Just like having NGD

[38thBeatle]

My Strat has been to the guitar Doctor, a.k.a. Jonathan at Feline Guitars where she has undergone a re-fret,  a set of replacement saddles, a new nut and a general set up. Thanks to Jonathan and Ben she has a new lease of life and I've just got back from a great gig where she has played perfectly. Fantastic workmanship- great stuff Jonathan- thanks very much indeed.I had a great time having a chat and playing through a rather special amp too.

[Philly Q]

You know the rules... pics or it doesn't etc. 

[AndyR]

Yeah, pics... :D

Which strat? Was it just fret replacement or did you change fret wire?

[Jonny]

Isn't it your #1 Strat in your pic, Mr. 38th?

[Philly Q]

I may be wrong, but I'm thinking it's the '70s hardtail, not the blue one.

[AndyR]

I'm thinking the same Philly - but let's wait for the man to speak :D

[CaptainDesslock]

my my, don't leave us in the cold now, let us know!

[38thBeatle]

It isn't the blue one in my avatar. As much as I like it, it is not no1. That accolade belongs to the 1970's hardtail Strat that I have been using for many many years.She was showing her age. I'd thought about replacing the saddles but was concerned about fret wear and so I thought I'd ask Jonathan for his opinion and go with whatever he suggested. He suggested a re fret and so that is what happened.Dunlop 6105 and the board being rubbed down plus some Graph tech saddles. I had a gig last night and it was fantastic to have her back with tuning stable-oh and a set of Feline strings too. Pics? Well I guess I can do that when I get a moment but by the time I do you'd have all forgotten all about it.

[FELINEGUITARS]

After some discussion we went with DUNLOP 6150 (not 6105) as it is the same height as classic Fender wire but is 25% wider (fret tops measure 0.042" tall by 0.102" wide for techy types) - a nice touch on an old strat - gives a comfy feel between Fender and Gibson without taking away from that Vintage guitar vibe .

We did a careful leveling of the wood before reinstalling frets - as the wear and tear in the old frets and much playing had left the fingerboard a bit pitted from finger/fingernail contact. Had to be careful as it is one of the thin laminate boards - typical of CBS era Fender.

We were aiming to improve the playability , lose the rattles and choking without changing the vibe and feel of the guitar (although the feel may be better than it was)  as Steve had played this guitar for many years and certainly wanted to keep the connection that had made this guitar his number one axe for all these years.

We had some great fun running it through the new HTH amps 10w SE "super-Marshall"
Am liking that amp more and more by he day - the ability to go from a punchy JTM45/plexi to a hot rodded 80s sound is just great and certainly suits me  down to the ground.
Will do a video clip soon I promise!

[38thBeatle]

Sorry I seem to have my "number dyslexia thing going there that affects me on a Sunday. That amp-well what can I say except...great! I could have spent all day playing through that. I was hoping Jonathan could expand upon my rather shallow comments.

[AndyR]

Sounds good (fret-job and amp) :D

[Twinfan]

Nice one!

I'd just like to say that I tip my hat to you Steve.  If you don't mind me saying, you've not got the flashest gear out there but you get the best out of what you have.  You're out gigging very regularly and just get on with it.  No fuss, no drama, no must-have-this etc.  Unlike me  :oops:

Enjoy the 'new' Strat, and I hope I can turn over a new leaf and not be so anal about my gear!

[FELINEGUITARS]

Nice one!

I'd just like to say that I tip my hat to you Steve.  If you don't mind me saying, you've not got the flashest gear out there but you get the best out of what you have. 
You're out gigging very regularly and just get on with it.  No fuss, no drama, no must-have-this etc.  Unlike me  :oops:

Enjoy the 'new' Strat, and I hope I can turn over a new leaf and not be so anal about my gear!

Yes - Steve was able to survive being in my workshop around loads of custom built axes and work in progress and not walk out with more than he had bargained for ....... able to resist temptation  (unless my HTH amp had been for sale!)

[Ian Price]

Enjoy the 'new' Strat, and I hope I can turn over a new leaf and not be so anal about my gear!

Me too. I fear that I am in danger of slipping into the 'all the gear but no idea category'.

I soooo want a strat in my arsenal again, this thread hasn't helped that. I've even considered learning about how guitars are made and experimenting with a chunk of wood. Not sure I've got the patience or time to do it though (or the tools).

[38thBeatle]

Thanks for the comments Dave but you have me blushing.

I had the chance to play a couple of Jonathan's guitars-the craftsmanship is superb, the feel spot on and the tone sublime. I was telling Mrs 38th and said "You know Mrs 38th, I'd love to get myself a custom guitar one of these days" and she was quite encouraging. I am giving it some serious thought.
Meanwhile, I was gigging Saturday night and was having a good time and in my head I was giving thanks to Jonathan and Ben for their craftsmanship. I am pleased that I had the good sense to seek Jonathan's advice and to act upon it. It was also great to have a chat.
As for HTH's amp-well that was marvellous and I was smiling to myself at the fun I had playing through it. I was having a sausage finger day but even so, the amp flattered my playing. Jonathan and I were thinking that it is the sort of amp that needs no effects in front of it except perhaps for a nice warm buttery tremolo.
Anyways for the "pics or it didn't happen" brigade I have(hopefully) uploaded some.