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Post subject: Upgrading pickups on Standrad strat?
Posted: Tue Jun 09, 2015 5:19 pm
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I have a Standard Strat (Made in Mexico) with a single humbucker pickup. I was thinking of maybe upgrading the pickups. I typically just play along mp3s so I don't play on stage. The reason I was thinking of upgrading was that I was playing an American Standard and when compared to my guitar the American standard had a brighter sound (all the guitar/amp settings were same) Should I change all three pickups or just the humbucker or just keep what I have? Comments and/or suggestions.


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Post subject: Re: Upgrading pickups on Standrad strat?
Posted: Wed Jun 10, 2015 12:13 am
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Whether you have a SSS or a HSS, the pickups on the American Standard are going to be better than the Mexi. My MIM Strat has Texas Specials but if they were Mexican Standards they would have been replaced long ago. I'd get a loaded pickguard with Fat 50's if it was my only guitar. If I only played the Blues or had another guitar(s) to handle everything else I would go with Texas Specials.

If you just replace the humbucker(I assume you meant with a singlecoil and not another humbucker) you are going to have to replace the pickguard and if you are going to do that you might as well wire in better singlecoils instead of moving the Mexicans over. Or buy the loaded pickguard.

Mexican Standard pickups work great as refrigerator magnets but I don't know anyone who uses them for the purpose they were designed for.


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Post subject: Re: Upgrading pickups on Standrad strat?
Posted: Wed Jun 10, 2015 1:21 am
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fenderfan wrote:
Mexican Standard pickups work great as refrigerator magnets but I don't know anyone who uses them for the purpose they were designed for.


:lol:

LMAO!

At one time I had six or seven sets of those in my "recycle" bin.

:wink:

Arjay

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Post subject: Re: Upgrading pickups on Standrad strat?
Posted: Thu Jun 11, 2015 4:21 pm
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If it's any help I swapped the stock pups in my MIM Standard for Texas Specials and have been very satisfied. By "brighter" If you mean also "bell like" or "crystal clean" then I would suggest CS69s.

HTH

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BM

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Post subject: Re: Upgrading pickups on Standrad strat?
Posted: Fri Jun 12, 2015 3:59 am
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I think the Fat 50s are the bomb!

I also have a strat with Texas Specials loaded in them, Like them too...

CS69s are also nice,

so many choices...


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Post subject: Re: Upgrading pickups on Standrad strat?
Posted: Fri Jun 12, 2015 4:02 am
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Get a set exactly like you admired on the MIA Std.

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Post subject: Re: Upgrading pickups on Standrad strat?
Posted: Fri Jun 12, 2015 9:50 am
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Thanks for all your input. After having tried a bunch of diff strats with diff pups I chose the Noislesss N3! really loved the sound! I found that other pups almost sounded like a electric twelve string in comparison! Just waiting for them to come in and get installed!!


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Post subject: Re: Upgrading pickups on Standrad strat?
Posted: Fri Jun 12, 2015 8:41 pm
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Haven't tried N3's in a Strat but have a set in a bass and a pair of Vintage Noiseless in a Tele. Both sound great and the N3's are supposed to be an improvement over the Vintage Noiseless.


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Post subject: Re: Upgrading pickups on Standrad strat?
Posted: Sat Jun 13, 2015 10:56 am
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fenderfan wrote:
Mexican Standard pickups work great as refrigerator magnets but I don't know anyone who uses them for the purpose they were designed for.
Well...now you do. Me. I guess that depends on who you are...how you play...what you play...and your personal preferences.
My 2012 MIM Standard is all stock, and playing on the middle pickup through an Ultimate Chorus (with Chorus on) I can get a dead-on David Gilmore sound. And playing the middle & bridge pickup's through a Blues Jr. I can get REAL close to a Stevie Ray Vaughn sound.

Nope...I wouldn't even consider changing the pickup's on this guitar.


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Post subject: Re: Upgrading pickups on Standrad strat?
Posted: Sat Jun 13, 2015 12:23 pm
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White Dog wrote:
fenderfan wrote:
Mexican Standard pickups work great as refrigerator magnets but I don't know anyone who uses them for the purpose they were designed for.
Well...now you do. Me. I guess that depends on who you are...how you play...what you play...and your personal preferences.
My 2012 MIM Standard is all stock, and playing on the middle pickup through an Ultimate Chorus (with Chorus on) I can get a dead-on David Gilmore sound. And playing the middle & bridge pickup's through a Blues Jr. I can get REAL close to a Stevie Ray Vaughn sound.
Nope...I wouldn't even consider changing the pickup's on this guitar.

OMG :shock: ...think of the fortune they could have saved and precious time waste prevented if David and Stevie had only known! :mrgreen:

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Post subject: Re: Upgrading pickups on Standrad strat?
Posted: Mon Jun 15, 2015 2:34 am
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danagos wrote:
OMG :shock: ...think of the fortune they could have saved and precious time waste prevented if David and Stevie had only known! :mrgreen:
Yes....imagine. :roll:

I guess what I'm trying to say, is that it seems like there are quite a few people that don't even give the Standard pickups on an MIM a chance and/or experiment with them long enough to actually hear their potential.
I completely understand that everyone has a different ear for sound---but I have found some sweet sounds using certain combinations and settings.
To each their own.


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Post subject: Re: Upgrading pickups on Standrad strat?
Posted: Mon Jun 15, 2015 5:33 am
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White Dog wrote:
Yes....imagine. :roll:

I guess what I'm trying to say, is that it seems like there are quite a few people that don't even give the Standard pickups on an MIM a chance and/or experiment with them long enough to actually hear their potential.
I completely understand that everyone has a different ear for sound---but I have found some sweet sounds using certain combinations and settings.
To each their own.

I think you'll find that most forum members have come up the ranks trying various combinations of guitar and pickup...most of us HAVE given the MIM guitar/pickup more than "a chance"...and have enough knowledge to give them a thorough test and found them wanting...or we'd still be playing them...hence GAS.

They (the MIM Pickups) are a lower cost version intended by Fender to create a desire for a more expensive product.

You're opinions are legitimate...for you...but don't accuse the membership of unthinking snobbery because they don't agree with your choices...we've been there.

I will agree with you on one point...To Each Their Own.

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Post subject: Re: Upgrading pickups on Standrad strat?
Posted: Mon Jun 15, 2015 6:45 am
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White Dog wrote:
..... it seems like there are quite a few people that don't even give the Standard pickups on an MIM a chance and/or experiment with them long enough to actually hear their potential....


Nothing like leading with your chin. :roll:

I have an FSR MiM and am not even sure if it has standard MiM PUP's (and being an FSR I can't now find the specs on line). I do know I don't really like the PUP's but can't decide what to replace them with. I greatly respect those who comment on this forum and value their opinions.

Upgrading PUP's isn't cheap, and even more so if you make the wrong choice, this being the case all recommendations are gratefully received.

I have American Vintage 70's on one of my Strats and like the sound. They work great for what I use this guitar for but they aren't exactly what you would call hot. I like the sound though.

Being a bit of an Eric fan (both of them :wink: ) I had pondered Vintage Noiseless. I like the idea of the Noiseless but have heard comment that they can seem a bit flat and mushy and certainly not to get them without the accompanying pot set? And then it seems silly not to fit the mid boost as well.

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Post subject: Re: Upgrading pickups on Standrad strat?
Posted: Mon Jun 15, 2015 8:58 am
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John Sims wrote:
I have an FSR MiM and am not even sure if it has standard MiM PUP's (and being an FSR I can't now find the specs on line). I do know I don't really like the PUP's but can't decide what to replace them with. I greatly respect those who comment on this forum and value their opinions.

Upgrading PUP's isn't cheap, and even more so if you make the wrong choice, this being the case all recommendations are gratefully received.

I have American Vintage 70's on one of my Strats and like the sound. They work great for what I use this guitar for but they aren't exactly what you would call hot. I like the sound though.

Being a bit of an Eric fan (both of them :wink: ) I had pondered Vintage Noiseless. I like the idea of the Noiseless but have heard comment that they can seem a bit flat and mushy and certainly not to get them without the accompanying pot set? And then it seems silly not to fit the mid boost as well.

Sounds like you need to refine WHAT sound you want first John.

If you do decide on the mid-boost direction...I'll pass on Martian's excellent advice on Pickups...

...DiMarzio Area...I chose the 67-58-61 N to Br...Stacked Single Humbuckers... and they're the quietest I've encountered...

...which you badly need...with the sound boost comes noise boost :lol:

They keep the boost quiet (and to some degree...all your pedals too!)...a perfect match for the Mid Boost.

They were just the right look for my Custom build too...a 2 Tone Sunburst..."Hot Rod Brownie"...


Image

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Post subject: Re: Upgrading pickups on Standrad strat?
Posted: Mon Jun 15, 2015 11:43 am
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