Squier 2021 Contemporary Strat Special (SS-S): Gimmick or Genius?

[Mononoaware]

I'm fascinated with the new Squier strat specials:

https://shop.fender.com/en-US/squier...370230506.html

The middle pickup is shifted toward the bridge, right up against the bridge pickup, for "a unique variety of dynamically responsive settings." I assume there's no special switching going on, just a moved middle.

I can't decide whether my obsession is just with the look, or if the shifted pickup actually serves a purpose. What advantages or different sounds would this open up? And has anyone here played a similar configuration?

 

[jeremy]

robbie robertson did that on his strat(s) in the 70s. there is special switching on those squires which i would probably rip out and wire it normally with a push/pull for putting the bridge & middle in series.

 

[Mononoaware]

Ah, I see it now in the fine print:

Position 1. Bridge and Middle (Series, Hum-Cancelling), 2. Middle, 3. Middle and Neck (Parallel), 4. Bridge, Middle and Neck, 5. Neck

I'd probably do the same. Never been a fan off all three at once.

 

[jeremy]

me neither and id like the bridge by itself as well as the normal bridge/middle in parallel setting

 

[St_Genesius]

Kinda looks like something one of us would cook up.

 

[JB_From_Hell]

No bridge by itself is lame, but I’d trade bridge/middle parallel for series.

 

[Mincer]

Steve Morse did something similar, although the bridge pickup was a humbucker. I am intrigued. I am wondering if there is a series option with those 2 pickups.

 

[ICTGoober]

Heck, yank the stock stuff and put in whatever floats your boat. I'd go with Lace Sensor or Bill Lawrence units for something studio quiet and plenty of sounds for the stage.

 

[Clint 55]

I really like this idea. You can do 2 neck pickups too if you're more of a neck pickup guy and get 2 variations of ur favorite pup position. I want to experiment more with this but my guitars are tied up with other pickguards at the moment. I'm sure I'll continue with this idea tho. I just wired the 5 way switch like normal.

 

[Aceman]

I say genius

 

[Mincer]

In any case, any variation of a Strat is to be celebrated these days. They have re-mixed so many different features, there is no way to keep all of the models straight.

 

[Mononoaware]

In any case, any variation of a Strat is to be celebrated these days. They have re-mixed so many different features, there is no way to keep all of the models straight.

That's how I felt when I saw this. Between this and the Paranormals, I'm glad to see Fender finally mixing it up instead of wallowing in the minutiae of body profiles and neck specs.

It's also really refreshing to hear that some of you guys like the bridge on its own. I thought I was a weirdo for liking that sound.

 

[JB_From_Hell]

It's also really refreshing to hear that some of you guys like the bridge on its own. I thought I was a weirdo for liking that sound.

As long as it has at least a little more ass than the neck and middle, I love the Strat bridge pickup sound, single or humbucker. If you’re into modern blues, Kirk Fletcher is typically a Strat guy who rides the bridge pickup.

 

[alex1fly]

Can't complain about the matching headstock and body color (at least on the black model)

 

[beaubrummels]

I think the configuration is a great innovation (though I've known about this and wanted to try it since Robbie Robertson did it), and pointed this one out in the 'next guitar' thread.

 

[Artie]

I like it. But if it was mine, I think I'd modify the pickguard to take a Nighthawk in the bridge. That would be cool, and keep the aesthetics.

 

[jeremy]

ive never liked the nighthawk pups all that much. i rewound one for a buddy but the double studs arent my favorite form factor

 

[idsnowdog]

I tried two single coils ala Robbie Robertson together and I wasn't impressed. Two single coils in series don't equal a humbucker. Single coils with flat polepieces, rails and Lace sensors work the best. Putting two staggered single coils with lips back to back doesn't work because the difference in stagger leads to uneven string volume and poor tone. However, I was able to put two Lace's together and a Dimarzio Fastrack II and Virtual Vintage 2 together successfully. The Stag Mag would be a better option. Warman also makes a cheap rails+single pickup.

https://www.warmanguitars.co.uk/product/g-rail-hybrid-rail-ceramic-humbucker-and-alnico-single-coil/

 

[Artie]

ive never liked the nighthawk pups all that much. i rewound one for a buddy but the double studs arent my favorite form factor

I was thinking more along the lines of the Duncan 59 or JB version of the Nighthawk.

 

[CaptainWhizz]

I wonder what the routing looks like under the pickguard.