I just noticed this today, since I hadn't played my squier in a while, but with the amp at the same volume, and all volume and tone knobs on the guitars at the same level, my squier was significantly louder than my MIM strats. Has anybody else noticed this, or is there a problem with my MIM's?

Hi duke1agn,

Are the pickups the same height on each guitar? Generally speaking, lower pickups will have lower volume. It could also just be the difference in the type of pickups that you have in each. Some pickups are louder than others, doesn't mean there is a problem.

_________________
---> "The amp should be SWITCHED OFF AND UNPLUGGED before you do this!" <---

Por favor, disculpe mi español, no se llega a la práctica con mucha frecuencia.

The pickups are the same height, or at least very close. It just surprised me because there was a significant difference in volume. I will say that the MIM's have a clearer sound, but the Squier is much louder.

Some Strat pickups have two ceramic magnets mounted on either side of the pole pieces on the bottom of the pickups. Some onlu have one ceramic magnet. Other Strat pickups use individual ALNICO magnet pole pieces. The type of magnet used and the number of windings on the coil all affect the volume. I have no idea what pickups you have, but this could account for the difference you are hearing.

_________________
Bill

They are a 2006 and a 2008 MIM strat if that would help you determine the magnets. The squier bullet is a 2010.

No, it doesn't.

Look up the specific MIM Strat you have on the Fender product page. If that guitar is still in production, the spec page should tell you the pickup type. Do the same for the Squier on the Squier site.

_________________
Bill

they are both MIM Standards. Thats all i know...don't know if the standard line has changed their pickups over the years or not.

Squier says 3 "Single Coil Strat" pickups.

The Fender site says 3 "Standard Single-Coil Strat" pickups.

No idea if there is a difference.

I have had the same experience. My bullets were "louder" that my MIM or MIA. I do not know why, but it was so.

_________________
I remember when we were free!

I read a theory on another forum from someone who noticed this same phenomenon (only with basses) . His idea was that cheaper instruments, like Squiers, had hotter pickups (perhaps overwound) than the more expensive ones, like Fenders, in order to impress new players when they would try them at a store.
Then again, I have also heard that MIM pickups in general tend to be quieter to begin with. Can't speak as to if either of those theories are correct or not.

_________________
'08 Fender Am. Std. Jazz bass, maple fretboard, charcoal frost metallic finish
'10 Squier VM Jazz bass, maple fretboard, natural finish
Ampeg BA115
'09 MIM standard Strat, maple fretboard, sunburst finish
Fender Super Champ XD

MIM Standards have two ceramic magnets on either side of the pole pieces. I have no idea about the Squier. Open it up and look.

_________________
Bill

The newer Squier Bullets have double bar magnet pickups. As others have alluded to, the Squier pups are likely over wound and thus have a higher output than the Mexican ceramics.

_________________
Mike S.

Nice. Ok cool - like I said, the MIM's Standards are much clearer, but I gotta say, the power from the Squier Bullet is impressive for a $100 guitar.

Same magenet configuration as on the MIM Standard Strat ceramics that came off my 2009 MIM Standard Strat. Unless Fender changed the pickups, they should be the same as what is on the OP's MIM's. But the only way to know would be to look at them.

Have you measured the coil ressitance of those pickups?

_________________
Bill

I have no idea what that means, haha.