Mustang Mod

Z

zphill

New member
I have a 1994 Fender Mustang MG-77 that I'm looking to give some sizzle. Wanting to add higher output pickups for more sustain and bite. Looking for a punk rock sound with this guitar. I have little experience with SD pickups or mustangs, for that matter. Currently considering a hot rail in the bridge and JB Jr. or possibly a Quarter pound in the neck. Talk me out of it, talk me into it. All other suggestions welcome. Thanks in advance.
 

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You should be good with a modern shaped and non staggered strat pickup. On the bridge slot a vintage shaped strat pickup with a triangular base plate must be flipped around. One caveat: With a shorter scale a higher output pickup could be a little muddier in the low strings.
 
I would say the ideal sound for a Mustang is humbucker bridge, P90 neck. Maybe a Custom bridge QP neck?

The big thing I would look at, because I've been doing this myself, is the switching situation. Unless you absolutely love the current switching setup, I'd look into some of the more common mods.
 
I would say keep both pickups hum-cancelling, or none of them. Also, things open up considerably if you intend to modify or buy a new pickguard for different pickup types. Give us an idea of some guitar sounds you are hoping to approximate.
 
Currently planning on using the standard pickguard, although I'm not against going another route. The vision was a high output pickup in the bridge to play @ high gain. I want sizzle, but I like thick lows and mids (think wall of sound). For the neck pickup something a bit more punchy, probably a little less articulate. Also heavy low end. For some versatility, I had considered coupling a quarter pounder with a hot rail. You recommended not mixing the single-coil with a humbucker. Why is that? One of my main reasons for reaching out for advice was concerns about how the pickups would sound in the 8 different positions. I've enjoyed the versatile tone capabilities the mustang gives you by having the ability to play the 2 pickups in and out of phase.
 
The reason is that when you switch to a single coil, you will hear hum. I'd have a hum-cancelling single coil if you decide to go with some kind of rail so you won't have any hum when you add gain. Honestly though, look at the Hot Rails set. You can always have a series/parallel switch for the neck if you ever need a clearer sound in the neck.
 
Good advice. I wasn't sure how the JB and hot rail would sound together. I don't need the middle pickup. Are you able to purchase the bridge and neck pickup as a "set" online, or do they need to be picked separately?
 
The JB Jr and Hot Rail could work, but they are voiced very differently. The JB Jr is actually pretty bright, while the Hot Rail is thick and meaty. You'd have to buy 2 Hot Rails separately, though.
 
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