Classic Vibe 50s - Pickup recommendations

[sticksman]

Hi all,

I have a Classic Vibe 50s Strat in Fiesta Red; I think there is an issue with the pickups in that they are gone microphonic, especially noticeable on the bridge pickup. e.g. if I tap on the trem bar in a high gain setting (I have a Fender Mustang V2 amp), I can hear the tap through the amp. I can also hear my voice slightly if I speak close to the pickups.

I am thinking that maybe I should just replace these pickups and do a full shielding of the cavity. I would have a budget of 50 to 100 euros (I'm only a hobbyist so couldn't justify spending much more) so the first thought was to check Iron Gear.

Guitar Pickups from Axetec - IronGear Pig Iron for Strat

Has anybody tried these or if you have a recommendation in a similar price range I would appreciate the recommendation.

 

[FrieAsABird]

Hey, you’ll have some sort of hum, microphonic effects with any kind of true single coil. If you want to keep the Classic single coil sound, you’ll have to try shielding I think- if you go for Humbuckers in single coil format, you’ll hear they sound way different, even if you can coil- split them.

 

[sticksman]

Will only be going for true single coil replacements; I want it to be as simple a job as possible as I am a novice and don't want to be replacing pots or any of that sort of thing

 

[Audiowonderland]

I used Bootstrap Pro 54's in mine. Every bit the chimey 50's tone you would expect for that guitar.

 

[Strat-Slinger]

If you're rocking high gain settings I would go with a decent set of noiseless... if you like vintage strat tone go with a set of Fender Vintage Noiseless pups... classic tones without the noise... especially on high gain... turn up the amp using high gain with regular single coils and its a howling squealing mess... you won't have that issue with a noiseless pickup set...

 

[Machew]

I put Fralin Vintage Hot complete pickguard in mine. Couldn't be happier.

 

[Boyd L]

I have a set of Bootstrap Sun City Selects waiting in the wings for a home when one of my SSS guitars is in need.
I think it may be worth reviewing Bootstrap's options...

S-Style

Boostrap Pickups is on a mission to wind the best American-made pickups out there. Whether you need a single custom handwound pickup for your next rig or a reliable supplier for your next production run, we have the expertise and dedication to make your vision for the perfect tone a reality.

bootstrappickups.com

 

[Maranello94]

Might be a bad solder joint somewhere under the hood. Anyways I would probably go with a prewired pickguard cause if you want to change the pots too you have to modify the pickguard. Keep the orig pickguard if you ever sell the guitar

 

[Handsome McClane]

A set of Tex Mex runs around $100 US. I had some in a partscaster and they sounded great. Especially when distorted.

 

[stratman323]

No need to change them, get them wax potted. I've had this happen with several pickups (usually Fenders) & wax potting cures the problem without affecting the tone. Some people tell you it does affect the tone, my experience is that it doesn't.

Many pickup makers offer this service at fairly low cost. It's the cheapest option. And you already know that you like the pickups.

Shielding is a different thing altogether - deal with one problem at a time.

 

[Maranello94]

No need to change them, get them wax potted. I've had this happen with several pickups (usually Fenders) & wax potting cures the problem without affecting the tone. Some people tell you it does affect the tone, my experience is that it doesn't.

Many pickup makers offer this service at fairly low cost. It's the cheapest option. And you already know that you like the pickups.

Shielding is a different thing altogether - deal with one problem at a time.

Neck and middle pup on the new classic vibes are surprisingly good. Sounds very close to my AO60s pickups. The bridge pup can sometimes sound very nasal and sterile on classic vibes

 

[sticksman]

Hi all,

Thanks for all the recommendations above.

My darling wife has given me a bit of money to spend so am researching Fender Tex Mex pickups. Will these drop into a Classic Vibe without any extra routing or removing extra material from the body?

 

[Torvald]

Hi all,

Thanks for all the recommendations above.

My darling wife has given me a bit of money to spend so am researching Fender Tex Mex pickups. Will these drop into a Classic Vibe without any extra routing or removing extra material from the body?

No problem.

 

[Willmunny]

Hi all,

Thanks for all the recommendations above.

My darling wife has given me a bit of money to spend so am researching Fender Tex Mex pickups. Will these drop into a Classic Vibe without any extra routing or removing extra material from the body?

Literally a drop in replacement, minus the screwing and soldering.
I have used them a couple of times.
They are very similar the the stock pickups in my classic 60s series strat.
They are fairly mild vintage pickups that are quiet enough for me, but I don't play with the gain over 5 usually.
Peace

 

[Maranello94]

Hi all,

Thanks for all the recommendations above.

My darling wife has given me a bit of money to spend so am researching Fender Tex Mex pickups. Will these drop into a Classic Vibe without any extra routing or removing extra material from the body?

Only thing you might need to do is drilling new pickguard screw holes if they don't align with the old ones. No biggie really

 

[archetype]

Hi all,

Thanks for all the recommendations above.

My darling wife has given me a bit of money to spend so am researching Fender Tex Mex pickups. Will these drop into a Classic Vibe without any extra routing or removing extra material from the body?

Hold on. Before you do that... Is there a functional problem? Does the microphonic nature of the pickups cause a tangible problem when you play?

If not, I say leave them be. For me, I want a bit of microphonics in the way pickups respond and sound.

 

[archetype]

Only thing you might need to do is drilling new pickguard screw holes if they don't align with the old ones. No biggie really

It doesn't sound like the OP is replacing the pick guard.

OP, the CV and Tex Mex pickups have the same dimensions and no routing should be needed.

 

[Guitarkiwi]

The pickups in a CV Squier are actually pretty good already, they are alnicos typically and reasonable quality in my experience. The wiring on the other hand can be alot more variable I would go through and redo all the wiring and solder joints properly before doing a full pickup transplant. Chances are the pickups are fine, save your money for other gear.

 

[sticksman]

The pickups in a CV Squier are actually pretty good already, they are alnicos typically and reasonable quality in my experience. The wiring on the other hand can be alot more variable I would go through and redo all the wiring and solder joints properly before doing a full pickup transplant. Chances are the pickups are fine, save your money for other gear.

There is definitely an issue with the electronics. The volume controls intermittently and sometimes when on the bridge pick up, when I roll the tone control the pickup cuts out.

Thinking of purchasing the below.

Mojotone ST Standard Prewired Harness

Pre-Wired Electronics Replacement Set for ST-Style Electric Guitar High quality components offer a noticeable improvement over standard electronics, The treble bleed circuit prevents loss in the high end when turning the volume control, Suitable...

www.thomann.de

 

[El Gobernador]

tap on the trem bar in a high gain setting

High gain. There's the culprit.

Reflow all solder joints.

It'll go away.