So lets hot-rod this strat..

[j_m_s]

Alright, I'm all for makin' her a better player and improve the tone that i'm getting.

I'll get a new pickguard assembly as well.

Pickupwise, I'm still undecided. Been reading thru some threads and I think the Suhr DSV+ is most suited for me. Been looking into the Dimarzio AT-1 too, was wondering if anyone has already had any experience with the Dimarzio AT-1

Need suggestions for the other two SCs, they need to be able to take some gain well and not get overly muddy.

I play almost any music style. Mainly rock/P&W/blues/punk.
Stuff from John Mayer to Hillsongs to Fireflight to etc etc.

I'm looking to address a few issues. Most notably tuning stability. I've dropped in a set of schaller locking tuners. But when I use the trem, it still does go slightly outta tune. Any help with this? Guitar is going to get a once through with a tech soon so I think it will help, but I was also wondering if changing out saddles for stuff like graphtech and then to roller string trees would help as well.

Here's some pics of her. What colours should I have the pickguard and pickups? The look is getting a little boring.. heh.

Cheerio
James

 

[teleplayer]

hey bro

imo, i think this is nice:

http://www.cyrguitars.com/Gallery_StratRedTS10034-1S.jpg

 

[teokiatuan]

dude, sperzels ftw

 

[teleplayer]

hehe

from tymusic btw. 80+.

http://tymusiccenter.com/product_info.php?products_id=828

 

[j_m_s]

haha tooo late for sperzels, I've a set of schaller locking tuners on it already.

 

[dudelove]

get ur nut properly slotted. or changed if u're still using the cheap plastic crap on the fender.

 

[lightice]

Just get a properly cut nut and lube it to get the tuning issues out of the way. Also properly set up the trem. You'll find that it would solve most tuning instability issues that way.

As for hot rodding it, I will add a bass cut switch and a mid boost switch just for kicks.

 

[dudelove]

hell yeah to the mid boost circuit!

eric clapton ftw

http://store.guitarfetish.com/cstmidbocidr.html

 

[j_m_s]

Aye, on changing the nut. What material works "best" for trem usage? Bone? Graphite?

Hmm, on the new pickguard I'll have that treble bleed mod on the volume pot..

I doubt I'd use the midboost. Bass cut could be interesting though. hmmmm.

 

[dudelove]

actually dont worry too much abt material. a very expertly cut nut would solve tuning issues regardless of material. dont talk abt stuff like rubber or what lah..

 

[Ized]

Get an LSR roller nut....Graphite works well too.

I thought of changing mine on my AM standard but the bone nut on it is already nice as it is and stays in tune too. And my tuners arent even locking!

 

[lightice]

don't get an active mid boost, there's a passive one available. I think that's better and more natural.

The bass cut will be like the jag one. The mid boost requires an audio transformer in the circuit. But its tiny so it'll fit.

The nut material, just get one that's made of real cow bone or similar.

 

[j_m_s]

aye noted.

The LSR nut will cost abit no? Plus its a "hard engineering" (geography term LOL) modification to the guitar..

just thought of something. how would racing stripes ala JM strat style look on it? hmmm.

 

[PatheinRaindropMoe]

imho, concentrate on the functionality, enhanced performance of that tool and write some songs that you can feel proud.

Looks and cosmetic are all but superficial factor that have nothing to do with the basic existence of the instrument, which, is to be used for music production.

heh, anyway, ignore the above if the idea of looking good for the sake of looking good is important. I can understand the idea of wanting the tool we used, to look good and play well.

 

[faizal_rocks]

U could do something like mine

But I think u want to keep it HSS style. I used to have the eric clapton mid boost circuit like dudelove mentioned on my CIJ Strat back then, it worked well Consider adding a blender and push-pull pot for more tones..humbucker can be split to single coil tone while the blender allows the bridge pup to mix with the neck pickup. I have the blender on my strat and I swear it sounds almost like a Les Paul in the mid position! Or even sounds like a Tele in the mid position when push pull is activated.

 

[j_m_s]

Path bro, I have to agree on that, my main focus is more on the sound/playability rather than looks. but hey... if I can has teh lookz too.. why not?

hmmm. I'll keep the wiring options in mind once I've decided on the pickups.

I do like the way your strat looks bro, its classy! But mine has a rosewood fretboard, don't think the colours sit in very well.

Cheerio
James

 

[taypeng81]

fender 69s will cut thru the mix with high gain but they're trebly. hmm yah thats all from me haha..

 

[Phil]

From the top,

-Black TUSQ string-trees.
-Graphtech nut.
-Graphtech Stringsaver saddles.

Or for complete overkill and if cost is no concern, get a Gotoh bridge or something in that line, and use the Stringsaver saddles with it.

I personally don't use bone much, I find it a tad bright. Unless that's what you're looking for. And the thing with organic materials like bone is that their 'pores' are not uniform. This sporadic nature of the 'pores' will contribute to durability issues.

 

[lifele55]

-Graphtech nut.

I don't have guitars with trems but I do swear by the graphtechs. Slippery smooth

 

[ShredCow]

I'm looking to address a few issues. Most notably tuning stability. I've dropped in a set of schaller locking tuners. But when I use the trem, it still does go slightly outta tune. Any help with this? Guitar is going to get a once through with a tech soon so I think it will help, but I was also wondering if changing out saddles for stuff like graphtech and then to roller string trees would help as well.

Sometimes, it can be a matter of technique.

Even for floyd roses - I've made it a habit to do a quick pull up on the bar whenever some whammy abuse takes place.

Try that. After using the trem, do a quick pull up - then check your tunning. That might be the answer.

As for graphtech and what not - go cheapo first. Rub pencil lead (graphite) into your nut slots.



As for pickups - I've done HSS for a long time, plus I have always gone noiseless. If you want a versatile setup consider the following:

- 2 x Cruiser Bridge singles + AT bridge (AT's setup)
- 2 x Fast Track 1s + PAF Pro/Mo'Joe (This is a brighter setup)

Either one is a good versatile setup with moderate output and decent cleans - though, personally, the AT humbucker might be a bit too rarrrrr! Then again, thats why we have 3 pickups.

I use 2 x Fast Track 1s and a Dimarzio Double Whammy. I like the sound of the Double Whammy for lead and chunky riffing... it sounds like a cocked wah though.

If you want to, you can drop by my place to check out my HSS setup.