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Post subject: NGD and pickup swap questions
Posted: Sat May 18, 2013 9:54 am
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Hello. First, teh pics. Last week I bought a 2013 Am Std Strat, Jade Pearl with a maple neck. I purchased online and was a bit worried doing so, but playing one in the store wasn't an option given where I live. Here it is:

Image
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Sorry for the poor picture quality, I broke my camera last week so they're phone pics and it hates indoors.

Impressions of the guitar - I didn't expect perfection and didn't get it. It's a touch heavy, although I haven't weighed it, and there's a little bit of odd colouring on the neck that only shows up at certain angles/in certain lighting - it's like the maple flaming or angle changes at around the 5th fret.

Those are minor quibbles. This guitar is awesome. I already own a 2011 Am Std that I love to the point where, when I finally had the money to buy a new guitar, all I wanted was a new Strat. Nothing else feels as good, and this new one is every bit as good as the last one. I love it.

Here's the "old" one, since we all love pictures:

Image

What I'd decided in buying a new SSS was that the 2011 would get turned into some form of HSS. The pickups in the 2011 are nice, with the exception of the bridge. I just don't care for it, especially compared to the 2013 bridge sound.

In comparing the two sets of pickups, I'd say that the 2013 (Fat 50's) are more rounded and full sounding, and more complex compared to the 2011. The 2011 pickups sound very focused to me. I'm reaching for metaphors but the 2011's are almost laser-like, very tight. I like it in the neck and middle, and even middle-bridge, but the bridge by itself just sounds meh to me.

So I'd like to do some sort of swap there. I've never changed a pickup before, but I'm very comfortable working with electronics and soldering and don't forsee any problems so long as I know what's going where.

I could go three ways, and any of them would probably work;

1) I could do a full pickguard swap - there are 2012/2013 Am Std HSS pickguards on sale on eBay for around $200 ($250 by the time it makes it to me). This would probably be the easiest thing, but I'd guess also the most expensive. Also, I already have the Fat 50's in the new guitar and though I love them, I'd like to have something different in the 2011.

2) I could get an HSS pickguard and buy a humbucker, and wire in the 2011 neck/middle. This would be the most complicated thing and I don't know if I'd need any new parts besides the pickguard and HB. Would give me the option of whatever humbucker I want, though.

3) I could get a single coil-sized humbucker and swap it into the current pickguard. Again, don't know if I'd need anything new in terms of parts aside from the pickup. I don't hear all that many nice things about most single coil sized humbuckers though.

So I'm wondering if someone might enlighten me on what I need to know to make this swap. I'll take pickup recommendations but what I really need to know is what I'd be biting off and if I'd need anything else that I don't know about in terms of the second and third options.


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Post subject: Re: NGD and pickup swap questions
Posted: Sat May 18, 2013 10:20 am
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Welcome to the forum :!:

You have lots of options here. One question though...have you looked under the pickguard? You may have to route the wood for a full size humbucker...not recommended especially with the two point trem.

It sounds like you are ok with the other pickups but need something in the bridge with more oomph. You might try Texas Specials I have them in my 60s Classic Series Strat and I really like them. You might also try a Joe Barden in the bridge or even a whole set. They are a bit more $$ wise, but well worth it. The JB's have a huge sound to them and they are dead quiet. Either one of these suggestions would be a fine choice. Just something to think about.

BTW...nice looking NGD! Enjoy it and let us know what you end up doing with it.

T2

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Post subject: Re: NGD and pickup swap questions
Posted: Sat May 18, 2013 12:19 pm
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its routed for humbucker already just be sure to use a fender lone star type pickguard and fender humbucker pickup screws they are lots shorter

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Post subject: Re: NGD and pickup swap questions
Posted: Sat May 18, 2013 12:23 pm
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Dimarzio and Duncan make single coil sized humbuckers also that work great not much to it 2 wires easiect choice.
Turn your volume pot to 0 when soldering and be gentle on the switch.
reply and I can answer any questions you want to know as far as pickup swaps do them almost weekly for someone.

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Post subject: Re: NGD and pickup swap questions
Posted: Sat May 18, 2013 1:10 pm
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Thanks for the info. The guitar is indeed routed for HSH, I checked it out last time I changed the strings.

How do you guys feel that the single coil sized HB's compare to full size models?

My only extended experience with humbuckers is from the 490R/490T set from an SG that I had for awhile, and the P-Rails in another guitar I have now (but am selling). I loved the 490R/490T's in that SG and I'd love to find something in that neighbourhood. I find the P-Rails humbucker sound kind of blah - not bad, just not as interesting.


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Post subject: Re: NGD and pickup swap questions
Posted: Sat May 18, 2013 2:20 pm
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RingoCalamity wrote:
Thanks for the info. The guitar is indeed routed for HSH, I checked it out last time I changed the strings.

How do you guys feel that the single coil sized HB's compare to full size models?

My only extended experience with humbuckers is from the 490R/490T set from an SG that I had for awhile, and the P-Rails in another guitar I have now (but am selling). I loved the 490R/490T's in that SG and I'd love to find something in that neighbourhood. I find the P-Rails humbucker sound kind of blah - not bad, just not as interesting.


I have had great results with all of them Dimarzio Super Distortion S and Seymour Duncan JB jr for example are both wonderful pickups and balance nicely with your single coils.
Full sized a Duncan JB is really nice or a Fender Hot Rod can be found on ebay my favorite, smoking pickup.
For a full size humbucker here is a pickguard that wont break the bank looks OEM and is quality

http://www.eyguitarmusic.com/SSH-HSS-LONE-STAR-Fat-Strat-PickguardAged-whiteLight-Cream-Pearl_p_676.html

Matching back plate

http://www.eyguitarmusic.com/Aged-whiteLight-Cream-PearlStandard-Stratocaster-Back-Plate_p_694.html

I bought the Fender packaged Lone Star set and paid $55 bucks all together.
I bought this set for $20 shipped from China and I'd swear its the same thing.
Its a legitimate company in China they go through paypal and ship fast and if you want another color here.

http://www.eyguitarmusic.com/For-Fender-SSH_c_46.html

http://www.eyguitarmusic.com/Strat-Standard-Style_c_108.html

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Post subject: Re: NGD and pickup swap questions
Posted: Sat May 18, 2013 2:30 pm
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Some folks don't care for it but I've always liked the Fender DH1 trembucker. It seems more "Straty" than many others I've tried in Strats.

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Post subject: Re: NGD and pickup swap questions
Posted: Sat May 18, 2013 3:00 pm
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Same with that Fender Hot Rod Humbucker it maintains the strat sound

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Post subject: Re: NGD and pickup swap questions
Posted: Sat May 18, 2013 4:49 pm
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Thanks again for all the information so far. One thing that I'm sometimes seeing reference to is swapping pots - I can't think right now whether volume, tone, or both, from the 250k ones in there to 500k - is there anything to that?


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Post subject: Re: NGD and pickup swap questions
Posted: Sat May 18, 2013 6:11 pm
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RingoCalamity wrote:
Thanks again for all the information so far. One thing that I'm sometimes seeing reference to is swapping pots - I can't think right now whether volume, tone, or both, from the 250k ones in there to 500k - is there anything to that?



Don't change the pots 250k sound sweeter even Fender runs a 250k on their humbuckers as Gibson runs 300k on theirs.

Dimarzio who started the fad of going to a 500k pot has now retracted their statement as well. Its because they wanted to sell us a 500k pot now they want to sell us back our 250k we had in the first place.
Your making it harder than it has to be its as easy as 2 wires.

Even if you want to go full size humbucker its just a pickguard swap.

If I were you I would do the single coil sized and make it just super easy for your first time out. They sound awesome especially that Duncan JB jr.

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Post subject: Re: NGD and pickup swap questions
Posted: Sat May 18, 2013 6:43 pm
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Here is one on ebay


http://www.ebay.com/itm/NEW-Seymour-Duncan-JB-Jr-For-Strat-Pickup-for-Fender-Stratocaster-White-/321096319368?pt=Guitar_Accessories&hash=item4ac2d50188

Here is a dimarzio


http://www.ebay.com/itm/DiMarzio-Super-Distortion-S-Stratocaster-Pickup-White-/161026486892?pt=Guitar_Accessories&hash=item257ded326c

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Post subject: Re: NGD and pickup swap questions
Posted: Sat May 18, 2013 7:21 pm
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lol, I'm not trying to complicate it, just want to make sure I'm not missing anything.

Thanks again, you've been very helpful. I'll update this when I've got whatever I end up deciding on installed.


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Post subject: Re: NGD and pickup swap questions
Posted: Sat May 18, 2013 8:10 pm
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Ok cool hit me up if you have any problems

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