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The Pickup Place / Re: Squier Mustang Classic Vibe 60s – Pickup Advice Needed

« Last post by darkbluemurder on June 04, 2025, 03:15:11 AM »

This is a great way to personalize the instrument - congrats!

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The Pickup Place / Re: Squier Mustang Classic Vibe 60s – Pickup Advice Needed

« Last post by Lelik on June 03, 2025, 09:17:37 AM »

Due to various circumstances, my plans have completely changed.
However, this research turned out to be quite useful in the end, and I applied it to a Jaguar I recently picked up (a Squier Affinity Jaguar). It's a budget instrument, but surprisingly solid!

After some experimenting, I found a tone I really like by mimicking a humbucker-style sound. To achieve this, I added two 680 pF capacitors in parallel with the pickup—effectively creating a 1.36 nF cap in parallel with the single coil. This helped smooth out some of the highs and gave the tone a fuller, more humbucker-like character.

In addition to that, I incorporated some more unconventional wiring. I added a switch position that engages a 20 nF capacitor in series with a 6.8k resistor and a 3.3H inductor, all connected to ground. This circuit subtly shifts the tonal balance and does a nice job of simulating the character of a neck pickup.

Thanks to everyone who offered advice and suggestions throughout the process!

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Everything you wanted to know about .... / Re: Virtual Vintage Heavy Blues 2 (DP 409)

« Last post by mookyshoots on May 28, 2025, 03:08:05 PM »

I’m getting ready to wire up a HB2 in the bridge of my Charvel DK22 with Area 67 in the middle and a Virtual 54 Pro in the neck. I’m hoping this really improves things as that guitar currently has EMG SLV/SA/SA in it.

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The Pickup Place / Re: Squier Mustang Classic Vibe 60s – Pickup Advice Needed

« Last post by gregr on May 21, 2025, 11:36:13 AM »

Maybe this will help:

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The Pickup Place / Re: Squier Mustang Classic Vibe 60s – Pickup Advice Needed

« Last post by darkbluemurder on May 21, 2025, 08:28:56 AM »

in that case that would be the equivalent to 115k/7.8n.

The math is more complicated than that.

If the filters are in series, yes. My math assumed (probably incorrectly) that they were in parallel.

Cheers Stephan

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The Pickup Place / Re: EC preamp with Areas

« Last post by LPBII on May 20, 2025, 11:49:14 AM »

Well, I played that strat through a high gain amp with out too much gain dialed in. Never mind. Carry on. LOL

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The Pickup Place / Re: Squier Mustang Classic Vibe 60s – Pickup Advice Needed

« Last post by gregr on May 20, 2025, 11:27:35 AM »

in that case that would be the equivalent to 115k/7.8n.

The math is more complicated than that.

it would limit the operation of the tone control

This.

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The Pickup Place / Re: Squier Mustang Classic Vibe 60s – Pickup Advice Needed

« Last post by darkbluemurder on May 20, 2025, 03:59:42 AM »

In a strat I’ll use a 5-way super switch and add up to two capacitor/resistor pairs to position 1 in addition to a tone control. The last vintage output strat I did has a Lace Sensor Hot Gold Neck in the bridge with 6.8n/270k, 1n/200k,

Are you saying that you put both combinations from hot to ground? in that case that would be the equivalent to 115k/7.8n.

and 33n on a 250k tone control with a 47k series resistor, also dedicated to position 1.

Are you saying that the 47k series resistor is between the switch #1 connection and the volume control, or is it between the tone cap and ground? In the first scenario it would be permanently in the signal way once the switch is set to #1 and thus reduce highs. In the second scenario it would limit the operation of the tone control so I guess you described the first scenario.

Cheers Stephan

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The Pickup Place / Re: Squier Mustang Classic Vibe 60s – Pickup Advice Needed

« Last post by gregr on May 16, 2025, 12:38:29 PM »

PS: I found a b-stock "Vintage Blues", and I ordered it...

It’s my favorite stacked vintage output pickup for the bridge position, though you’ll probably want to come up with a scheme to reduce the top-end chime for distorted applications.

In a strat I’ll use a 5-way super switch and add up to two capacitor/resistor pairs in addition to a tone control in order to manage the top end of a vintage output bridge pickup when it’s being used by itself. The last vintage output strat I did has a Lace Sensor Hot Gold Neck in the bridge with 6.8n/270k, 1n/200k, and 33n on a 250k tone control with a 47k series resistor, also dedicated to position 1. This smoothed out the top end nicely without any pronounced resonances. Position 1 is primarily used for dirty tones but it still sounds good with clean tones though all the chime is virtually eliminated.

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The Pickup Place / Re: Squier Mustang Classic Vibe 60s – Pickup Advice Needed

« Last post by Lelik on May 16, 2025, 01:33:51 AM »

I would also take a look at the Virtual Vintage Blues. The Alnico 5 magnets provide more dynamic range and punch while also allowing for a less aggressive wind to provide a sparkly top end compared to the Injector Neck and HB2.

However…

Seeing that you raised a concern about brightness, the HB2 might be the best choice, or perhaps even the Virtual Solo which also has the performance benefits of Alnico 5 stated earlier.

I hate you!
You’ve just introduced a whole new variable I hadn’t even considered — the Alnico type — and now I have even more pickups to think about!

Joking aside, thank you so much for the interesting and helpful information.

Now I’m wondering if the character I love in the current single coil on my Mustang actually comes from its Alnico V magnet. I do worry about harsh highs, but I think I could manage them with the treble knob — or maybe by adding a capacitor/resistor if needed.

I’ll definitely keep the “Vintage Blues” pickup on my radar as well!


PS: I found a b-stock "Vintage Blues", and I ordered it...