question on a strat I just got

[mixmkr]

I've got a couple of questions on a Mexican strat I just got, S/N MN542998. ..maybe a newer guitar...like a 98...99?. I paid $350 bucks for it and a Fender case, and a couple sets of strings I asked for...but the price isn't the issue... I realize, that is probably not the best deal on the planet for sure...but that's not really so important at this price range to me. I like the guitar and it will suit what I need it for. I've got a couple other Strats, but this one said ...hey..."take me home"..so I did. Basically, I plan on just putting my Roland GK-2A pickup on it, as the Roland pickup doesn't work as good as it probably should on my Gibson I am currently using...and I don't have the heart to put it on my other Strats.

Anyway...getting off subject. This is one of those "fat strats" with the humbucker in the bridge position. However, instead of the third knob (the 2nd tone knob), there is a coil tap switch instead. Seems to work ok on the humbucker. Also, there is a place for a 9volt battery in the back...for active electronics...right? I put a new Duracell in...I can't tell what it is supposed to be doing. I guess I am that deaf. I thought it was to keep the same tone as you turn the volume knob down, and stuff like that. But it seems to perform the same, with or without the battery. Is this feature then not possibly working? I've never seen a strat with supposedly "active electronics"...or a place for a 9 volt battery....nor a coil tap switch for that matter. And, I would say it all looks factory...at least to me.

Can someone elaborate a little more on this guitar for me? It plays good, and that makes me happy, but I am curious about the electronics stuff too....not that I am really going to be using them much anyway... But...ya never know.

Help me...all you strat lovers oh..it's sunburst too...my fav.

[mixmkr]

anyone seen a Strat with active electronics? ....and/or coil taps?

anyone??

after some extensive looking, I am beginning to think this dude is a well done custom, or a rare(ish) type bird.

[BrettB]

I never saw a strat with active electronics, only strat types from blade, but not from Fender

[Gidge]

I was at a local shop having something done to a guitar and he had a Sunburst Mexican Strat he was selling on consignment for someone...sounded terribly familiar to what you are explaining, but i never asked what it all did.....

maybe at one point it had an active pickup but was later replaced?......

ive seen strats with coil switches and active pickups before and also seen with with a mid boost switch but dont know which ones were stock.....

[Gidge]

(slaps forehead)....try to get in touch with Hard2Hear at some point...i have a feeling he can answer any Fender related questions, or at least know how to get the info.....

[mixmkr]

thanks for the replies. After some research (like taking the damn guitar apart and looking), and some internet help, I believe I have figured out my questions. The 9 volt cavity is just that. A well done installed "project" that someone started but never continued on. The battery leads go no where. And I think it is just a regular Strat special, which has the coil taps on the humbucker. Anyway...I am really digging the guitar. I think I got a fine MIM.

[Hard2Hear]

I have a deluxe Powerhouse Strat, which is MIM and has active electronics. It uses a 9 volt as you described. The Powerhouse has 3 single coils...there was also one made which had a humbucker and had the same active electronics as the powerhouse.

Any of Fender's guitars with the unique 12dB active mid-boost circuit (such as the Powerhouse, or the E.C. signature, et. al.)requires an additional circuit board and 9 volt somewhere inside the guitar.

H2H