Can you put bridge pickup in neck position?

squierjosh · 06-18-2010, 12:25 PM

So I'm thinking of ordering a set of pickups from GFS (not sure which ones yet, but 3 single coils for sure) to put in the neck and middle positions of my HSS strat. Can I put the the bridge pickup in the neck position on another strat? Other than being a little hot and maybe the wires being too short, is there any other difference?

grumpy old git · 06-18-2010, 12:44 PM

Wouldn't have thought there was that much difference than fitting a hotter pup in there, you might need to be careful with the middle / bridge choice to prevent it being too overpowering but I can't see it would be a big problem.

I'd use shrinkwrap on the joints if you extend the wires.

softwarejanitor · 06-18-2010, 01:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by squierjosh

So I'm thinking of ordering a set of pickups from GFS (not sure which ones yet, but 3 single coils for sure) to put in the neck and middle positions of my HSS strat. Can I put the the bridge pickup in the neck position on another strat? Other than being a little hot and maybe the wires being too short, is there any other difference?

One thing to keep in mind is that many single coil middle pickups are reverse wound. Putting the bridge pickup in the neck position shouldn't be a problem though, other than what you've noted.

FWIW, In an HSS strat I'm putting together right now I put the bridge and middle single coil pickups off another Strat in the middle and neck respectively and it seems to be working fine despite the winding directions being a little weird.

AllroyPA · 06-18-2010, 01:17 PM

The Squier will most likely blow up if you do that .... tape up the windows, lock up the pets.

...seriously you never know til you try .. whether you like it or not that is

BillStickers · 06-18-2010, 01:17 PM

...ur... Pole spacing would be a slight issue. Bridge PUP will be about 2mm wider in spacing. It's not major but it can bug ya.

If you can work it in you could offset it... like I had to do. I had a Bridge PUP in the Middle position on another project for balance but the pole spacing bugged me so I gutted it and put it in my newest project http://www.squier-talk.com/forum/squier-stratocasters/1091-project-51-strat.html had to offset it quite a bit as the strings are slightly narrower than at the bridge so a regular Strat offset would've had trouble. it's not in there yet though... can't believe I neglected to take more piccys... everything is there except for Copper Tape...

Squierbox · 06-18-2010, 08:41 PM

I replaced the HB in my Squier Strat HSS. Standard was 11K, replaced it with an Epi 700T which is 14k. Both 2 wire, so just matched the colors up. Didn't mess with anything else. Now, I have a 3-way switch instead of 5-way. What's up with that? Anyone know why?

Squierbox....

Squierbox · 06-19-2010, 11:42 PM

Am I just stupid, or can't anyone take the time to explain?

Squierbox...

pictoratus · 06-20-2010, 12:12 AM

Not sure what you mean by 3-way. Describe what you get in all 5 positions on the switch.

AllroyPA · 06-20-2010, 12:13 AM

Trying to think of a reason but I cannot come up with one, so 2 and 4 are not working?

YeahDoIt · 06-20-2010, 09:09 AM

Doesn't make sense. Do positions 2 and 4 work? Can you hear sound through the amplifier using switch positions 2 and 4? Maybe it is working, just not producing the tone that you expect to hear.

AllroyPA · 06-20-2010, 10:09 AM

This is a big strike-out w/o more info.

Squierbox · 06-20-2010, 01:50 PM

Sorry guys for not givivng enough info. Switch positions: 1st, 2nd and 3rd,(moving up to down) all working. 4th and 5th (last 2 moving down = nothing,) as if they weren't even there. This is what has me baffled. I'll have to do some futher checking to see what switch position is working which pickup. Although I thought nothing would have changed.
Thanks for your repsones. I'll investigate futher, and get back to ya.

Squierbox....

Squierbox · 06-21-2010, 12:39 AM

This was all due to my BAD wiring job to start with. Went back through everything this afternoon, redoing the wiring. It's working great now. Thanks, Squierbox...

Quote:

Originally Posted by Squierbox

Sorry guys for not givivng enough info. Switch positions: 1st, 2nd and 3rd,(moving up to down) all working. 4th and 5th (last 2 moving down = nothing,) as if they weren't even there. This is what has me baffled. I'll have to do some futher checking to see what switch position is working which pickup. Although I thought nothing would have changed.
Thanks for your repsones. I'll investigate futher, and get back to ya.

Squierbox....

D.Allen · 06-30-2010, 10:56 PM

Watch the size of the pickups I use 50MM for neck and 52.38 MM for bridge and middle pups. If you want a hot neck look for a set made that way then you will be sure the strings line up over the magnets correctly so you get the correct sound.

Hugh · 07-14-2010, 04:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Squierbox

This was all due to my BAD wiring job to start with. Went back through everything this afternoon, redoing the wiring. It's working great now. Thanks, Squierbox...

lol, My first wiring job was a mess. I did my homework, practiced soldering, had everything I needed. Still screwed up. The more you do the better you'll get.

Cool feeling when you get it lined out