GFS Surf 90 pickups

DeadRanchHands

Joined: Apr 15, 2008
Posts: 1281
1 Security Pin

Posted on Jun 30 2010 10:09 AM

tiki101
forgot to mention, the entire build was to use the cool trem i bought from umafloresta.
any excuse...

Ha, that's great. The guitar it used to be in now has white Surf 90s as well.

—

http://www.reverbnation.com/thedeadranchhands

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jZEW74mHjQk

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EricB

Joined: Dec 16, 2007
Posts: 193
Newport, RI

Posted on Jun 30 2010 10:45 AM

This is funny, I was just looking at their website last night for a pickup upgrade for one of my DiPinto Mach IVs. Only thing keeping me from buying a set is that I'd have to route for the neck pickup, and I lack routing skills.

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blackheartsfan

Joined: Jun 13, 2009
Posts: 274

Posted on Jul 01 2010 04:54 PM

I've changed my mind about installing the GFS Surf 90's in the Jagmaster since it required cutting the pickguard. Instead the Surf 90's are going into a Korean-era Squier Strat body that I'm in the process of painting Krylon Coral Mist, once finished I'll post my observations here.

It the interim I purchased a set of Kent Armstrong P-90 Retro-Fit humbuckers which should fit the Jagmaster without needing any modification to the pickguard.

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blackheartsfan

Joined: Jun 13, 2009
Posts: 274

Posted on Jul 01 2010 04:57 PM

Dannylectro, That is a superb job you've done on your guitar. Gorgeous !

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cband

Joined: Sep 16, 2009
Posts: 23
Scottsville, NY
1 Download Pin

Posted on Jul 01 2010 06:25 PM

blackheartsfan
I've changed my mind about installing the GFS Surf 90's in the Jagmaster since it required cutting the pickguard...

It the interim I purchased a set of Kent Armstrong P-90 Retro-Fit humbuckers which should fit the Jagmaster without needing any modification to the pickguard.

Why would you have to cut the pickguard? I thought Guitar Fetish said they were standard humbucker size.

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blackheartsfan

Joined: Jun 13, 2009
Posts: 274

Posted on Jul 01 2010 07:08 PM

The recent production Jagmaster has the rounded style humbucker openings in the pickguard and the GFS Surf 90's are more rectangular in shape. I used my vernier caliper to measure dimensions and it appears I would have to "square" off the humbucker cutouts. The GFS Surf 90's have NO problem fitting into the stock humbucker body rout of either my Strat or Jagmaster (it's just the pickguard with rounded off corners that must be trimmed).

Rather then bugger what is an expensive replacement part ($45-$70 when compared to a Strat pickguard) I figured the Surf 90's would be better off in the Korean-era Strat. Plus there's the added benefit that the Strat is getting a 22 fret rosewood fretboard neck purchased specifically for that project (the Jagmaster only has a 21 fret neck). I do intend on replacing the Jagmaster neck with a 22 fret in the near future if the tone achieved with the Kent Armstrong P-90 Retro-Fit humbuckers meets my expectations.

If I was sure I would be keeping the Jagmaster I would cut the pickguard but swapping pickups is much cheaper then replacing a Jagmaster pickguard. Other then Fender itself there are only two other vendors for Jagmaster pickguards, they're not as plentiful as those for Strats & Teles'. I continue to hope GFS offers some in the future.

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blackheartsfan

Joined: Jun 13, 2009
Posts: 274

Posted on Jul 02 2010 11:01 PM

Tiki101, What size pots and tone caps did you use when installing the Surf 90's ?

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blackheartsfan

Joined: Jun 13, 2009
Posts: 274

Posted on Jul 03 2010 10:31 PM

Tiki101, Thank you very much for taking the time to answer my inquiries. I just ordered the recommended 250 pots and .047 caps from GFS after reading your reply to my PM. I'll post pics of my project upon completion, until then both my lipstick and Surf 90 Strat projects can be seen @ www.institureofnoise.com (the Squier '51 modders site) in the "Modding Other Squiers" forum. The titles to the threads are "Krylon Coral Mist Strat" and "Now using Krylon Blue Ocean Breeze for Strat". Your input will help me complete this project much sooner then expected. Thanks again, Blackheartsfan

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DeadRanchHands

Joined: Apr 15, 2008
Posts: 1281
1 Security Pin

Posted on Jul 17 2010 07:19 PM

—

http://www.reverbnation.com/thedeadranchhands

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jZEW74mHjQk

Top

blackheartsfan

Joined: Jun 13, 2009
Posts: 274

Posted on Jul 18 2010 11:11 PM

Just got my Surf Strat build back today and I love the GFS Surf 90's I had installed. They exhibit a true vintage tone and do not disappoint. I'll be posting pics of the completed guitar in the "Gear" Forum under the existing thread in the next few days.

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DeadRanchHands Joined: Apr 15, 2008 Posts: 1281	Posted on Jun 30 2010 10:09 AM tiki101 forgot to mention, the entire build was to use the cool trem i bought from umafloresta. any excuse... Ha, that's great. The guitar it used to be in now has white Surf 90s as well. — http://www.reverbnation.com/thedeadranchhands http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jZEW74mHjQk Top
EricB Joined: Dec 16, 2007 Posts: 193 Newport, RI	Posted on Jun 30 2010 10:45 AM This is funny, I was just looking at their website last night for a pickup upgrade for one of my DiPinto Mach IVs. Only thing keeping me from buying a set is that I'd have to route for the neck pickup, and I lack routing skills. Top
blackheartsfan Joined: Jun 13, 2009 Posts: 274	Posted on Jul 01 2010 04:54 PM I've changed my mind about installing the GFS Surf 90's in the Jagmaster since it required cutting the pickguard. Instead the Surf 90's are going into a Korean-era Squier Strat body that I'm in the process of painting Krylon Coral Mist, once finished I'll post my observations here. It the interim I purchased a set of Kent Armstrong P-90 Retro-Fit humbuckers which should fit the Jagmaster without needing any modification to the pickguard. Top
blackheartsfan Joined: Jun 13, 2009 Posts: 274	Posted on Jul 01 2010 04:57 PM Dannylectro, That is a superb job you've done on your guitar. Gorgeous ! Top
cband Joined: Sep 16, 2009 Posts: 23 Scottsville, NY	Posted on Jul 01 2010 06:25 PM blackheartsfan I've changed my mind about installing the GFS Surf 90's in the Jagmaster since it required cutting the pickguard... It the interim I purchased a set of Kent Armstrong P-90 Retro-Fit humbuckers which should fit the Jagmaster without needing any modification to the pickguard. Why would you have to cut the pickguard? I thought Guitar Fetish said they were standard humbucker size. Top
blackheartsfan Joined: Jun 13, 2009 Posts: 274	Posted on Jul 01 2010 07:08 PM The recent production Jagmaster has the rounded style humbucker openings in the pickguard and the GFS Surf 90's are more rectangular in shape. I used my vernier caliper to measure dimensions and it appears I would have to "square" off the humbucker cutouts. The GFS Surf 90's have NO problem fitting into the stock humbucker body rout of either my Strat or Jagmaster (it's just the pickguard with rounded off corners that must be trimmed). Rather then bugger what is an expensive replacement part ($45-$70 when compared to a Strat pickguard) I figured the Surf 90's would be better off in the Korean-era Strat. Plus there's the added benefit that the Strat is getting a 22 fret rosewood fretboard neck purchased specifically for that project (the Jagmaster only has a 21 fret neck). I do intend on replacing the Jagmaster neck with a 22 fret in the near future if the tone achieved with the Kent Armstrong P-90 Retro-Fit humbuckers meets my expectations. If I was sure I would be keeping the Jagmaster I would cut the pickguard but swapping pickups is much cheaper then replacing a Jagmaster pickguard. Other then Fender itself there are only two other vendors for Jagmaster pickguards, they're not as plentiful as those for Strats & Teles'. I continue to hope GFS offers some in the future. Top
blackheartsfan Joined: Jun 13, 2009 Posts: 274	Posted on Jul 02 2010 11:01 PM Tiki101, What size pots and tone caps did you use when installing the Surf 90's ? Top
blackheartsfan Joined: Jun 13, 2009 Posts: 274	Posted on Jul 03 2010 10:31 PM Tiki101, Thank you very much for taking the time to answer my inquiries. I just ordered the recommended 250 pots and .047 caps from GFS after reading your reply to my PM. I'll post pics of my project upon completion, until then both my lipstick and Surf 90 Strat projects can be seen @ www.institureofnoise.com (the Squier '51 modders site) in the "Modding Other Squiers" forum. The titles to the threads are "Krylon Coral Mist Strat" and "Now using Krylon Blue Ocean Breeze for Strat". Your input will help me complete this project much sooner then expected. Thanks again, Blackheartsfan Top
DeadRanchHands Joined: Apr 15, 2008 Posts: 1281	Posted on Jul 17 2010 07:19 PM — http://www.reverbnation.com/thedeadranchhands http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jZEW74mHjQk Top
blackheartsfan Joined: Jun 13, 2009 Posts: 274	Posted on Jul 18 2010 11:11 PM Just got my Surf Strat build back today and I love the GFS Surf 90's I had installed. They exhibit a true vintage tone and do not disappoint. I'll be posting pics of the completed guitar in the "Gear" Forum under the existing thread in the next few days. Top

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GFS Surf 90 pickups