Alembic pickups on statocaster

[tdukes]

I have a American Vintage 57 Stratocaster. Can I put the set of Alembic pickups in this without routing any wood? I would like to just replace the whole pickguard assembly and just unsolder in the input jack.
 
Does anyone sell a pickguard already loaded with these pickups for easy installation? From the price listing, it looks like Alembic only sells the pickups.
 
Thanks,
Todd.

[elwoodblue]

todd,
the alembic guts are easy to install,they are a good fit in all my experiences.

[jazzyvee]

Yes I have these pickps installed on a USA Standard strat and no routing at all required. You may want to try this tip I was given by another member here. When you put the battery in. Locate it under the jack plate but turn the jack plate inside out so that it stands proud of the body. That way there is loads of space for the battery and the jack socket to fit.
 
here is a link to the information that i got when I asked a similar question.
 
http://club.alembic.com/Images/394/33040.html?1179948527

[tdukes]

Thanks for the link, it really helped me.
 
Todd.

[frank]

If that strat was built in '57 the only thing you want to do is get it appraised and have it insured!! if it's a re-issue then I would consider putting in Alembic electronics.

[lbpesq]

Frank:
 
In fenderspeak  American Vintage means that's it's new, not vintage.  Go figure.
 
Bill, tgo

[catfish_john]

I have a '54 strat and recently had it fitted with lollar blackface pups and an alembic stratoblaster...I had to make a choice as to whether to route the wood to make a battery change easily accessible or put it under the pick guard which requires removing the strings taking and off the pick guard..I chose to do the routing, ultimately it was a decision between originality vs playabilty...as to its ultimate value, I'll let my heirs worry about that..curious why you are choosing Alembic pups, seems like an entirely different sound from a vintage strat...no question that Alembic's are great pups, just interested in what sound you are looking for...good luck with your project
 
Tom
 
Tom

[jazzyvee]

I dont have any vintage strats but I considered putting the Alembic pickups in my best guitar at the time, a 1992 Strat Ultra but after trying them out I felt more that whilst the Alembics made it sound much cleaner and authoritative in tone, that I really enjoyed the sound of the fender lace sensors. So I made the decision to use the Alembics in the Usa Std Strat which meant I be able to get the sound on a guitar I was less emotionally attached to.
It is I can imagine a hard choice to make about routing out an old master. But if you have no intention of selling then why not go ahead, enjoy your instrument and let whoever you leave it to worry about resale value.
 I chose the advice to invert the jack socket to avoid any routing for the battery and it is much quicker to change if you have questions about the battery status during a gig than having to remove the whole pickguard, detune etc.
 
 
Jazzyvee

[tdukes]

This is a 2005 American Vintage series guitar.
 
I really like the way my strat sounds. Noise is the main issue. I play in my church sanctuary and the dimmers on the lights make the noise louder than the guitar. My solution so far has been to play my Les Paul instead.
 
I may just wait and buy another guitar. I have been wanting a Darling with Cocobolo front and back with a vermillion, ebony and purpleheart neck. Maybe with a little bit larger body like the Mark King guitar that was on ebay a while back.
 
I was going to buy an Alembic last year, but a Bob  Benedetto made Benny became available and I bought that instead. My thought was that he only made 13, when will I have a chance to buy another.
 
Buying the pickups will just delay being able to get the guitar.
 
Todd.

[David Houck]

The Darling project sounds nice!