Any Fender Guitar Tech's out there?

I had a question about replacing pickups in a Strat. I have a late-90's Deluxe Strat and although I love the sound, I've always owned guitars with at least one humbucker in the bridge position. I noticed that although it's currently three single coil pickups in the guitar, the body looks like it's been cut to hold a humbucker too. So my question is twofold. 1. Does Fender always cut their bodies like that? If so, are there any forseeable problems by replacing the single coil with a humbucker and 2. Does anyone know of any sites that I can pick up a pickguard for a humbucker with two single coils that will fit a Deluxe Strat? Any help will be appreciated.

1. They don't rout every body like that, but probaly quite a few because they have some many models with humbuckers now
2. http://www.warmoth.com , has a good selection of pickguards with all the p/u combinations, most of the part suppliers have them, you could search around and find something really exotic...

Any foreseeable problems, No, not if you are careful, follow the pickup manufacturers directions, and do a good soldering job on your connections, you should be OK, if you have any problems, just post again, but this really is pretty straight forward and should work out fine, have fun!

that Seymour Duncan little 59ers should go straight in, as will some other famous maker's single coil sized humbuckers.

http://www.christianmusicweb.com/Guitar_wiring.html

and.. I like the IDEA of what the fella here has done, i just hope it wasn't too expensive!

Instead of grounding one of the humbucker coils, its much better to select between series or parallel connection. This gives you very similar sound while retaining the noise-cancelling properties of the humbuckers. This can be done with the same hardware.

Also, I'd recommend lining the control chamber with metal foil, and using that for your ground return instead of the wires. This is described very thoroughly at Guitar Nuts.

Thanks fella's! I've avoided this part of the guitar for too long, so about time I get my feet wet!

Originally posted by Lordathestrings


Also, I'd recommend lining the control chamber with metal foil, and using that for your ground return instead of the wires. This is described very thoroughly at Guitar Nuts.

Yes,indeed.

I think i missed his alternative earthing suggestion as i skimmed through the later part of the site the last time.

Cheers.