I have a Squier Strat by Fender from the Affinity Series. This is an HSS set-up. Right now, it just has the stock pickups and I'm not too pleased with the sound, so I have recently been doing some research in finding some better pickups. First thing you need to know is that I am new to the world of pickups and still have a lot to learn. I'm thinking maybe someone on here can give me a push in the right direction or make some recommendations. The type of music I listen to is a little diverse. I'm going for a sound like those of The Matches (Decomposer), The Cure (Wish), My Chemical Romance (I Brought You My Bullets, You Brought Me Your Love), The Used (In Love And Death and The Used), and Nine Inch Nails (Pretty Hate Machine, With Teeth and Downward Spiral). As you can see, I won't need anything too metal. I was thinking a humbucker that does well with some distortion will do fine and some single coils that have a warm sound would be good. Any ideas? Suggestions really welcomed...in fact, they're preferred. Thanks sooooo much. -Jessi
Help!!!!
- Thread starter JessiG
- Start date
super rad stuff
Skaforlifeologist
Re: Help!!!!
welcome to the forum!
for one of those pickup slots, i'd suggest a cool rails in the neck for the cure, it's nice and mellow, perfect for them. as for that other stuff, i'd maybe say a JB or similar. i'unno about singles that much though so no suggestion for the middle, sorry
welcome to the forum!
for one of those pickup slots, i'd suggest a cool rails in the neck for the cure, it's nice and mellow, perfect for them. as for that other stuff, i'd maybe say a JB or similar. i'unno about singles that much though so no suggestion for the middle, sorry
CaughtLikeFire
New member
Re: Help!!!!
right off the bat, my first thought is a Custom bridge and APS2 single coils. The Custom is not crazy hot but it has plenty of power and will be great for fat power chords in The Used and MCR style songs. use a distortion pedal and you've got NIN. Turn down the gain on your amp, maybe use the single coils, and you've got Cure tones. The APS2 singles are warmer than regular Strat pups liek the SSL-1 - more mids, less glassy in the high end.
go here: http://store.guitarfetish.com/
and get new potentiometers (250K) and Orange Drop capacitors (probably 0.047uF is your best bet). they also have very affordable pickguards if you want to just start over with a whole new pickguard assembly (only $13). I'd recommend going that route. New pickup screws and springs are cheap, as is a new 5-way switch.
you won't realize the potential of new Duncan pups until you make sure that you have quality pots and caps to run them through.
right off the bat, my first thought is a Custom bridge and APS2 single coils. The Custom is not crazy hot but it has plenty of power and will be great for fat power chords in The Used and MCR style songs. use a distortion pedal and you've got NIN. Turn down the gain on your amp, maybe use the single coils, and you've got Cure tones. The APS2 singles are warmer than regular Strat pups liek the SSL-1 - more mids, less glassy in the high end.
go here: http://store.guitarfetish.com/
and get new potentiometers (250K) and Orange Drop capacitors (probably 0.047uF is your best bet). they also have very affordable pickguards if you want to just start over with a whole new pickguard assembly (only $13). I'd recommend going that route. New pickup screws and springs are cheap, as is a new 5-way switch.
you won't realize the potential of new Duncan pups until you make sure that you have quality pots and caps to run them through.
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CaughtLikeFire
New member
Re: Help!!!!
yeah - since you'll be using 250K pots to tame the single coils, a Custom-Custom may be too dark. The regular Custom should rock. By the way, the trembucker version of the SH-5 (TB-5) is a better choice - the pole pieces are spaced wider to better match with Fender bridge spacing. It's not crucial, but if you have a choice, go TB-5.
pretty sure you want a reverse wound (RWRP) APS2 for the middle so that you get hum canceling in positions 2 and 4.
yeah - since you'll be using 250K pots to tame the single coils, a Custom-Custom may be too dark. The regular Custom should rock. By the way, the trembucker version of the SH-5 (TB-5) is a better choice - the pole pieces are spaced wider to better match with Fender bridge spacing. It's not crucial, but if you have a choice, go TB-5.
pretty sure you want a reverse wound (RWRP) APS2 for the middle so that you get hum canceling in positions 2 and 4.
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Re: Help!!!!
Ok the trembucker it is! hahaha since the single coils are going to be more mellow shouldn't I get a Custom-Custom to balance it out so I can still get some dark sounds? I can only find the RWRP APS2.....I can't find a normal wound one....do you know where I could get one?
Ok the trembucker it is! hahaha since the single coils are going to be more mellow shouldn't I get a Custom-Custom to balance it out so I can still get some dark sounds? I can only find the RWRP APS2.....I can't find a normal wound one....do you know where I could get one?
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Skaforlifeologist
Re: Help!!!!
i disagree with using a single coil in the neck if your going for a cure tone, it's too thin, but aps2s should be good pickups for your strat anyhow.
i disagree with using a single coil in the neck if your going for a cure tone, it's too thin, but aps2s should be good pickups for your strat anyhow.
super rad stuff
Skaforlifeologist
Re: Help!!!!
i'd say, with a bit of chorus and reverb, it'd sound great. the main reason i think the cool rails would be better is because the main guitarist usually used a hollowbody, which sounds much fatter, and a single coil won't do the cure imo.
:eyecrazy:
i'd say, with a bit of chorus and reverb, it'd sound great. the main reason i think the cool rails would be better is because the main guitarist usually used a hollowbody, which sounds much fatter, and a single coil won't do the cure imo.
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CaughtLikeFire
New member
Re: Help!!!!
single coils may not nail the tone exactly, but the A2 mags and flat poles will get closer than regular Strat pups.
A lil 59 would be better in keeping with the PAF vibe of most Cure tunes though I think. The Cool Rail sounds a bit too modern.
For an all-humbucker setup, Custom bridge, Vintage Rails middle, and Lil 59 neck might work well. Probably want to switch to 500K pots though
single coils may not nail the tone exactly, but the A2 mags and flat poles will get closer than regular Strat pups.
A lil 59 would be better in keeping with the PAF vibe of most Cure tunes though I think. The Cool Rail sounds a bit too modern.
For an all-humbucker setup, Custom bridge, Vintage Rails middle, and Lil 59 neck might work well. Probably want to switch to 500K pots though
super rad stuff
Skaforlifeologist
CaughtLikeFire
New member
Re: Help!!!!
yeah, Strats give you a lot of options . you can get a new pickguard for $15 and just run 2 full-size humbuckers, 1 volume, 1 tone, if you want to simplify.
good luck :headbang:
yeah, Strats give you a lot of options . you can get a new pickguard for $15 and just run 2 full-size humbuckers, 1 volume, 1 tone, if you want to simplify.
good luck :headbang:
You'll get a tad more "omph" from your E strings. :cool2:
super rad stuff
Skaforlifeologist
Re: Help!!!!
if you end up doing that, go for either a jb or custom(any custom, you can change the magnets if you want), and a '59 in the neck. basic HH setup, covers all the basses of hard rock and the cure;D
if you end up doing that, go for either a jb or custom(any custom, you can change the magnets if you want), and a '59 in the neck. basic HH setup, covers all the basses of hard rock and the cure;D
