Is it worth it? (Need some views...)

[ongordon]

Hi guys,

Was looking around for a new guitar recently but it seems i'm not able to find one that i like (maybe i'm kinda picky these days...) ...so an idea striked me and i'm thinking to just make use and bring back a "dead" guitar that had been lying around for sometime.

I have a kinda cheapo Squier California Strat that have been through some kind of abuse... dings and chip here and there.... oxydised bridge... so i'm weighing the choices now, i know the wood and build of a guitar affects the sound in some ways, so if i were to change the electronics (i doubt they can bring me decent sound now as it's all rusty and stuffs) and put on better pickups like SD or Dimarzio... give the fretboard a good oil... change a new pickguard... do you all think it's worth it? Would i be any able to make a good sounding guitar out of this abused axe? Would it be like putting a rose on a pile of dung instead? Or will it be able to give the Squier a push for better tone and sound?

Or should i just forget it and get another axe? I'm thinking of this idea as i think this way i can custom and mod a guitar to my own style! Just like Eddie's Frankenstrat

Thanks!

 

[Jugman]

i think you should do it. but take your time. you can't rush perfection. hehehe
have fun.

 

[Chill]

How do i post

hi, im new. sry. but how do i start postin my own tread.
i wanna start a topic on gettin an a cheap semi acoustic guitars.any reccomendations?

 

[mus]

Chill: Click back. There's a NEW THREAD button. Same position as the POST REPLY button. Click it and you're on your way to posting! Good luck!

ongordon: Patience is a virtue in customising your guitar. All the best & have fun!

 

[JaarVis.]

CUSTOMIZE IT ! really ! u'll have fun at the same time. hahah.

 

[obzervr]

Go For It!!

 

[RyanZ]

Recently, I gave my first guitar a new life. It have been with me for more than 10 years. I would say it is worth the effort. It is like having a new guitar and you will also learn things like refinishing, changing pickups, machine heads etc... So just do it

 

[penguin]

bro whats ur budget?im afraid that moding might cost u more.normally for olg guitar u may need to change the electronics maybe brigde/tuner ...

before u do anything just access the cost first am afaid along the way you decide to abandon it altogether!!!

 

[Godspeed64]

That's what I wanted to do last time.. Never got about doing it..
The thing is.. To do this, you must have a quality guitar to begin with..
Mine wasn't.. The neck was beginning to be screwed so I just bought a new axe.. :mrgreen:

Of course, giving new life to your first guitar will bring back memories!

 

[edder]

ongordon, here's a series of question for you.

1) how much money do you have to blow?
2) are you going to attempt to recoup your losses if the experiment turns awry?
3) how bad is the "bad condition" of the squier? I'm talking about misaligned neck, warped neck, uneven frets, serious bad, not just rusty screws/tarnished fret bad.
4) do you have any idea what is it that you want and why are you modding it for?

IMHO for a beginner, its too early to go "custom this custom that" route cos you're still learning the ropes and learning what is it to like and dislike while you're still learning the chops.

but that said, if you have wads of dollar bills to blow, dive right in cos ultimately its all about the looks. who cares about the skills, its all about the looks.... :mrgreen:

 

[ongordon]

ongordon, here's a series of question for you.

1) how much money do you have to blow?
2) are you going to attempt to recoup your losses if the experiment turns awry?
3) how bad is the "bad condition" of the squier? I'm talking about misaligned neck, warped neck, uneven frets, serious bad, not just rusty screws/tarnished fret bad.
4) do you have any idea what is it that you want and why are you modding it for?

IMHO for a beginner, its too early to go "custom this custom that" route cos you're still learning the ropes and learning what is it to like and dislike while you're still learning the chops.

but that said, if you have wads of dollar bills to blow, dive right in cos ultimately its all about the looks. who cares about the skills, its all about the looks.... :mrgreen:

:lol: Nope, i'm going for the sound, infact the cosmetic part of the Squier is gone case already so don't talk about the looks hahas.

1) I have like 700 plus and minus for a MIM Strat previously but didn't get to find one that attracts me, so i guess not to spend anything near this price? As if it's anything near 700 i can just go buy a new guitar already!

2) Maybe just recoup back the new pickups!

3) No funny necks, frets are all still even. So i guess it's isn't that bad after all!

4) Well cause i'm not able to find one guitar that i could "connect" with right now, i think fellow guitarists should understand what i mean! So i'm thinking if i could "custom" a guitar to my own needs and style out. Referring to the tone though, not going for looks this time! Just want something solid as that's why i'm asking advises if it will be like a rose on a pile of dung

 

[ongordon]

bro whats ur budget?im afraid that moding might cost u more.normally for olg guitar u may need to change the electronics maybe brigde/tuner ...

before u do anything just access the cost first am afaid along the way you decide to abandon it altogether!!!

If i were to go ahead i guess these are those i needing to change,

All the pots, capacitors, 5way switch, bridge saddles, a new pickguard!, and couple of good pickups! Plus all the misc screws and stuffs.

 

[edder]

:lol: Nope, i'm going for the sound, infact the cosmetic part of the Squier is gone case already so don't talk about the looks hahas.

1) I have like 700 plus and minus for a MIM Strat previously but didn't get to find one that attracts me, so i guess not to spend anything near this price? As if it's anything near 700 i can just go buy a new guitar already!

2) Maybe just recoup back the new pickups!

3) No funny necks, frets are all still even. So i guess it's isn't that bad after all!

4) Well cause i'm not able to find one guitar that i could "connect" with right now, i think fellow guitarists should understand what i mean! So i'm thinking if i could "custom" a guitar to my own needs and style out. Referring to the tone though, not going for looks this time! Just want something solid as that's why i'm asking advises if it will be like a rose on a pile of dung

great. if the guitar is structurally OK, needs minimum work and you HAVE wads of cash to burn.... :mrgreen:

1) What is the sound you're after, what type of music do you play? This is a strat. Are you happy with a strat sound? Or are you hankering for some more riff friendly humbucker tones?
Noisefree single coil option, I'd say a Bill Lawrence L200N-L200M-L298L combo
Traditional single coil option, I'd say something from GFS, read the reviews plunge right in.
Fatter humbucking option, I'd say get the Seymour Duncan Everything Axe set.

2) Hardware, I'd say go for some Planet Waves locking tuner upgrade. Nut, can get a Tusq nut. Saddles, if you're ordering from GFS, order their Stainless Steel saddles. If the pots/switches/jacks are all crap, might as well get a set from GFS. Makes shipping worthwhile.

3) Factor in some $$$ for workmanship if you're not able to DIY. I'd recommend KC, Maestro/Zen, he charges reasonably IMHO. Get him to do a proper setup as well. All the best parts on a badly setup guitar = crap guitar.

4) Do note that if the experiment fails, you will not be able to sell the guitar with all those add ons at any higher price. Fat hopes. Its $$$ down the drain... but if it works, then its all good. We'll have a happy newbie in the house. Good luck and post some pictures if you decide to do this.

 

[ongordon]

great. if the guitar is structurally OK, needs minimum work and you HAVE wads of cash to burn.... :mrgreen:

1) What is the sound you're after, what type of music do you play? This is a strat. Are you happy with a strat sound? Or are you hankering for some more riff friendly humbucker tones?
Noisefree single coil option, I'd say a Bill Lawrence L200N-L200M-L298L combo
Traditional single coil option, I'd say something from GFS, read the reviews plunge right in.
Fatter humbucking option, I'd say get the Seymour Duncan Everything Axe set.

2) Hardware, I'd say go for some Planet Waves locking tuner upgrade. Nut, can get a Tusq nut. Saddles, if you're ordering from GFS, order their Stainless Steel saddles. If the pots/switches/jacks are all crap, might as well get a set from GFS. Makes shipping worthwhile.

3) Factor in some $$$ for workmanship if you're not able to DIY. I'd recommend KC, Maestro/Zen, he charges reasonably IMHO. Get him to do a proper setup as well. All the best parts on a badly setup guitar = crap guitar.

4) Do note that if the experiment fails, you will not be able to sell the guitar with all those add ons at any higher price. Fat hopes. Its $$$ down the drain... but if it works, then its all good. We'll have a happy newbie in the house. Good luck and post some pictures if you decide to do this.

Saw some wired pickguards on GFS... is it any good?

 

[edder]

Saw some wired pickguards on GFS... is it any good?

I bought some before. They're value for money and I'd say... GOOD enough for my use. For retrofitting to existing guitars, the screw holes may not match, the neck slot may need to be widen, etc etc etc. Some elbow grease needed definitely.

The same goes for other pickguards from other manufacturers that goes for 3-4x the price.

 

[theunknown]

personally, i would never mod my first guitar as it reduces sentimental value. well thats just me.

 

[ongordon]

personally, i would never mod my first guitar as it reduces sentimental value. well thats just me.

That's not my first guitar... it's my no. 13653326435 guitar :lol: