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Want to replace the humbucker in an American Special Strat

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  • #1

    Want to replace the humbucker in an American Special Strat

    Hey Guys...I recently picked up an American Special Strat..great guitar...finish is fantastic and the thing plays really nice....particularly for a guitar in this price range. It's not up to the same standards as my American Deluxe...but it's half the price, so no worries.

    I got this thing instead of buying an American Standard..I kinda like the retro vibe...and I liked the price difference I looked at it like a blank canvas...I knew that I was going to mod this thing a little...unlike most of my guitars. It's been mostly cosmetic stuff...white knobs/pickup covers, Fender logo neck plate, Fender locking tuners, etc. The only thing that's left is the bridge humbucker. It's got one in there called an 'Atomic'. It's not bad, but I know I could do better. I tend to like Duncan pickups the best...I have JBs in a number of my guitars, and the JB Jr. in my American Deluxe is actually a killer pickup. I almost like it better than the standard JBs in my Pro-Mod Charvels.

    So I'm looking for advise with this one. I know I could go with another JB...but I'm always looking to do things different...and I know SD offers quite a few options...especially in the full size humbucker format. There's a few I'm looking at..I tend to play hard rock and metal...so I like them 'heated' and ballsy....damn..that sounds terrible

    Anyway...if any of you have experience with some really good Duncan (or other brand) pickups, that are hotter than a typical traditional humbucker, I'd sure love to hear about it.

    Thanks...here's a couple pics of my strat/strats




    Todd M
    Tags: None
  • #2
    Just wanted to point out that deluxe is practically the same as mine, except mine is an 06. And I think that's a two-tone burst where mine's a tobacco. Still, Now you've made me play that strat,
    I like EL34s.

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    • #3
      Made me pick up my 02 American Std and fix the nut.LOL.
      Mine has Bill Lawrence pick ups.
      Last edited by straycat; 10-11-2010, 12:25 AM.
      Really? well screw Mark Twain.

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      • #4
        If you like SD's then I would go with a TB-11 for a strat, I have one in my Charvel Style 2, sounds great.
        Charvel 7308 (TMZ 008), Charvel Pro-mod (yellow), Jackson Soloist Custom (Yellow), Jackson SL2H-V Natural, Gibson LPS DB, Gibson LPS EB, Gibson LPCC C, Charvel Model 2 (scalloped), Jackson DK2M (white), Charvel Journeyman, Fender Classic Player 60's strat, Carvin C66, Musikraft strat mutt, Warmoth Strat mutt, Fender MIM Jazz bass, Epiphone Classical, Takamine parlor. Marshall 2203, Marshall JVM 210H, Splawn Nitro, Fender Supersonic 22, Line 6 AX2 212, Marshall 4X12.

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        • #5
          I thought the humbucker in the Am Spec sounded pretty anemic myself. Here's some options that I have in my strats:

          - Dimarzio Super Distortion - great pickup - lots of growl and a spanky clean sound. Despite the name, this pickup is not an insanely hot pickup - remember it was designed in 1970.

          - Dimarzio Tone Zone - Glassy and chunky, great touch sensitivity

          - Duncan Custom - ballsy as hell - lots of upper mid chunk
          -------------------------
          Blank yo!

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          • #6
            Custom, P-Rails hot (SH-PR2), or JB.

            The P-Rail will give you the most tone options of the three.
            GTWGITS! - RacerX

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            • #7
              I keep hearing about the Duncan Custom and the Custom Custom...both are supposed to be real hot...great pickups. Can anyone give a comparison of the two?
              I'll do a little searching as well...and if I find some worthwhile information, I'll certainly post it.
              Thanks again guys.
              Todd M

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              • #8
                Damn..that was quick...did some searching around, and a lot of reviews were coming in from guys who upgraded their Fender HSS's with the Duncan Custom (SH5). So, I just ordered it. Now if I just knew how to install pickups

                Thanks Turk/Hellbat for the recommendation!
                Todd M

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                • #9
                  Custom 5 or custom custom are nice too.
                  Really? well screw Mark Twain.

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