Suggestions for Squier Strat

[LeChuck]

I recently got a Squire Simon Neil Strat (I'm never heard the band) and I really like it. but the pickups are not so great.

It has a mixture of poles with Alnico III s and Vs on the treble and bass sides respectively. To my ears this is maybe why the pickups don't sound that good when mixed although the bridge on its own sounds pretty good. It has narrow spacing too, 52mm.

It is alder body and rosewood fretboard. I already have a maple boarded old ST54 MIJ that I put a set of baseplated Apaches in that I am really happy with but to be honest that plays better than the new one. I would like something that takes distortion well to set off my apache stat and would welcome any ideas. Is it a good idea to put very expensive Pups in a lesser guitar is something I am thinking too.

Tx for reading

[Telerocker]

You can answer the question how good this guitar is and if it is worth an upgrade. All BKP's handle gain well, but if you want something hotter then Apaches, Irish Tours are quite versatile. They sound fuller then Mother's Milk, but as soon you turn the vol.knob on the guitar a tad back you get in Frusciante-terrority. Get a baseplate on the bridge for some extra oomph.

[Mr. Air]

I would say it's worth upgrading a cheap guitar if you like the feel of it, but there's no garanty that it'll sound great once it's upgraded. Some guitars are just tonally dead and aren't gonna sound good no matter the upgrades. I've upgraded a few cheap guitars with good outcome and I think a lot of the other forum members have done the same.

As for pickups I think Telerocker's suggestion is good. The Irish tours are versatile and still has a lot of vintage mojo. If you want a more modern tone have a look at the Trilogies.

[Brow]

Those Simon Neil/Biffy Clyro Sig Strats got really good write ups when they came out a few years ago.

If the guitar sounds and feels good unplugged then I'd say it's definitely worth trying a better set of pickups in it. My 2 favourite sets of single coils for Strats with rosewood fretboards are Apaches or Irish Tours.

[LeChuck]

tx very much guys for taking the time to reply, its really appreciated..

The guitar plays really well - I think I was just a bit conditioned to my old MIJ with Apaches! It's not quite as loud unplugged tho and the top E sometimes seems eager to wander off the fretboard when I bend. I have also had some joy with the P/ups but it is more effort with the amp when jumping positions.

I guess I am heading towards Mother's Milk and Irish Tour but I am going to wait until I am sure,
Tx again