If you were a poor boy, could just put pups in a Squire Stratocaster what pups?

[BloodRose]

Re: If you were a poor boy, could just put pups in a Squire Stratocaster what pups?

no time to read prev posts, so if I repeat something, forgive me. Squier's vintage modified series is really good. Most even come with Duncan designed pups..

I have a regular squier too and updated many things on it. mostly due to preference. but a pickup change woke it up. the stockers were lame and noisy. New pups made a world of difference..

 

[dominus]

Re: If you were a poor boy, could just put pups in a Squire Stratocaster what pups?

So you have a vintage 62 Strat, and you plan to buy a 50 dollar Squier strat to sound BETTER?

You aren't going to get a decent Squier for 50 bucks. The only thing you would get near is a used affinity, and those are not going to hold up to serious gigging. You might get a used good condition Squier Standard Strat for around 130-170 if you find a really good deal. You will have to invest more in the pickups and pots than you do the guitar. I have an older Squier Standard Strat that I stuck a CustomCustom and 2 Fat 50's single coils in. It sounds as good as my American Fenders. It is NOT what I would grab if I were playing a gig.

What amp do you play through?

I'd take an Affinity over a standard any day.

Squier Standard - Alder or Agathis full thickness body. The Agathis ones I've had ran the gamut in tone. Some were pretty dark, one was piercingly bright.
Squier Affinity - Alder thin body.

Standard - Two point bridge that tends to experience cracking in the wood where the posts are. (Yours doesn't? Great. I've had a dozen that did. Filled and converted to 6 screw. Do a Google search for Squier Standard bridge crack and you'll find plenty of examples.)
Affinity - 6 screw bridge

Standard - AlNiCo pickups
Affinity - Ceramic pickups

Tuners - Same on both models

With the bridge issue alone, I'd say the Affinity would hold up better in gigging, and give you a decent baseline for replacement pickups. For replacing electronics, there are bargains to be had, especially if considering imported pickups like Artec. (GFS, Calig, Dragonfire, etc.)

 

[ehdwuld]

Re: If you were a poor boy, could just put pups in a Squire Stratocaster what pups?

Ignore these guys
My buddy plays only cheap squires with upgraded pickups
And TusqXL nuts
And locking Fender tuners
And calaham bridges

Get a set of lace sensors or Fender Vintage Noiseless pickups
And a $10 TusqXL nut

 

[Der Oberherr]

Re: If you were a poor boy, could just put pups in a Squire Stratocaster what pups?

I put a JB jr. in the bridge and a cool rails in the neck of my cheap squier affinity strat. Didn't bother with the middle pup, I don't really use it. The JBJ and the rails are a good combo. I found them to be really versatile, with good cleans and good distorted tones. My squier can even do some metal, but starts to fall short once into thrash territory or beyond.

Also note that in my previous paragraph i said that the tones were good, not great. The pickup change did vastly improve the tone compared to the stock pickups (which sounded thin with no presence whatsoever), and they really breathed life into the instrument. But it pales in comparison to my Dean Custom 550, so I guess you get what you pay for really.

 

[dominus]

Re: If you were a poor boy, could just put pups in a Squire Stratocaster what pups?

I put a JB jr. in the bridge and a cool rails in the neck of my cheap squier affinity strat. Didn't bother with the middle pup, I don't really use it. The JBJ and the rails are a good combo. I found them to be really versatile, with good cleans and good distorted tones. My squier can even do some metal, but starts to fall short once into thrash territory or beyond.

Also note that in my previous paragraph i said that the tones were good, not great. The pickup change did vastly improve the tone compared to the stock pickups (which sounded thin with no presence whatsoever), and they really breathed life into the instrument. But it pales in comparison to my Dean Custom 550, so I guess you get what you pay for really.

The Affinity is usually HSH, so you could have gone with full sized humbuckers. Are you comparing Strat sized humbuckers to EMGs?

 

[VinceT]

Re: If you were a poor boy, could just put pups in a Squire Stratocaster what pups?

'65 Bandmaster.

Are you getting to really crank that amp? The issue may not be guitar/pickups, but instead further down your chain.

Your original post seemed to conclude that it was the guitar/pedals making the other guys sound better. Expensive does not always equal good tone (believe me, I've heard PRS Custom 24s played so they sound worse than cheap imports).

What do you feel is lacking in your tone/sound? (60s Strats have been responsible for many, many great records, so I guess I'm having a hard time understanding that you're focusing on the guitar?)

 

[callmestormymonday]

Re: If you were a poor boy, could just put pups in a Squire Stratocaster what pups?

Are you getting to really crank that amp? The issue may not be guitar/pickups, but instead further down your chain.

Your original post seemed to conclude that it was the guitar/pedals making the other guys sound better. Expensive does not always equal good tone (believe me, I've heard PRS Custom 24s played so they sound worse than cheap imports).

What do you feel is lacking in your tone/sound? (60s Strats have been responsible for many, many great records, so I guess I'm having a hard time understanding that you're focusing on the guitar?)

Don't get me wrong man, I know I got a set up that is world class and there are guys who offer big money for the guitar and or amp constantly. I am thankful for what I got. But every now and then a guy shows up with a rig - hot pickups, modern Marshall or something amp and a pedal or twelve and he just hits it and hits hard in a way I can't reach with my rig as great as it is. I guess what I feel is missing from my tone is that brighter, more precise overdrive that new technology offers. I can live with it but I figure as I get a little extra cash I will start piecing together some gear with new tech stuff. I found on the pickup place Fishman Fluence Modern Humbucker sounds like maybe a good place to start: https://forum.seymourduncan.com/showthread.php?311076-Fishman-Fluence-Modern-Humbucker-any-updates-it-s-been-a-couple-of-years

 

[AlexR]

Re: If you were a poor boy, could just put pups in a Squire Stratocaster what pups?

Look, a nice open dynamic rig like you have cannot hope to compete with the natural tone squashing that undynamic hot pickups and a heavily saturated preamp based gain can do. Your responsive overdrive and pick-hand sensitive rig cannot even get close to that tone where 'every note sounds the same no matter how hard you hit the strings'.

 

[Artie]

Re: If you were a poor boy, could just put pups in a Squire Stratocaster what pups?

If I've said it once, I've said it a hundert (sic) times . . . The Trading Post is your friend. You wouldn't believe some of the killer pup deals I've found there. (If you have patience.)

Squier's vintage modified series is really good. Most even come with Duncan designed pups..

Then there's this. Even better deals on DD's. Don't be in a rush.

 

[Der Oberherr]

Re: If you were a poor boy, could just put pups in a Squire Stratocaster what pups?

The Affinity is usually HSH, so you could have gone with full sized humbuckers. Are you comparing Strat sized humbuckers to EMGs?

My affinity's pickguard was made for 3 strat sized pups, and I couldn't be bothered to cut it or get another one. And yes I am comparing 2 different types of pickup (but blackouts, not EMGs), which is of limited sense, but I only have those 2 guitars, so I'm working with what I've got. I guess I was just trying to make the point that it's better to just wait and get a decent guitar, than compromise by getting something not as good and just polishing it a bit.

 

[Securb]

Re: If you were a poor boy, could just put pups in a Squire Stratocaster what pups?

I don't think the '63 Stratocaster is the problem. Maybe you are just not a Strat guy. Hit the store and play some different axes especially humbucker equipped guitars.

 

[Chickenwings]

Re: If you were a poor boy, could just put pups in a Squire Stratocaster what pups?

I guess what I feel is missing from my tone is that brighter, more precise overdrive that new technology offers.

Have a look for some kind of killer drive pedal then and just use it to add gravy to what is already an excellent cut of meat. There are pedals out there that will transform your tone to stratospheric, and still letting you keep your stock vintage sweetness when you switch it off again.
You owe it to yourself to try something along the lines of an Xotic BB, or a fulltone OCD at the very least. These are just two of a plethora of killer pedals that will complement your rig.

 

[crusty philtrum]

Re: If you were a poor boy, could just put pups in a Squire Stratocaster what pups?

Have a look for some kind of killer drive pedal ...

Use the gear you already have, but get one of these ...

 

[Funkfingers]

Re: If you were a poor boy, could just put pups in a Squire Stratocaster what pups?

Neil, Glasgae-to-American English subtitles may be required.

 

[crusty philtrum]

Re: If you were a poor boy, could just put pups in a Squire Stratocaster what pups?

Neil, Glasgae-to-American English subtitles may be required.

Aye, eye did think of that ... but I figured the accent of the wee pedal would be a little more universal (I suppose some might consider it to have an Irish accent perhaps ..... )

 

[callmestormymonday]

Re: If you were a poor boy, could just put pups in a Squire Stratocaster what pups?

Look, a nice open dynamic rig like you have cannot hope to compete with the natural tone squashing that undynamic hot pickups and a heavily saturated preamp based gain can do. Your responsive overdrive and pick-hand sensitive rig cannot even get close to that tone where 'every note sounds the same no matter how hard you hit the strings'.

LOL! You almost got it it man but I have heard some modern rigs that are killer. I got everything I need and am truly thankful but it's just human nature to want more, you know.

 

[Mr. B]

Re: If you were a poor boy, could just put pups in a Squire Stratocaster what pups?

Having taught after-school guitar classes to high school students for over a decade, I have worked on hundreds of badly set-up and neglected guitars, most of them cheap lower-end models. I have worked on a ton of Squier models, and in my experience the Standards are a positive step-up from the Affinities and the price points they sell at is there for a reason.

The affinity models have thinner bodies and narrower necks. Their hardware is very cheap and tuners are often unreliable. The tuners are not smooth and often jerky. The pickups are atrocious. They don't stand up well over time, and older ones often have major problems like twisted necks, multiple high frets, and broken cheap metal parts.

I always have a feeling of holding my breath when working on Affinity models, hoping I will not strip out a saddle screw, or render the truss rod useless while doing normal adjustments. It has happened one too many times. I don't have that feeling while working on the Standard and Vintage Modified models. I would sink some money into upgrading a Standard if I liked it. I would not do the same with an Affinity.

Your experience may vary. You may find an Affinity start that blows away an American Strat. I see a dozen or so come in to my guitar class every year and I have never seen one I would even consider having as one of the club's loaner guitars. Five of our classroom guitars are Squier Standard Strats and Teles, and they have been working fine for years.

 

[Lewguitar]

Re: If you were a poor boy, could just put pups in a Squire Stratocaster what pups?

Greetings folks,
I been playing a '63 Stratocaster my uncle gave me for about 12 years. I jam in local clubs and am pretty hot from what people say. But I look around and see all the other players with modern pickups and pedal boards packed to over flowing and have to admit they do have better sound then my '63 Stratocaster. I love that guitar and wouldn't change it for anything. But I been thinking I'm going to by a Squire Stratocaster for about 50 bucks and put new hardware, pots, caps and pickups in it. I've been looking around for pickups and it is very confusing. I play it all blues, jazz, rock, metal and so on. What is a set or mix that will do me? you may have seen me at the pickup place asking about Fishman's and not getting anywhere there. Figured I try here where maybe your lookg at the total guitar aspect which is probably a better perspective.

For some reason I don't think that was a real back story or genuine question. But I apologize if it is.

Regardless, one of my favorite Strats is my '88 MIJ Fender Squier and the pickups in it now are Duncan Antiquity Surfers and a Fralin SP-43 bridge pickup.

That's one of my two favorite Strat pickup sets. The other would be a Fralin Vintage Hot neck and middle and the SP-43 bridge.

I also changed the vibrato to a Fender CS '62 style vibrato, the pots to CTS, the tone cap to a .02 Hovland and the switch to a newish Fender 5 way.

 

[callmestormymonday]

Re: If you were a poor boy, could just put pups in a Squire Stratocaster what pups?

For some reason I don't think that was a real back story or genuine question. But I apologize if it is.

Regardless, one of my favorite Strats is my '88 MIJ Fender Squier and the pickups in it now are Duncan Antiquity Surfers and a Fralin SP-43 bridge pickup.

That's one of my two favorite Strat pickup sets. The other would be a Fralin Vintage Hot neck and middle and the SP-43 bridge.

I also changed the vibrato to a Fender CS '62 style vibrato, the pots to CTS, the tone cap to a .02 Hovland and the switch to a newish Fender 5 way.

You are calling me a liar. Well, I guess this liar will go find somewhere else to get information.

Thank you to all those who have really helped me with good information, particularly about the squire, I will definitely take a close look at the standard vs. affinitiy. I also appreciate the recommendations for pedals I have started researching them and they look like a very viable option.

So long folks this "liar" has greener pastures to explore.

 

[dominus]

Re: If you were a poor boy, could just put pups in a Squire Stratocaster what pups?

You'll be missed.