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Post subject: NGD - Took the plunge on a CIJ ST57
Posted: Sat Apr 29, 2017 3:36 pm
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So I took the plunge on an 02-04 ST57 today. It looks sweet! I'm still not yet able to identify the pickups... but they sound like honey and it plays like butter so I'm a happy camper. I wasn't sure if it was basswood or alder until I popped the neck. It's basswood. I don't have a seasoned enough ear to really to the difference anyways, but I like how light it is which is a nice departure from its older brother in the room... the Les Paul Standard.

I remember playing my guitar instructor's Fender Strat back in the early 90s. He let me take it home for a few weeks and I loved that thing, but for some reason I've never owned one myself. I've only had Ibanez, Epiphones, and Gibsons. So this is my first Fender. It feels familiar like an old friend.

Sorry for the sideways pics... they looked right on the phone. =/

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Any idea on the pickups?


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Post subject: Re: NGD - Took the plunge on a CIJ ST57
Posted: Sat Apr 29, 2017 3:57 pm
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I don't think that body is basswood -- the visible grain in the neck pocket suggests alder.

As to the pickups, they're definitely not Texas Specials -- they lack the beveled polepieces and the RWRP middle coil. They are alnico's though.

I think you got a pretty righteous guitar there, congratulations.

8)

Arjay

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Post subject: Re: NGD - Took the plunge on a CIJ ST57
Posted: Sat Apr 29, 2017 4:21 pm
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Oh I could definitely be wrong. I figured basswood because of the "b" in the neck pocket and the pickup pocket. It is also super light, but maybe I just feel that way because my les Paul feels like Thor's hammer. =)

Definitely not the Texas Specials. You are right there. The closest thing I can find that resembles the poles, the pickup backs, and the wiring is Pure Vintage '59 Pups. I don't know if they are them or not, but they sure are nice whatever they are. One of these days I'll hook the multimeter up to them to get a better idea.


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Post subject: Re: NGD - Took the plunge on a CIJ ST57
Posted: Sat Apr 29, 2017 6:12 pm
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Looks like a fine guitar to me. I would perhaps consider swapping the selector switch at some point but otherwise a very nice looking instrument all round. I am sure it will give you a great many years enjoyment.

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Post subject: Re: NGD - Took the plunge on a CIJ ST57
Posted: Sat Apr 29, 2017 6:44 pm
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brobar wrote:
...but maybe I just feel that way because my les Paul feels like Thor's hammer.


+1

My "touring guitar" is a Les Paul Standard from 1978 that tips the scales at over thirteen pounds. By contrast, my 1994 R9 flametop is a bantam-weight at just under nine pounds.

Mahogany is some hefty lumber!

Arjay

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Post subject: Re: NGD - Took the plunge on a CIJ ST57
Posted: Sun Apr 30, 2017 12:36 am
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The pickups remain to be "ST VINTAGE U.S.A.". That's what it says in the 2004 brochure, and no further official info is available.

Rambling on with those:
Don't recall when Pure Vintage 59's were introduced, but I think they weren't around in 2004.
In the first (recognize this) topic, T2Stratman mentioned that early US57/62 pickups were not beveled, so those are a strong candidate. With Texas Specials, same pickups were used in MIA, MIJ, CIJ guitars, so logically the same applied to vintage pickups. The internet wisdom tells the output values on MIJ/CIJ vintage pickups matches that 57/62 set.

On the body, ST57-TX (Texas Specials) should be basswood, ST57-US alder. So I'll +1 for Arjay. Soundwise, hearing the difference... let's not go there.


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Post subject: Re: NGD - Took the plunge on a CIJ ST57
Posted: Sun Apr 30, 2017 2:58 am
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jmattis wrote:
Soundwise, hearing the difference... let's not go there.


The sonic assessment from the OP is that they "sound like honey" so if he's happy that's all that matters. I would as a matter of course ditch the two-bit switch and pots for some pro-level replacements though and install a steel trem block (if it didn't already have one).

Arjay

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Post subject: Re: NGD - Took the plunge on a CIJ ST57
Posted: Sun Apr 30, 2017 9:49 am
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Retroverbial wrote:
jmattis wrote:
Soundwise, hearing the difference... let's not go there.


The sonic assessment from the OP is that they "sound like honey" so if he's happy that's all that matters. I would as a matter of course ditch the two-bit switch and pots for some pro-level replacements though and install a steel trem block (if it didn't already have one).

Arjay


I will eventually get around to replacing the pots and switch. I was looking at the Emerson Custom blender pre-wired kit, but I haven't made a decision yet. I'll keep it as is for a few months and make the decision a little later on down the line as to what components to run with.


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Post subject: Re: NGD - Took the plunge on a CIJ ST57
Posted: Sun Apr 30, 2017 10:53 am
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Slow and deliberate is preferable to hasty and haphazard.

Arjay

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Post subject: Re: NGD - Took the plunge on a CIJ ST57
Posted: Sun Apr 30, 2017 2:16 pm
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DC resistance of the pickups tested are as follows:

5.88k
5.93k
5.94k


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Post subject: Re: NGD - Took the plunge on a CIJ ST57
Posted: Sun Apr 30, 2017 3:37 pm
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That's pretty close to the 57/62's DCR specs.

Arjay

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Post subject: Re: NGD - Took the plunge on a CIJ ST57
Posted: Sun Apr 30, 2017 5:40 pm
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Retroverbial wrote:
That's pretty close to the 57/62's DCR specs.

Arjay


+1 on the 57/62's! And what a schweet looking guitar!!

:mrgreen:

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