I've got a 2004 American Standard in Metallic Blue that I'd like to update a little, or maybe get a new HSS Deluxe, not sure what to do. As an aside I'm gettin a little tired of the blue finish, but not a big deal.

I'm still a beginner but but find the bridge pup a little thin for harder rock and can't seem to get the sound I'm looking for. Here's what I'm thinking:

1) Swap out the pickups for Seymour Duncan's, SCR-1n in the neck position along with an SHR-1b Hot Rails in the bridge and an SVR-1n Vintage Rails in the middle. ~$250

2) Swap out the SSS pickguard for a complete loaded Fender Deluxe HSS S1 pickguard setup ~$350

3) Sell my 04 and buy a new American Deluxe HSS in that new Tungsten colour - man I like the look of that with the maple neck! ~$600 upgrade, used, give or take

I'd really like the easiest route (not necessarily the cheapest) way to get a smooth, thicker tone for rock, esp 80's stuff. Less twang is fine with me. Someone has suggested I look at a LP, but I've always been a Fender fan and really don't want to switch brands. Oh, I use a Fender G-Dec and know there's lots of options for tweaking that but I'm thinking of starting with the guitar first.

Thanks all

For the money that you're talking, think about keeping the guitar that you have and buy a mim fat strat for those sounds. I have 2001 with a hard shell case on craigslist for $350, so there's a good example of pricing used for you. My goal is something like your SSS US standard as I have plenty of guitars with humbuckers.

It's something to think about, anyways.

_________________
2002 mim Telecaster
Jimmie Vaughan Stratocaster
Mexican HSS Stratocaster
6 non-fender guitars
2 kids (not for sale)
1 wife (uh....no comment)

+1 on what Jack said.

Keep the Am Standard and pick up a used MIM with the HSS setup. Or, pick up a used Squirer and install the pups you want.

Useed MIM's go for about $300 or so. I got one last winter from a local guy on Craigs List with Fender hardshell case for $325. It was fine out of the gate. I've since dumped a lot of money in it to hot rod it a bit (HSS configuration, locking tuners, new pickguard, new jack, tone pots, copper shielded the cavities, blah blah blah). Not because it needed any of that stuff but I like to tinker and didn't want to "learn" about Strats on my 2000 American Series.

Now, the MIM is my #1 guitar, go figure.

Jeff

Thanks guys. Well I took your advice and picked up a Fender Squier HSS. It's not bad but I think I'll have to swap out the humbucker to get the sound I want. So as I go back and forth from my squier HSS to my American SSS I'm finding I'm linking my US Strat more and more, single coils or not! Man, I love this hobby. The experimenting and tweaking is a blast isn't it?!

So, a few questions if you please.

1) are the squier humbuckers fairly low output as compared with other dual coil pups?

2) how much hotter is the ds1 in us hss compared to squier humb

3) what are the fattest sounding single coil sized pickups? Was thinking a hot/vintage/cool SD's

Thanks guys