Modifying squier strat

ed

Hi. Essentially what I am looking for is a set of pickups for my axe. So I have heard of the different types of aftermarket pups, but I have no idea of what to get to give me that warm strat sound. Any advice on what I should get and from where (in SA) and price?
Even if one of you guys have a used set, I am willing to buy. Thanks

MikeM

What kind of warm strat sound do you want? You need to be very specific about what you want so we can tell you what would work for you ?

AlanRatcliffe

Maybe also let us know what kinds of music you listen to or specific songs you like the sound of.

MikeM

That's what I meant to say. Try describe the sound you currently have, what you don't like about it, and what you want it to sound like ? Examples of what you're aiming for is probably best as well as Alan said.

ed

hmmm... I would describe it as the SRV sound. I play at church so I would love to get some good cleans. As the squier I have is not one of the newer ones, the pups are quite crap. It gives me a very thin sound so thats why I'm looking to change the pups. I would even be happy to settle for the sound you get from a standard MIA Strat. Hope this helps. Thanks

MikeM

And budget?

Any constraints otherwise?

DonovanB

Ed, how old is your squier?

I'm also goign to ask what amp you use. My squier still has the original pups and i get a fantastic tone out of it. I would still like to put a set of Jeff Beck Noiseless pups in. I believe those are quite good.

[deleted]

ed wrote SRV sound

I don't think anyone in the world knows, people get close, but SRV and his tone, and a few others, deserve a section on their own...

My next question for you is. In my church our band doesn't exactly rip up killer blues riffs, fierce playing and the energy that all forms part of SRV and his illusive tone? It might be hard to get SRV tone then? Just a thought?

So first of all I think go for a lekker, Tube amp which I hope you have? a killer TS808 or similar, string heavy, detune 1/2 a step. See how close you get.

Pick ups IMO are such a small part of the "tone"...

Tone is 80% heart, soul and hands. 20% comes from equipment ? and a decent amp forms 90% of that.

I have heard Dan Patlansky play a stock standard squire strat through his Dr Z and guess what guys? It sounded like Dan Patlansky!!! Yes 90% of people probably wouldn't hear the difference!

ed

hmmm.. now i am confused. I Obviously dont want to get the exact same dirty blues tone of SRV as I understand that he used a TS808, but since it is an overdrive, I want a neat warm clean sound with a slight edge of overdrive. I have one of those Squier Bullet Strat's( bottom of the range squier strat). I am looking into getting a new axe but since i am still studying(cash is low) I thought I would just change the pickups as there is some evidence of a little rust on it as well. As for my budget I am willing to pay up to 1k most!!
I know tone is a matter of ones taste and I understand all the other elements involved such as the as the amp, wood of the guitar and the list goes on....., but with respect to pups which one would help me?

BTW my studies have distracted me from improving my gear for the past four years so now that I am almost finish, and playing in church again I plan to do some modifying or if thats not possible buy a new axe....

AlanRatcliffe

SRV played with stock early '60s pickups which are bright and snappy, but he played so hard it was as if they had a higher output, so most guys go a little hotter and warmer - more like mid-50s pickups - to get in the same kind of ballpark.

Fender Fat '50s will do the job, as will anything similar from other manufacturers. Throw in a Tube Screamer (ANY Tube Screamer or clone) and a Fender valve amp, fit on .011 gauge strings and tune down a half step and you are 90% of the way there. Aside from the very big step of learning to play like SRV ?

Keep your original Bullet pickups and pop them back when you upgrade - you'll never get your money back and the Fat '50s are good enough to go in nearly anything.

ed

Alan Ratcliffe wrote SRV played with stock early '60s pickups which are bright and snappy, but he played so hard it was as if they had a higher output, so most guys go a little hotter and warmer - more like mid-50s pickups - to get in the same kind of ballpark.

Fender Fat '50s will do the job, as will anything similar from other manufacturers. Throw in a Tube Screamer (ANY Tube Screamer or clone) and a Fender valve amp, fit on .011 gauge strings and tune down a half step and you are 90% of the way there. Aside from the very big step of learning to play like SRV ?

Keep your original Bullet pickups and pop them back when you upgrade - you'll never get your money back and the Fat '50s are good enough to go in nearly anything.

any idea where I can get a set of Fat 50's in SA and for what price?
Thanks

AlanRatcliffe

Bothner's in Cape Town Music Mate in JHB are probably your best bet.

[deleted]

Excellent, let us know what you decide ?

The only way I use my tubescreamer is as a boost, I keep the Drive knob all the way on zero and leave it on all the time, just the signal going through the TS gives me sparkle that I just love... then I have anoter TS which is a bit dirtier. set to maybe 4 at most then play both on if I'm feeling like some dirt. I like clean too most of the time ? ? ?

SRV played really clean too... He just grinded his guitars, played HARD. like Alan said!

Good luck ?