Author Topic: Strat upgrade (Read 6582 times)

Gary · « **on:** December 27, 2005, 11:38:06 PM »

I posted a similar thread to this some time ago but I've got some money put aside and it's decision time.

Here's the Squier Strat I want to upgrade. I need to use it as a back up to my main guitar (US Strat fitted with Apaches) as well as to get some humbucking sounds. The material I'm doing is rock/ pop covers - Sheryl Crow, Blondie, No Doubt etc.

I've got about £250 to spend (give or take a little) and was hoping to achieve the following:

New nut (I think it needs either a new one or a re cut so I've got to allow for this)
3 ply parchment scratch plate plus new knobs and electrics
Abraxas bridge humbucker
Replace the neck and middle with the stock pickups that came out of my US Strat (I can't justify the expense of three new pickups)

I won't be able to get it to Feline until around the end of January so I thought I'd throw it open to alternative suggestions while I'm waiting.

I also thought I'd splash out on a new strap once I'd got the work done so any suggestions on that front would also be welcome.

TwilightOdyssey · « **Reply #1 on:** December 27, 2005, 11:40:40 PM »

Put a HB in the bridge. PDT_008

Gary · « **Reply #2 on:** December 27, 2005, 11:53:51 PM »

Quote from: TwilightOdyssey

Put a HB in the bridge. PDT_008

That's where I was planning to put the Abraxas

jt · « **Reply #3 on:** December 28, 2005, 12:41:43 AM »

:D If your going to put a new nut on i asume that it still has one of those horrible plastic things, then i would suggest a Bone nut. I think a well cut bone nut helps the sound espiecially on strats no end. Yes i have one fitted to my Strat.

As for the P/U the only problem is that the BK will help show up the Fender P/U`s !!

I would also suggest getting all of the electrics replaced as the ones in Squires are S**t !! including Tone/Volume pots

:D 8)

TwilightOdyssey · « **Reply #4 on:** December 28, 2005, 01:09:14 PM »

I have a bone nut on my strat ... I honestly can't say how much, if any, improvement it's given, other than I can now say that the guitar has a bone nut!

jt · « **Reply #5 on:** December 28, 2005, 03:40:00 PM »

:D To my ears i noticed that the strings sounded clearer there was more definition of the notes acoustically & amplified. i also found the bone nut to have held tune better than a plastic one.

:D 8)

5F6-A · « **Reply #6 on:** December 28, 2005, 04:06:01 PM »

callaham trem block!!!!!!

FELINEGUITARS · « **Reply #7 on:** December 28, 2005, 09:04:24 PM »

I would probably vote for 3 new pots (£12) , new switch (£12) and jack(£3)

As far as nut goes - either bone Tusq or Graphtech (usual cost fitted & adjusted= £30)
I rather like the Graphtech bridge saddles as well (£26)

I'm away at the Namm show in LA 11th -27th Jan but Chris will be holding the fort while I'm away (ok - will be sitting on a beach enjoying some sunshine I hope as well)

Will be back in the workshop for sure on the Sat 28th jan

Gary · « **Reply #8 on:** December 28, 2005, 11:40:28 PM »

I can understand saddles having an efect on your tone but (excuse my ignorance) how can the nut have an effect on a fretted note? I'm not disagreeing, just curious.

38thBeatle · « **Reply #9 on:** December 29, 2005, 07:46:15 AM »

That is a question that I thought of too Gary. Years ago my bother put a brass nut on a bass with the theory that it would increase sustain. I could not see that there would be any difference given that the pups are driven by the vibrating lenght of string. Like you I'd be curious to see others points of view.

R/2e · « **Reply #10 on:** December 29, 2005, 04:18:33 PM »

I quite agree. Obviously a nut can do little for the tone of anything other than open strings, where you score with a bone, Graphtech or Tusk nut is they are both harder and slippier than plastic, this means the strings are less likely to hang up in the slot when bending or using the trem.

Going back to the original question, if you can squeeze the money out of your budget for a fret dress and decent setup, that would make a lot of difference to the feel and playability of the guitar.

Gary · « **Reply #11 on:** December 29, 2005, 05:15:39 PM »

Quote from: R/2e

where you score with a bone, Graphtech or Tusk nut is they are both harder and slippier than plastic, this means the strings are less likely to hang up in the slot when bending or using the trem.

That makes a lot more sense to me. I like the idea of a fret dress as well so it'll go on my wish list for when I go to see Jonathan.

Still waiting for ideas on a suitable strap.

_tom_ · « **Reply #12 on:** December 29, 2005, 05:49:10 PM »

For straps I never had a problem with the regular Ernie Ball polywebs! I guess any normal leather one is nicer though.

big steve · « **Reply #13 on:** December 29, 2005, 06:20:31 PM »

i have a "fort bryan" strap that i got for a fiver ages ago. haven't had any problems with it.

tewboss · « **Reply #14 on:** December 29, 2005, 06:49:33 PM »

I like my Levys straps. I've got a black leather one for my PRS SE and a nice brown suede one for my Aria. The leather one is really well padded and very comfortable. I guess the only reason for my buying one is if you are vegetarian or vegan!