99 hardtail sounds bad

Anyone have a 99 Am strat? I just can't seem to get this thing to sound good. Its got the worst pickups I've ever heard. My MIM sounds better. They just sound lifeless. I don't know what the stock pickups are but mine are bad.
I was hoping to keep it stock as hardtails aren't around anymore but its just the last guitar I want to pick up. My wife bought it for me for my first fathers day present so its never leaving. I guess I need to swap out the pups.
Anyone have one that sounds good?

I don't know what pups were stock in your 99, But I put BL Keystones in my Pine Hardtail and they sound great. Great price, too. under $90 for a complete set

I don't know what pups were stock in your 99, But I put BL Keystones in my Pine Hardtail and they sound great. Great price, too. under $90 for a complete set

I can't find a definative anser either as to what kind of pups they are. I just can't believe how dead they sound. I tried everything, height adjustments etc but I just can't make them sound good.

My impression is that the 1999 Am Se hardtail would have the same pups as a trem 99 Am Se, but I can't say for sure. Those pups aren't my favorites, exactly. If you have enough guitars to take both the hardtail and your MIM out of commission, try those MIM pups in there, and see what happens.

I'm glad to hear the S-Stone Keystones are great in a hardtail. But I've already bought a set of G + L Legacy Alnico Vs to put in my alder hardtail strat build, and I'm expecting great results also, $ 149 versus your $ 90. Might get some anyway, not getting maximum joy from the Tex-Mexs in the Jimmie Vaughan.


Bubbanov

On Strats pickup height is critical because of the magnetic pull on the strings from three pickups. It takes a lot of adjustment before you get it right. Sometimes it's just frustrating, even when you know you have a really good set of pickups. It sucks when the pickups are crappy.

I've had the best results with Chandler Super 60s, but I also like the Fender 57-62 set.

My impression is that the 1999 Am Se hardtail would have the same pups as a trem 99 Am Se, but I can't say for sure. Those pups aren't my favorites, exactly. If you have enough guitars to take both the hardtail and your MIM out of commission, try those MIM pups in there, and see what happens.

I'm glad to hear the S-Stone Keystones are great in a hardtail. But I've already bought a set of G + L Legacy Alnico Vs to put in my alder hardtail strat build, and I'm expecting great results also, $ 149 versus your $ 90. Might get some anyway, not getting maximum joy from the Tex-Mexs in the Jimmie Vaughan.


Bubbanov

Its funny how good the MIM's sound. They are typical bar magnet pups but for some reason they are awesome. I've tried every height imaginable on that hardtail. Nothing works. I have some guitars with Duncan Humbuckers in and my one tele has a broadcaster. They sound great.

How do you like the neck on your Jimmie Vaughan Bubbanov? I have been so close to buying one but I don't have any in my area to try. I'd have to order it and hope I like the neck. I really want a strat with a tinted neck and it seems the only ones have V profiles.

I seem to be able to play any profile neck as long as it is larger than an Am Se or Am Deluxe neck. I like the soft V of the Jimmie Vaughan a lot, its my favorite part of this model guitar. I also like the fact that the Jimmie Vaughan is loaded with all the better components, the gotoh tuners, the best steel block short of custom shop that Fender offers, great Oly White with single ply white. Just the pickups leave me wanting more, oh and I'm adding the 6 hardened steel screws for the bridge plate from Bill Callaham.
I can't predict if you will take to the Jimmie Vaughan neck. It is quite similar to the Classic Player 50's Strat neck. It has a 9.5 radius, conventional frets. It does alter the way I play as compared to a '69 Thinline with its shouldered shape, but I just go with the flow, as long as I have some substance to hang on to, I'll find a way.


Bubbanov

If the guitar sounds THAT bad, I wouldn't waste time changing p'ups. In my experience, some guitars just don't have it going in and no amount of pickup swapping is going to help. I would tak esome of the other's suggestions and try setting your pickup heights differently.

On another note, it may seem strange but, I find that most MIM's blow away MIA Strats when played alone at living room volume. But for some unknown reason, the very same "qualities" that make the MIM's sound better alone, also make them less desirable in a band situation. I don't know why this is but it holds true for most guitars I've played.

Not knowing what your current playing situation is, it's hard to know why your hardtail might not sound as good as your MIM. Very often, the guitars that sound best alone often sound worst in the context of a band. Just another possibility.

My latest discovery:
Hot, overwound pickups far away from the strings.
I've got some GFS Vintage Alnico Hot Something-or Others, and they are SO TASTY when almost flush with the pickguard.

If the guitar sounds THAT bad, I wouldn't waste time changing p'ups. In my experience, some guitars just don't have it going in and no amount of pickup swapping is going to help. I would tak esome of the other's suggestions and try setting your pickup heights differently.

On another note, it may seem strange but, I find that most MIM's blow away MIA Strats when played alone at living room volume. But for some unknown reason, the very same "qualities" that make the MIM's sound better alone, also make them less desirable in a band situation. I don't know why this is but it holds true for most guitars I've played.

Not knowing what your current playing situation is, it's hard to know why your hardtail might not sound as good as your MIM. Very often, the guitars that sound best alone often sound worst in the context of a band. Just another possibility.


I'm playing them in my living room as my band days are over. Interesting observation thoough. I really can't give up on this guitar. It was my first fathers day present from my wife after the birth of our daughter. It really means allot to me. Thats why I want to make it my #1. I have to try the pup swap.

As to what Charlie said I was considering GFS pups. There single coils get good review. I was thinking maybe there Premium Texas strat set. Anyone have these?

I have a 2000 MIA hardtail, I never thought the pickups sounded really bad. Not sure if there would be a difference in just one year...sorry to hear about the problems. As for the GFS pickups, installed a set of 'buckers in a friends Gibby SG, he loves them. They seem to get really good reviews and you can't beat the prices...

If the body resonates and plays well unplugged then its the pickups. The pickups should reproduce that unplugged tone while adding a little bit of color. Since the guitar is a keeper, put in some top quality pickups and you should be good to go.

If you're playing the guitar at home without all the pressures of blending a sound into a live band situation, I can't imagine you're not being able to adjust your pickup heights and amp tone to the point where you're getting a great sound.

Before you go out and spend the money on new pickups I would suggest a simple test.

Pull the complete pickguard assembly off of your MIM Strat and put it on you hardtail. All you have to do is solder the two wires at the input jack. If you notice a big change in sound, (doubtful), then go ahead and try new pickups.

In my experience, a guitar has a "voice" (nothing to do it's acoustic properties) The pickups simply detect and amplify that voice. Billy Joel still sounds just like Billy Joel regardless of what microphone he's singing through. Sure, different mics will have subtle nuances it the way they reproduce the sound, but a different mic isn't going to make Billy Joel sound like Sammy Hagar. Same goes for pickups. Either the guitar has a good voice or it doesn't and just like a great microphone will do nothing to enhance a poor singing voice, a pickup swap usually does little to help a guitar that doesn't sound at least "very good" to begin with.

I have a 1998 AM Hardtail Strat. The pups in her were OK but I didn't like the noise so I swapped 'em for a set of Hot Noisless. Sounds great IMHO,
'specially when you crank 'er.

As someone mentioned already, you really gotta drive those axes to get 'em to perform.

If the body resonates and plays well unplugged then its the pickups. The pickups should reproduce that unplugged tone while adding a little bit of color. Since the guitar is a keeper, put in some top quality pickups and you should be good to go.

The guitar does resonate well unplugged which makes me know I can make it a keeper. I don't expect it to sound exactly like my trem strats do to the hardtail. I've treid everything pickup hight wise. I can get good distorted sounds It just doesn't sound good clean. I'll decide on a set of pups and let you know what happens.

See if you can swap out the saddles for Callaham stainless steel! I swapped the saddles and kept the pups and now I love my Am series 2001. The stock saddles are cast metal, and like the poster said above, your pups are simply letting you hear the tonal qualities of your setup. Plus, the saddles swap is cheap and you WONT regret it even if you swap pups too.

PK

See if you can swap out the saddles for Callaham stainless steel! I swapped the saddles and kept the pups and now I love my Am series 2001. The stock saddles are cast metal, and like the poster said above, your pups are simply letting you hear the tonal qualities of your setup. Plus, the saddles swap is cheap and you WONT regret it even if you swap pups too.

PK

Thats a great idea! That will be my first move, never thought of that. They are cast metal. Thanks alot!