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Post subject: "Hot Rodding" a MIJ Strat...
Posted: Thu Dec 08, 2016 4:37 am
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Long story short, I have a 1996 MIJ Strat that I've had since new. I haven't been the nicest owner over the years, and at this point some electrical work needs to be done to it. (one of the tone knobs is broken and it buzzes like a mofo)

I'm thinking of taking the opportunity to upgrade the pick ups to something with a little more oomph. It's a nice guitar, but the sound is a little tinny and flat. (I have another '96 MIJ that sounds similar) I suppose it doesn't help that I run it through a Princeton Chorus...

I'm leaning toward a loaded pick guard, with the HSS setup, factory Fender.

Any better ideas? is it worth it? I use this guitar for playing punk rock and heavier stuff.

a quick search & ive found the most expensive are around $300, which I would gladly pay to get this guitar fixed and sounding better.

Thanks

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Post subject: Re: "Hot Rodding" a MIJ Strat...
Posted: Thu Dec 08, 2016 5:23 am
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ADRay wrote:
Long story short, I have a 1996 MIJ Strat that I've had since new. I haven't been the nicest owner over the years, and at this point some electrical work needs to be done to it. (one of the tone knobs is broken and it buzzes like a mofo)

I'm thinking of taking the opportunity to upgrade the pick ups to something with a little more oomph. It's a nice guitar, but the sound is a little tinny and flat. (I have another '96 MIJ that sounds similar) I suppose it doesn't help that I run it through a Princeton Chorus...

I'm leaning toward a loaded pick guard, with the HSS setup, factory Fender.

Any better ideas? is it worth it? I use this guitar for playing punk rock and heavier stuff.

a quick search & ive found the most expensive are around $300, which I would gladly pay to get this guitar fixed and sounding better.

Thanks

Impossible to answer (for me)! Does the guitar play great otherwise and is therefore worth spending up to $300 on? Or would you prefer to put that money towards a more suitable Strat. Here in England, Strats are more expensive, but if you're in the US I understand (from this forum) you can get a good used MIM for about that.

Otherwise, a tone pot is a fiver (GB£); I'd fix that before doing anything else. What p/ups you'll like on that particular guitar is unfortunately trial and error. You could try the SD 'Everything Axe' set, which - if you don't like them - would sell on for a good price. They don't sound (or look) trad Strat, but they have ample power and won't buzz!

But assuming your Strat is single coil, it will buzz! I just stand further from the amp...

Cheers - Peter.


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Post subject: Re: "Hot Rodding" a MIJ Strat...
Posted: Thu Dec 08, 2016 7:09 am
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I'm betting that your guitar's body is routed for a S/S/S pickup configuration. If you wish to install any full-size humbuckers, break out the chisel -- you'll be doing some carpentry work (and it will be irreversible). As a minimally-invasive alternative I'd recommend that you look into DiMarzio's Virtual Vintage line of pickups. They're noiseless, offer plenty of grunt, and can use your guitar's existing controls and wiring.

Arjay

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Post subject: Re: "Hot Rodding" a MIJ Strat...
Posted: Thu Dec 08, 2016 11:44 am
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+1 on the DiMarzios - their pre-wired Area comes sorta close to the Fender Hot Rod Strats (if I may take the OP's headline literally), and installs with only minor woodwork (like screw holes...).
Plus, they have a good sortiment of single coil sized humbuckers, should you go that way.

Anyways, I'd agree with PeterS; fix the existing wiring first. One of the most irritating things I know is storing broken gidgets, then needing them for some obscure project - but by then the defect is completely forgotten and you gotta go thru everything. :wink:

Notes on the Princeton Chorus; a) sometimes it helps to use the other input, and b) maybe consider upgrading the amp if you don't like that one. (Actually, and IMHO, a PC gives quite typical Fender amp sounds although it doesn't totally match the legendary tube amps.)


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Post subject: Re: "Hot Rodding" a MIJ Strat...
Posted: Thu Dec 08, 2016 1:38 pm
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jmattis wrote:
(Actually, and IMHO, a PC gives quite typical Fender amp sounds although it doesn't totally match the legendary tube amps.)


+1

Aside from growing long in the tooth (which may make locating replacement parts problematic in the event of required servicing or maintenance), the Princeton Chorus remains a fine amp. It was Fender's best seller for a number of years back in the '90s.

Arjay

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Post subject: Re: "Hot Rodding" a MIJ Strat...
Posted: Fri Dec 09, 2016 5:42 am
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thanks all for the input. I hadn't considered that switching to an HSS would require modifying the body.

The guitar still "acts" well; no work needed for the neck, etc. I've owned it for 20 years, so I'm interested in keeping it.

I'll look into the DiMarzio set ups a little more.

Thanks again

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Post subject: Re: "Hot Rodding" a MIJ Strat...
Posted: Fri Dec 09, 2016 10:42 am
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why not just swap in a better set of pickups S S S style?

I swapped in a set of Texas Specials into my MIM, amazing difference!


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Post subject: Re: "Hot Rodding" a MIJ Strat...
Posted: Sat Dec 10, 2016 3:39 am
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avenger79 wrote:
why not just swap in a better set of pickups S S S style?

I swapped in a set of Texas Specials into my MIM, amazing difference!


It has some electrical bugs in it somewhere, I figure all new wiring will be an easy cure.

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Post subject: Re: "Hot Rodding" a MIJ Strat...
Posted: Sun Dec 11, 2016 4:31 am
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after looking at the DiMarzios, and taking the guitar out & looking at it, I've had a little change of heart about the pick guard swap. The guitar is Daphne with a mint pick guard, not really keen on having to pick black or white.

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Post subject: Re: "Hot Rodding" a MIJ Strat...
Posted: Sun Dec 11, 2016 5:32 am
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Hmmm. What's preventing you from unscrewing all parts off the DiM-pre-wired pickguard and screwing them to your old pg..?

ADRay wrote:
It has some electrical bugs in it somewhere

What a great learn/develop opportunity.

8)


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Post subject: Re: "Hot Rodding" a MIJ Strat...
Posted: Sun Dec 11, 2016 9:01 am
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jmattis wrote:
Hmmm. What's preventing you from unscrewing all parts off the DiM-pre-wired pickguard and screwing them to your old pg..?

ADRay wrote:
It has some electrical bugs in it somewhere

What a great learn/develop opportunity.

8)


+1

Simple hand tools and a bit of time is all it takes, OP should go for it!

T2

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Post subject: Re: "Hot Rodding" a MIJ Strat...
Posted: Sun Dec 11, 2016 11:18 am
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jmattis wrote:
Hmmm. What's preventing you from unscrewing all parts off the DiM-pre-wired pickguard and screwing them to your old pg..?


+1

Odds are, the DiMarzio pickguard will not be the correct type for your guitar. I'm betting that your current pickguard is an 11-screw '62 style with countersunk holes for the pickup and switch screws. You will need the correct oval-head #4 Phillips screws for both the pickups and the switch and DiMarzio's pickups require a longer (3/4") screw than those that Fender uses.

Arjay

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Post subject: Re: "Hot Rodding" a MIJ Strat...
Posted: Mon Dec 12, 2016 5:17 am
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funny, I'm reading the next replies after my last visit, and that's what I decided to do - crack it open. I am mechanically inclined (I fix proportioning machines and my car) but for some reason I have a mental block about guitars...

I found my main bug - the input jack was a little loose, not the first time I've had to adjust it. Works much better now, but I think it is due to be replaced. Aside from the busted tone knob, everything else looks & sounds cool to me.

as for upgrading the pickups, I'm holding off with this guitar. Now I'm doing my research about tube amps.

I have another '96 MIJ that was my dad's, and he had a Twin Reverb that he played it through that sounded great. I'd like one, the are pricy, however, it'd probably be the last amp I'd have to ever buy. Plus I think the TR might be more powerful than I need.

Thanks everyone.

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Post subject: Re: "Hot Rodding" a MIJ Strat...
Posted: Mon Dec 12, 2016 7:48 am
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ADRay wrote:
Plus I think the TR might be more powerful than I need.


Get yourself a Deluxe Reverb -- either a vintage specimen or a pre-2005 re-issue.

Arjay

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Post subject: Re: "Hot Rodding" a MIJ Strat...
Posted: Mon Dec 19, 2016 4:53 am
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I decided to "clean house" a bit and pulled the trigger on a new Deluxe Reverb. Vintage would be nice but over my budget.

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