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I nearly purchased this LP Special for $1,200: https://reverb.com/item/56109571-gibson-les-paul-special-2019-present-tv-yellow

I'm just too scared the neck is going to be too thick. My LP Standard has a "50s" neck, but it is not near as thick as other Gibsons I have played. For example, the recent drab green 335 i purchased directly from Gibson but ended up returning. That neck was just too thick for me to enjoy playing it.

It's a bummer, because I really would like one of those drab green Specials, but i think they have the same neck as the 335 I played.

Anybody heard a set of these? They $100 cheaper than the Seymour Duncan pickups I looked at, they were evidently good enough for Eric Johnson to put his name on, and the few reviews on the page are good.

https://www.sweetwater.com/c965--Single-coil_Electric_Guitar_Pickups?sb=popular¶ms=eyJmYWNldCI6eyJCcmFuZCI6WyJTZXltb3VyIER1bmNhbiJdLCJQb3NpdGlvbiI6WyJDb21wbGV0ZSBTZXQiXX19&highlight=0992248000

I played an Eric Johnson strat at guitar center once, which I'm assuming had these pickups. I seem to remember liking them, but there's no telling until I really have time to play them.

Also, what SD set were $330?!?

If you're looking for Strat pickups, I also suggest looking at D Allen, they have some great stuff (IMO). I have the "Echoes" (shocker, I know) set in a G&L guitar I have and they are awesome. Particularly like the dual output bridge, excellent feature. Check 'em out here:

https://www.dallenpickups.com/category_s/12.htm

My recommendation would be a SD SSL-1 in the neck/middle and an SD SSL-5 in the bridge. You can't go wrong with this set, and will give you a great base line. If you are trying to decide what kind of pickups you like, start with ones that will give you that guitar's "classic sound". From there, you can determine if you want hotter pickups in the future, or perhaps more vintage/older sounding pickups.

Echoes97 said:

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If you're looking for Strat pickups, I also suggest looking at D Allen, they have some great stuff (IMO). I have the "Echoes" (shocker, I know) set in a G&L guitar I have and they are awesome. Particularly like the dual output bridge, excellent feature. Check 'em out here:

https://www.dallenpickups.com/category_s/12.htm

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You going to see Brit Floyd on Sunday in Sugarland?

DallasTeleAg said:

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I played an Eric Johnson strat at guitar center once, which I'm assuming had these pickups. I seem to remember liking them, but there's no telling until I really have time to play them.

Also, what SD set were $330?!?

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These

https://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/RetroAntqSSS--seymour-duncan-retrospecd-antiquity-ii-surfer-strat-pickup-set

DallasTeleAg said:

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My recommendation would be a SD SSL-1 in the neck/middle and an SD SSL-5 in the bridge. You can't go wrong with this set, and will give you a great base line. If you are trying to decide what kind of pickups you like, start with ones that will give you that guitar's "classic sound". From there, you can determine if you want hotter pickups in the future, or perhaps more vintage/older sounding pickups.

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I thought SSL-5's were "hot" and "baaah you hot pickup people!! Old man with old guitar yells at young cloud!!!"

The antiquity II surfers are my favorite strat set, I have played. However, I don't see any reason for you going with antiquities until you really know what you want.

The antiquities are more their "custom shop" pickups, versus their standard handwound options. The SSL-1 pickups are going to give you that classic bell like tone in the neck and middle. The SSL-5 is going to have a bit more mid punch and be a bit hotter. This is the bridge pickup Gilmour uses in one of his guitars.

Hell... that set is good enough to last you the rest of your life, unless you are missing something. Then you start playing around with pickups

The SD Hendrix pickups and the Texas style pickups are also interesting.

"Hot" is a relative term. There is also a difference between a hot single coil and hot humbucker.

Again, it depends on what you are looking to do. The bridge pickup in an Antiquity Surfer set is actually wound a bit hotter than the neck and middle. On a strat, the bridge pickup can be a little thin and "useless" to some people. This is why you see guitars like a "fat Strat", using a humbucker in the bridge, or you see players opting for a slightly hotter wound bridge pickup.

Again... a big difference between a "hot pickup" and a hotter wound classic Strat style pickup.

For the neck in a strat... you want clarity and bell like tones. Do NOT put a hot pickup in the neck of a strat. If you do, then I will place you on my TexAgs ignore list. =p

DallasTeleAg said:

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"Hot" is a relative term. There is also a difference between a hot single coil and hot humbucker.

Again, it depends on what you are looking to do. The bridge pickup in an Antiquity Surfer set is actually wound a bit hotter than the neck and middle. On a strat, the bridge pickup can be a little thin and "useless" to some people. This is why you see guitars like a "fat Strat", using a humbucker in the bridge, or you see players opting for a slightly hotter wound bridge pickup.

Again... a big difference between a "hot pickup" and a hotter wound classic Strat style pickup.

For the neck in a strat... you want clarity and bell like tones. Do NOT put a hot pickup in the neck of a strat. If you do, then I will place you on my TexAgs ignore list. =p

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Got it.

SSL-1's in neck and middle and an EMG/Hot Rail/Sustainiac/bucker in the bridge.

maroon barchetta said:

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Echoes97 said:

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If you're looking for Strat pickups, I also suggest looking at D Allen, they have some great stuff (IMO). I have the "Echoes" (shocker, I know) set in a G&L guitar I have and they are awesome. Particularly like the dual output bridge, excellent feature. Check 'em out here:

https://www.dallenpickups.com/category_s/12.htm

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You going to see Brit Floyd on Sunday in Sugarland?

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Yep, think so, got free tix from a buddy of mine. They are excellent, if a tad boring. I think they're the best Floyd tribute going worldwide though, overall, so looking forward to it!

Echoes97 said:

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maroon barchetta said:

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Echoes97 said:

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If you're looking for Strat pickups, I also suggest looking at D Allen, they have some great stuff (IMO). I have the "Echoes" (shocker, I know) set in a G&L guitar I have and they are awesome. Particularly like the dual output bridge, excellent feature. Check 'em out here:

https://www.dallenpickups.com/category_s/12.htm

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You going to see Brit Floyd on Sunday in Sugarland?

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Yep, think so, got free tix from a buddy of mine. They are excellent, if a tad boring. I think they're the best Floyd tribute going worldwide though, overall, so looking forward to it!

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I'll be there!

Before and after. Nothing exciting about a strap button but the previous owner had jammed something in there to try and fill the hole.

It got filed down a bit, new pilot hole drilled, and new button put in.

The gash in the body we just sanded down smooth. I didn't see a point in trying to fill in and shape back the body to original spec/shape.

Last night I played around with intonation while I was on a lengthy phone call. Haven't even changed strings yet so I'll need to do that but I couldn't get the high E to get close to proper intonation. Still very flat.

Bridge saddle wouldn't move towards the neck any further.

I did tighten up the screws in the end of the tuning gears as those gears were loose. It helped a little on staying in tune after trying bends, but I need to put some new strings on it.

Could be a new bridge in the future?

May fix it, but also may never be able to get proper intonation on a cheaper guitar like that.

DallasTeleAg said:

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May fix it, but also may never be able to get proper intonation on a cheaper guitar like that.

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There is that.

I'm definitely not buying pickups until I get this issue resolved.

You wouldn't think a Squier could have frets misplaced badly enough that the intonation can't be fixed.

We're talking mm here.

You need to replace the strings, first. Old strings can cause bad intonation issues. My Taylor's intonation will start going slightly off once my strings get old. Put new strings on it, and my intonation is perfect again.

Also, make sure string height is correct and pickup height is correct. String height can obviously make your intonation slightly sharp. Strats with pickups too high can be affected by the magnetism of the pole pieces.

Basically, intonation is the LAST thing you do on a guitar, because everything affects it. You should always do the following, in this order:

• Restring
• Check neck relief
• Set string height
• Set pickup height
• Set intonation

Thanks. I'll give that a try.

I've seen videos on doing all of this stuff but was just taking my first stab at it by adjusting saddles last night.

Looks like a string change tonight!

I would still recommend replacing the entire bridge and block. A quality part there will only provide for a better experience.

However, you will need to make sure the part will fit your guitar. As mentioned before, some foreign made squiers could have different dimensions than standard fenders.

Will definitely check that out. It *looks* pretty standard but I'll make sure.

Also, I highly recommend 9-42 strings. I have finally switched most of my standard tuning guitars from 10's to 9's, and they just feel so much more fun to play. I am enjoying the hell out of my Strat, now. After putting the Antiquity Surfer custom in there, in replacement of the Antiquity Texas Hot, and then putting 9's on the guitar, it just has a completely different sound and feel.

Only guitars I still have 10's on are my two Eb guitars and my ES-330.

I think the strings I bought are 10's but I haven't opened them yet. I suppose I could exchange them.

Thanks for the tip.

You have probably seen it but Dave, Rhett, and Rick do a good video on Beato's channel where they talk strings and end up settling the argument about whether 8's are too light.

Needing to swap strings on my acoustic. What do y'all all like? In light of DallasTeleAg's post, I'm reminded that I wouldn't mind something easier to play.

I use Elixir's. They feel good and were recommended by a few people to me. I like them but they do shed.

I played 11's for years. I finally moved to 09s about 15 years ago and my fingers felt so much better after that. I don't have any 24 3/4 scale guitars but if I did I might put 10s on them.

Pricey but I love the Santa Cruz parabolic tension strings. I have mid-tension on my Larrivee and light on my Yairi (due to the Monte Montgomery stuff I hack on it).

Chipotlemonger said:

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Needing to swap strings on my acoustic. What do y'all all like? In light of DallasTeleAg's post, I'm reminded that I wouldn't mind something easier to play.

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Also pricey but I like the Elixir Phosphor Bronze Nanowebs on my acoustics (Larrivee D-03R, Epiphone Jumbo). There are others that sound as good (or maybe even a bit better) but overall they sound great and last a long time. I usually use the Light (.12-.53) or Custom Light (.11-.52) and they are awesome.

Thanks for the feedback, y'all!

gggmann said:

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I played 11's for years. I finally moved to 09s about 15 years ago and my fingers felt so much better after that. I don't have any 24 3/4 scale guitars but if I did I might put 10s on them.

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When I got my PRS acoustic from the Tone Shop they had put 13's on it. Being a novice player that made it tough for me.

DallasTeleAg said:

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I would still recommend replacing the entire bridge and block. A quality part there will only provide for a better experience.

However, you will need to make sure the part will fit your guitar. As mentioned before, some foreign made squiers could have different dimensions than standard fenders.

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Measured up everything on my Squier today and according to the diagram here this one will work well.

Reviews are good too.

Thoughts?

https://www.stewmac.com/parts-and-hardware/all-hardware-and-parts-by-instrument/electric-guitar-parts/electric-guitar-bridges-and-tailpieces/electric-guitar-tremolos/wilkinsongotoh-vsvg-vintage-tremolo/?utm_source=google&utm_medium=shopping&utm_campaign=2022-06-gp&gclid=Cj0KCQjw-pCVBhCFARIsAGMxhAf0P_8dsgMv7lY3oV1DIT1DA7KzB5BVXq8B4nj5hg0KdrKRGPWHxjsaAqA8EALw_wcB

Should work well. I've not used that exact bridge before, but i'm sure it will work great.