Getting ready to get my strat copy back up and running

[Demanic]

I have a guitar similar to this but orange.
Currently it has a Dimarzio Fast 2 in the bridge and the other two pickups stock. It's in need of string saddles at the moment, and in the next few weeks it's going to get some Graph Techs. I have a Custom series full humbucker laying around gathering dust, so I'm thinking of moving the Fast 2 to either the middle or neck position and cutting the pickguard to fit the Custom. It's got a swimming pool route so room shouldn't be a problem. What I'm wondering is what magnet should I go with in the Custom given the unusual body construction? It doesn't led much to the bass frequencies and tends to be a bit bright. I'd like to try a polished A2 in the Custom to fatten up the sound, but would I be better off leaving in the A8 I have in it? I also have a double thick ceramic or an A5 that I could put in.
The next question is, should I put the Fast 2 in the neck or in the middle? And what should I replace the cheap stock pickup with? I'd like to have at least one real single coil in it, but a decent one, especially if I can pick it up used.
Or should I get really radical and put the Custom in the middle, leave the Fast 2 in the bridge and replace the neck with a decent single? I don't mind going off the beaten path with this thing since I'm not married to any traditional ideas as to what a strat should look or sound like. Any thoughts are appreciated.

 

[beaubrummels]

Re: Getting ready to get my strat copy back up and running

I have a guitar similar to this but orange. View attachment 55821

I checked out after the pichure. That is suh-weet!

 

[Demanic]

Re: Getting ready to get my strat copy back up and running

It looks cool, but I don't think Lucite is the best tone material, though I could probably use it as a shield if someone were shooting at me . Picture it in road marker orange.

 

[Mad-Max]

Re: Getting ready to get my strat copy back up and running

Hell, it's better than B.C Rich using Plywood for tone wood material.

 

[BluesGuyJ]

Re: Getting ready to get my strat copy back up and running

Don't put the FS2 in the middle, it sounds awful in that position.... I've tried it. Perhaps in the neck, but its really for the bridge position.

 

[Securb]

Re: Getting ready to get my strat copy back up and running

It looks cool, but I don't think Lucite is the best tone material.

Meh. The Dan Armstrongs sound pretty good IMO. I have played a few of them with singles and hums.

 

[Demanic]

Re: Getting ready to get my strat copy back up and running

Don't put the FS2 in the middle, it sounds awful in that position.... I've tried it. Perhaps in the neck, but its really for the bridge position.

Got it. Ever swapped a magnet on one? I could conceivably do that and put it in the neck. I don't dislike it in the bridge, it's just that that Custom is burning a hole in my pocket, so to speak. I suppose that I could just leave the Fast 2 in the bridge and get better singles for the neck and the middle.