Hi,

firstly, hello everybody, first post but have been lurking for a while - great forum with tons of useful info.

I've got a older standard American strat - recently acquired - and would like to make some upgrades to it. The first thing I'd like to change is the bridge/tremolo, and after doing some research, I am leaning towards the Callaham Vintage S Model. What's your opinion on this, is that something that can be fairly easily done (by a professional repairer, mind you)? I've read about issues with string spacing (not quite sure about the details), is that something I need to worry about?

I am also planning to upgrade the pickups but have not yet made my mind up. I've see good feedback about the Fender vintage 57/62s, and also SD Lil'59 for the bridge. If you have any recommendations, then please let me know.

Many thanks for your help, cheers t.

Just keep in mind that "older Strats " have more value if they are stock. So, no issue with mods, but it is a very good idea to keep all the old parts (no matter how small) and make no permanent changes.

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Thanks for your replies, it's an 87 American Standard Strat, and in pretty good condition.

I really wanted a '57RI from around the same time, but these guitars are just so expensive, especially in Australia. So my thoughts were to buy a standard one and then upgrade at least the bridge first and then later on the pickups.

I am not a collector and will keep this guitar for my children (just in case). I do realise that a near-mint 1987 strat is a good thing, and I am not rushing in to change it immediately, my aim is to get some opinions and suggestions and then decide later on. First of all, I am going to enjoy playing it like it is for a while.

the hard thing about putting a vintage style bridge on an anerican std is the 2 point bridge a pro tech can put a vintage style bridge on it but it would be a lot of work and pricey id leave the stock bridge in it and mabe go customn shop pups you can find then for under 200$ us on ebay

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As an alternative suggestion. You could just replace the trem block and not the trem cover plate. This will preserve its "stock" appearance. As others have pointed out, making changes to a vintage or near vintage guitar is typically not advised as it will certainly effect value further down the road.

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"I started out with nothing, and still have most of it"