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Post subject: Popular Stratocaster Mod's
Posted: Wed Jan 14, 2009 8:01 am
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hey i've got a 2008 fender american standard stratocaster, i was just wondering what are some popular and helpful mod's you guys recommend i do. was also wondering if anyone that's got a 2008 strat could send me a pic of it withought the pickguard, i would greatly appreciate it :)


Thanx in advance :)


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Posted: Wed Jan 14, 2009 9:07 am
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The most common change is pups. You have a very nice guitar. I would not change anything unless I came to the conclusion I really needed to. Whatever you do change out, be sure to keep the original parts.

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Posted: Wed Jan 14, 2009 9:25 am
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On my AM dlx only change is I added a spring, and then the regular string swaps. :)

I found and bought a guitar I really liked in the first place, so I would not need to spend time making any mods.

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Posted: Wed Jan 14, 2009 9:59 am
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01GT eibach wrote:
I would not change anything unless I came to the conclusion I really needed to.


+1......


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Posted: Wed Jan 14, 2009 10:04 am
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I am a tinkerer so I enjoy modding things.

Some simple common mods besides pickups are:

custom pickguards
custom vol/tone knobs
custom straplocks

If you want a bit of a challenge, you can also try some custom wiring to get a few different tones out of the norm.


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Posted: Wed Jan 14, 2009 10:11 am
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peterp wrote:
On my AM dlx only change is I added a spring, and then the regular string swaps. :)

I found and bought a guitar I really liked in the first place, so I would not need to spend time making any mods.


I agree with you. I don't understand buying a guitar and then start to mod it right away unless it's a cheaper guitar and you bought it as a project. The only mods I would make is maybe Locking tuners , strap locks, pickgaurd etc. simple things. What is it you don't like about it? Expensive guitar to mod right off the bat. Did you try other models with different pickups etc.? Good luck and hope you find what you're looking for. There are a lot of posters on this forum that can help you out! :)


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Posted: Wed Jan 14, 2009 10:28 am
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The first thing I do on any new strat that I have bought is add two extra springs and essentially block the tremolo. I would like to buy a mexi or an older HWY1 and hotrod the pickups and pots. I've been really impressed by the greasebucket tone pots, and would put them in any strat that didn't have them.

Ditto from above....I don't know about hotrodding a new strat though....
If you like the look of the deluxe but not the sound then maybe I would consider it. The pearl dot inlays are rad and kinda class up the joint. The other option is the custom shop.... but now you're talking about breaking bread.

Here's my other thought is to leave everything attached to the original pickguard, and just "un-solder" the ground, and build a new set up in a new pickguard and slap it in there. That way if you mess something up or don't like the modded results you still have the original to go with.


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Posted: Wed Jan 14, 2009 12:05 pm
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The first thing I did on my new American Standard Ash was replace the strings with D'Addario Super XL 0.10 to 0.46 and tighten up the trem springs bringing the trem down to the deck.

I am seriously considering switching out the stock pickups with Texas Specials. However, the boss, (wife), would probably shoot me if I suggested it.

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Last edited by Warpfield on Wed Jan 14, 2009 12:36 pm, edited 1 time in total.

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Posted: Wed Jan 14, 2009 12:05 pm
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fhopkins wrote:
peterp wrote:
On my AM dlx only change is I added a spring, and then the regular string swaps. :)

I found and bought a guitar I really liked in the first place, so I would not need to spend time making any mods.


I agree with you. I don't understand buying a guitar and then start to mod it right away unless it's a cheaper guitar and you bought it as a project. The only mods I would make is maybe Locking tuners , strap locks, pickgaurd etc. simple things. What is it you don't like about it? Expensive guitar to mod right off the bat. Did you try other models with different pickups etc.? Good luck and hope you find what you're looking for. There are a lot of posters on this forum that can help you out! :)


Thanx for the advice, im mostly just interested in changing the pickgaurd to a clear plexiglass one, what do you think, do i need shielding for it?

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Posted: Wed Jan 14, 2009 12:14 pm
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The only thing u should change is the pickups but only if ur not satisfied with the sound and the obvious which is ur knobs and ur pickguard


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Posted: Wed Jan 14, 2009 1:03 pm
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what do you guys think about a clear picguard, where you can see the inside of the guitar?

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Posted: Wed Jan 14, 2009 1:07 pm
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edengrillz wrote:
what do you guys think about a clear picguard, where you can see the inside of the guitar?


Looks are a matter of personal preference, but you would lose the shielding.

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Posted: Wed Jan 14, 2009 1:08 pm
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or a fiber glass strat with inner light 8)


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Posted: Wed Jan 14, 2009 1:10 pm
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soggycrow wrote:
edengrillz wrote:
what do you guys think about a clear picguard, where you can see the inside of the guitar?


Looks are a matter of personal preference, but you would lose the shielding.


Is shielding necessary? did my 2008 mia strat come with shielding??

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Posted: Wed Jan 14, 2009 1:12 pm
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Another very common mod is going to a higher gauge strings, and thus either modifying the nut or getting a new one entirely.

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