Need some recommendations

[_tom_]

So, after emailing some luthiers on the board, I decided getting a custom guitar is too expensive for me and I will probably just be too scared to bash it around or anything  :lol: So, I think I've decided on going back to the idea of pimping out my strat  :P I just sanded all the gloss finish off the back of the neck and wow it plays so smooth now! I need some recommendations on the following:

1-An oil or something to stop moisture getting into the unfininished neck. I want a smooth satin finish, like bare wood if you know what I mean? So I cant tell its even there..

2-Locking tuners. I need 6 in-line, but whats the difference between left hand and right hand? I have a regular headstock, with the tuners the "normal" way. Also, what brand and ratio is best?

3-Bridge.  At the minute I have a no-name, 6 screw pivot "normal" strat trem. I hear Wilkinson (which is now Gotoh?) ones are really good. Which model do I need that can drop straight in? Any other brands you'd recommend for not too much cash

I think thats all for now, any more questions I'll post em up!

Cheers!

[HJM]

Get some gun stock oil (Tru-Oil)..feels really nice!

[Peterku]

3-Bridge.  At the minute I have a no-name, 6 screw pivot "normal" strat trem. I hear Wilkinson (which is now Gotoh?) ones are really good. Which model do I need that can drop straight in? Any other brands you'd recommend for not too much cash

I have a Wilkinson/Gotoh VSVG. It's a modern vintage trem with locking saddles, precise intonation possibilities, much better tuning stability, a huge sustain block with scattered string holes (see pics). It has wide screw holes so that it can be used on any Strat.

I bought it here: http://www.stewmac.com/shop/Bridges,_tailpieces/Electric_guitar_tremolos/Wilkinson_Gotoh_VSVG_Vintage_Tremolo.html

Here are two pics of my Strat-copy with the VSVG installed:

[_tom_]

Get some gun stock oil (Tru-Oil)..feels really nice!

where can I get that from? Somewhere cheap online maybe? It wont stain the wood atall will it? And do oil finishes feel greasy for a few days or what?

Peterku, I think I might get one of those bridges, do you recommend it then?

The tuner question still needs answering  :lol:

[Peterku]

Peterku, I think I might get one of those bridges, do you recommend it then?

The tuner question still needs answering  :lol:

Yes, I recommend it. It's a very thoughtful design and good quality product.

For tuners, I use Planet Waves Autotrim Tuners on my electrics and my acoustic, too. I'm lazy when it comes to changing strings, and this thing cuts the excess strings off by itself. :lol: No tools needed for string change. The 18:1 gear ratio's just fine.

[PhilKing]

If you have a regular strat you need 6 left hand tuners.  Right hand are for reverse headstocks or left-handed guitars.

I would go with Sperzels if you can afford them (about $60 a set at StewMac's), or Gotoh if you can't.  This is my own preference.  Schallers seem about the same price as Sperzels, and they aren't as good.

The other great thing about the Sperzels is that they are graduated so you don't need string trees.

[TwilightOdyssey]

LOTS of great info, guys!! Very interesting read.

[jt]

:D Hi Tom you havn`t stated what type of music you play ?
i second the Wilkinson Trem units there great. The Sperzels are the way i`d go as well.

 :D  8)

[indysmith]

Can someone tell me what that wire soldered to the claw inside the trem cavity is doing? and what its for? I saw it in my 'tar yesterday and i was so confused! sorry for my un-knowingness

[lepersmeesa]

I thınk ıts for groundıng the pıckups or the guıtar.

[HJM]

http://www.targetsports.co.uk/index.php?cPath=43_127

They tru-oil

[PhilKing]

Can someone tell me what that wire soldered to the claw inside the trem cavity is doing? and what its for? I saw it in my 'tar yesterday and i was so confused! sorry for my un-knowingness

It is the grounding wire.  It helps to stop hum, and stops you grounding the guitar yourself.  If the guitar hums less when you touch the strings or bridge, to when it is just plugged in, then usually there is a problem with the grounding.

[Ratrod]

If you have a regular strat you need 6 left hand tuners.  Right hand are for reverse headstocks or left-handed guitars.

I would go with Sperzels if you can afford them (about $60 a set at StewMac's), or Gotoh if you can't.  This is my own preference.  Schallers seem about the same price as Sperzels, and they aren't as good.

The other great thing about the Sperzels is that they are graduated so you don't need string trees.

+1 on the Sperzels. I have 'em on my Reverend. But I think you will need a string tree for the B and E strings.

[_tom_]

Thanks for all the help! I went into the gun type shop thing here and asked for tru-oil or similar, they didnt have any but they had this "Wood Finishing Kit" for about £6 so I bought that, comes with some sanding paddy type things and a bottle of Wood Oil. Anyway I used the sanding pad things to get the wood really smooth then just applied some Wood Oil and rubbed it in. Works a treat, neck and headstock are so smooth and nice now  :D

As for the music I play, this guitar will be used mostly for metal type stuff, I have the Mule loaded LP for rock :)

So you think that Sperzel tuners, and Wilkinson/Gotoh bridge is the way to go? At least choosing parts isnt as hard as choosing which BKP's to go with  :lol:

Are you sure its left hand tuners I need? In this pic it has the tuners the same way mine are, and the description says they are right hand http://www.axesrus.com/axemachine_files/klue011.jpg . Oh and another thing, Axesrus dont say which hole size the Sperzels will fit in  :?

[Peterku]

Axesrus dont say which hole size the Sperzels will fit in

http://www.stewmac.com/shop/Tuners/Guitar,_solid_peghead/Sperzel_Tuners.html
These Sperzels need 10 mm pegholes, if that helps.