Epiphone Strat Pickups

[johnfeeser]

Hi, I have an Epiphone Strat. I found it on Craigslist for $75 and figured, why not? I had read what little I could find on them before I got it, and it sounded like they are a slight upgrade over a Squier Strat, but nothing fancy.

Does anybody else have one? What do you know about them?

Personally, I love it. The neck is extremely fast (which I had read on the net) and it just feels wonderful. Whenever I pick up a guitar to play around with, it is almost always the Epi Strat.

However, the pickups leave something to be desired. They are Strat style single coils (3). If I upgrade them, I guess I could use something made for a Fender? Is it possible to put a humbucker at the bridge position? Any suggestions?

 

Thanks, John

[RobinTheHood]

I dont know if I would say that they are an upgrade over the Squier brand. I suppose it depends on which Squier model and Epi models (and year) you are talking about. Although, almost anything is an upgrade over the Squier Bullet. However, I do prefer the S-Series necks over anything Squier for sure. They are very fast and comfortable. A little wider and a larger fingerboard radius...just the way I like a guitar neck. But, some years of the S-Series had laminated bodies and other years had a solid wood of some type... be it alder or mahogany. My S-500 is laminated and my S-300 is mahogany of some type. I think it is listed as "select tonewood". It looks like asian mahogany.

 

As far as electronics, they are probably about the same as almost any squier, except for the Deluxe or Vintage Modified models...which are going to be better that the Epi in that regard. But you should be able to put in any type of single-coil pickups in the Epiphone. They are standard size, so they should drop right in. As far as putting a humbucker in it, you have to make sure the pickups cavity is routed for a humbucker. Usually they are, but its best to take a look and be certain before buying a new pickup.

 

At that point you will have to get a new pickguard to fit the humbucker. This is where you might run in to some problems. Much like Fender, different model years of the S-Series Epiphones have different screw-hole patterns. Some of the patterns are not easy to find from what I understand. I think that in later years they standardized with Fender/Squier to let people mod their guitars easier. I had no problem finding a pickguard for my 1986 S-500, but some of the screw holes almost lined up correctly. Close enough for me, but others may disagree. You may have to resort to filling and drilling a few new holes for a new pickguard.

[RipperSB]

Hi, I have an Epiphone Strat. I found it on Craigslist for $75 and figured, why not? I had read what little I could find on them before I got it, and it sounded like they are a slight upgrade over a Squier Strat, but nothing fancy.

Does anybody else have one? What do you know about them?

Personally, I love it. The neck is extremely fast (which I had read on the net) and it just feels wonderful. Whenever I pick up a guitar to play around with, it is almost always the Epi Strat.

However, the pickups leave something to be desired. They are Strat style single coils (3). If I upgrade them, I guess I could use something made for a Fender? Is it possible to put a humbucker at the bridge position? Any suggestions?

 

Thanks, John

 

You can get smaller humbuckers or hot rails from Seymour Duncan: Seymour Duncan Pick Ups For Strat

[tweed2]

John, there are plenty of strat sized single coil pickups available. Don't limit yourself to Fender brand. GFS, DiMarzio, Seymour Duncan, and probably 100 others make 'em. The one question I would have, would be are they stock pickups the same size as a standard Fender? I would think so, but stranger things happen. If they are different, then it's possible that you'd have to open up the pick guard holes some. But I can't imagine them not being the same size. When it comes to which pick up to install, you're going to run into a lot of choices. Tex Mex, Blues, double coil, P-90, active, rails, noiseless. Start looking on the web at different sites with sound clips. Get few ideas on what you like, then check around on pricing. I just bought a set of new SD humbuckers off of eBay at 50% off retail. You might even look around at some used ones, if you have a tight budget. How good of a pickup you get is limited only by your budget. I like the DiMarzio Virtual Vintage PUs for a strat. Great sounds at a reasonable price. But a lot of people here like GFS, too. Good luck on your journey and keep us posted.

[Lefty Bill]

I don't have an Epiphone strat, but I'm fairly certain someone here can tell you how the body is routed, which will likely give you more options to consider.

Many strat style bodies are routed for at least one, sometimes two, humbucker pickups.. so besides SSS single x3, you may be able to have a humbucker at the bridge (HSS), or possibly also at the neck (HSH) configurations.

 

If you can get a peek under the pickguard, you may be able to see the routing pattern. It's not extremely difficult to make a pickguard from various rigid, thin materials.

 

Bill

 

 

Hi, I have an Epiphone Strat. I found it on Craigslist for $75 and figured, why not? I had read what little I could find on them before I got it, and it sounded like they are a slight upgrade over a Squier Strat, but nothing fancy.

Does anybody else have one? What do you know about them?

Personally, I love it. The neck is extremely fast (which I had read on the net) and it just feels wonderful. Whenever I pick up a guitar to play around with, it is almost always the Epi Strat.

However, the pickups leave something to be desired. They are Strat style single coils (3). If I upgrade them, I guess I could use something made for a Fender? Is it possible to put a humbucker at the bridge position? Any suggestions?

 

Thanks, John

[RobinTheHood]

I don't have an Epiphone strat, but I'm fairly certain someone here can tell you how the body is routed, which will likely give you more options to consider.

Many strat style bodies are routed for at least one, sometimes two, humbucker pickups.. so besides SSS single x3, you may be able to have a humbucker at the bridge (HSS), or possibly also at the neck (HSH) configurations.

 

If you can get a peek under the pickguard, you may be able to see the routing pattern. It's not extremely difficult to make a pickguard from various rigid, thin materials.

 

Bill

 

 

 

 

My S-310 is routed HSS. More than likely they all were routed this way. I'm just not certain if they changed the routing over the years. I have a cheap Johnson strat body that is routed SSS, so you never know.

[Stevie Nazarenie]

i had a 635i and the pups are strat single coil pups and an alnico 5 humbucker... there are some different ones out there worth trying.

 

[Pete B]

Hi, I have an Epiphone Strat. I found it on Craigslist for $75 and figured, why not? I had read what little I could find on them before I got it, and it sounded like they are a slight upgrade over a Squier Strat, but nothing fancy.

Does anybody else have one? What do you know about them?

Personally, I love it. The neck is extremely fast (which I had read on the net) and it just feels wonderful. Whenever I pick up a guitar to play around with, it is almost always the Epi Strat.

However, the pickups leave something to be desired. They are Strat style single coils (3). If I upgrade them, I guess I could use something made for a Fender? Is it possible to put a humbucker at the bridge position? Any suggestions?

 

Thanks, John

 

I have an S??0, thinking it may be a 400 routed hss, Unfortunatly it doesnt have the original pickups.

I totally aggree on the neck, I just love it.

Take a look at these too http://www.irongear.co.uk/irongear_033.htm some great reviews on them and good pricewise.

The Jailhouse Rail will fit in all positions.

 

Also, Post a Picture

[Aoresteen]

I have an S-300. I've replaced the pickups with GFS lipstick pickups. Read about it in this thread:

 

http://forum.gibson.com/index.php?/topic/76696-any-s-series-experts-out-there/page__p__1045770__hl__aoresteen__fromsearch__1#entry1045770

[RobinTheHood]

I have an S??0, thinking it may be a 400 routed hss, Unfortunatly it doesnt have the original pickups.

I totally aggree on the neck, I just love it.

Take a look at these too http://www.irongear....rongear_033.htm some great reviews on them and good pricewise.

The Jailhouse Rail will fit in all positions.

 

Also, Post a Picture

If you post some pics, I might be able to identify it for you. The route probably isnt going to much of an indentifier on its own.

[Pete B]

If you post some pics, I might be able to identify it for you. The route probably isnt going to much of an indentifier on its own.

 

Pics here http://forum.gibson.com/index.php?/topic/81573-hngdhnpd/

[johnfeeser]

OK, Here's some pictures...

 

 

 

 

[johnfeeser]

Upon further investigation... Instead of getting just a nice bridge pickup, I could get a set of 3 Tex-Mex pickups. They aren't very expensive, so I guess they aren't going to be amazing, but are they any good? This would be the easiest approach, since it would replace all 3 pickups, and I wouldn't have to do anything to the pickguard. Thoughts?

 

Also, it is routed H.S.H. It looks like it is an S-300 like the one in Aoresteen's link.

[stein]

Upon further investigation... Instead of getting just a nice bridge pickup, I could get a set of 3 Tex-Mex pickups. They aren't very expensive, so I guess they aren't going to be amazing, but are they any good? This would be the easiest approach, since it would replace all 3 pickups, and I wouldn't have to do anything to the pickguard. Thoughts?

 

Also, it is routed H.S.H. It looks like it is an S-300 like the one in Aoresteen's link.

I think generally speaking, the 'Tex-Mex' would be better than what you have, IF that is what you want to compare them to.

 

But, I would also call them a step sideways, in that they are both probably something a guy might want to upgrade from.

 

Compared to a good pup, be it an 'average' pup or a great pup, they leave much to be desired.

[RaSTuS]

I'd buy a loaded pickguard, that way you can swap the whole assembly in and keep the old set up original, including the wiring, just in case you want to sell it on at some point.

[Pete B]

Unfortunatly strat pickguards don't quite fit.

[RobinTheHood]

Unfortunatly strat pickguards don't quite fit.

Yeah, A standard loaded pickguard will fit that scew hole configuration. Guitar Parts Depot used to carry different screw configs, but it appears that they got bought out by their Chinese manufacterer and now they dont.

[Pete B]

Yeah, A standard loaded pickguard will fit that scew hole configuration. Guitar Parts Depot used to carry different screw configs, but it appears that they got bought out by their Chinese manufacterer and now they dont.

Its not just the config, the main thing is the distance between the neck pickup and the edge of the pickguard.

 

[RobinTheHood]

Oh wow. Thats quite a gap! I wonder if it is like that for all of the S-310 & 300 models. An aftermarket pickguard fit my 1986 S-500 with no problems other than one or two of the screw holes being very slightly off and a little trimming around the neck pocket...which is understandable because the Epiphone necks are a little wider than a Fender/Squier. But miy guitar also has the sandard hole config for the pickguard.

[johnfeeser]

I found some reviews on the Tex Mex pickups and it sounds like they are better than their price indicates. People were upgrading from MIM Strat pickups to them and were impressed.

 

I do like the idea of a loaded pickguard.

[Pete B]

I do like the idea of a loaded pickguard.

 

Looks like you have a S300 and a strat in your sig. Take a measurement between the neck pickup and the edge of the pickguard on them. I think loaded are out of the question, unless you only want it for the pre-wiring to transfer to your current pickguard.

[johnfeeser]

I think I am going to get the Tex-Mex 3 Pack.

Is there anything else I should do while I'm in there?

Should I change the wiring? How hard is that?

I read somewhere that it's a good idea to do something different with the wiring so that one of the tone controls is for the bridge pickup like Jimmy Vaughn?

http://acapella.harmony-central.com/showthread.php?2601868-Thoughts-on-Fender-Tex-Mex-pickups

[stein]

I think I am going to get the Tex-Mex 3 Pack.

Is there anything else I should do while I'm in there?

Should I change the wiring? How hard is that?

I read somewhere that it's a good idea to do something different with the wiring so that one of the tone controls is for the bridge pickup like Jimmy Vaughn?

http://acapella.harmony-central.com/showthread.php?2601868-Thoughts-on-Fender-Tex-Mex-pickups

I would check for used first.

 

There SHOULD be PLENTY of Tex-Mex available used, as they are common to replace. Not to mention you might find lots of better sounding Strat pups cheap that will work better. But at the very least, go used for the Tex-Mex.

[johnfeeser]

Well, I got a set of Tex Mex off eBay and my dad helped me put them in last night. They are much, much better than the stock pu's, I'm glad I got them.

I guess when I have more money, I'll throw a Seymour Duncan humbucker in the bridge position, but they'll work nicely for now.

Next, I'm going to get some white knobs to match the pickups, since the yellow knobs look really bad with everything else being white.

 

Thanks for the help, John