Squire Classic Vibe 60s Strat

[me-and-my-shadow]

Hi, the guitar is new, looks good but the bridge pickup, no matter what string height is ice pick sharp. 6th -to 4th response is normal.. Top E particularly harsh. Dont want to roll off the tone control.
I have an American Highway One strat so pretty much know the difference. Im looking to replace the pickup with a decent budget pu. Of course it has to blend with the present mid and neck pups.
Im told the the the 60 Squire CV Strat guitar pickups are three standard Fender-Alnico single-coil type.

Any suggestion welcome. Thanks John

[Stu's Dad]

Before you replace the pickup John try reducing the volume a bit. I have to do it on my 50s Classic Vibe for the same reason, and roll it off to between 8 & 9. Ironstone Golds are a very good vintage set for a clean 60s sound. I think they only sell full sets but at £40 for the whole set it's excellent value. Another good brand are Tonerider Surfaris. About twice the price of Ironstone but you may be able to buy singles. The only problem with them is that you may end up with the same problem - many players believe that the CV 50s has the Tonerider set, and I wouldn't disagree with them, even though the pickups are labelled Fender on the bottom. The specifications of both sets are identical, and as I already mentioned I make adjustments for them.

Good luck,

Len

[me-and-my-shadow]

Thanks for getting back to me Len, I own up Ive posed the question on a few forums on various websites, I either get no answer at all or some expensive brand.
I think there is something out of kilter with my bridge pup. 6 to 4 sound absolutely fine, 5 is passable but the top E is excruciating. If I back of the volume the bass response loses something.
Ive changed pups on other of my guitars in the past but this is proving a headache. I use the CV as a back up instrument.
cheers John

[JimN]

Thanks for getting back to me Len, I own up Ive posed the question on a few forums on various websites, I either get no answer at all or some expensive brand.
I think there is something out of kilter with my bridge pup. 6 to 4 sound absolutely fine, 5 is passable but the top E is excruciating. If I back of the volume the bass response loses something.
Ive changed pups on other of my guitars in the past but this is proving a headache. I use the CV as a back up instrument.
cheers John

have you tried a change to a different make of strings?

Which ones are you using?

[me-and-my-shadow]

Hi Jim, Worth a try, I'll let you know. I use Elixir Nanoweb 10-46 BUT I change the top 10 gauge for a 11 or 11.5. No particular make. cheers John Maybe thats the prob ? cheers John

[Uncle Fiesta]

Have you tried lowering the pickup heights? I do this on all my Strats and it certainly makes a difference.

(Having said that I've tried both Ironstone Golds and Tonerider Surfaris and didn't like either of them!)

[RogerCook]

Unless it's been rewired, I don't think the tone control operates on the bridge pickup. Wiring mod details here: https://sixstringsupplies.co.uk/pages/s ... rol-wiring

[Uncle Fiesta]

... I don't think the tone control operates on the bridge pickup ...

The one on the amplifier does though.