It is currently Mon Mar 16, 2020 7:53 pm

All times are UTC - 7 hours



Post new topic Reply to topic  [ 17 posts ]  Go to page 1, 2  Next
Go to page 1, 2  Next
Author Message
Post subject: My Classic Series '50s Stratocaster, 57/62 Upgrade?
Posted: Thu Dec 29, 2016 10:42 am
Offline
Hobbyist
Hobbyist

Joined: Thu Dec 29, 2016 7:21 am
Posts: 9
Hi, And hello to you all, I'm thinking of upgrading my: Classic Series Fiesta Red, '50s Stratocaster Fender Guitar. And I though it may sound even better with a nice set of Fender 57/62 pup's in it?
Here is my guitar: http://intl.fender.com/en-GB/guitars/stratocaster/classic-series-50s-stratocaster-maple-fingerboard-fiesta-red/
And here are the pickups that I'm thinking of: http://intl.fender.com/en-GB/guitar-bass-parts/pickups-and-preamps/fender-original-5762-strat-pickups-set-of-3/
Any thought's?

Thanks again, Mick :)


Top
Profile
Fender Play Winter Sale 2020
Post subject: Re: My Classic Series '50s Stratocaster, 57/62 Upgrade?
Posted: Thu Dec 29, 2016 5:47 pm
Offline
Rock Icon
Rock Icon
User avatar

Joined: Wed Mar 31, 2010 12:48 am
Posts: 26417
Location: Tombstone Territory
Go for it. As well, I'd recommend replacing the tone cap with a PIO axial type of .022 or .033 mfd. It'll provide a smoother transition from treble to bass when rolling off the tone control.

While you're at it, replace the zinc alloy trem block with one made of cold-rolled steel. You'll likely hear a snappier tone and enhanced sustain.

Both mods will transform your guitar into a keeper.

Arjay

_________________
"Here's why reliability is job one: A great sounding amp that breaks down goes from being a favorite piece of gear to a useless piece of crap in less time than it takes to read this sentence." -- BRUCE ZINKY


Top
Profile
Post subject: Re: My Classic Series '50s Stratocaster, 57/62 Upgrade?
Posted: Thu Dec 29, 2016 6:26 pm
Offline
Rock Star
Rock Star
User avatar

Joined: Tue Mar 01, 2011 3:10 pm
Posts: 5646
Location: Gateway to the West
The 50's Classic Series are a great platform for modding. I have a Surf Green model, that I have been working on. Follow Retroverbials advice on this one and you will certainly have a keeper. The pickups you chose are great ones. I was thinking of going with the Fat 50's, but after playing the guitar a bit, I grew to really like the stock pickups...for now. I attached the build (50's Authentication) I have been doing here on the forum, more options for modding your guitar beyond the ones Retro listed in his post.

http://forums.fender.com/viewtopic.php?f=6&t=101690

T2

_________________
-----------------------------------------------------------
What time is it? It's Fender Time.


Top
Profile
Post subject: Re: My Classic Series '50s Stratocaster, 57/62 Upgrade?
Posted: Sat Dec 31, 2016 6:36 am
Offline
Hobbyist
Hobbyist

Joined: Thu Dec 29, 2016 7:21 am
Posts: 9
Thanks, Arjay, T2,
Quote:
While you're at it, replace the zinc alloy trem block with one made of cold-rolled steel. You'll likely hear a snappier tone and enhanced sustain.

This was my next idea...http://intl.fender.com/en-GB/guitar-bass-parts/bridge-assemblies-components/american-standardamerican-series-tremolo-sustain-block-86-07/

Thanks again, Mick :)


Top
Profile
Post subject: Re: My Classic Series '50s Stratocaster, 57/62 Upgrade?
Posted: Sat Dec 31, 2016 8:48 am
Offline
Aspiring Musician
Aspiring Musician

Joined: Fri Apr 15, 2011 4:49 am
Posts: 661
Location: Cambridge UK
I'd say change the block first. After that, you may like it with the stock pickups!

Cheers - Peter.


Top
Profile
Post subject: Re: My Classic Series '50s Stratocaster, 57/62 Upgrade?
Posted: Sat Dec 31, 2016 11:29 am
Offline
Rock Icon
Rock Icon
User avatar

Joined: Wed Mar 31, 2010 12:48 am
Posts: 26417
Location: Tombstone Territory
Peter S wrote:
I'd say change the block first. After that, you may like it with the stock pickups!


That's always a possibility. The stock coils aren't bad but they always sounded a bit on the gritty side to my ear. Fender's Fat 50's set would be a great alternative......

Arjay

_________________
"Here's why reliability is job one: A great sounding amp that breaks down goes from being a favorite piece of gear to a useless piece of crap in less time than it takes to read this sentence." -- BRUCE ZINKY


Top
Profile
Post subject: Re: My Classic Series '50s Stratocaster, 57/62 Upgrade?
Posted: Sun Jan 01, 2017 4:53 am
Offline
Hobbyist
Hobbyist

Joined: Thu Dec 29, 2016 7:21 am
Posts: 9
Thanks all for your input. I will keep your suggestions in mind.
Here is my guitar. 8)
Image
Image
Mick :)


Top
Profile
Post subject: Re: My Classic Series '50s Stratocaster, 57/62 Upgrade?
Posted: Sun Jan 01, 2017 7:27 pm
Offline
Rock Star
Rock Star
User avatar

Joined: Tue Mar 01, 2011 3:10 pm
Posts: 5646
Location: Gateway to the West
Nice one! Just do yourself a favor and make sure you talk with the place you order a block from, I have had one heck of a time getting the right block even from Fender!

T2

_________________
-----------------------------------------------------------
What time is it? It's Fender Time.


Top
Profile
Post subject: Re: My Classic Series '50s Stratocaster, 57/62 Upgrade?
Posted: Mon Jan 02, 2017 12:35 am
Offline
Rock Icon
Rock Icon
User avatar

Joined: Tue Jun 29, 2010 1:20 pm
Posts: 9640
Location: Indiana
fender/mick wrote:
Thanks, Arjay, T2,
Quote:
While you're at it, replace the zinc alloy trem block with one made of cold-rolled steel. You'll likely hear a snappier tone and enhanced sustain.

This was my next idea...http://intl.fender.com/en-GB/guitar-bass-parts/bridge-assemblies-components/american-standardamerican-series-tremolo-sustain-block-86-07/

Thanks again, Mick :)


Unfortunately, that block is cast, and either resin infused, or copper infused. It is not a CRS block, not even close.

_________________
---> "The amp should be SWITCHED OFF AND UNPLUGGED before you do this!" <---

Por favor, disculpe mi español, no se llega a la práctica con mucha frecuencia.


Top
Profile
Post subject: Re: My Classic Series '50s Stratocaster, 57/62 Upgrade?
Posted: Mon Jan 02, 2017 12:39 am
Offline
Rock Icon
Rock Icon
User avatar

Joined: Tue Jun 29, 2010 1:20 pm
Posts: 9640
Location: Indiana
Peter S wrote:
I'd say change the block first. After that, you may like it with the stock pickups!

Cheers - Peter.


+1

And use a real CRS block... really a Callaham is the only one I trust in this matter. GFS can't tell you what their blocks are made of, and frankly, I don't believe the best Fender blocks are CRS either. There is definitely an obvious difference in weight and feel of a Callaham block compered to all most others.

_________________
---> "The amp should be SWITCHED OFF AND UNPLUGGED before you do this!" <---

Por favor, disculpe mi español, no se llega a la práctica con mucha frecuencia.


Last edited by shimmilou on Mon Jan 02, 2017 12:50 am, edited 1 time in total.

Top
Profile
Post subject: Re: My Classic Series '50s Stratocaster, 57/62 Upgrade?
Posted: Mon Jan 02, 2017 12:41 am
Offline
Rock Icon
Rock Icon
User avatar

Joined: Wed Mar 31, 2010 12:48 am
Posts: 26417
Location: Tombstone Territory
shimmilou wrote:
Unfortunately, that block is cast, and either resin infused, or copper infused. It is not a CRS block, not even close.


+1

As well, it's the wrong string spacing. You have a vintage-spec bridge with 2-7/32" from E to E string. Any replacement trem block must share those dimensions in order to fit.

Arjay

_________________
"Here's why reliability is job one: A great sounding amp that breaks down goes from being a favorite piece of gear to a useless piece of crap in less time than it takes to read this sentence." -- BRUCE ZINKY


Top
Profile
Post subject: Re: My Classic Series '50s Stratocaster, 57/62 Upgrade?
Posted: Mon Jan 02, 2017 2:57 am
Offline
Roadie
Roadie

Joined: Sat Oct 05, 2013 4:26 am
Posts: 249
I guess from the Fender web site redirect you are in the UK.
If you're looking for a new 'real' steel block there's a poster on the Strat Talk forums called CeltRocka who makes them.
K Hurley
19 Heol Gollen
Cardigan
SA43 1NF
UK

I say go for the 57/62s - great pickups. Try Jay at First Guitars, Bradford for a very competitive price.


Top
Profile
Post subject: Re: My Classic Series '50s Stratocaster, 57/62 Upgrade?
Posted: Mon Jan 02, 2017 3:13 am
Offline
Professional Musician
Professional Musician
User avatar

Joined: Fri Jan 02, 2015 6:57 am
Posts: 2238
Location: UK
64Galaxie wrote:
I guess from the Fender web site redirect you are in the UK.
If you're looking for a new 'real' steel block there's a poster on the Strat Talk forums called CeltRocka who makes them.
K Hurley
19 Heol Gollen
Cardigan
SA43 1NF

UK


Indeed so. I am almost 100% certain it is this guy on eBay http://www.ebay.co.uk/usr/kevinh3324
He is very helpful and knows his stuff if you drop him an e-mail.

I bought a steel block for Odee and the fit was perfect in every way.

Does it make a difference? It is like all of these tiny little subtleties, in isolation it might be difficult to tell but with many small differences the overall is significant.

All I know is Odee may well be my cheapest Strat (even with all the changes) but is still my favourite to play - smooth as butter and sustains the best of my four.

Image

Please note that I rusted the block, it didn't arrive looking like that.

_________________
John

After all this time I should be better.


Top
Profile
Post subject: Re: My Classic Series '50s Stratocaster, 57/62 Upgrade?
Posted: Mon Jan 02, 2017 4:58 am
Offline
Hobbyist
Hobbyist

Joined: Thu Dec 01, 2016 3:45 pm
Posts: 22
shimmilou wrote:
Peter S wrote:
I'd say change the block first. After that, you may like it with the stock pickups!

Cheers - Peter.


+1

And use a real CRS block... really a Callaham is the only one I trust in this matter. GFS can't tell you what their blocks are made of, and frankly, I don't believe the best Fender blocks are CRS either. There is definitely an obvious difference in weight and feel of a Callaham block compered to all most others.


Callaham is the one I used on my American Special and it made a huge improvement !
FWIW...


Top
Profile
Post subject: Re: My Classic Series '50s Stratocaster, 57/62 Upgrade?
Posted: Mon Jan 02, 2017 6:31 am
Offline
Rock Star
Rock Star

Joined: Tue Jul 17, 2007 1:53 am
Posts: 4241
The trem block upgrade has been one can of worms on any guitar forum, so I really should leave this alone. Still, a little comment might do no real harm:
John Sims wrote:
tiny little subtleties
Agreed.

Strattopper wrote:
huge improvement
New trem block alone, not likely.


Top
Profile
Display posts from previous:  Sort by  
Post new topic Reply to topic  [ 17 posts ]  Go to page 1, 2  Next
Go to page 1, 2  Next

All times are UTC - 7 hours

Fender Play Winter Sale 2020

Who is online

Users browsing this forum: No registered users and 2 guests


You cannot post new topics in this forum
You cannot reply to topics in this forum
You cannot edit your posts in this forum
You cannot delete your posts in this forum

Search for:
Jump to: