Upgraded the pups in my Squier Stagemaster!!

[warthog]

WoW! I recently got as 2001 Squier Stagemaster. I thought it sounded good, but since I wanted this guitar to be my true "superstrat", I decided after some research to put in a JB Trembucker and Jazz in the neck. Since it is a Squier I thought I would have to change the electronics as well.. When I opened it up I realized that I wouldn't! The pots are full size and work very well. The wiring is quite good. I thought that there was a problem with the volume pot until I realized there was a cap on it for treble bleed.

The pup configuration is HSH.. I kept the original single coil. The sound is Awesome! I love it. I thought the original pups were pretty good and I was afraid there wouldn't be much of a difference. The SDs are more punchy and articulate. The Jazz in the neck gives me a beautiful woody tone distorted that I wasn't expecting.

I'm really happy with the results. Love the guitar and love the pups.

The Squier Stagemaster is one of those guitars that just don't get the recognition it deserves... the quality and pliability of the guitar with the Lic Floyd Rose is way above it's price point.

I changed the knobs and the trem bar is aftermarket Schaller.

 

[BloodRose]

Re: Upgraded the pups in my Squier Stagemaster!!

Awesome! Welcome aboard! Yeah, I was very close to buying that exact model when they were out. I like the upside down h/s and the pup config. And yeah, it was a great player! A set of Duncans can really wake up a guitar. My first experience with that was when I had a cheap Kramer many yrs ago.. Thought it was just an ok sounding guitar. So, I wanted something better. bought a Charvel. Buddy told me to try a JB in the Kramer and so I did. Was night and day diff.

 

[muttznmongrelz]

Re: Upgraded the pups in my Squier Stagemaster!!

That series offered a lot of bang for the buck...brass blocked licensed Floyds even.

 

[Brandenburg]

Re: Upgraded the pups in my Squier Stagemaster!!

kool... definitely alot of bang for buck guitar and very underated..mine is a 2001 stagemaster deluxe that i purchased in june.. overall.. the quality is on par w/ my dk2 and surpasses the dk2 in some areas..Which is good since it cost a bit more than my DK2..main things that caught my eye about mine was the neck-thru construction.. 24 frets and a nice finish , considering its age ..I originally intended to go with some iron gear pups but other things came up... i bought a fender triplebucker just to experiment with, as its pretty different that most pups out there.. I was a tad curious and to my surprise.. i like it.. I might just keep it where it is or try it in the neck and get a pup for the bridge... sorta tradition that EVERY guitar I buy, I replace the pups,switches,pots and use cloth covered wire..

I need to change MY knobs as well.. always hated the look of plain black dome knobs.. also probably change my tuners..not happy with how they work.. YES i know its really not an issue because of the locking nut but still.. They are as bad as my jackson tuners..

 

[BloodRose]

Re: Upgraded the pups in my Squier Stagemaster!!

Yeah, I forgot they were neck thru.. That was another thing I wanted that model for. didnt even realize at the time they had the brass blocks and stuff too.. they ran about $299 didnt they?

 

[warthog]

Re: Upgraded the pups in my Squier Stagemaster!!

Yeah, I forgot they were neck thru.. That was another thing I wanted that model for. didnt even realize at the time they had the brass blocks and stuff too.. they ran about $299 didnt they?

Not all are neck thru... mine is a bolt on with a curved heal. I really like the neck because it's not too shredder like (Ibanez wizard). It is rounder near the nut and then flattens how near the upper frets.

 

[Johnny the Kid]

Re: Upgraded the pups in my Squier Stagemaster!!

I almost bought a used 7 string one a while back. The headstock looked awesome.

Great looking guitar man.

 

[Brandenburg]

Re: Upgraded the pups in my Squier Stagemaster!!

Yeah, I forgot they were neck thru.. That was another thing I wanted that model for. didnt even realize at the time they had the brass blocks and stuff too.. they ran about $299 didnt they?

neck-thru ran for 600 new
edit>>


I paid ~320 +40 in shipping for mine .. tripplebucker cost 40 and was brand new

 

[Mincer]

Re: Upgraded the pups in my Squier Stagemaster!!

We are happy to be part of another successful pickup swap! Can we hear how it sounds?

 

[treyhaislip]

Re: Upgraded the pups in my Squier Stagemaster!!

Sweet! I've never played a Stagemaster but I've only heard good things about them.

 

[Brandenburg]

Re: Upgraded the pups in my Squier Stagemaster!!

Sweet! I've never played a Stagemaster but I've only heard good things about them.

they are on par with guitars in the 1000 range.. well the neck-thru is.. never played a bolt-on..assuming the quality is similar probably in the 600 dollar range for bolt-ones.. i.e. a dk2

..never heard of this model before i started searching ebay for a possible new acquisition.. had money and didnt know what i wanted

1st and only guitar I have purchase from ebay.. my 1st experience has been a positive one thankfully.. In reality.. mine is a HSH with that trembucker

not a lot of HSH for the deluxe models.. would of preferred to have a HSH config like the op