What pickups were in 2002 Am Std Strats?

Matt42

Matt42

New member
Someone is selling the stock pickups from a 2002 American Standard Strat on the local craigslist. I've got a Mexican standard and want to drop some nicer pickups in it, but can't afford to get any of the 3 sets I would like. If these are nice, I think I can justify $50 as a decent replacement to the Mexi ones.
 
Re: What pickups were in 2002 Am Std Strats?

"3 American Strat single-coil pickups", according to specs. I believe this was true for all 2000-2007/8 standard American models?
 
Re: What pickups were in 2002 Am Std Strats?

Anyone have any experience with those pickups? Are they worth $50? Will the be a significant upgrade to the MIM ones?
 
Re: What pickups were in 2002 Am Std Strats?

Haven't played them myself, but there are a LOT of guys who replace them thinking that they "must" suck because they are stock, but often end up going back to them...

Here's one sample of what you'll find if you look around: http://www.thegearpage.net/board/archive/index.php/t-1037910.html

For $50, I say do it.

You can sell your stock set for cheap and recoup a good portion of that cost. It's totally worth it, in my opinion, even if just to try them out. That's the only way you'll truly know if they're for you ;)
 
Re: What pickups were in 2002 Am Std Strats?

$50 for a set of three? id do it. they arent as nice as ssl1's or anything but they are at least alnico 5 magnet strat pups. many of the mim ones are ceramic that dont really sound that great to my ears
 
Re: What pickups were in 2002 Am Std Strats?

As far as I know, MIM strat pickups have a magnet bar on the botton and, that typical pole pieces are just metal rods, not magnetized rods as in the case of typical strato pickups. Magnetic field's propierties are different and therefore, MIM pickups don't sound in the same way.

So, definitively, that set should be an improvement to your current MIM set.
 
Re: What pickups were in 2002 Am Std Strats?

Picking them up today. I'll have to see if I can get them installed this week before my 3 gig weekend!
 
Re: What pickups were in 2002 Am Std Strats?

Ditto what Jeremy posted, the MIM ceramics blow compared to any of the Alnicos.
 
Re: What pickups were in 2002 Am Std Strats?

but the alnico's are lower output just fyi
 
Re: What pickups were in 2002 Am Std Strats?

I'd rather have a lower output pickup anyway. At least in this guitar.

Picked them up, I'm going to install them on Thursday. I've never done an install before, anything I should be aware of? A buddy who is in his last year of an Electrical Engineering degree is going to help, and I know he's done pickups on his guitars before, but it never hurts to be double careful.
 
Re: What pickups were in 2002 Am Std Strats?

Matt42 said:
I'd rather have a lower output pickup anyway. At least in this guitar.

Picked them up, I'm going to install them on Thursday. I've never done an install before, anything I should be aware of? A buddy who is in his last year of an Electrical Engineering degree is going to help, and I know he's done pickups on his guitars before, but it never hurts to be double careful.
Click to expand...

Um, flux all your solder. If the pickups don't solder to the back of the potentiometer, then take a flatblade screwdriver and scratch the back of the pot, and the solder should stick then. I have to do that all the time.
 
Re: What pickups were in 2002 Am Std Strats?

As a matter of routine, I rub the backs of all my pots with 220 grit sandpaper before installing. Use rosin core solder with a hot (40 watt min) iron. Let the solder flow like water.
 
Re: What pickups were in 2002 Am Std Strats?

Second the sandpaper...works like a charm and offers a consistent bond.
 
Re: What pickups were in 2002 Am Std Strats?

I don't use sandpaper anymore as scotchbrite pads work as well with less mess. Basically you just want a clean, slightly roughed surface.

That and a drop of flux is all you need.
 
Re: What pickups were in 2002 Am Std Strats?

So, after an attempt at installation, they don't work. The guy who did the installation is a buddy of mine, but I don't totally trust that he did it correctly. Basically, through a Blues Junior cranked, I could barely hear them. Could this be an installation problem or is it more likely that the pickups themselves are just faulty?
 
Re: What pickups were in 2002 Am Std Strats?

When that happens the very first thing to check is whether the wires to the jack are reversed.
 
Re: What pickups were in 2002 Am Std Strats?

I was pretty sure we checked that. But I don't know what I'm doing, and I'm starting to think he doesn't either.

I ended up just dropping it off at a local shop, hopefully they can fix it before I play tonight.
 
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