Replacement pickups

  • Thread starter Thread starter leedon
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leedon

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Hi all,

OK - I'm looking to replace the stock pickups on my Squier Strat. Now, before anyone tells me that 'they' wouldn't waste money on it, or ask me if I'm sure it's a good idea wasting money on it, I want to waste money on it. Now that that's settled...

The pickups are really bad (as expected). Bad microphonics. I want to replace them with Seymour Duncans, but don't know much about single coil pickups (humbucker man).

I read a bit about the available types, and have my eye on the SD Hot or SD Hot Rails. The Rails are a bit pricy though.
What is the standard replacement common for these ? Also, would I buy 3 'Hots' and put them in different positions (neck, middle, bridge), or do I need different models for different positions ?

I am looking for a rock/punk (Green Day) sound.

Any suggestions ?

Cheers
 
I tried Duncan's Hot Rails... didn't like them at all... the SD JBjr's are killer though!

Bruce
 
You want single-coils, and your a humbucker man then you should check out the Bill Lawrence L-280's. These are single-coil sized "stacked" design hum-cancelling pickups. They do not sound like humbuckers, but do sound like vintage single-coils, just with no 60 cycle hum at all. The 280 neck pickup is just amazing! I'm not to crazy about the bridge pickup however, I like a real humbucker there, like a S.D. 59'er. You cant go wrong with the Bill Lawrence 280's. They are at a great price too! Check 'em out! (click the pickup window link at billlawrence.com)
 
Hot rails

IMHO, I have a SD Hot Rails in the bridge of a 70's Strat and I love it. I am also a humbucking guy and the HR gives a happy compromise for my sound. In particular, it gives me warmer sound, less noise, and hotter output than a single coil. Also, it is brighter/more "stratty" than my true humbucking axes.

It gives me a nice alternative to my main humbucking axes. I wouldn't replace it with anything else.


Matt
 
What would the most commonly used replacement be for a Fender Strat in the Seymour Duncan range ?

I want to stick with SD pickups.

I want the typical single coil sound - don't want humbuckers or alternatives. Gonna steer away from Hot Rails. Any suggestions.
 
Well Leedon, I bought my American Deluxe Strat BECAUSE of the sound of the stock pickups! It was amazing!!!

(I know - you didn't want to hear it... but there it is!)

Bruce
 
There are many replacements out there........you just have to find your sound.I agree with Dabluesman---------the Bill Lawrence replacements are really good,and QUIET.They maintain the integrity of the Fender sound,that elusive high end sweetness.I have three strats right now,and I must confess all have stock pickups:eek: ! I do have a set of EMG SA pups,but they are kinda hi-fi sounding and rather sterile (I only install them for recording for other people). Good luck!
 
Lace Holy Grails. These pickups sound fantastic, and the hum is gone. (http://www.agi-lace.com/pu_grail.html) Unfortunately. they will run you about the same amount as your mexistrat did.

The Bill Lawrence pickups are also really great, and they are dirt cheap. I can't really recommend Duncans for single coils, though I like their single-coil sized humbuckers, and their full-sized humbuckers. I have a little '59 neck pickup (single-coil sized humbucker) that sings, and a Custom Custom (bridge full-size humbucker) that just oozes thick midrange.

http://www.agi-lace.com/pu_grail.html
 
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