The only Electric guitar I own is a Fender Mexican Strat.

recently, over the passed few months, I've only found myself learning metal-oriented stuff and I was thinking... "What could I do to this guitar to make it sound more metal-ish"

that's where you guys come in... I know nothing about anything about changing pickups, or what pickups I should get, or what the price range is for pickups. My price range is about $50-60, again, I have no idea, maybe this range is only good enough to get my some really crappy pickups, or none at all.

Also if I were to go with what you suggest, for a more metal sound, how would that effect the sound if I would go back and try to play bluesy stuff or Rock? (in case i have a change of heart in what I want to learn after I change pickups )

oh and my guitar is SSH, two single coils and a humbucker near the bridge.

thanks!

-Chris

Try to get a used Seymour Duncan Tb-4 or Tb-5 for your strat. Those humbuckers are very versatile and they will do Metal, rock and even blues in your guitar!

What other gear are you using Chris?
Why not invest the money in a decent 2nd hand FX unit?
For the money it'll be a far better option than replacement Pups! Save a bit more and then think about changing them.

All I can find are new Tb-4 and Tb-5 pickups, which are about $75. Reviews are good for the Tb-4 so maybe that will be an option. I'll look around more.




right now I almost exclusively play through my computer's speakers via a line6 toneport, which came with line6's gearbox software. So I have access to amp models and stuff like that.

Also... If I wanted to replace the single coils with something else to get an improved bluesy rock sound, what would I go with? Is it a good idea to "mix" pickups. That is, would it be a good idea to have a "metal" humbucker and more blues-oriented single coil pickups? is this usually done by other people?

so many questions, I know . thanks for your responses guys.

-Chris

Think more like 300$ for a complete set of new pickups.

You CAN mix bluesy coils with a metal humbucker but you have to match the outputs a little to prevent drastic diffrences in volume (bridge would be louder than neck and middle)

wow, quick response, thanks. sounds like I'll be limiting myself to just changing the humbucker. thanks

My vote for JB humbucker, it's good for everything, and a very common replacement for stock bridge hums.