Official Luthiers Forum!

I have 2012 or 2013 Strat with Fat 50's and love that guitar! Low noise and very Strat sounding, clean or wound up. I just bought an American Strat second hand for my son, about the same vintage (near new!) and it has different pickups but when in single coil mode (positions 1, 3 or 5) it is NOISY! I am not as impressed with the sound either. Any suggestions for a replacement upgrade for the pickups in his guitar? He plays classic rock but is young (12 years old) and who knows where he will go with his music. One band he is in is playing more contemporary stuff like Maroon 5 and are now also working on Uptown Funk, so there is a need for some cross over as well. He also has two Gibson's, a Les Paul Standard and an Explorer so I am looking to keep the Strat sound with this guiatr, just without the hum!

Thanks for any advise!

Shane

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Canada

Hi Shane,

If the cavaties aren't shielded I would start there and check all the wiring (ground) while you're inside.

For the sound issue- Could be height adjustment related (sorry if you already know that) and I'd start there before
spending for pups.

Schematics are all over the internet if you need one to check your wiring.

I've seen silly stuff like the +/- being connected to the wrong lugs on the output jack- so expect anything.

Hey Shane - two words (and that's a good day from me... )

Lindy Fralin

http://www.fralinpickups.com

I plan on swapping out my US Strat (a black one!!!!! ) with Lindy's very fine pups.

Sorry, scope creep and more than two words...

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Ann Arbor Guitars

Brian Porter

http://www.porterpickups.com

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Dan

Curious...has anybody ever met somebody that could tell the brand name of a pickup in a guitar by listening only?

No but we have read assertions on electric guitar forums that the brand of 9 volt battery can be heard..... Still laughing at that one....

We all know that Duracell electrons sound better than Eveready....

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Ann Arbor Guitars

Thanks guys. I sent an email to Porter for some advise on which ones they might suggest and I am interested in the Fralin split blades. Anyone have any experience with the split blades? The ones on the guitar now (I researched a bit more and this is a 2010 Strat) are the Texas Specials. Don't like the noise so can't get over that o determine if I like the sound!

Thanks
Shane

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Canada

Eric Johnson has made that claim regarding this and his guitar effects. Now is it true? Who knows?

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Another day, another dollar.

Guitar Player Magazine verified that back in the Stone Age. Why is it so hard to believe that a very few among us would be that sensitive?

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"Act your age, not your shoe size" - Prince

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VZruE7E_4OU

lol.....go to 6:15.

Nice to wind your own pups. I like having my pups in the guitars I build-batteries not included.

that d00d is a true freak...nutcase...should be institutionalized! yeah, I have a slight grudge against him (and definitely his manager)

Given the way these guitarist-designed tests usually go, I assume they used rather stone age methods and controls as well (Guitar Player Magazine isn't exactly a peer reviewed journal). Tests of the caliber they typically offer could just as easily prove that a hologram mystically embedded with a special resonant frequency stuck under the pick guard can cause a notable effect on tone as well.

I'd have to see their article, but I'm extremely dubious.

Shane, it's not cheap, but Lindy offers back plate noise reducer that works quite well if you really want to keep the unadulterated single coil tone.

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Eschew obfuscation, espouse elucidation.