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Post subject: ANOTHER Pickup Upgrade Question
Posted: Mon Jul 08, 2013 10:56 am
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Hey guys,

I know there's a lot of these threads at the minute, but I'm after some advice. I have one of the new Plus Top HSS FR Strats that I'm turning into a bit of a Sambora tribute. First step was the easiest, some quick star inlays and it's certainly looking the part.

Image

The next thing is the pickups from the two standard single coils and standard humbucker (which is ok, but pretty muddy). To keep it close the RS Sig Strat, I'm looking at getting 2 x Texas Specials and a DiMarzio PAF Pro for the humbucker. Problem is, I'm a total upgrade noob. Every guitar I've got is stock.

My question is this. Do I need to upgrade any other part of the electronics or can I just swap the pickups and be good to go?

I appreciate the choice in humbuckers is overwhelming, but some fit an Alder bodied Strat better than others. Richie liked a PAF Pro in his Strat and that's the sound I'm after, so who am I to argue? Thing is, there isn't a lot of videos that show the sound of PAF Pro in a Strat without effects, etc or at least I can't find them. Plus it seems to be down the list of recommendations for a Strat humbucker.
There is quite a lot of the Lonestar Strat though with a SD Pearly Gates and the sound is just what I'm after (Classic Rock through to 80's metal/hair metal). Do they sound similar or wildly different?

Thanks in advance all. :)

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2012 Cherry Sunburst Custom Shop Deluxe Strat
2015 Black Eric Clapton Signature Strat
2015 Olympic Pearl US HSS Deluxe Strat
2013 Aged Cherry Sunburst Plus Top HSS Strat with FR


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Post subject: Re: ANOTHER Pickup Upgrade Question
Posted: Mon Jul 08, 2013 11:11 am
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Start with the pickups and install the Clapton midboost circuit with the 2-way active/passive toggle switch later.

Richie's USA Artist Signature guitar uses a 22-fret neck with a spaghetti decal.

Since your guitar fuses the best elements from the USA Artist and MIM Artist Standard there's no need to upgrade the MIM Standard neck for a 22-fret replacement from Warmoth.


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Post subject: Re: ANOTHER Pickup Upgrade Question
Posted: Tue Jul 09, 2013 8:01 am
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Nik73 wrote:
My question is this. Do I need to upgrade any other part of the electronics or can I just swap the pickups and be good to go?


No. The MIM Standard Strat uses 250K pots which is almost universal among Fenders. Some would suggest using a 500K pot for the humbucker, but IMO, it isn't necessary.

You may want to consider replacing the stock 5-way switch with a Super Switch which would give you a couple more options as it allows you to split the humbucker, but otherwise the regular switch is fine. As a matter of fact; doesn't the sock wiring allow for the bucker to be split in position 2?

(edited to add):

Beautiful guitar btw.


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Post subject: Re: ANOTHER Pickup Upgrade Question
Posted: Tue Jul 09, 2013 10:19 am
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93greenstrat wrote:
Nik73 wrote:
My question is this. Do I need to upgrade any other part of the electronics or can I just swap the pickups and be good to go?


No. The MIM Standard Strat uses 250K pots which is almost universal among Fenders. Some would suggest using a 500K pot for the humbucker, but IMO, it isn't necessary.

You may want to consider replacing the stock 5-way switch with a Super Switch which would give you a couple more options as it allows you to split the humbucker, but otherwise the regular switch is fine. As a matter of fact; doesn't the sock wiring allow for the bucker to be split in position 2?

(edited to add):

Beautiful guitar btw.


Thanks bud, good to hear. Saves me money too! :)
Also, thanks again. The colour and finish is beautiful, especially given the price.

_________________
2012 Cherry Sunburst Custom Shop Deluxe Strat
2015 Black Eric Clapton Signature Strat
2015 Olympic Pearl US HSS Deluxe Strat
2013 Aged Cherry Sunburst Plus Top HSS Strat with FR


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