[Attakk]

Hey,

Is it possible to pull off artificial harmonics on this guitar? I've been told you need really good pickups like high-end guitars have. I'm basically trying to pull something like Zakk Wylde (hah) and while I checked out youtube videos and the whole "pick and thumb behind it" strum I still can't get it.

[allthumbs]

I would think so. When I used to play with a pick, I could do them on my old beater guitar. You might need to have fancier gear for the harmonic gymnastics of Zak but, ZZ Top type stuff is do able.

[GT]

Yes you can do pinched or artifiacial harmonics. I have an Squier Strat, a blue damaged one as my main guitar now and i swear i can do those tricks . Check out my covers on soundclick.com . Something no one´s gonna tell you to rip those harms is you need to raise the treble, low the mids and lows (wisely), and raise the compressor and distortion to a HIGH level for that goal. Use high gauge strings on the low E A and D. The pickups Zakk uses are ACTIVE pickups.... lets just say, somehow is cheating, is similar to have a pickup with steroids but it screw your tone so bad. Thats why he pull out so easy those harmonics. If you can buy a Dimarzio HS-3 on the Bridge position and i swear that´s all what you could possibly need to achieve, not only good harms but a great tone. Dont trust me? Eric Johnson uses those on a Strat and he creates INCREDIBLE artificial / taped and natural harmonics with that pickup. But, anyway, yea, you need to practice a lot more the pinched harmonics on your Squier. Trust me, you can!

[LightninBoy]

Your guitar is fine, in fact, theres not a lot of difference between a Squier and a Strat.
Make sure you have good strings. This will help more than anything else.
Old strings can be a problem.
Whack on a new set, especially if you still have the ones that came with the guitar.
Also, don't use the neck p/up, try the middle, or 4/5, or the bridge.