Squire Strat Blues

[RalphPorter]

Hi,

Does anyone have any recommendations for upgrading my Squire Strat Pickups I'm interested in playing blues and I'm just not getting that sound at the moment. Thanks

Ralph.

[jeremy]

Re: Squire Strat Blues

welcome to the forum!!
what type of blues are we talking? id say a lil 59 in the bridge with a pair of nice single coils in the neck and middle would be a good place to start

[Benjy_26]

Re: Squire Strat Blues

Is your strat a Standard Squire or an Affinity series? For a standard, the Lil 59 at the bridge with a pair of Alnico II Pro singles in the neck and middle would be hard to beat. For an Affinity (thinner body) I'd go with Dimarzio's. Specifically a Virtual Vintage Blues in the neck and middle, and a Virtual Vintage Solo at the bridge, to give you an overall thicker, ballsier sound in all 5 positions.

[rmorin75e]

Re: Squire Strat Blues

I also have a Squier Standard Strat with a maple neck. I love the way this guitar feels. I tried MIM Strats and didn't like the feel, I tried American Strats and they felt pretty close to the Squier Standards.But at 400 bucks cheaper I went with the Squier.
I would like to get a brighter and more vintage sound, and changing pickups will do that.
Has anyone tried the Surfers in the neck and middle with an APS-1 in the bridge?
Or I am thinking all SSL-1's, all the way.
Any thoughts??

Robbie

[Benjy_26]

Re: Squire Strat Blues

I have an Albert Lee set (very close to APS flats) in my MIJ 62RI and they are very nice, and while bright, are not as bright as say, the SSL-1's are. The APS's have more mids with a smoother top end and a rounder bottom. They'll still twang, but the SSL-1's will have more glass.

[rmorin75e]

Re: Squire Strat Blues

I have an Albert Lee set (very close to APS flats) in my MIJ 62RI and they are very nice, and while bright, are not as bright as say, the SSL-1's are. The APS's have more mids with a smoother top end and a rounder bottom. They'll still twang, but the SSL-1's will have more glass.

How does the Dimarzio HS2 rate against the SD SSL-1's? Which would be brighter for that 60's sound? I am watching an online auction of both these pickups, at a pretty good price.
Benjy, I thank you for your input.

[Benjy_26]

Re: Squire Strat Blues

No need to thank me, but thanks for doing it.

For a true single coil sound, you need a true single coil. The HS-2's have their place, but for that classic strat sound, the SSL-1's get my nod.

[Benjy_26]

Re: Squire Strat Blues

One thing to keep in mind, the SSL-1 bridge pickup is very true to the originals, that is, it will be bright, relatively low output, and chimey. A lot of people (myself included) find that vintage style strat bridge pickups aren't fat enough to play with OD. If you think this as well, perhaps getting a Custom staggered for the bridge position along withe the SSL-1s in the neck and mid might be a good idea.

[rmorin75e]

Re: Squire Strat Blues

Thanks again for the knowledgeable input, Benjy.

[Benjy_26]

Re: Squire Strat Blues

You're very much welcome.