The best way for not using the 9v battery would be to put the fishman rechargeable pack for strat, that is basically a backplate for the tremolo with a rechargeable battery that use and usb port
Great advice. I'm surprised I didn't consider doing this on a recent EMG install in a Strat (SA, SA, 89). I ended up routing out a space for the battery. So maybe in a few months when I battery swap I'll do this. Thanks, Homie!
I have the fishman rechargeable back plate battery pack on a strat with the emg David Gilmore set and I wouldn’t imagine putting active pickups on a strat without that addition ever again. It’s incredible what a difference it made
Don't. He royally screws up his rig by not using an HSH config. He could have kept all his Strat tones & had all these new ones. There are three voices to each humbucker & one of them is to be used in tandem w/their single width single core, to give you that magical 4th position sound. As someone who just wired up my player w/HSH, it's amazing & sounds amazing, not like what he ends up with here.
LOL. It takes literally 30 seconds. People who whine about active pickups having a battery are just lazy. Could imagine literally depriving yourself of versatility because you don't want to waste 30 seconds?
@supersaiyankinggoku yeah i mean 3 of my 4 guitar are active. I love them, and admit i hate changing the batteries only because there is a gradual notice of change in tone for a day before the battery dies. Then im like "why does sound wierd" then im out changing the battery and making a trip to the store etc. But the tone, versatility, and creativity is unparalleled. Not saying passive pickups won't serve you great, there just is more options especially with Fishman who is creating whole custom tones for different artists. Not just changes in EQ, but different tones altogether. Battery sucks, but it's not a big deal. Dont be lazy like me and actually invest in some decent rechargeable batteries along with a battery tester. Inifnite batteries for years to comr
Just for future reference, something that has saved me so much time and energy when doing work on the body and not taking off strings, is to capo the first fret, and unbolt the neck. strings stay on but you dont have to deal with strings in the way of taking the pickguard on and off...when you are done bolt the neck back on and just tune a little and you are set
You could try a steel baseplate on the bridge pickup. It's meant to thicken the tone right up and make it a bit more like a Tele pickup. I'm thinking of doing it myself soon.
I still think that 2 humbuckers in a Strat is kind of taking away the essence of the Strat. It's not for me but some folks like it. I would be more in favour of the bridge humbucker and 2 single coils as it makes the bridge position better suited for high gain. I solved it by buying another guitar with a HSH configuration :)
Fishman do a rechargeable battery pack for the back of the guitar as a trem plate could be worth looking at so you don’t have a battery wedged in there
The tone is so different. It’s nice and it’s good- it’s a great tone for sure, but it kind of feels like you took out the thing that made it a Strat lol but that’s just me . Either way it was a great vid
He probably had a lot of things changed on his rig, or needs too. He also should have used an HSH w/their single width pup in the middle, & he could have kept all his Strat sounds. This kid is just sharing his experiences, & he makes it clear he doesn't know what's up, so you shouldn't expect him to get things right.
i have a Fender Black Top strat that is HH, I made a few customizations to, keys, pots, knobs, but most impactful werethe installation of the Seymore Duncan Pearly Gate humbuckers. wow. The 1 and only time I updated pickups & was happy with the change. I would have liked to hear all of the tone options on a clean setting with your guitar. keep up the good work
Check out the Schecter Nick Johnston Strat if you like the HSS pickup configuration. The specs, overall quality, and one of the sweetest roasted maple necks ever make it a no brainer over a Fender.
I've got a fender strat S-S-H setup only one tone with a coil tap switch in the second tone position from factory... Honey blonde, maple neck & fretboard, 3 ply black pickguard
When I changed the pickups in my strat and my SoCal I ordered everything. New pots, switches, everything. I have the original pickguard so I can just drop the original back in and boom... if I want to. Maybe a route to go for you too?
I know we love the reputable Fenders, Gibsons, Prs, etc. I challege some of ya'll to try few of the Leo Jaymz Brands especially the Tele models and mod them out. They all, TL and LP models are made Mahogany all the way.
I've been replacing my bridge pickups with seymour duncan F spaced humbuckers, did my 2 players series with no fitment issues . Doing hotrails on the middle and bridge and demarzio cruiser pickups . If you like the look of regular single coils but want humbucker quiet, setmour duncan YJM Fury pickups are the go to. Nice work, sounds good. I put the 9 v between the trem springs and drilled a hole for the wire . Easier to swap it that way.
I've been primarily playing a G&L S500 since like 2016. It's my favorite guitar next to my Ibanez SLM10 which I got in 2019/2020 and it holds it's own against any strat you put it up against. It's PHENOMENAL
I am also not a single coil person but love Strats. I have an HSS Strat with Suhr Thornbucker Plus in the Bridge, Suhr V60LP single coils and Suhr wiring harness. Sounds a million times better.
I'm gonna be changing pickups in my strat and I'm thinking over using covered blade connectors to the jack because I wanna be able switch pickups easier.
reading some of the comments i should say i put jim root signature pickups in a squier strat and its now my go to since im playing heavier stuff. it took a little bit of cutting out space and some flipping the output guard to get it in but its great and the tone i get is perfect for what im doing
oh and yea all the wires for the pickups took up alot of space and i didnt want to cut more out so the battery is taped to the side and honestly i like the look that gives it
I literally just fitted a hot rail in the bridge of my strat, not the best single coil sized humbucker but it’s made the guitar infinitely more versatile
If you leave that guitar plugged in, does it kill the battery? I have 3 Music Man Guitars where the battery dies if I leave them plugged in and while I love the guitars, I hate the battery. Even though they are rechargeable. I dont want to deal with it.
I appreciate the video and the story as you put it. It's not my kind of tone, i actually preferred the other pickups. But I gravitate towards a Tele which all tend to have a higher frequency range, the Henson buckers seemed to be a tad too muddy for me. I have a Player Tele (i got it a couple months before the Plus's became available) and switched out the pick ups for some Duncan Vintage Stacks, to keep the Tele tone but eliminate the hum because I play in an office with nothing but fluorescent tube lights and a Vox AC15, the hum is obnoxious here. But each guitar is their player's instrument and we all have different preferences when it comes to our tones.
If you wanna try to love the bridgepickup on a strat you should check out Rory Gallagher. He played most of his songs on the bridgepickup and its awesome. Bad Penny from 1982 at Rockpalast (live) is my favourite. :)
Ok I ant to run HHH on mine, with a fishman piezo bridge/trem and a triple play pickup too.. That should be a Swiss army knife.. What would I put in the middle! Another bridge or neck which extra pickup should I use for the middle HB? Split actually sounds like a single coil! About time! No volume drop!
Hey Mike. Fishman sells a strat trem spring cover that's a rechargeable battery. If I remember correctly it's like 30-40$ and you can order it off Sweetwater.
When will you try a genuine superstrat like the Jackson Soloist, Charvel So Cal, or Ibanez RG 550? Locking trem systems and extra frets feel amazing! As for the battery issue, should’ve just gotten passive humbuckers like Seymour Duncan JB or DiMarzio Super Distortion. Both great pickups that don’t require batteries!
@@DavidAVest yeah but I’m saying he should give locking a try. I have it and it works great for me. Plus it aligns better with the true definition of superstrat
I had similar issues when I built my Jazzmaster-style kit. Getting the better (than the kit crap) switches and wiring to fit in the body and had to chisel/drill out space.
I distinctly remember the first time I had the pickups changed in my guitar and could IMMEDIATELY tell the difference in the tone, even as a somewhat newbie player at the time. That sent me down a rabbit hole of experimenting with various different types and combinations of pickups which certainly shaped the kinds of tones I was into for a long time. I haven't actually messed with my guitars for probably over a decade at this point as I already have many different variations that cover a very wide spectrum of playstyles so I do feel like I'm a bit out of the loop when it comes to pickup technology. I do have EMGs in a few of my guitars (one came with them and 2 others I had them swapped in) so I can understand how they give you excellent clarity and volume with little noise but hearing all the things that the Fishman pickups can do tells me that they've continued to evolve because Tim actually has a setting on his guitar that basically makes his electric sound like his nylon-string guitar which is just crazy to me.
I'm assuming that there is some kind of coil splittage going off there. Am intrigued given that you don't like the single coil bridge why you would bother wiring up beyond a 3 way switch with standard bridge/both/neck setup. Or just go for bridge humbucker 1 vol, worked for EVH. 😂
I have an early 2000s Mexican made strat with the single coil bridge pickup that does not change when using the tone knob (original design) and honestly I like it when put through some effects and EQ, that being said I would prefer to have a fat strat situation on the bridge.
When I first enountered a G&L guitar in the mid '80s people in my musician circle called them GL guitars, if you look on the headstock it says G (clef) L, I think they got called G&L because there is no clef on a computer keyboard
I did this myself on my guitar, the only thing I regret is installing the 5 way super switch, the voice selection is kind of awkward (on the second position you have the neck pickup engaged and the push pull only works on some positions which is kind of confusing) I would prefer using a 3 way switch and two push pulls.
If you wanted a heavy bridge, why not go a JB jnr and split it, no pick guard change and a lot less expensive. It sounds really good tho I’d love to know how much it cost all up ?
Mike maybe I don't have the best speakers to listen to the new config but...to my ear it doesn't sound that good....I put a freeway 10 way switch in my mexi strat and that guitar is much more full sounding without a pickup change.
Cool video. Lots of comments about options :) There are also stacked humbuckers which fit into single coil spaces, but give you more of that humbucker sound. There are a bunch of those options out there so you keep the look, but change the sound. You got a great Polyphany sound out of them - so, they seem to really do what you'd desire of a TH sig pickup.
anybody can solder and unscrew stuff but I get the hesitance. it would be cool to see you upgrade a cheaper one some time so the fear factor is lowered. really cool that you have people that are so helpful around you too for this mod. you can always look up the wiring diagrams online and you can get a soldering station for around 40 bucks that would do you great, you'll want some thin solder and flux (acidic stuff that makes the solder adhere easily). you clearly have stable and capable hands, maybe wear some gloves so you don't get burned but other than that you are perfectly capable and now you've seen someone do it in person can't wait to see what you come up with in the future :-). the guitar sounds great btw :D
Did you have to overroute the bridge and neck pickup slots, or were they already routed for hums in the bridge and neck? Curious because I just got this same guitar and haven't taken off the pickgaurd off.
Have you tried a p94 in the bridge pickup? My favorite pickup overall, tons of growl and bite, midrange similar to a humbucker, but much more clarity like a traditional single coil. I think it might be a great match for an SSH configuration in a strat
I used to be a stickler for tradition until i heard how good the HSH Player Strat sounded. I've been thinking of getting a HH or HSH strat to compliment my traditional strat.
I think you still sound like you with the new pickups! ;) However the important thing is you get the sound you have in your head. Or at least getting closer to the sound... :) I have a mexican strat in which I bench tested many pickups and a couple of wirings. I had to change the 5 way switch a some point because I made too much modifications. I tried many humbuckers at the bridge in this guitar, like 10 or 12 different pickups, mostly high gain pickups. I tried a couple of single coil sets too. Finally I found a good set of single coils I like and I have not looked back since then, a fender eric johnson set with the eric johnson wiring. It is low output a bit but it works with this guitar and me. This guitar gives me the old strat sound I like. I love tweaking/experimenting/geeking with my guitars. In another guitar an old prs ce I had, I tried a couple more humbuckers, in the neck mainly. Through experimentation I found I prefer the traditionnal serie wiring for the humbuckers over the parallel or split modes, although I love the way the prs split (partial split), a lot more than the traditionnal full split. I have settled with the combo 59 neck and jb bridge in my humbucker guitar. But I want to a try a low output unpotted humbuckers, something vintage voiced. Just by curiosity since this is one thing I have not tried yet.
I've gotta say though, you could have had a guitar w/all the classic Strat sounds (4th position) in addition to these new tones, if you would have used their single-width pup in the middle, so an HSH config. I also prefer the classic cores over Henson's & I think you would too.
OK, I'm still neigh putting any humbuckers in any my Strats anytime soon, but I do agree that those bridge settings seem to lose volume as well as oomph a lot of the time and I can't quite figure out how some of the guys in vids compensate for that so well and all that, but I saw that original mod vid around the same time as some other ones I think and was at least somewhat inspired to trade up with the old Squier but not spend quite so much dough as some of the pickup sets run, etc.
The best way for not using the 9v battery would be to put the fishman rechargeable pack for strat, that is basically a backplate for the tremolo with a rechargeable battery that use and usb port
Great advice. I'm surprised I didn't consider doing this on a recent EMG install in a Strat (SA, SA, 89). I ended up routing out a space for the battery. So maybe in a few months when I battery swap I'll do this. Thanks, Homie!
I have the fishman rechargeable back plate battery pack on a strat with the emg David Gilmore set and I wouldn’t imagine putting active pickups on a strat without that addition ever again. It’s incredible what a difference it made
true, especially with fishmans. They drain battery, 4x faster than emgs
I've legitimately been toying with the idea of putting this set in my Player Strat. Perfect timing!!
Also please keep making content with this Strat!!
Now you know what NOT to do lol
Don't. He royally screws up his rig by not using an HSH config. He could have kept all his Strat tones & had all these new ones. There are three voices to each humbucker & one of them is to be used in tandem w/their single width single core, to give you that magical 4th position sound. As someone who just wired up my player w/HSH, it's amazing & sounds amazing, not like what he ends up with here.
changing the battery's gonna be fun
G&L puts a battery door on their active guitars
LOL. It takes literally 30 seconds. People who whine about active pickups having a battery are just lazy. Could imagine literally depriving yourself of versatility because you don't want to waste 30 seconds?
@@KolaTheBeardoes it also take 30 seconds when the battery is behind the pick guard? Because that seems to be the case here…
@supersaiyankinggoku yeah i mean 3 of my 4 guitar are active. I love them, and admit i hate changing the batteries only because there is a gradual notice of change in tone for a day before the battery dies. Then im like "why does sound wierd" then im out changing the battery and making a trip to the store etc.
But the tone, versatility, and creativity is unparalleled. Not saying passive pickups won't serve you great, there just is more options especially with Fishman who is creating whole custom tones for different artists. Not just changes in EQ, but different tones altogether.
Battery sucks, but it's not a big deal. Dont be lazy like me and actually invest in some decent rechargeable batteries along with a battery tester. Inifnite batteries for years to comr
@@Slow3000even if it takes 5 minutes if you like it and get use out of it it’s just a slight annoyance
I love your videos, your guitar journey is so fun to be part of
Just for future reference, something that has saved me so much time and energy when doing work on the body and not taking off strings, is to capo the first fret, and unbolt the neck. strings stay on but you dont have to deal with strings in the way of taking the pickguard on and off...when you are done bolt the neck back on and just tune a little and you are set
Looks like you are ready for a LesPaul )))
Hi Man, the sound is really beautiful, Rue de Paradis approves, a stratocaster with humbuckers always has its excellent sound
You could try a steel baseplate on the bridge pickup. It's meant to thicken the tone right up and make it a bit more like a Tele pickup. I'm thinking of doing it myself soon.
I still think that 2 humbuckers in a Strat is kind of taking away the essence of the Strat. It's not for me but some folks like it. I would be more in favour of the bridge humbucker and 2 single coils as it makes the bridge position better suited for high gain. I solved it by buying another guitar with a HSH configuration :)
I put a set in a Les Paul. Was so impressed, I put Fishman loaded (single coil) pick guard and battery pack on a $100 Squire. It sounds amazing
Tim Henson, wow! I love the Muppets! But, I didn't see a single one.
Fishman do a rechargeable battery pack for the back of the guitar as a trem plate could be worth looking at so you don’t have a battery wedged in there
The tone is so different. It’s nice and it’s good- it’s a great tone for sure, but it kind of feels like you took out the thing that made it a Strat lol but that’s just me . Either way it was a great vid
why does the "before" sound so much better lmao
I agree, three singles sound better, clearer, stronger, wider. If Tim Henson used them, he would sound better.
He probably had a lot of things changed on his rig, or needs too. He also should have used an HSH w/their single width pup in the middle, & he could have kept all his Strat sounds. This kid is just sharing his experiences, & he makes it clear he doesn't know what's up, so you shouldn't expect him to get things right.
@@JohnFirkRichardsto be fair, I think Tim Henson does ok with what he has... He has his fair share of admirers, so he must be doing something right.
Love your videos Mike! Keep up the hustle!
Those look like a regular sized humbuckers to me.
That Steely Dan metal shirt is the only metal shirt I'd ever wear
Man, I can't find it anywhere!
I like the Cunife pups better
And the battery is gonna be a PITA to change.
You should just boost your bridge with a pedal.
It was better before.
The clean sound is different. I can't say that I like it as much as the original single coils. If you love it, that is all that matters.
Not a fan of any actives aside from Fluence.
@@yargnadthe EMG tele set is pretty great imo
Fishman makes a rechargeable battery that takes the place of your trem cover so you don’t have to stuff a battery under your pick guard. 👍
i have a Fender Black Top strat that is HH, I made a few customizations to, keys, pots, knobs, but most impactful werethe installation of the Seymore Duncan Pearly Gate humbuckers. wow. The 1 and only time I updated pickups & was happy with the change. I would have liked to hear all of the tone options on a clean setting with your guitar. keep up the good work
im a simple man. i see tim henson, i click
Check out the Schecter Nick Johnston Strat if you like the HSS pickup configuration. The specs, overall quality, and one of the sweetest roasted maple necks ever make it a no brainer over a Fender.
I have the same MiM, well, an SSH from 2019, same finish. I am loving the way those two pickups look on that finish.
I think this is your best tone yet! Congrats mike
I want that guitar. What y'all did was really cool! Congrats on getting such a cool instrument!
I liked the old sound much better, the new pickups sound stale, artificial, no dynamics or tangibility, did you say they're active? That could be why.
Awesome !! Literally I was going to also place the Tim Henson pickups on my Mexican Strat !!
I have a G&L Tribute series Commanche and I love it. What a fun guitar.
There is a company that makes the pickups that you might be looking for. Guitar Fetish has single coils with more UUMPH to them.
I've got a fender strat S-S-H setup only one tone with a coil tap switch in the second tone position from factory... Honey blonde, maple neck & fretboard, 3 ply black pickguard
When I changed the pickups in my strat and my SoCal I ordered everything. New pots, switches, everything. I have the original pickguard so I can just drop the original back in and boom... if I want to. Maybe a route to go for you too?
Nice idea... but do you have easy access to the battery? Ideally you need a battery compartment with a door for easy changes.
I know we love the reputable Fenders, Gibsons, Prs, etc. I challege some of ya'll to try few of the Leo Jaymz Brands especially the Tele models and mod them out. They all, TL and LP models are made Mahogany all the way.
If you love those pickups, I highly recommend investing in the rechargeable battery pack. I have the classic humbucker’s, and they are amazing!
The definition on those pickups is awesome!
been a sub since 4k subs and its still the same great authentic content. thanks brother keep it up
I've been replacing my bridge pickups with seymour duncan F spaced humbuckers, did my 2 players series with no fitment issues . Doing hotrails on the middle and bridge and demarzio cruiser pickups . If you like the look of regular single coils but want humbucker quiet, setmour duncan YJM Fury pickups are the go to. Nice work, sounds good. I put the 9 v between the trem springs and drilled a hole for the wire . Easier to swap it that way.
I've been primarily playing a G&L S500 since like 2016. It's my favorite guitar next to my Ibanez SLM10 which I got in 2019/2020 and it holds it's own against any strat you put it up against.
It's PHENOMENAL
I am also not a single coil person but love Strats. I have an HSS Strat with Suhr Thornbucker Plus in the Bridge, Suhr V60LP single coils and Suhr wiring harness. Sounds a million times better.
I'm gonna be changing pickups in my strat and I'm thinking over using covered blade connectors to the jack because I wanna be able switch pickups easier.
reading some of the comments i should say i put jim root signature pickups in a squier strat and its now my go to since im playing heavier stuff. it took a little bit of cutting out space and some flipping the output guard to get it in but its great and the tone i get is perfect for what im doing
oh and yea all the wires for the pickups took up alot of space and i didnt want to cut more out so the battery is taped to the side and honestly i like the look that gives it
I literally just fitted a hot rail in the bridge of my strat, not the best single coil sized humbucker but it’s made the guitar infinitely more versatile
If you leave that guitar plugged in, does it kill the battery? I have 3 Music Man Guitars where the battery dies if I leave them plugged in and while I love the guitars, I hate the battery. Even though they are rechargeable. I dont want to deal with it.
Was super curious how you were going to do active and passive pickups lol you should look into the rechargeable battery backplate from fishman
I appreciate the video and the story as you put it. It's not my kind of tone, i actually preferred the other pickups. But I gravitate towards a Tele which all tend to have a higher frequency range, the Henson buckers seemed to be a tad too muddy for me. I have a Player Tele (i got it a couple months before the Plus's became available) and switched out the pick ups for some Duncan Vintage Stacks, to keep the Tele tone but eliminate the hum because I play in an office with nothing but fluorescent tube lights and a Vox AC15, the hum is obnoxious here. But each guitar is their player's instrument and we all have different preferences when it comes to our tones.
Loving these "Mike and friends" videos
Nice guitar!
If you wanna try to love the bridgepickup on a strat you should check out Rory Gallagher. He played most of his songs on the bridgepickup and its awesome. Bad Penny from 1982 at Rockpalast (live) is my favourite. :)
Ok I ant to run HHH on mine, with a fishman piezo bridge/trem and a triple play pickup too.. That should be a Swiss army knife.. What would I put in the middle! Another bridge or neck which extra pickup should I use for the middle HB? Split actually sounds like a single coil! About time! No volume drop!
I need your chops worse than I need the pickups. Sweet guitar!
Hey Mike. Fishman sells a strat trem spring cover that's a rechargeable battery. If I remember correctly it's like 30-40$ and you can order it off Sweetwater.
When will you try a genuine superstrat like the Jackson Soloist, Charvel So Cal, or Ibanez RG 550? Locking trem systems and extra frets feel amazing!
As for the battery issue, should’ve just gotten passive humbuckers like Seymour Duncan JB or DiMarzio Super Distortion. Both great pickups that don’t require batteries!
Or an HSS Charvel with a Gotoh 510 trem, if you don't want to go the full locking trem route. Desert island guitar there that plays great.
@@DavidAVest yeah but I’m saying he should give locking a try. I have it and it works great for me. Plus it aligns better with the true definition of superstrat
@@tomaslopez2940 it's true, locking trems are worth a try, and hearing about Mike's experience with it would be great.
You're the kid in the candy store!!! Cool tones!!!
I had similar issues when I built my Jazzmaster-style kit. Getting the better (than the kit crap) switches and wiring to fit in the body and had to chisel/drill out space.
I distinctly remember the first time I had the pickups changed in my guitar and could IMMEDIATELY tell the difference in the tone, even as a somewhat newbie player at the time. That sent me down a rabbit hole of experimenting with various different types and combinations of pickups which certainly shaped the kinds of tones I was into for a long time. I haven't actually messed with my guitars for probably over a decade at this point as I already have many different variations that cover a very wide spectrum of playstyles so I do feel like I'm a bit out of the loop when it comes to pickup technology. I do have EMGs in a few of my guitars (one came with them and 2 others I had them swapped in) so I can understand how they give you excellent clarity and volume with little noise but hearing all the things that the Fishman pickups can do tells me that they've continued to evolve because Tim actually has a setting on his guitar that basically makes his electric sound like his nylon-string guitar which is just crazy to me.
It looks awesome, and it sounds good too.
I get so giddy every time I see an update that Mike has posted a new video.
I'm assuming that there is some kind of coil splittage going off there. Am intrigued given that you don't like the single coil bridge why you would bother wiring up beyond a 3 way switch with standard bridge/both/neck setup.
Or just go for bridge humbucker 1 vol, worked for EVH. 😂
I have an early 2000s Mexican made strat with the single coil bridge pickup that does not change when using the tone knob (original design) and honestly I like it when put through some effects and EQ, that being said I would prefer to have a fat strat situation on the bridge.
Looks amazing with the dual humbuckers.
@1:05 what Guitar brand is that?
When I first enountered a G&L guitar in the mid '80s people in my musician circle called them GL guitars, if you look on the headstock it says G (clef) L, I think they got called G&L because there is no clef on a computer keyboard
we have the very same fender player guitar, even the colour, so your videos help me to know what it would be like to change the pickups
We need a David Gilmour video!
I did this myself on my guitar, the only thing I regret is installing the 5 way super switch, the voice selection is kind of awkward (on the second position you have the neck pickup engaged and the push pull only works on some positions which is kind of confusing) I would prefer using a 3 way switch and two push pulls.
If you wanted a heavy bridge, why not go a JB jnr and split it, no pick guard change and a lot less expensive. It sounds really good tho I’d love to know how much it cost all up ?
Where did you put the battery?
The tag on the hammer was so subtly funny
Mike maybe I don't have the best speakers to listen to the new config but...to my ear it doesn't sound that good....I put a freeway 10 way switch in my mexi strat and that guitar is much more full sounding without a pickup change.
Cool video. Lots of comments about options :) There are also stacked humbuckers which fit into single coil spaces, but give you more of that humbucker sound. There are a bunch of those options out there so you keep the look, but change the sound. You got a great Polyphany sound out of them - so, they seem to really do what you'd desire of a TH sig pickup.
what studio monitors do you use
Love your content Mike. Quick question, and apologies if this has been covered before, but what DAW do you use? Thanks!
anybody can solder and unscrew stuff but I get the hesitance. it would be cool to see you upgrade a cheaper one some time so the fear factor is lowered. really cool that you have people that are so helpful around you too for this mod. you can always look up the wiring diagrams online and you can get a soldering station for around 40 bucks that would do you great, you'll want some thin solder and flux (acidic stuff that makes the solder adhere easily). you clearly have stable and capable hands, maybe wear some gloves so you don't get burned but other than that you are perfectly capable and now you've seen someone do it in person can't wait to see what you come up with in the future :-). the guitar sounds great btw :D
like your brand new custom shop hammer bro !
How do you think it is with a perfectly clean no affects going through your amp? I do like it tho
Did you have to overroute the bridge and neck pickup slots, or were they already routed for hums in the bridge and neck? Curious because I just got this same guitar and haven't taken off the pickgaurd off.
Tim Henson
I NEED that Steely Dan shirt. Where can I get it!?
Where did you end up putting the batteries? Do you have to take off the pick guard to change them or can you charge them somehow?
I was thinking about doing the same thing but after hearing the sound demo I much prefer the SSS configuration
Have you tried a p94 in the bridge pickup? My favorite pickup overall, tons of growl and bite, midrange similar to a humbucker, but much more clarity like a traditional single coil. I think it might be a great match for an SSH configuration in a strat
Or a Filtertron 🙂
You selling the old pickups on reverb?
I wish you would talk more about the playing aspect of your guitar journey instead of gear.
Warman Destroyer humbuckers.... the only pickup you need. UK... and affordable.
Did you have to cut out any wood to fit in the humbuckers?
Love your vids
I used to be a stickler for tradition until i heard how good the HSH Player Strat sounded. I've been thinking of getting a HH or HSH strat to compliment my traditional strat.
You're the man Mike!
I think you still sound like you with the new pickups! ;)
However the important thing is you get the sound you have in your head. Or at least getting closer to the sound... :)
I have a mexican strat in which I bench tested many pickups and a couple of wirings. I had to change the 5 way switch a some point because I made too much modifications.
I tried many humbuckers at the bridge in this guitar, like 10 or 12 different pickups, mostly high gain pickups. I tried a couple of single coil sets too. Finally I found a good set of single coils I like and I have not looked back since then, a fender eric johnson set with the eric johnson wiring. It is low output a bit but it works with this guitar and me. This guitar gives me the old strat sound I like.
I love tweaking/experimenting/geeking with my guitars. In another guitar an old prs ce I had, I tried a couple more humbuckers, in the neck mainly. Through experimentation I found I prefer the traditionnal serie wiring for the humbuckers over the parallel or split modes, although I love the way the prs split (partial split), a lot more than the traditionnal full split. I have settled with the combo 59 neck and jb bridge in my humbucker guitar. But I want to a try a low output unpotted humbuckers, something vintage voiced. Just by curiosity since this is one thing I have not tried yet.
Sounded better with the "old" pickups
Seymour duncan stacked humbucker will fit right in the bridge pickup space and give you that humbucker tone
I've gotta say though, you could have had a guitar w/all the classic Strat sounds (4th position) in addition to these new tones, if you would have used their single-width pup in the middle, so an HSH config. I also prefer the classic cores over Henson's & I think you would too.
Whanging the geetar with hammer is very delicate art indeed.
It makes the noise go down the soundholes better for sure.
OK, I'm still neigh putting any humbuckers in any my Strats anytime soon, but I do agree that those bridge settings seem to lose volume as well as oomph a lot of the time and I can't quite figure out how some of the guys in vids compensate for that so well and all that, but I saw that original mod vid around the same time as some other ones I think and was at least somewhat inspired to trade up with the old Squier but not spend quite so much dough as some of the pickup sets run, etc.
I think there's a bit of overkill trying to make Strats sound like other guitars and even amps to sound like other amps, etc.
But now you have a really expensive set of other pickups just lying around. ??
Still prefer the CNF sound, I guess, but don't know if that's the best one Fender has overall.
The price tag on the hammer 🤣
Hey bro, great playing.
That new pick guard definitely suits the guitar better
I have some fishman fluence classics I was gonna throw in one of those sonic mustangs but i might throw it in my classic vibe strat after this vid lol
W0W!
I’m getting a hot rail in my Strat next week 😊