Chrome plated Graphtech Ferraglide Stingsaver saddles and a set of Kinman Traditional Mk2 pickups. I've made these mods to both my strats, a 2004 American Series and a 2008 American Standard. Changing the pickups are the single biggest improvement you can make to any guitar and the kinmans are in a class of their own, with the added bonus of being noiseless.

I upgraded the strap locks and want to do the locking tuners as well but then I'd be getting close to a delux...

Locking tuners are great: much faster and easier string changes (especially if you break one at a gig), good quality, put a little more mass on the head which some people say give a bit more sustain. If you have good locking tuners, you'll never want to go back to winding up normal ones again

You are right. I have had American deluxe Strats and the locking tuners are great for changing strings. I can do the full set in about 30 minutes with standard tuners. with the locking tuners about 1/2 that.

The MIM does not have the same High mass bridge block as the Amer. Std. though even if it is the newer MIM upgrade. Curious though whats the difference is between the two MIM blocks before upgrade to now?

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The strongest reason for the people to retain the right to keep and bear arms is, as a last resort, to protect themselves against tyranny in government.

Thomas Jefferson

Upgrade your playing!

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Custom Shop '59 Strat with John Cruz Master Design Pickups
Vibro King
Fulltone Clyde>Deja-Vibe>TS-808>TS-9>Boss Tuner

WORKING ON THAT-ONE NOTE AT A TIME

Nice!

I know just as well as anyone that is very fun and very tempting to just sit around and throw parts at your guitar but the fact is that the best advice anyone could give is to play, play, play. Nothing will make your guitar sound better.

In this process you will stumble on little things that you or dislike about your Strat and in time you will have it just the way you like it but I would strongly advise that you find these things yourself and in the process of becoming a better musician. Otherwise, you just end up wasting time and money on things that you may later end up removing or regretting.

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Custom Shop '59 Strat with John Cruz Master Design Pickups
Vibro King
Fulltone Clyde>Deja-Vibe>TS-808>TS-9>Boss Tuner

If we are talking about the MIM, then pickups are always good. Also, if it is a pre-06, then get the 06+ tremblock. I got one for my '04 off of eBay for $12.

If we are talking about the MIA Std, leave it alone. An MIA Std should not be altered unless you get to the point where you feel there is something on it that really needs changing.

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Laughing out loud with fear and hope, I have a desperate plan ...