Hello everyone out there! Advise badly wanted.........
I own a 2006 MIM standard strat mapple neck that I have done many upgrades to, but still sounds hollow. I'd say with lack of presence and attack. Here is what I have done to it:
Replaced pups with Dimarzio vintage noiseless Area 58-67-61 (N-M-B) and have set them way up there close to the strings and in different heights. I wired as per Dimarzio specs.
Replaced the vol pot for a CTS 250k and rewired so mid tone pot controls neck & mid, and lead tone knob for bridge alone.
Blocked the trem.
Recently had it professionally set up.
Again, it is not that it sounds bad, but sounds weak and hollow. Always had the doubt it could be my amp or pedal (superchamp xd w rajin cajun speaker / Digitech RP255), but last night after a jam I plugged into the other guy's amp and was the same. Not with his guitar!
What could be the problem?
The wood?
These Dimarzio pups are supposed to be good, are they?
I am not a profesional electronic tech, but think the soldering is ok.
Is there so much difference between a MIM strat even after all upgrades and a USA strat?
Did I choose the wrong pickups?
The only other think I can think of besides throwing it away and spending some bucks on another guitar, was getting a prewired saddle from someone like mojotone...........but not sure this will make a difference and do not want to sink any more $$$ into this guitar if it is not going to make a difference. Any advice here?????????? Thank You!!

the noiseless pickups always lack presence and depth in my opinion. before you replace the guitar try more traditional strat set. just my opinion here.

what type of tone are you shooting for?

I have tried many different pickups and ended up with the Klein 59 set as #1 choice
and the Bare Knucke Apache as #2 choice. but I only play clean and mild overdrive with them.

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I play classic rock, with not too much effects. Maybe some overdrive. I'd like a fat clean sound with presence.
Someone had also suggested the Lace Sensors.

Fat 50's

No problems with tone on my MIM Strat with the same pups...they absolutely howl!

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-T

"You can't spend what you ain't got, you can't lose what you ain't never had" ~ McKinley Morganfield

+1

those are definitely a good choice for what you are looking for.

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Better than texas specials?

There's nothing wrong with the DiMarzio pickups (nothing wrong with Texas Specials or the Fat '50s either).

It sounds like your guitar is a sonic slug and will likely require the skills of a truly gifted luthier to sort out the problem(s) and effect a solution. It could be bridge-related, a problem with the nut, even a poorly-milled neck pocket.

Arjay

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"Here's why reliability is job one: A great sounding amp that breaks down goes from being a favorite piece of gear to a useless piece of crap in less time than it takes to read this sentence." -- BRUCE ZINKY

Any reactions to this?

its possible.... how does it sound unplugged? do you feel a good amount of vibration against your body? I don't think i have ever played a guitar that was a "dead slug" other than those acrylic things they call guitars it would probably be good to get an opinion from someone that can take a look at it. maybe its in your head, you could have the disease if so you may never find the sound you want

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I have that disease and it is not funny, it's a serious issue.

You may never find the exact tone for which you are searching no matter how much money you spend on upgrades or new pickups. I have dumped tonnes of money into guitars only to realize that you've gotta rock with what you got.

As a wise band once said "If you can't be with the one you love, love the one you're with."

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CREDO ELVEM IPSUM ETAIM VIVERE

Ok, ok.....thanks for the comments. Next practice I'll borrow my friend's strat and see how it goes. Let you know.

Hey maybe IT IS all in my head. Must be all that Dewars.

dude.... that's your problem. get single malt! none of that blended stuff your body is getting confused from it

"Highland park!" mmmmmmm

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It's not the Dimarzio pickup as at least one other poster has suggested. I'm on my secone Strat iwht the Area pups, and love 'em. I put a set of Fralin's in my current Strat and got tired of the hum....replaced them with the Dimarzio pups and the guitar sounds great.

Could be a "sonic slug" as another has suggested.

Or your amp sucks? Or the room where you're playing it?

I second the idea of trying another Strat in the same amp, in the same room so you can A-B them.

The Dimarzios have plenty sparkle.
I think there is a wiring issue. Wire a pickup directly to the output and see how it sounds (should be over bright)