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Post subject: It's time to bring my 1994 MIM Squier Strat up to snuff
Posted: Thu Jul 12, 2018 5:50 am
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My Squier Strat is the first "real" guitar I ever had. I got it almost 25 years old and it's in amazing shape.

I can honestly say I enjoy playing this guitar as much as any PRS, EBMM or any other high-end guitar I've ever owned. My only complaints are 1.) it doesn't stay in tune like I need it to, 2.) the pickups are a little shrill and uninteresting.

I'm thinking of upgrading to locking tuners, a new nut and new pickups, but I'd like to get some feedback about which specific options would suit this guitar the best.

Thanks so much!


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Post subject: Re: It's time to bring my 1994 MIM Squier Strat up to snuff
Posted: Thu Jul 12, 2018 8:51 am
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While poor tuners will give poor tuning Strats have many contact points which can contribute to troublesome tuning over and above just the tuners.

All these contact points need to be checked, cleaned and lubed - string trees, nut slots, saddles, trem pivots/screws. etc.

If you are an enthusiastic whammy waggler (or even not) the strings can loosen and catch on any of the points noted above after a dive. They subsequently release at some point (or just after you have tuned) then mucking up your tuning.

I am not familiar with the MiM Squier Trem as this may also add to the problem.

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Post subject: Re: It's time to bring my 1994 MIM Squier Strat up to snuff
Posted: Thu Jul 12, 2018 10:09 am
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I searched for a long time to get a warm tone out of my SSS Strat.
I've become a huge fan of the Lindy Fralin Steel Pole 42 pups.
Warm and a little hotter than many while still retaining a nice single coil chime.
One of the many good things about them is the ability to easily adjust the pole heights.
Like vintage style?
Dial it up.
Looking for even balance across the strings?
You can do that too.

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Just think of how awesome a guitar player you could have been by now if you had only spent the last 10 years practicing instead of obsessing over pickups and roasted maple necks.


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Post subject: Re: It's time to bring my 1994 MIM Squier Strat up to snuff
Posted: Fri Jul 13, 2018 8:56 am
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Joined: Fri Apr 15, 2011 4:49 am
Posts: 661
Location: Cambridge UK
Quote:
I can honestly say I enjoy playing this guitar as much as any PRS, EBMM or any other high-end guitar I've ever owned.
Good for you! This is far more important than the price or perceived quality of any guitar, in my opinion. My Am Spec (even allowing for the refret to medium jumbos) is the cheapest Strat I own and I love it!

I realise that you may not think it's worth the cost, but I'd take it to a GOOD tech/luthier re the tuning problems. It WILL play like butter when you get it back, and it won't cost the earth unless he/she finds significant problems, which is unlikely if you say it's generally in great shape.

Locking tuners are an easy fit - I have them on all my Strats. Very convenient, quite apart from the tuning advantages. But correctly wound, strings shouldn't 'wind up' round the post when you dip the trem, and many on this forum don't recommend them. It's your choice, and one which is easily reversed if you ever sell the guitar.

Pickup-wise, that's a minefield! BMW's Fralins look interesting but I'd get the pro setup first and ask for pickup heights to be optimised. You might find that makes the difference you're looking for.

Cheers - Peter.


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Post subject: Re: It's time to bring my 1994 MIM Squier Strat up to snuff
Posted: Thu Aug 16, 2018 1:49 pm
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Joined: Thu May 03, 2018 8:34 pm
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Location: Brazil
phillybri wrote:
My Squier Strat is the first "real" guitar I ever had. I got it almost 25 years old and it's in amazing shape.

I can honestly say I enjoy playing this guitar as much as any PRS, EBMM or any other high-end guitar I've ever owned. My only complaints are 1.) it doesn't stay in tune like I need it to, 2.) the pickups are a little shrill and uninteresting.

I'm thinking of upgrading to locking tuners, a new nut and new pickups, but I'd like to get some feedback about which specific options would suit this guitar the best.

Thanks so much!


I'd take it to a good tech for some tweaking before I changed anything. It's a "vintage" guitar, though not very valuable, and represents a definite period of Fender strats. Try to keep it as stock as possible...

I own a 1994 Southern Cross Series strat, it's like a "cousin" of that one of yours, made in Brazil, and I love it and keep it all original.

If you really have to mod it, make sure you keep the original parts...

Regards!


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