Hey, I just wanted to find out some more about my guitar, don't know if anyone can help.
All I know is that it's from the U.S.A, it's sunburst and that its serial number is: E800075.
I'll upload some pictures to, just thought it'd be interesting to find out a bit more about it.

Thanks, Ellis

Looks to be 1988-1989 corona Strat. Pics please

Seems to be an '88 or '89. Yeah, let's see some pics.

Thanks, yeahh I think it's from the late 80s. Here are some pics,








Thanks, also what would be your opinion on getting one humbucker pickup to replace one of the single pickups?

How would it change/affect the sound?

If it's a good idea, what humbucker would be the best to replace it?

Thanks Again, Ellis!

Nice early American Standard! If you take it apart to check the dates you'll probably find it is from the middle of the year - Fender was still using up their old "E4XXXXX" serial number decals until late spring/early summer based on the dates I've seen on some other forumites' guitars.

Regarding the humbucker - I would go to a shop and play a couple of Strats that already have bridge humbuckers to see if you like them. Generally speaking any humbucker will give you a louder and "thicker" tone (as humbuckers generally have more mids than a single coil). How much louder and thicker will depend on the pickup you choose. Of course an HSS Strat will never sound like a Les Paul if that's the sound you're hearing in your head.

The good news is that American Standards from that era have a universal or "swimming pool" route under the pickguard so you won't have to do any mods to the body to install a humbucker. I would suggest getting another pickguard that is already cut instead of trying to modify the roughly 24-year-old pickguard on the guitar. Also that way you can change it back to stock pretty easily. You might consider a complete loaded pickguard as well so you don't have to mess with the old solder, moving the old switches, pots, etc.

Thanks John,
Yeah, always wanted to know a bit more about that guitar thanks.
Referring to the pickups, yeah I'll try some Strats with them on and see what I think. Yeah, just looking at getting a more full sound

Thanks again, to everyone-Ellis

Nice looking guitar man! I have an '89 as well and it also has the old-style EXXXXXX serial # on the original neck, which unfortunately is off the guitar at the moment while I try to straighten it out. I really like mine; having played some late CBS-era instruments, there's definitely a huge jump in quality with the early Corona Strats. Looks like yours has a nice played-in look.

As for the humbuckers, I know there are others who share my opinion, and some who don't, but I've never been a fan of humbuckers and single coils on the same guitar. Any time I've played one, the difference in output makes it a PITA to try and match volume levels, and amp settings can be a pain too, because the eq settings that work with single coils won't always work with humbuckers. At least on my '89, the original pickups were actually pretty low-output and vintagey, so I think throwing a humbucker in the bridge would just blow the other two pickups away. I'd maybe suggest looking at a different set of "fatter"-sounding single coils to throw in. But that's just my personal take, I'm sure there are people out there who like the HSS setup. Definitely try it though and decide for yourself.

Nice Guitar, love the colour! Regarding the humbucker, i'll check some other guitars out with them on before I even start considering it. I understand what your saying, I'm happy with my guitars sound at the moment, was just looking for a slightly more full sound. Thinking now there are probably better ways that I can do this, I'll have a better look into it. Thanks for all the advice and help, Ellis.

@Ellis: these strings are not strung very well. Don't you want to change them?

Cheers

David

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Yeah, I am going to very soon.
Had to put them on quickly and rushed it before a gig!

Thanks, Ellis.

Regarding your humbucker consideration:
Wiring can be a bit tricky, so it's not a one-for-one swap.
Just be confident in your understanding of wiring and
make sure you have the right diagrams.

There are a variety of humbuckers out there with all kinds of different sounds.
So play as many as you can before deciding.

Thanks, I'll hit the music shops in the next couple of days,
see whether I like the sound of the HSS.

Ellis

After getting a strat with a humbucker in the bridge, I'll never go back to all single coils. I don't have the problem with volume differences that the other poster said. the great think is I can play any type of music on my strats now. Blues with neck or mid pickup, hard rock and metal with the bridge, classic rock with any of them... To me the bridge single coil is just too thin and jangly for a good crunch or distorted rhythm tone. The humbucker cures that.