of the TBX Tone Control pots. Cool. I assume it's wired right so I won't worry about that. My NEW question is this. I cleaned the switch again and noticed that when it is at position 1 (bridge) the contact plate (or whatever its called) is only in contact with that one 'point.' But, at the other end, position 5 (neck) it touches both that far point and also a little of the middle point. It should just touch the end one, right? I wish I could explain it better. But am I only to something here? I'll probably change the whole switch but this is a curious thing to me.

Well you discovered you have a TBX or delta tone setup...but I do not know at this point if you have actually isolated the problem.

If the wiring looks good...and the pup gives a reading on the meter within specs...then it can be "assumed" the problem is the switch or the stacked pot. But...it could be a broken wire as well..and since the break can be hidden inside the insulation of the wire..only a meter can verify this.

So, you can meter the continuity of the wires before "trial and error" replacing stuff...or just keep replacing stuff at your expense and perhaps you will find it that way.

Has far as what the contacts of the switch "should" be touching....I could not tell you without a schematic...but this would be a physical defect...surely you can tell by looking what contact points the switch should be connecting...or see what happens if you insulate the contact you think should not be touching anything. If that gets the sound back to the middle pup..you have successfully isolated the problem.

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I'm almost out of stuff to sell.