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Post subject: New Pickups for Squier Strat
Posted: Sun Aug 23, 2015 1:50 pm
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I have a bottom of the barrel Squier Strat (Made in China). It plays surprisingly decent, but the hardware is the worst. The S/S/S scheme doesn't help either, when playing hard rock, metal and punk styles (I do have material that require cleans). Anyways, I figure that I'll just buy a nice loaded pick guard n replace the stock one. Any recommendations? I used to have a Mustang w/ a SD JB Humbucker in the bridge. I liked it, but I'm not sure I'd get another one (just to try something different).
I don't have much cash (the reason why I have this instrument in the first place), so I'm not looking to (can't afford to) spend much. I've heard Guitar Fetish (GFS) makes decent pickups on the cheap. I've heard their Lil' Killer set (dual blade SC's) on a buddy's Strat that's identical to mine. They seem decent, but don't seem to take well to the cheap wood, although I'd assume most pups would react the same. GFS sells loaded pick guards for $60-80. I'm usually just on the bridge pup, so if you have a recommendation for just one quality bridge pup that would work too. I have a Fender Super 210. I just use the clean channel and pedals for dirt.

Thanks,
Adam


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Post subject: Re: New Pickups for Squier Strat
Posted: Sun Aug 23, 2015 3:37 pm
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Make certain that your Squier's body is thick enough and the pickup routs deep enough to accommodate a set of quality pickups, whatever brand/type you happen to choose.

Arjay

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Post subject: Re: New Pickups for Squier Strat
Posted: Sun Aug 23, 2015 6:18 pm
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When you start adding a lot of gain, the quality of wood becomes less important. If your friend upgraded his pickups and left the same Squier pots and block in then that is going to effect his tone a lot more than cheap wood. Last I heard GF had decent blocks for less than $20.

BTW. I got my son a Mexi Strat with the SD JBjr(stacked humbucker) in the bridge - sounds great.


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Post subject: Re: New Pickups for Squier Strat
Posted: Sun Aug 23, 2015 6:44 pm
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fenderfan wrote:
When you start adding a lot of gain, the quality of wood becomes less important. If your friend upgraded his pickups and left the same Squier pots and block in then that is going to effect his tone a lot more than cheap wood. Last I heard GF had decent blocks for less than $20.

BTW. I got my son a Mexi Strat with the SD JBjr(stacked humbucker) in the bridge - sounds great.

He upgraded all the hardware, i.e. pots, wiring, even a new input jack. I also plan on doing this. What is a block?
Are the Chinese made Strats just layered plywood?


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Post subject: Re: New Pickups for Squier Strat
Posted: Sun Aug 23, 2015 8:59 pm
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fenderfan wrote:
If your friend upgraded his pickups and left the same Squier pots and block in then that is going to effect his tone a lot more than cheap wood. Last I heard GF had decent blocks for less than $20.


Are you talking about the tremolo block:
http://www.guitarfetish.com/Steel-and-Brass-Tremolo-Upgrade-Blocks_c_216.html

I was checking out youtube videos and they only show how install it, not remove it. Does it basically slide right out once you unscrew the tremolo plate? It also shows how the GFS brass block is bigger and requires filing the route a bit to fit it inside. The trem bar screw hole on the GFS block is smaller than the stock one. Does this mean I'll have to buy a new tremolo plate and bar, with a smaller screw size, to fit the new block/plate?


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Post subject: Re: New Pickups for Squier Strat
Posted: Mon Aug 24, 2015 6:01 am
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There is a fine line between carrying out a sensible modification and throwing good money after bad when dealing with a low value guitar.

Accepted anything you add to any Strat can be migrated on to a better version at a later date so, in some respects, it can be argued as being an investment. However, without spending too much you will quickly be into the territory of being able to buy a "better" guitar for the cost of the mods.

Again the "better" guitar may not have pickups as good as those you might be considering fitting to your current axe. But, there is a great deal more to a good guitar than a just good set of PUPs, as it is a complete system.

If you really like the feel of the guitar and how it plays what the heck! As I said, anything you buy can be reused at a later date (perhaps).

I am a great lover of trying to achieve something good on a budget. It is a great way to learn exactly what individual components achieve in isolation - this isn't always possible when they are just one part of a great package. If you start with something less than wonderful and a modification changes something and makes it better you understand that element more.

A problem with modifying/restoration etc. is; when you change the worst thing the previously second worst becomes the worst and then begs your attention. The slippery $@!&# gets steeper and steeper and you quickly get to a point of no return.

After all my chasing nirvana on a budget (the state not the band) I have frequently got to the end of an adventure, totalled up the cost of all the add ons, and concluded I could have bought a much better guitar for the same money. :cry:

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Post subject: Re: New Pickups for Squier Strat
Posted: Mon Aug 24, 2015 7:02 am
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John Sims wrote:
After all my chasing nirvana on a budget (the state not the band) I have frequently got to the end of an adventure, totalled up the cost of all the add ons, and concluded I could have bought a much better guitar for the same money. :cry:


I totally hear ya on this, but I'd also like to use this Strat as a learning platform on how to work on a guitar. I've never done any repairs myself and this would be a great opportunity; if I make a wrong move and $@!& something up, I'm only out $60.

The tremolo block seems like something I'd like to swap out for a decent brass one. Besides that, it's just a pickup(s), pots (maybe even a cap to solder on the pot) and a jack. This should be a fun project. I needa take off the guard and see what will fit in there. Maybe the route will be big enough to accept a humbucker. Anyone know the answer to this? I'm assuming that it's the same in all these cheap Chinese Strats.


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Post subject: Re: New Pickups for Squier Strat
Posted: Mon Aug 24, 2015 11:57 am
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This post is worth reading, although the upgrade was to SSS: viewtopic.php?f=15&t=99205

Wise words from Arjay and John Sims above.
But if you gotta, then you gotta :wink:
So, IMHO:
The loaded pickguard upgrade probably gives biggest results. But, if you only change the bridge pup, you have to do a little more soldering etc; so it would be better for learning. You'd be searching for either a (single coil sized) humbucker, or a hot(tish) single coil.
Forget the "good wood/bad wood" syndrome, totally.
I'd leave the bridge alone at the moment, rather concentrate on giving the guitar a perfect setup. Maybe a new bone/TUSQ nut instead. Replace the whole bridge later, when your skills have improved enough - and if you feel it needs it.


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Post subject: Re: New Pickups for Squier Strat
Posted: Mon Aug 24, 2015 5:05 pm
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You would really be better off just not trying to upgrade a Squier of the Affinity or Bullet model line. Dropping in a loaded pick guard will not fit. the depth of the Squier's control city is too shallow. the amount you will have to route out will not be worth the time and effort, not to mention the cost.
You can often find a used MIM body for less than $100 if that. I bought a 1998 MIM a couple years ago for $150 so they are out there to be had.
Having rebuilt a couple of these I can attest to the frustration factor of trying to fit higher end components with different tolerances.

As for the chinese bodies, they are not plywood per se, laminates of wood sections "Yes " but plywood is an inferior product not suitable for guitar building since the laminates have gaps and air pockets are frequent..

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Post subject: Re: New Pickups for Squier Strat
Posted: Mon Aug 24, 2015 5:35 pm
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53magnatone wrote:
You would really be better off just not trying to upgrade a Squier of the Affinity or Bullet model line. Dropping in a loaded pick guard will not fit. the depth of the Squier's control city is too shallow. the amount you will have to route out will not be worth the time and effort, not to mention the cost.


This isn't an Affinity or Bullet series, it's a straight Squier. Does that make a difference regarding the depth of the route? If not, this is terrible news...especially if it's even too shallow for a pickguard loaded with SC's? I'll have to talk with my buddy that loaded the Lil' Killers into his MIC Strat. I don't think he did the installation himself tho. It will, however, give me some needed routing practice if this is the case.


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Post subject: Re: New Pickups for Squier Strat
Posted: Tue Aug 25, 2015 4:55 am
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I did a Squier rebuild as build thread a while back, it's two guitars in one thread. Look thru it you may find something to help you along.

viewtopic.php?f=6&t=51950&hilit=stratopartster+builds

But again since the fender necks should fit on another body I would scrounge the Guitar Center used and try to find a beat up used body. It really is a challenge to try to fit parts that normally get assembled in Mim or Mia guitars...
But If you dare .... YMMV.. :wink:

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Post subject: Re: New Pickups for Squier Strat
Posted: Tue Aug 25, 2015 9:51 am
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$@!& man, you're totally right...the body's only 1.5"; the Strat with the Lil' Killers is 1.75". Does this mean I'm just screwed on pup replacements?


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Post subject: Re: New Pickups for Squier Strat
Posted: Tue Aug 25, 2015 12:01 pm
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Not necessarily - the key measures are the routing depths.
Strat pickup route depths vary, usually from 5/8" ("vintage") to 3/4"(or .750") ("modern").
Another checkpoint is the control cavity - you may not have enough depth for a Fender style switch, or even full size pots if your present pots are mini sized.
Like Retroverbial suggested, measure...


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Post subject: Re: New Pickups for Squier Strat
Posted: Tue Aug 25, 2015 12:23 pm
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Yes and No...
You could delete the 5 way switch and instead replace with 3 dp/dt switches which will give you the bonus of any pup combination.

But not to flog a dead horse but keep in mind that a Squier body at 1.5" thickness is more difficult to fit a trem bridge, on that note , you cannot without cutting down the bridge block.
Just find a used MIM for under $200, the body is easy to repair as needed, the critical part is the neck which in the Squier's are thinner and narrower.
The Squiers I rebuilt, one was for an 11 year old future rocker, the other I needed to experiment with neck fastening and reshaping the neck etc...etc...
Let's just say that a MIM will assure you that the upgrade in parts in the future will fit. Not the case with Squier's entry line, they have their own specced hardware...

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Post subject: Re: New Pickups for Squier Strat
Posted: Tue Aug 25, 2015 1:38 pm
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53magnatone wrote:
But not to flog a dead horse but keep in mind that a Squier body at 1.5" thickness is more difficult to fit a trem bridge, on that note , you cannot without cutting down the bridge block.
Just find a used MIM for under $200, the body is easy to repair as needed, the critical part is the neck which in the Squier's are thinner and narrower.
The Squiers I rebuilt, one was for an 11 year old future rocker, the other I needed to experiment with neck fastening and reshaping the neck etc...etc...
Let's just say that a MIM will assure you that the upgrade in parts in the future will fit. Not the case with Squier's entry line, they have their own specced hardware...


+1

I believe the new CV line of Strats feature a full-size body and most, if not all, common Strat parts will fit. Same with the MIM standard guitars. Trying to upgrade your Squier Strat with its "mini-body" will quickly violate the law of diminishing returns......you'll put more into it than you'll ever get out of it.

Arjay

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