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Post subject: 96 protone upgrade
Posted: Thu Apr 14, 2016 7:45 am
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Hobbyist
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Joined: Mon Jul 30, 2007 10:57 am
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Hi, I have a 96 red protone strat. Don't like the neck. too thin. Would like a maple neck with med jumbo frets. What is a good replacement that would require zero to no setup work (ie, neck screw holes, fret level, nut cutting, tuner holes...). Just don't have the tools to do all that. Just want a thicker neck with maple fretboard.

Also, the pots and switch would probably need replacing as they are very scratchy and noisy. Would probably just get a comlete loaded pickguard as to not change this original.

recommendations? Just sell and get a newer MIM?

John


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Post subject: Re: 96 protone upgrade
Posted: Fri Apr 15, 2016 12:01 am
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Joined: Tue Jul 17, 2007 1:53 am
Posts: 4240
Here's some pointers which may or may not help in deciding. All just my personal opinions and YMMV.

First, what ever you do, the guitar seems to need maintenance. The scratchy pots drop the reselling value. And I'm not sure getting a new loaded pickguard and keeping originality with scratchy pots would attrack buyers in the future, either.
Depending on how serious the scratch/noise problem is, it may be possible to just clean the pots - spray some lube-free contact cleaner inside the pots, then gently-but-vigorously rotate the pots a few dozen times.

On the thin neck problem: have you tried raising the action a bit (like 0,5mm/.02" higher)? That changes the play feel, you either like or dislike the result. Of course, this is dependant on what kind of action you have now.

The Pro Tones were built according to "US specs" (quotes, because that isn't all true...), so the neck pocket accepts similar type, same scale necks.
But, in my experience, drop-in replacements seldom exist. Final fitting, neck angle, frets, nut etc; all may need attention.

The keep&fix or trade for new answer is up to you. Simply:
If this is 'just any guitar' to you, trade.
If it has special sentimental or tonal values, keep.
If it's the Fat model with FR trem, think twice as long as with the SSS model.

Whatever you decide, I'd suggest you let a pro do a full setup on the guitar. He/she/it will also take care of the electronics while at it. Some may even have a neck for testing lying around in the shop.


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Post subject: Re: 96 protone upgrade
Posted: Sat Apr 30, 2016 5:44 pm
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Hobbyist
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Joined: Sat Dec 13, 2014 6:13 pm
Posts: 14
It's odd to hear a complaint about a Pro-Tone Squier they were one of the most heralded models of the era. Though I prefer the "Made in India" Squier II Strat's with "laminated hardwood" bodies (I find them much "warmer" than "solid" ones) and "thin" fast necks the Pro-Tones were "top of the line".

You can purchase "aftermarket" necks in a variety of profiles off Ebay and from online retailers, I've done it getting a few 22 fret necks with both maple and rosewood fretboards for my Squier Tele and a couple of Strat projects. Prices are all over the board, a few I bought from China and Hong Kong were fantastic for the price, made of Canadian "hard rock maple" and less than $60 (USD) delivered to my door. Checkout "Stratosphere" website (https://stratosphereparts.com/) he's also on Ebay, he usually has a large selection of necks (he parts out guitars that have been returned to manufacturers/dealers for various reasons).

If you keep the Pro-Tone and change the neck keep the original just in case you decide to sell the guitar later on, purists will want the factory neck.

If you are going to sell the Pro-Tone send me a PM (private message) before you list it on Craigslist or Ebay and/or provide me a link to the auction.


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