So this is a mid-90's American Stratocaster that I decided to make build log of. First the axe itself.
It is is great condition for an axe of 21 years old considering a lot of the mid 90's strats get trashed. This one does not even have the amount of sand ringlets in it that I would have expected. It is actually, aesthetically, in better condition than I would have wanted. I Think all strats should look like they have been played for years on end.
This one is starting the classic neck chipping one finds on older maple necks.
I tend to play with large gauge strings, Typically .12-.56. This is the standard trem block spring config for MIM and MIA strats.
I have pretty good hands, so I am able to work with these with no tools, but I would advise most anyone else to use pliers to fix these to the claw. First we have to make all the original springs straight to accommodate the new ones.
now, we wrestle the new springs into place.
Then, return the rear cover to the back with the six (very rusted) screws.
I am not a fan of all this 3-ply white plastic, so I will likely change it to 3-ply black while leaving the white Pickup covers. I am not sure it I will change knob covers or not. more to come!
Edi: trying to get links to work
Edit 2: I forgot to mention, adding 2 more springs usually achieves what is called "Decking" This pulls the bridge down flat against the body. It allows for more tuning stability at the cost of not being able to "pitch up" on the bar. However, it can still be used to "Dive" as opposed to "blocking" off the trem, which will not allow motion of the bridge either way.
Holy fuck, you are the first guy I know that uses 5 springs on their bridge...
Looking cool! Keep it up. I've been more of a Telecaster/Jazzmaster guy myself, but Strats are cool. By the way, that guitar is as old as I am hahaha
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Wow, I have been playing guitar your entire life. I was 11 in 95, and that is when I started playing.
Love the Teles, but I already have two.
So, I Decided to work on the Strat more today.
All Passive single coil pickups, with the exception of Fenders "noiseless",suffer from what is known as 60 cycle hum. Fender started to reverse wind the middle pickup to deal with this, however, the hum still persists when the 5-way toggle in positions, 1, 3 and 5. To counter this, we are going to build what equates to a Faraday cage inside the swimming pool cavity. Some people do not like the swimming pool cavity design, some do. In this case it makes the job easier. We use some aluminum tape to coat the entire cavity. This creates the shielding we want. ( (I was too lazy to pull the strings off.)
Not shown is the back of the pickguard which also has the tape on it from the factory.
Edit: Trying to get links to work
At this time, I had the idea to paint the pickgaurd from white to black. However, I used plastidip to see how it would come out. I was not happy with the results, so I never reassembled. The result was a very satin smooth finish that I immediately decided was a bad fit for the strat. I will likely swirl dip it when I get the things together.
bye until then!
Damn it. just found out that 4 of the six bridge saddled are rusted solid AND stripped. Not even a 50/50 mix of acetone and transmission fluid will free them, and wrenching on the exposed thread side will create another problem. Tried a small torch to try and break them free, but I am not sure of the heat tolerance of those saddles, it is not like they are brake drums. I am not surprised at this as I know a LOT of guitarists fail to oil their hardware, ESPECIALLY if they do not play often. The way these are set, leads me to believe that They were set up once and then forgotten about until I had to come along with my preference towards massive strings.
Now I have some options, Let me know what you think.
Option 1: New Aftermarket saddles- This is the cheapest fix for the problem, however, it presents some issues, The replacements may be lesser quality than American standard strats come with. On the other hand, They can also be better.
Option 2: Direct Replacement saddles- More expensive than many of the aftermarket saddles, but are the same saddles currently used with no drop in quality. But there is NO chance they will be any better.
Option 3: New Bridge: This is, by many orders of magnitude, more expensive than saddles alone. It will include saddles, Trem block, springs, arm, claw and in the case of the L.R. Baggs bridge, a Peizo electric pickup that turns the strat into a very nice sounding Amplified acoustic guitar whist also retaining the stock strat sound.
I can also get it in gold which it awesome.
Tell me what you guys think! Until next time!
So, it has been a bit since I posted to this log. But there we go
1) Pickup mounting tubes installed
2) Old Fender Tuners removed and New Fender Schaller tuners installed.
3) a bit of sharpie fun
Edit: trying to get links to work
The photos/links appear broken atm.
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@ProSonicLive come back bro.
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I settled on a 3-ply black pickgaurd.
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