EMG 81s on Strat?

[dimonedge]

I have had my Strat for about 5 years, and I want to do make some modifications to it. Specifically, I want to install EMG 81 pickups into it. I have never done something like this (though I can solder relatively well), and I wanted to make sure that I can use the EMGs with the Strat, which only has "space" in the pickguard for 3 single coil pickups. While I know that I can just replace the pickguard, I wanted to make sure that the pickups would work with my guitar.

Thanks for any help!

[elicross]

They should work, but you'll need to look under the pickguard to see if the body's routed for humbuckers. Some Strats are only routed for single coils; others are routed so there's room to put in a humbucker, but only at the bridge, others are routed so you could put buckers at the bridge and neck...and still others have a "swimming pool" route, a big rectangular recess where you can put just about any pickup combination.