JimmyCraig
Right so I bought a MIM Strat as my first guitar, and after a year of playing I realise I would rather get Humbucker pickups instead of the single-coils. Now I've been wondering if I should not just buy another guitar or get someone to modify it and put in Humbuckers.........firstly who could do this? and should I rather just buy another guitar? Thanks
AlanRatcliffe
Any luthier worth his salt can do it - see the luthiers list and find some in your area. But first, take a look under the pickguard and see if the body is already routed for H-S-H (Humbucker-Single-Humbucker) - many MIM Strats are. If it is, it's a simple job to change to any other pickup configuration, requiring just the pickups, a new pickguard and a bit of soldering (and if you hold onto the old pickups/pickguard, also easy to reverse later). If the guitar is routed for three singles, it will take a little more work and be a bit more expensive (but still easy to do).
It's even easier to pick up a decent two humbucker guitar to test the waters. What you feel you need now is humbuckers, but trust me, that is usually subject to change over time. ? So it's actually nice to have both and be able to chop and change as the mood takes you.
ryanguit
+1 to Alan. Welcome to guitarforum.
You can, and maybe you will mod, but you will probably want the other guitar anyway. PLUS: you will likely (if you really do prefer humbuckers) buy a "proper" humbucker guitar later. so the only thing worth noting:
Don't sell MIM strat.
Either mod it (you can mod it back when you get a humbucker guitar), or don't mod it and buy an inexpensive test subject to help make the decision. Either way, you will end up with at least a single coil guitar and a humbucker guitar. you may even end up with the strat HSS and a humbucker guit...
cheers and good luck!
DonovanB
I picked up a cheap Samick with HH config that was quite cool. Ended up moving it on for R500 when I was done with it. Some deals are there to be had. keep an eye out for them
