So, I bought a Strat today.....My first Strat...

[J.B.]

Couldn't resist. Got an Eric Johnson Strat locally (used). Really liking it as far as playability, but man, I'm definately not a single coil guy. So, I was thinking before I even bought it (tell me if I'm crazy here), that I'm going to have a local, very well respected luthier route it out for a humbucker in the bridge. Some might think I'm crazy doing this to such a nice guitar, but I figure it will really kick some arse when I get it some beef.

So, I'm I crazy?

 

[mrp5150]

I'd try something like a JB Jr. or Duncan Hot Rail first. Both of those pickups sound great IMO.

 

[J.B.]

I allmost forgot....pics.

 

[tweed]

You sure that thing doesn't already have a route for a HB under that pick guard?

 

[badger71]

Get a new pickguard routed for whatever configuration you need....wire it up with the new pickups....save the original pickguard/pickups for down the road when you and the guitar divorce each other. I'm pretty sure the EJ is a swimming pool route under the guard.

 

[Glimpse]

Sweet! EJ strats are great!

I would probably try a singleslot hum like Mega said first. If I didn't dig it at all, then I can see the route option for a player like you. Just know that it'll probably affect the resale value on that particular guitar.... which is especially important to a whore like you!

Anyway, go for it and see if you like it. I love the EJs!

 

[J.B.]

Get a new pickguard routed for whatever configuration you need....wire it up with the new pickups....save the original pickguard/pickups for down the road when you and the guitar divorce each other. I'm pretty sure the EJ is a swimming pool route under the guard.

Really? If it is, that would kick ass!! I thought I had looked into it before and it wasn't, but I guess I'll have to see for myself.

 

[70strathead]

Couldn't resist. Got an Eric Johnson Strat locally (used). Really liking it as far as playability, but man, I'm definately not a single coil guy. So, I was thinking before I even bought it (tell me if I'm crazy here), that I'm going to have a local, very well respected luthier route it out for a humbucker in the bridge. Some might think I'm crazy doing this to such a nice guitar, but I figure it will really kick some arse when I get it some beef.

So, I'm I crazy?

hate to blunt J.B., but I wouldn't touch that guitar. Its ( E.J)not my favorite type of strat because I prefer dunlup 6000 fretwire and either Virtual Vintage 54 or HS-3 pickups...and honestly those pickup on that axe are gonna sound bright unless u do what he does which is roll off on the tone knob towards the bridge pickup, which darkens the tone however decreases the output. That body is select alder too and if anything if you're not jiving with it, u can sell it and get good money for it because it will hold it's value vs. routing for a humbucker. Another option would to place a duncan jb or 50 junior in it, but kinda defeats the purpose of tru strat tone. Your call. Another option is u can sell that and save some money and just get an american series standard with a humbucker ( iforgetthe model number) but they're way less money than the E.J. and you'll still benefit from the USA features.

 

[70strathead]

Get a new pickguard routed for whatever configuration you need....wire it up with the new pickups....save the original pickguard/pickups for down the road when you and the guitar divorce each other. I'm pretty sure the EJ is a swimming pool route under the guard.

EJ guitar does not have the swimming pool route at all, they stopped doing that years ago and their is no way in hell eric would design that.

 

[mrp5150]

Couldn't resist. Got an Eric Johnson Strat locally (used). Really liking it as far as playability, but man, I'm definately not a single coil guy. So, I was thinking before I even bought it (tell me if I'm crazy here), that I'm going to have a local, very well respected luthier route it out for a humbucker in the bridge. Some might think I'm crazy doing this to such a nice guitar, but I figure it will really kick some arse when I get it some beef.

So, I'm I crazy?

hate to blunt J.B., but I wouldn't touch that guitar. Its ( E.J)not my favorite type of strat because I prefer dunlup 6000 fretwire and either Virtual Vintage 54 or HS-3 pickups...and honestly those pickup on that axe are gonna sound bright unless u do what he does which is roll off on the tone knob towards the bridge pickup, which darkens the tone however decreases the output. That body is select alder too and if anything if you're not jiving with it, u can sell it and get good money for it because it will hold it's value vs. routing for a humbucker. Another option would to place a duncan jb or 50 junior in it, but kinda defeats the purpose of tru strat tone. Your call. Another option is u can sell that and save some money and just get an american series standard with a humbucker ( iforgetthe model number) but they're way less money than the E.J. and you'll still benefit from the USA features.

I don't think JB is going for a "true Strat tone." Look at the guys in Iron Maiden. They all play Strats but they use JB Jr's, Hot Rails, and humbuckers in them.

 

[70strathead]

Couldn't resist. Got an Eric Johnson Strat locally (used). Really liking it as far as playability, but man, I'm definately not a single coil guy. So, I was thinking before I even bought it (tell me if I'm crazy here), that I'm going to have a local, very well respected luthier route it out for a humbucker in the bridge. Some might think I'm crazy doing this to such a nice guitar, but I figure it will really kick some arse when I get it some beef.

So, I'm I crazy?

hate to blunt J.B., but I wouldn't touch that guitar. Its ( E.J)not my favorite type of strat because I prefer dunlup 6000 fretwire and either Virtual Vintage 54 or HS-3 pickups...and honestly those pickup on that axe are gonna sound bright unless u do what he does which is roll off on the tone knob towards the bridge pickup, which darkens the tone however decreases the output. That body is select alder too and if anything if you're not jiving with it, u can sell it and get good money for it because it will hold it's value vs. routing for a humbucker. Another option would to place a duncan jb or 50 junior in it, but kinda defeats the purpose of tru strat tone. Your call. Another option is u can sell that and save some money and just get an american series standard with a humbucker ( iforgetthe model number) but they're way less money than the E.J. and you'll still benefit from the USA features.

I don't think JB is going for a "true Strat tone." Look at the guys in Iron Maiden. They all play Strats but they use JB Jr's, Hot Rails, and humbuckers in them.

agree 1000%....thats was my point.

 

[Meathead]

Yikes!

I can't watch.

 

[jonny toetags]

I love strats, but i am not a single coil fan, especially in the bridge.
Nothing beats a strat with a full size hum. in the bridge

I tried the JB jr in the bridge and it was missing something. I switched for a full size JB (it now has a Distortion) and the thing just screams!

 

[yngzaklynch]

Yeah Hot Rails are about as fat and gainy as most humbuckers. That would probably take care of the issue. But I also agree that since you bought a Sig Strat Just buy another pickgaurd with whatever pickups you like. When you part with it just slap the original back on. I like the Tone Zone S a lot. I think DiMarzio also makes a Super Distortion S.

 

[stratotone]

Wow, I mentioned getting an EJ strat and putting a hot rails in the bridge. The EJ strats have a single coil route for all three pickups... the hot rails will sound great in it.

Pete

 

[grimmchaos]

So, I was thinking before I even bought it (tell me if I'm crazy here), that I'm going to have a local, very well respected luthier route it out for a humbucker in the bridge

You might as well just have him replace all three with humbuckers

Now that would be my kind of strat!!

 

[ratter]

The bridge single coil is the most under-appreciated tone that there is. So yeah, I'm on the 'you're crazy' side!

 

[stratotone]

The bridge single coil is the most under-appreciated tone that there is. So yeah, I'm on the 'you're crazy' side!

Call me crazy, I liked putting a hot rails in the bridge so I could play metallica, megadeth, old VH covers and not only get a decent tone but not have 90db of annoying hum and buzz.

Now, crazy would be having someone take a woodworking tool to the bridge pickup cavity!

Pete

 

[ratter]

The bridge single coil is the most under-appreciated tone that there is. So yeah, I'm on the 'you're crazy' side!

Call me crazy, I liked putting a hot rails in the bridge so I could play metallica, megadeth, old VH covers and not only get a decent tone but not have 90db of annoying hum and buzz.

Now, crazy would be having someone take a woodworking tool to the bridge pickup cavity!

Pete

You're crazy too!

 

[stratotone]

The bridge single coil is the most under-appreciated tone that there is. So yeah, I'm on the 'you're crazy' side!

Call me crazy, I liked putting a hot rails in the bridge so I could play metallica, megadeth, old VH covers and not only get a decent tone but not have 90db of annoying hum and buzz.

Now, crazy would be having someone take a woodworking tool to the bridge pickup cavity!

Pete

You're crazy too!

Yep! I do love my EJ strat though, it's the best sounding strat I've owned. Those guitars are great value for the money, especially used.

Pete