Squier upgrade help needed!

[77stingray]

Hello I'm putting together a sleeper guitar- squier affinity strat HSS

Im thinking of ordering a ssl-1 neck and rerverse polar wind

And an SSH-2 jazz humbucker

My question is will this fit and also can I coil tap the humbucker to make it a single coil

 

[Silence Kid]

Re: Squier upgrade help needed!

I assume you mean an SH-2 Jazz full sized humbucker? Short answer is yes, it should fit. Not the most "normal" choice for a bridge pickup, but they do make both a bridge and neck model Jazz... They're not really different by a huge amount, so if you can only find a neck model you can use it on the bridge without losing too much. You can split it (tapping is something different, but it's more or less technical and the term is often abused) to use as a single coil, but personally... The Jazz bridge humbucker is already quite single coil-isa in character and matches the SSLs better output-wise than most other humbuckers will in the first place, so I don't think it's necessary; I'd rather just roll off the volume than split with that pickup.

 

[dotsdad]

Re: Squier upgrade help needed!

The first thing you should do to a Squier is replace the skinny pot metal sustain block with a big steel one. Amazing improvement in tone and sustain.

Regarding pickup, the SSL1 will sound great. I havnt heard the jazz in thr bridge of a strat, so sorry i cant help you there

 

[77stingray]

Re: Squier upgrade help needed!

@dotsdad
Do you have a wiring diagram for.volumes volume tone 5 qay switch and 2nd volume being a tap switch

 

[dotsdad]

Re: Squier upgrade help needed!

I find the most useful HSS setup to be autosplitting thr humbuckerr when used with the middle pickup. Two reasons: 1) humbuckers buzz when split and tend to sound shrill in the bridge when in single coil mode, amd 2) the extra switch is a p.i.t.a. When you are rockin out and want a quick pickup switch for a phrase or two, do you really want to futz with two switches?

 

[NotCardio]

Re: Squier upgrade help needed!

The first thing you should do to a Squier is replace the skinny pot metal sustain block with a big steel one. Amazing improvement in tone and sustain.

Good to know. That would literally be the last thing I would have thought of. It wouldn't even have crossed my mind. Thanks.

 

[NotCardio]

Re: Squier upgrade help needed!

The thing about Squiers and depth is that it depends not only on the model, but when and where it was made. In other words, an Indonesian Affinity from 2002 might not have the same depth as a Chinese Affinity from 2015. Unfortunately, I don't have any guide that tells you what's what in terms of depth.

I did have an Affinity that had a Lone Star setup in it, with a PG+ bridge, so that fit just fine. But if I remember correctly, it might have been an old MIM, so really apples and oranges.

 

[Silence Kid]

Re: Squier upgrade help needed!

Unless he gets a long-legged bucker it should not be an issue. Even if it is long-legged, *most* will fit; you just have to cut the mounting screws.

The block is very important, especially if you float the trem; but I think the pickups are the weakest link in most Squiers, until you get to say, Standard level.

 

[Mincer]

Re: Squier upgrade help needed!

As far as it fitting, this depends on the routing under the pickguard. An SSL-1 & Jazz would actually be a cool combo on a Strat. I'd love to hear it when you finish.

 

[NotCardio]

Re: Squier upgrade help needed!

Unless he gets a long-legged bucker it should not be an issue. Even if it is long-legged, *most* will fit; you just have to cut the mounting screws.

The block is very important, especially if you float the trem; but I think the pickups are the weakest link in most Squiers, until you get to say, Standard level.

Even the Standards' pickups suck, IMO. I've played lots and lots of Squiers, and the only ones that have anything resembling decent pickups (again, IMO) are the Vintage Vibe (note: NOT to be confused with the Vintage Modified). I've heard Vintage Vibes that were dead on. Still not my cup of tea, but very accurate representations of what they were supposed to be.

 

[Silence Kid]

Re: Squier upgrade help needed!

The VM Jazzmaster pickups are good, but not much like any Duncan set (although they're supposed to match vintage/hots... ; ) I've heard mixed things about some of the other models. Some are very well made guitars, though.

 

[Jacew]

Re: Squier upgrade help needed!

Even the Standards' pickups suck, IMO. I've played lots and lots of Squiers, and the only ones that have anything resembling decent pickups (again, IMO) are the Vintage Vibe (note: NOT to be confused with the Vintage Modified). I've heard Vintage Vibes that were dead on. Still not my cup of tea, but very accurate representations of what they were supposed to be.

You mean Classic Vibe? They are good pickups, great for cleans, but get mushy easily.

And definitely change the block. Best improvement I've made in a Squier.