goodbye poly, goodbye cast saddles

[tomjackson]

I've just upgraded my 1994 USA strat.....

Stripped off the poly finish, resprayed in nitro and swapped the nasty cast saddles for Callaham ones.
Total cost about £80.  The finish is not as smooth as it was but then again it's not 1mm thick and it now has some vibe.  But the main thing is the sound, I've only tried it unplugged but it sounds so much more alive and 'strat like'.
Rounder and more cutting, if that makes sense?

I'm not sure what contributes what to the new sound, probably both the saddles and the new finish, but it's certainly taken the guitar to the next level.  It might sound a daft claim since I've not plugged in, but I mostly play unplugged so my ear is keen to the acoustic vibe of my electrics.

Next will be Mothers Milk and I've vowed not to play it amplified until I get them.

I was going to sell the guitar to get a MIJ or AV, but I'm too attached after 15 years of owning it.  Now I'm really glad I kept it.

I'm also planning a Callaham trem block now I know their stuff is not all hype.....

[Philly Q]

Pics, Tom, pics!  :D

A timely thread, as I've been thinking about changing the saddles on my own American Standard this week.  I'm considering the Callahams, also KTS Titanium and Graph Tech.  The poly finish is staying put though!

[38thBeatle]

Interesting thread Tom, I too am looking at changing the saddles on my 1970's Start. I have to look at what is around.I was looking at those Callaham parts.My Strat is a hardtail ( like yours I think Philly) and a noob question coming up: are the saddles the same as Trem bridge jobbies? It'll be interesting to see what you think after you have replaced the pickups.ckups. Did you change the colour of the guitar Tom. Was the motivation was more tonal than anything else? 

[Philly Q]

noob question coming up: are the saddles the same as Trem bridge jobbies?

Yep.  For your '70s Strat I think you'd need the Callaham "Vintage S Model" saddles for 2-7/32" spacing.

[38thBeatle]

Thanks Philly.

[tomjackson]

Here's some pics.  The Callaham stuff is really well made and highly recommended, but pretty expensive.  I might also consider a replacement block but I think the AM standard block is okay anyway.  I took the opportunity to sand the block completely flat while it was off for a better join.

The colour is the same.  I was going to change it for sunburst but the body wood was pretty shoddy, it has a vineer over about 9 piece alder and I had damaged the vineer when taking the poly off.  Also the fret markers were Olyimpic White so I decided to stick with that colour.  Part of the motivation for stripping the finish was that the guitar looked like it did when I bought it 14 years ago, I wanted the guitar to age and show some battle scars.
After all I look 14 years older so it's only right that my guitar does!

But the main motivation was being stuck in a caravan with my missus and 16 month old with it raining constantly for 1 week.  A few cans of Stella, you find one of those powerfull jet lighters and before you know it your burning off poly like a mad man :shock:

[tomjackson]

Oh, and I'll post some clips when I get the BK's!

I'm wandering whether to stick with the pickguard or go for mint green for a vintage vibe??

[38thBeatle]

Good pics Tom. I would say a mint green 'plate would set that off nicely.

[Philly Q]

The Callahams look neat!  And I notice the grub screws don't stick out to scr@pe your hand.

And I agree, mint green would look good.

[Ted 'N' Leo]

I'm wandering whether to stick with the pickguard or go for mint green for a vintage vibe??

+1

Never been a fan of those toirtoise ones myself.

[FernandoDuarte]

To me it's cool as it is... But perhaps an aged white/cream would be neat!
Don't like very much the grennish ones...