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Post subject: Squier Affinity Strat (2016) — Tremolo replacement
Posted: Mon May 08, 2017 10:24 am
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I' d like to replace the (vintage) tremolo system of my Squier Affinity Strat (from a "Stop dreaming, start playing!"-set) with an original one from Fender. Is it possible?

There is nothing wrong with the original Squier-tremolo but the one from Fender looks just better to me.

I've heard there are some compatibility issues, caused by thinner Squier bodies and other small differences, so which one should I buy for replacement?


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Post subject: Re: Squier Affinity Strat (2016) — Tremolo replacement
Posted: Tue May 09, 2017 1:22 am
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Everything is possible... :wink:

But still, I'd advice against the trem upgrade. There are so many things that may need fixing/fitting while installing. From screw/hole lineups to oversize block, etc. You'd need to have sufficient wood- and metalworking skills and tools before attempting this.
Plus there is the price ratio; a genuine Fender trem on a pack Affinity Strat is a bit overkill.

If you want to make this a learning experience, and don't mind having the guitar "under construction" for an undefined period, an Affinity is a good base to practice with. Choose an aftermarket trem with narrow string spacing, a steel (or brass) trem block, and bent saddles (if those were the ones you prefer). Order it with all parts, including the trem arm, so you have everything compatible and ready.

How about just upgrading the saddles (and saddle screws, so you have the right threads)? And even then, you may need to shave the saddles a bit on the sides for proper string spacing.
Or upgrading the whole guitar to a MIM or a MIJ?


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Post subject: Re: Squier Affinity Strat (2016) — Tremolo replacement
Posted: Tue May 09, 2017 7:09 am
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jmattis wrote:
Or upgrading the whole guitar to a MIM or a MIJ?

Well I'm starting to think this could be a more cost effective way to upgrade the look of my guitar.
My first idea was just to do something nice to my Affinity, cause I like it.
But the compatibility of original hardware seem to be a rather bigger problem.


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Post subject: Re: Squier Affinity Strat (2016) — Tremolo replacement
Posted: Tue May 09, 2017 7:15 am
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GeMir wrote:

But the compatibility of original hardware seem to be a rather bigger problem.


+1
Play with is guitar as it is and upgrade to a better one when you are ready .
Go straight to a American Standard


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Post subject: Re: Squier Affinity Strat (2016) — Tremolo replacement
Posted: Tue May 09, 2017 10:41 am
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stratele52 wrote:
Go straight to a American Standard

Why not a Custom Shop Masterbuilt while at it, and a Pre-CBS Blackface to go along..? :lol: Seriously, nothing wrong with your suggestion. AmStandard (and all its predecessors) is the reference to all other Strats - we'll see if the AmPro will claim the same prestige. But then again, AmSpecials can be nice, too.
And a "then again2", great players like SRV and Gilmour got their tone just as well from Squiers and Hagstroms...

@GeMir, I have no idea on your budget, so a couple of ideas:
Squier's Classic Vibe is a very nice instrument and has the vintage bridge, with bent steel saddles - not Fender stamped, though. 50's for maple, 60's for rosewood fretboard.
Mexican Standards, Classics, Artist models are everywhere on the used market - probably the best cost/profit ratio on these.
The Made/Crafted in Japans are easy to find, too - and I think I've never encountered a lemon among those.

I also have no idea of your skill level. So, if you want to do 'nice things' to your guitars, a perfect setup is the best gift. And there are plenty of easy steps with modding; that saddle upgrade, pickguard, new pickups or wiring options (these require the ability to read a diagram and solder properly) etc. Hardware upgrades have their pitfalls; I often repeat that drop-in replacements seldom exist. Of course, if you want modding as a hobby, go for it. Otherwise, using a pro is always a good option.


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Post subject: Re: Squier Affinity Strat (2016) — Tremolo replacement
Posted: Wed May 10, 2017 4:05 pm
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@jmattis I'm a bit older (29) newbie (less than a 1 year of playing), so it's probably doesn't matter at this level, if I get a Mexico-made or USA-made strat. With my Blackstar ID:Core 10 they will sound not better that my Affinity I suppose.

Pickup replacement (Seymour Duncan?) or tuners replacement (Schaller?) were my other ideas, how "to do something nice" to my guitar, but I wanted to start with a tremolo. Now I will have to start with something else :)


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Post subject: Re: Squier Affinity Strat (2016) — Tremolo replacement
Posted: Thu May 11, 2017 12:35 am
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I was just giving you options with "the other" type saddles in the next price(/quality) class above Affinities. Fender themselves don't put much weight on the country of origin (it's just US/other for FMIC), so why should I...

On the other nice things you're considering, you can of course personalize your own guitar as much and in any way you want. And an Affinity is price-wise a good first guitar when modding.

But there are a couple things to keep in mind:
- "Don't fix it, if it ain't broke." If you're satisfied with how a guitar plays, stays in tune and sounds, spend your time playing, not modding.
- Those compatibility issues and their effect on how easy/hard it is to fit a new part. No matter how thoroughly you check everything when you order a new part, drop-in replacements seldom exist. That tuner upgrade, for example, may require enlargening the headstock tuner holes, and that's a job where even pros take a deep breath before reaming/drilling.
- Skills. Evaluate what you can do, and what you need to practice. Test every method, tool, chemical and material on scrap wood/metal, before you attack the project guitar.
- Cost/profit thinking. One upgrades an Affie (value about 130 Monetary Units) with a new quality trem (100 MU), new tuners (another 100 MU), new pickups (150 MU), pots, caps, jack (30 MU), with tools needed to get the job done (any amount from 100 MU up). The end result is an Affinity, valued still at about 130MU, which plays and looks a) better b) just like or c) worse that the original. Been there, done that, many times and since way too many years ago... :wink:

On those nice things to do for a guitar, and diagnosing that you obviously have the modding fever, some suggestions.
Cosmetic mods (cleaning and polishing, plastic parts upgrades, decorations with tape so it's reversible).
New strings and full setup.
Polishing and lubing all string/other contact points.
Fret check; rounding the ends and leveling/crowning/polishing.
Perfecting the nut slots - or getting a new bone/TUSQ nut, precuts are a good starting point.
Tightening the jack nut (Loctite, hot glue or nail polish on the threads keeps it tight, but will open if needed), or replacing the whole jack & wires.
Using contact cleaner on the pots every once in a while.

I'm only trying to get you thinking about which you want. A guitar that is a step (or several) up from the Affinity. Or take up modding as your new hobby.


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Post subject: Re: Squier Affinity Strat (2016) — Tremolo replacement
Posted: Thu May 11, 2017 1:56 pm
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jmattis wrote:
"Don't fix it, if it ain't broke."
True for sure.
jmattis wrote:
cleaning and polishing […] New strings and full setup.
I do it on a regular basis.
jmattis wrote:
or getting a new bone/TUSQ nut
Could be nice too.


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