It's been a year since I bought my first Stratocaster. I was extremely impressed with the tones and feel that this guitar displayed. The problem that I have is that I appear to be spending more time making adjustments (That probably aren't needed), detailing, cleaning etc...I have come to realize that I am not playing the instrument and focusing on why I bought the guitar in the first place. I am not maximizing my playing time with the guitar itself as to where with my other guitars I just play.

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American HSS Mahogany Special Stratocaster-Limited Edition 2008
American HSS Special Stratocaster (Black) 2010

I think everybody goes through phases or cycles sometimes...as long as you have fun playing, just keep playing. I don't know what other guitars you have, but maybe if this one is the newer and/or more expensive out of what you got, that may explain why you worry about its appearance more. Another thing to try is perhaps hiding the tools, as I know sometimes if I take a skate wrench with me when I go skateboarding, I feel the urge to adjust something, even though it may not need it. Because if I take a run and something doesn't feel right, I think,"Well maybe I just need to tighten/loosen this." But when I don't have a wrench available, I don't think about adjusting anything, I just think about riding it the way it is since I can't adjust it. Sounds weird, but it might be worth a shot.

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RAMA LAMA FA FA FA

I always devote at least an hour to playing one of my guitars per day. I do go though phases where I spend a lot of time tinkering, and I seem to be out of phase the last couple weeks. I have barely been wiping down the guitar after playing.

I think it is time for a major detailing for my guitars, next week.


RK

Nah, I just play the hell out of em.

Well if you are making adjustments then you must be finding things that you are not happy with. Have you ever taken the guitar to a pro for a complete setup?
I setup guitars for people that can do it them selfs and I'm often told that at pick up they say wow that plays nice what did you do. Who knows what things there told

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The strongest reason for the people to retain the right to keep and bear arms is, as a last resort, to protect themselves against tyranny in government.

Thomas Jefferson

I have the same problem like you, mine is happened on Les Paul......

I did take it to two different techs one being a Fender tech. I was surprised that the fender tech did not use Fender type settings for the set up. He said he just tightened the truss rod. When I took it home, I checked the intonation and it was off and the strings at the higher frets buzzed. This is about the time I began understanding the mechanics of the instrument. Overall, I've learned how to do an accurate set up (I think...). My downfall is that my expectations for this guitar have been set higher than they need to be. I was not aware as were the techs that Stratocasters should have a slight underbow on the neck...Anyway's, this forum is great, I check it daily like work e-mail. Thanks for the comments!

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American HSS Mahogany Special Stratocaster-Limited Edition 2008
American HSS Special Stratocaster (Black) 2010

I have to disagree with the statement that a neck should have underbow. No neck should have underbow, ever. All thats doing is cause the neck to impair its own performance. Granted I set my necks flatter than the specified .010" to around .008" or .006" on one guitar that can take it. They will underbow when the strings are taken off. Thats about the only time though.

I think a lot of the problem on setup issues are peoples expectations of what string height will acheive. String height is quite a small factor in neck comfort. I find string radius to neck radius matching makes far bigger improvements in comfort than height. Also a lot of people expect super low .4mm action at the 21st fret. Strat's and tele's simply aren't designed to do that. I've always found a strat benefits from a bit of bounce in the strings. If anything fender specs seem too low, particularly on the G down to low E.

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No no and no

I tend to spend alot of time cleaning and have more recently began tinkering with minor adjustments after doing alot of studying proper setups. Im still a believer in having professional setups done especially if you arent sure what you are doing, but I have recently become very comfortable with making adjustements. Seems like when the weather changes then adjustments become required. No need to send to my luthier twice a year.

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