I decided to upgrade the electronics and pickups in my MIM strat (H/S/S). Upon opening it up, seems the original pots are CTS... didn't know that's what they were using on the MIM models. This particular one is from a 2010 FSR HSS w/ the Sunfire Orange sparkle paint, maybe they used different components for this model. Also, it had a green guard and aged white plastic. I think the reg MIM fat strat has all parchment plastic.

Anyhow, after playing it for a few months it just seemed to be lacking something. So... I decided to replace the single coils w/ Fralin Blues Specials. I opted for the hybrid staggered model as they were suggested for necks with a flatter radius. As for the humbucker, I'm swapping it out for a Dimarzio 36th anniversary...after reading a bunch of reviews it seemed like a good choice. The stock one actually sounded pretty decent to my ears but thought I'd like to change it for the sake of experimentation.

Other than that, was just going to put a new 5-way super switch, switchcraft jack, and new pots and vint. cloth wiring. Parts should start trickling in via the mail tomorrow. I'll let you know how it turns out...

Anyone happen to have any experience with either of these pickups?

Asking cause of lack of knowledge, what is the cloth wiring about? Is their a difference in tone cause of this?

You will really like the Fralin Blues, as I have used them a couple times. Nice pickup choice. You will notice a bit more spank and volume with them, and just a bit fatter sound, which is great for.......blues!


The cloth wiring just make a person feel a bit better knowing it is there, but it really does nothing to enhance the sound. I have used in applications where one just wants to be more vintage in style of wiring, often in conjunction with older caps and such.

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Xhefri's Guitars
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So here's one for ya...

The first bunch of parts arrived today. The .47 uf orange drop cap looks larger than some. It says 400v vs. the 200v of the .22uf cap. Is a cap a cap if it has the same uf rating?

I think I answered my own question... here's some nice and geeky electronic info if anyone's interested

http://www.guitarnuts.com/wiring/schematics.php

The .047 will give you a more vintage tone. It's all a question of taste though. I like .047uF, even .1uF, depending on the pickups.

can't wait to hear how you like it. i bought a lake placid blue mim strat w/ maple neck about 9 months ago. i was thinking about replacing the pups, but wasn't sure which ones to get. i'm fairly handy with a soldering iron, so maybe i'll give it a go.

Jam Guy -

Thanks for including the link to guitarnuts. Interesting site.
Good luck with the project and I'm sure you will learn a lot. I'll enjoy sharing the knowledge with you. Keep us posted.

Hi JamGuy.

Well first I would like to complement your outstanding taste in guitar and color choice.

(Heres mine)


So here's what I have done, I replaced the pick ups with FCS 1969's in the bridge and neck, and used the stock middle, just give a wider range.
The pick guard in the Fender gold anodized gold. I replaced the cap with a Paper and oil 22pf and lastly I replaced the tremolo with a Brass string block unit.

So far I am please with it, I can nail Hendrix tone and SRV, but I am still thinking of maybe a different center, maybe a Texas hot, but for now it's good.
The switch jack and switch's inside seem to all be MIA standard stuff, so I saw not point in replacing them.

Oh, and if you want to know why I changed to the black covers, well I wanted a darker tone.

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Marriage is like playing cards...

At first all you want are Hearts and Diamonds.

But in the end, all you really want is a Club and a Spade.

Wow! I've never seen a 22pF used in a tone control. Seems it would be very subtle adjustments.

Not at all, it is very smooth and even in the turn down, but will still go to muddy at the end.

I think it's better the the stock one.

_________________
Marriage is like playing cards...

At first all you want are Hearts and Diamonds.

But in the end, all you really want is a Club and a Spade.

That's weird. A 22pF is much smaller than a treble bypass cap at .001uF.