Pickups for strat HSS (S1 switch)

[jmac80]

Hello all
First time poster from Scotland here.
I have recently taken up guitar (mid life crisis) and have treated myself to a Fender Stratocaster (made in USA) guitar with HSS pickups and s1 switch.
The guitar model is "Fender FSR USA Pro Standard Strat HSS Crimson Red Transparent" and has the s1 volume switch.
I have attached a picture below.
What I need advice on is there a HSS setup of pickups that I can pretty much swap over to, I would like them in black as I personally hate the cream color zebra humbucker on the guitar (also putting on a black scratchplate and knobs etc)
So ideally I would like 2 single black single duncans and a black double for the bridge that I can swap over but still have use of the s1 switch, sound wise i would like to keep it fairly similar to standard fender ones but that little extra bit of duncan quality.
Can someone please advise me if this is possible and maybe some links to what ones I need to buy.

Many thanks and sorry for the beginner style questions.

James

 

[vinnie1971]

Pickups for strat HSS (S1 switch)

I would just change the pickguard for red tort or aged white or cream and live with the zebra unless there is something about the tone you don't like.

TBH a made in USA strat is going to sound pretty good stock.
It sounds like you are looking for a loaded pickguard.
Best off making your own, get a new pickguard, use the Seymour Duncan pickup selector tool, listen to the samples, choose what colour you want, order a 500k pot for the volume, 250k pots got neck and middle tone and 500k pot for humbucker tone.
Order your pickups in the colour you want, I'd stick with cream, aged white knobs and tip loaded on a red tort celluloid (not for print) pickguard.

Pickups, my choice would be SSL1 for single coils and a pearly gates trembucker, but loads of people will chime in with other recommendations- but is all about how you play and the tone you want.



Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[Jacew]

Re: Pickups for strat HSS (S1 switch)

So ideally I would like 2 single black single duncans and a black double for the bridge that I can swap over but still have use of the s1 switch, sound wise i would like to keep it fairly similar to standard fender ones but that little extra bit of duncan quality.

SSL-1's would be my choice too for classic strat tones. SSL-5's are also noteworthy option, they might balance better with humbucker. They're less "round and bell-like" and have more singing quality in them.

Product info text in SD site is pretty accurate explaining what pickups are like. Don't count too much on EQ info there... Listen samples you can find, for what might work for you.

You might get better results with all 500k pots. Neck and middle position can get dark pretty easily. Order a bunch of different value caps too, and take you're time finding what suits you best.

 

[Mincer]

Re: Pickups for strat HSS (S1 switch)

Welcome to the forum!

There are some decisions to be made. What kind of music? Is there something about the sound you don't like now, or are you hoping for the same, but better quality (realizing it is subjective)? Research is free, so go and explore the site, and we can help narrow the choices down for you. As suggested, SSL-1s are good pickups, but you might like hum cancelling, or a slightly more modern sound.

 

[dotsdad]

Re: Pickups for strat HSS (S1 switch)

You don't have to replace the single coils if you like them. The covers for those are removable. You can easily put black covers on them.

The forum bros can definitely help you choose the right humbucker. It will definitely help if you tell them the music you lie and tham amp/pedals you use.