How Are Guitar Pickups Made & How To Make Them. The guitar I am using for this Instructable is a brand new Hamer Sunburst Q/T (Indonesia) that had "Duncan Designed" HB103B. The first thing you want to do is to remove the strings.  For most guitars with the tune-o-matic bridge and the stop tailpiece, you should remove those as well.  The ones on this guitar were on very snug and they stayed in place the entire time...  But always be careful, these can just as easily fall right off when you remove the strings.  No need to scratch up the surface. String it up with your favorite strings, set the pickup height according to the instructions... You can do it by ear also - but that can get iffy. $20.69 $ 20. These pickups are shorter than Telecaster pickups and are not mounted onto a plate, plus they also have a much higher output. I do one pickup at a time to make sure I put the bridge pickup in the bridge position, etc.  Plus I run the wires and label them as I do each pickup.Note on plastic trim rings:  These are made to sit in a specific place (neck or bridge) and in a specific direction (one side is slightly higher than the other).  Make sure you pay attention to how rings are orientated before you take them off! There are a few reasons you might want to put humbuckers on your Stratocaster. If you're going with a standard humbucker-sized pickup you can still get away with using a 250k pot, I'd just avoid pickups known to be bassy. Multiple decades later, modern (electric) guitars […], The Fender Telecaster enjoys an iconic status in the music world. Another entry from DiMarzio, this Super S humbucker pickup has been designed specifically for your Strat, ensuring that you’ll be able to drop it straight in without any problems. These are fun to do. If you’ve ever wondered, “can I put a humbucker pickup in my Stratocaster guitar?” the answer is yes. 9 years ago 5 out of 5 stars (4) 4 product ratings - Seymour Duncan SHR-1 Hot Rails Strat Bridge Pickup BLACK - Fender Stratocaster. So if you want to reduce your time with the iron, look for the humbucker pickups that have plug-in wires. Fender Tex-Mex Strat Pickups. From here, you’ll want to follow instructions from the downloaded schematic and/or a video tutorial that can show you the specifics of soldering the tabs on the pots, the capacitor leads and the wires for the 3-way switch. You’ve got your humbuckers in your Strat…..now what? Free shipping. $119.00 ... Pickup BLACK - Fender Stratocaster. The benefit? True single coils, noisless pickups and Strat sized mini humbuckers. The whole assembly should fit easily into the guitar, and once you have it set you can give it a test before tightening everything and re-stringing the guitar. Although I like my guitar's pups, I might get a cheap project guitar soon, so I'll look this up again if I need to replace those pups. Why? Almost gone. on Step 2. Fender Stratocaster HH Models. The Fender Strat, Fender Telecaster, and countless other guitars use the single coil pickup, which is … So if you’re trying to avoid that 50’s rock sound, why change the pickups at all? com. on Introduction, Good luck on the choosing part! So this instructable will be a simple swap of similar humbucking pickups. Because the stock ones always seem lackluster or just don't sound right to me. The innovative design produced […], Electric guitars generate sound by the virtue of strings vibrations which are converted to electric signals by pickups. The goal here is to understand what you already have and how it's wired..  So we seem to have 4 wires - white, red, green and black.  The white and red were connected together, the green went to the soldering lug on the pot and the black was soldered to the back of the pot. Locktite. Make sure you use the screws the pickup came with (if it came with screws). This can be changed to a double humbucker configuration (like a Les Paul) with relative ease. While the Strat is traditionally known for being equipped with three single-coil pickups, it's not uncommon for guitar players to change up their pickups for humbuckers. The new pickups will come with wiring instructions.  If you are working with used pickups, you can find wiring diagrams for them easy enough on line. Once you’ve finished assembling the pickups, pots, and the 3-way switch according to the schematic, you want to be sure everything is cleaned and uncrimped. The pickup has four wires so it can be splittable. :-), 9 years ago It’s a good idea to stick to hand tools to prevent stripping screws or overtightening. Ok, so changing your pickups to humbuckers will alter your sound in a way you’re hopefully going to like, so let’s talk about how to do it. Worry not […], happynewguitarday.com is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to amazon.com. This article is going to tell you what you need to know to change out those beloved single coils and install a good set of humbuckers on your Strat. This humbucker pickup is available with gold-plated covers, nickel-plated covers, and open coils. The goal is to get enough wire exposed to work with. This is a Hamer SAT-QT - I think it's either Chinese or Korean. It is, after all, the first best-selling solid-body electric guitar. If you want to get a genuine vintage tone with your pickup, … I put a dab on the jack of my acoustic guitar, and I spent thirty minutes trying to wrestle it off. When pickups were originally employed in guitars, the greater objective was to make the guitar sound louder than before. tones, bombastic high output shred tones, and everything in between with your classic SSS Strat … 99 This is a very simple job. A Telecaster with low-output single coils will sound pretty awful through 500K pots, too. Make sure you tighten the pickup screws evenly, just like when you took the stock one off. You are going to assemble the pick guard with the two new humbuckers together before installing it on the Stratocaster. And based on the number of aftermarket pickups available, a lot of people seem to agree. I de-solder the old green wire on the pot lug and then solder on the new black wire. on Introduction. This instructable was fantastic. If you’re looking for replacement humbuckers, Single coils or more we’re here to help. You don't have to do the coil tap wires first.  That's just the order I did things. Once you’ve done that, you can screw the assembly in to secure it to the guitar, string it up and start playing! New pickguard with configuration for your new humbucker pickups. Learn more about Fender electric basses. Run the new pickup wires through the hole to the control panel. It comes embedded in the body of a guitar […], It’s a beautiful Thursday afternoon and you’re practicing for the upcoming weekend gig with the band. Great job brotha! You can do this, you just need some basic tools: Once you have your tools and parts together, the process starts with removing the pick guard with the single coil pickups and everything else attached. Looks pretty sweet, although the pickup switch is in an interesting spot lol. All of my main guitars have different pickups than the stock ones. Or you can also go with guitar pickup types like a single humbucker in the bridge position and put two single coils in the middle and neck pickup positions. $89.00. ... EMG PX BLACK ACTIVE FENDER PRECISION P BASS REPLACEMENT PICKUP POTS & WIRING. ... JIUWU HSH Loaded Pickguard Black Wired Plate for Fender Strat Guitar Replacement. NEW Genuine Fender Mounting Screws (12) For Humbuckers 005-0166-049. After a little soul-searching, I remembered I had an ESP with the Seymour Duncan SH-1 (JB) and SH-2 (Jazz) that sounded outstanding. Get the Right Set for You Answer a few simple questions and the Porter Pickups team will personally contact you with a no obligation way to improve your guitars sound that will inspire you to play more. … $16.99. There are countless models and brands of pickups, but electric guitar pickups are usually one of two kinds: single coil or humbucking. If replacing standard Strat pickups with other pickups, make sure your cavities are large enough to fit the pickups you want - you can find our pickup measurements here. - just don't cut the wires inside (or your fingers). Guitar Pickups - Swapping or Replacing Humbuckers: Swapping out pickups is one of the easiest ways to drastically change the sound of your guitar. 7 Main Types Of Guitar Pickups Explained & Best For You, Understanding Humbucker vs Single Coils Guitar Pickups, 10 Best Strat Pickups – Upgrade Your Stratocaster Tone. Here is a pickup manufacturer that will need little … You are going to assemble the pick guard with the two new humbuckers together before installing it on the Stratocaster. Putting a Humbucker through a 250K pot will most likely sound like your amp has a “mud blanket” on it. Seymour Duncan California ’50s Strat Pickup Set. One of the main reasons you might want to change your single coil pickups out for humbuckers is to go from a vintage sound to the more popular modern rock sounds of today. Lucky for you, Fender makes a variety of quality humbucker pickups. **[Editor’s Choice]** If you are looking for a good quality strat pickup … Strat® Guitar Pickguard Mounting Hole Options: Vintage 8-Hole. on Step 9, Thanks! 250k pots tend to lose more of the treble frequencies. This is much easier to do on most guitars if you take the pots out first.  Again, use the solder stand to hold your work. I personally like the open coil look of the new pickups.  The originals were chrome - but for some reason those just didn't look as nice on this guitar.  That's just my opinion - feel free to disagree :-) And... the sound???? You should get a solid guitar amp feedback sound on each one – while you are at it, check out this post on the best amp for Stratocaster guitars too!. Some pickups have soderless wiring, which means you only have to solder to the guitar wiring. 4.4 out of 5 stars 74. Very nice build and I really like the feel of these (I've got another one of these with P90's). I failed of course, but now I know what to use if something absolutely positively cannot come off. Reply What Makes Your Guitar Pickups Go Microphonic? Swapping out pickups is one of the easiest ways to drastically change the sound of your guitar. Klein pickups offers many Vintage Reproductions for Strat, Tele, Bass, & Les Paul guitars. Metallor Electric Guitar Pickguard 3 Ply 11 holes 2 Single Pickup 1 Humbucker Pickup SSH Compatible with Strat Style Modern Guitar Parts Replacement(Black) 4.3 out of 5 stars 70 $10.99 $ 10 . Soldering iron, solder and soldering stand (optional), Pliers or wrenches to remove potentiometer nuts. 9 years ago How Guitar Pickups Work – Yes, It’s Physics, But It’s Cool! High Output Single Coil Sized Humbuckers for Strat With all the feel and tone of a high output humbucker (SHR-1), this single coil sized … Avail in other positions/colors. We also carry a full line of vintage reproduction parts. I am big fan of fender guitars, so replacing reissues for more vintage correct pickup was first (and maybe last) thing to do. 11-Hole. 4 Conductors,black body, black dual rails. Then take the volume and tone pots and place them in the hole cutouts with the tabs of the first one pointing towards the second. Did you make this project? Now will we start on the new pickup wires.  These were rubber wrapped and I used a simple wire stripper to take off this outer sheath.  Just be really careful about taking off the sheath - you do not want to damage the insulation of the wires in the bundle.  You can use small manicuring scissors, wire cutters, razor blades, etc. Free shipping over $49.00. The Stratocaster pickup. Reply The guitar itself is a very nice instrument - but the sound with the stock pickups really didn't do anything for me. Vintage ’72 Wide Range Humbucker. Or you want to bring new energy into an old favorite with a Strat tone? One is to get higher output. Standard Single coil size,but it is Humbucker,you can install it in a Fender Strat/Squier straightly or Tele guitar with a modification. Enter the Single Coil-Sized Humbuckers: all the huge, warm, harmonically rich power of a full-sized humbucker in a drop-in replacement, single coil size for Strat. There will be two thicker sets of wires - each set will be sheathed in rubber, paper, wire mesh or whatever.  One thing that will be different between manufactures is the color and number of wires that come in from the pickups.  So we will look at the wire bundles and get a handle on what we will be working with. New pickguard with configuration for your new humbucker pickups. It has excellent sustain and cranks out soaring, crystal-clear treble notes, giving harmonics plenty of … 1. Specify the pattern you want when ordering. The answer is style and comfort. Fig. Your email address will not be published. on Introduction. When ordering a replacement pickguard, pay particular attention to the location of screw hole #5. You do this by plugging in the guitar, then tapping on each Strat pickup as you cycle through the neck, mid and bridge tones with the switch. After investing in a new pickup, you don't want to mess up the threads. Many guitarists prefer the Fender Stratocaster’s look and feel, but need to get heavier, smoother tones out of it. Plus I like having the switch out of the way like that. It is an absolutely fantastic pickup for rock and roll styles, as well as blues rhythms. And I'm STILL trying to find the "perfect" pickup. No modifications to the existing wiring - no coil taps, etc. We’ll also talk about tone and brands. Depending on how your guitar body is routed out under your pickguard, you may need a router to make the cavity large enough to house a humbucker pickup. on Step 9. As Larry DiMarzio, the founder of the groundbreaking replacement pickup company that bears his name, once told me many moons ago: “Pickups are the most flexible tone-modifying element in an electric guitar. Next up, it’s time to start soldering things together. 9 years ago So now that you see you really can put a humbucker in your Stratocaster guitar, which pickups should you buy? Because the stock ones always seem lackluster or just don't sound right to me. Startocaster Pickups from Fender, Seymour Duncan and Antiquity. I must have listened to 100 different sound bites trying to figure that one out. In position 2 or 4 (the combined neck/middle and middle/bridge settings) of a 5-way switch, the paired pickups become humbuckers. With over 70 models, we have the right flavor that will suite your tonal needs. Now you can achieve vintage P.A.F. When the Stratocaster guitar was unleashed on the music world in 1954, it quickly became favored for its bright, crisp sound and stunning versatility. Next, install the switch with the flat metal side towards the outside of the guitar’s pickguard. 3 left. I'm just a compulsive DIYer that plays guitar and tries to fix just about everything around the hou…. 1997-mid-2000: Big Apple Strat – American Standard Strat with 5-way switch (with coil splitting) and Duncan pickups (’59 neck and Pearly Gates + bridge) mid-2000 to mid-2003: American Double Fat Strat – American Series Strat with same electronics and pickups as Big Apple Single coil pickups tend to have a low relative output that doesn’t carry over great to heavy metal, or heavy rock tones. Thanks for the comments! Great job! 6 years ago That is how they differ from acoustic […], A pickup is integral to an electric guitar, and also an acoustic guitar to an extent. $7.99. First, you must understand what a strat pickup represents. Once you have your tools and parts together, the process starts with removing the pick guard with the single coil pickups and everything else attached. You cancel the 60-cycle hum that plagues single-coils, but still get that traditional Strat tone we all love. 6 years ago EMG P BASS BLACK ACTIVE PRECISION REPLACEMENT PICKUP POTS & WIRING (FENDER 18FT) $104.00. But the soldering is so basic, it's probably a good project to learn on. This is the only hole that varies in location. This Hofner Shorty has a front mount scratchplate with the … Fender literally wrote the book on electric basses, laying the foundation for musical innovation and evolution. I just need more guitars and money ;-), Reply Outstanding!  These have similar specs as the originals, but Jeez, these things suddenly turn flaccid into Flambe'!   This set is supposedly Seymour's personal favorite - I have to agree with on that. Whether you’re upgrading your existing pickups or replacing a faulty one, this pickup makes an ideal choice. Then we will open up the back and start looking at the wiring. on Introduction, 9 years ago Assembling the pick guard starts by mounting the humbucker pickups in the cutouts and attaching them with the screws and springs included. Fender Original ‘57/’62 Strat Pickup Set. What necessitate Strat pickup changes? Why? Choice made. Share it with us! In case you don’t already own one, the Fender Stratocaster is usually built with an SSS setup – that is, three single coil pickups. Aside from personal preference and the type of music you’re playing, […], Are you looking to buy your first Strat? The most popular and the most “Strat-like” configuration is SSS, followed by an SSH configuration, which maintains a lot of the classic Strat mojo by keeping single coils in the two top positions and replacing the bridge pickup (which is most susceptible to hum) with a humbucker to combat noise and provide a more modern tone. I would have kept the ESP except it had jumbo frets and that doesn't fit with my style of playing. Well, a standard single-coil pickup usually consists of a set of magnet wrapped up in a thin wire. Measuring the gap between the pole piece and the 6th string on a Strat. Initially intended to mimic the Patent Applied For pups that went into the '59 Les Paul Standard, the Seymour Duncan SH-PG1 Pearly Gates Pickup is a top-rated humbucker among hard rock and blues-rock players.