Hey guys- Im trying to figure out what kind of humbucker to put in the bridge of my 04 hss mim strat. first off, i was wondering if the number of conducters made a difference as far as compatability goes. Also, when i took the pickguard off to plan the wiring, i noticed the stock bucker has four wires. Are all buckers this way? I used to have an epi LP and from what i recall it only had two wires. Does this make a difference?

Thanks.

ps im looking to install a pearly gates f spaced in the bridge with a new pickguard.

Yes, four wires allows you the option of splitting coils on the humbucker, so you have in effect the best of both worlds.
An HSS or a SSS option, if you are going to this much trouble I would do a bit of research so that you could optimize your pickup selection.
N+M
N+B (single or dual coils)
M+B (single or dual coils)
N+M+B
N or M or B

I believe you will also need to change your bridge pot from a 250 to a 500 K pot. Also adding an S1 switch will allow multiple variations without requiring drilling holes into a pickguard.

But you should ask Ceri, Nikininja and a couple of the other forum regulars who are more knowledgable than I about circuitry.

Happy Tone Valhalla

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"C'est parti mon Kiki "

Thanks. Does anyone know if the new pearly gates has two or four wires? I understand if just two then i may lose positions two and four but thats not an issue.

d

I just Googled it and the description says Four (Seymour DunCan that is)

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"C'est parti mon Kiki "

So I guess then that would mean all I would have to do is remove the old pickup And put the new one in it's place. What difference does the number of conducters make?Also would I need a new vol pot or all new pots? It's currently wired h s s so I didn't think I had to chAnge pots.

So I just went to the schematics, Have you been there?

Go to Support, under knowledgebase, click service diagrams, there are 5 types of strat schematics that may apply to you depending upon what you may decide.
In each there are 3 pages of downloads, parts numbers, layout sheet and description of on/off pick up combination relative to parts.

I guessed you have the Deluxe Fat Strat 0133100. So look up these.
(1) American Strat HSS 0117000/7002 RW-MN (S1 switch) all 250k pots no need to switch on any of the others.
(2) American Fat Strat Texas special 0117900/7902
(3) Big Block Strat HSS RW 013-4200
(4) American Deluxe strat HSS 0101500/150 RW MN

Since the website upgrade it is simplified as that all the reference schematics are on One page for each guitar, before you had to navigate back and forth.
I'm currently assembling 2 stratopartsters, (1) SSS with multiple pickup variations, (2) an HSS with only a 2 lead Humbucker for now, I will upgrade to a 4 lead version later once I decide if the tones are what I wanted or not.
I will post a separate pictorial thread for each upon each completion. All guitars are having a complete refinishing, upgrade of hardware including on the SSS a recontouring of both neck and body and complete fret dress-up.

Hence the timeline of a few weeks from start to finish. In reality, it is actually 3 strats, but the 3rd strat has Carvin Pickups ( was a J.B. Player so it only qualifies as a strat wannabee ) also a Precision bass and one no name HH 3/4 size mahogany pocket guitar.

Hope the schematics help.
I would add to be patient and doublecheck your decisions before proceeding

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"C'est parti mon Kiki "

Thanks for the help. I didnt even know the schematics were available outside of a repair manual. They will be of great help.

d

Also post others, there is a multitude of friendly help on this Fender Forum

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"C'est parti mon Kiki "

yes thanks for your help. keep it comin