Update and some technical questions!

Thinehumbucker · February 5th, 2010, 03:43 PM

So, here are some images of my new modified Bullet, I put some extra parts on'er, replaced some electronics, and I got some more work I wanna do. But I'm gonna need yer guys help.

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So, yeah, I totally love the black/white/black on the Surf.

This is all the gear I own. Keep it simple yeah?

Anyhow. I like the tone of this strat, and I LOVE the look and feel. But I need more MEAT and distortion, so I'm thinking of putting in GFS Lil' Killers (Lil Killer Cream Humbucker Rail Pickup for Strats- Three Versions Available) in the bridge and neck. Now, I don't know how this would work. Would it ruin my strat tone? Would it mess it up having a 15k pickup in the bridge, a 10k in the neck, and a 5.5k in the middle? Does anyone know the pots on these pickguards? (ALNICO Pickup Pre-Wired guard- 70's Tuxedo White on Black) I have tons of questions and no way to get answers, as my guitar tech is always far too busy. Any help would be appreciated! Thank you guys! I'm sorry if I broke any rules with my posts.

Essex · February 5th, 2010, 04:26 PM

Before you buy that particular pre-wired pickguard please read these threads...

NGD! Squier SE

Pre-Wired PG's

Thinehumbucker · February 5th, 2010, 04:36 PM

Thank you for the heads up, but I already have the pups and guard on her. I like the sound, don't get me wrong. Very smooth, bluesy tone when I want it. But I need bigger crunch and distortion from the bridge and neck. I just don't want to lose that nice, articulated strat sound. I play everything from Zakk Wylde to jazz. xD I need versatility. And I like strats more than anything else I've played.

BeatupGeetars · February 5th, 2010, 05:54 PM

My 2 cents...

You should save cash for a new amp before you modify this guitar anymore. It looks great, I bet it sounds and plays real nice for a bullet too.
But the things you're wanting to hear will probably come faster from a new amp rather than another set of pickups.
Those are nice pickups but playing them through that cube limits thier potential.

It's like feeding really expensive ammunition into a really crappy gun.

good luck.

Axeaddict · February 5th, 2010, 06:57 PM

Sounds like you may want to check out some distortion pedals.

amstratnut · February 5th, 2010, 07:07 PM

I know nothing about wiring so I can't help you there. If you put humbuckers on it you will definately change the characteristics from a strat sound to something else. But, Van Halen's first famous guitar was a modified strat with a humbucker in the bridge position and ...the rest is history. So yeah it will change it, but only you can decide if its right for you. Youtube lots of strats with humbuckers and see how they sound. Keep in mind that many youtube recordings are very very low tech.

You may want to talk to a someone about wiring the humbucker so that it can be split. (single coil mode) Its called coil tapping and its very common. I don't know if it can be done with all humbuckers or not. (I think so) That way you can have both sounds available to you.

Just my own peice of advice here that may have nothing to do with your style...Don't change out the neck pup. The strat neck pup sound is special. it can be plenty thick when you dial it right.

Thinehumbucker · February 6th, 2010, 05:18 AM

Hmmm.. Okay, well.. I've taken the advice you guys gave me into account, and here's what I'm thinking of doing; I'm gonna swtich out the bridge pup. Humbucker. One of those Lil' Killers, BUT, one of the milder 10k ones. I want some distortion, but I don't want a MASSIVE difference between my neck and middle pick-ups to give some strange volume jump or something. Two, I'm gonna need some reccomendation for a good, versatile combo amp. As I have no budget for an amp, I have to go relatively cheap. Don't make much money off of my looks, you know. I play everything from neo-classical metal (Well, I attempt to play neo-classical metal) to Burzum (Black Metal, for those here who never got into it like I have) and alt-rock such as Collective Soul and Smashing Pumpkins. As well as a healthy dose of blues. So yeah, I need a REAL broad range of sound to get everything to my tastes. But I'm sure I can compromise. Fire away with ideas, my fellow pickers, fire away.

capt_goodvibes · February 6th, 2010, 06:18 AM

Roland Cube 30X
Fender Vibro Champ XD
Fender Super Champ XD

zag1 · February 6th, 2010, 01:16 PM

That particular pre-wired pickguard doesn't have GFS pups in it. How 'bout another Bullet to put those Lil' Killer pups in?

Thinehumbucker · February 6th, 2010, 01:54 PM

I do have another bullet, yes. It was given to me by a very kind forum member here, actually. But I fixed it up, and played it until my own was fixed. Now I have it on loan to my little brother. Aside from that, I actually like the surf green enough to want to get that kind of sound out of it. >.> I like the strat sound, but I think I'm willing to put a killer in the bridge, and maybe a overwound single in the neck. What happens if the middle is still that weak 5.5k when I have a 15k pup in the bridge, and a 10k in the neck?