I just picked up a '98 60's Classic Strat in a gorgeous burgundy mist. It's in great shape, obviously well taken care of. The previous owner had very heavy strings on it, I'm thinking at least a .012 on the high E. I did my normal setup on new acquisitions, string change to .010's, truss rod adjusted, string heights and radius set, action set, bridge set to float 1/8 inch off the body...standard factory setup for a starting point. The problem is that it sounds kinda dead. Unplugged and plugged in. My American Standard rings out loud and clear when unplugged, and sustains nicely when plugged in, and is setup almost identically. In comparison the 60's Classic sounds kinda flat, doesn't ring out like the Am. Std. and doesn't sustain as well. The overall tone is fine, it's just not as expressive as the American.
So, what am I missing? I've always been good at setting up Strats, and have never encountered this problem. I'm thinking bridge/saddles, or the nut. What do you all think?

I've been messing with the pickup height with no real change. The trem block might just be the difference, it is an MIM, and prior to the heavier block they've gone to recently. I'll know I've got it when she rings out acoustically.
Thanks!

You should maybe try setting up the guitar in a hardtail configuration...especially if you dont use the tremolo ever like me...that will help increase sustain and will make the guitar sound more expressive as you put it because the vibration of the strings is transferred better throughout the guitar this way...sound travels better the more solid something is...

Dont tighten the claw screws to much tho...i have a video of my guitar after it was setup this way with he backplate removed...look up my youTube id which is also "stratdude83" and its my most recent video...i believe it was called "Fender Highway 1 Strat *Upgrade*" it sounded way better than the initial setup which was a floating bridge...give it a try and see how it sounds

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Fender Highway 1 Strat, Fender Lonestar Stratocaster 25th Anniversary, Orange Rockerverb 50 w/ PPC212, Crate Vintage Club 30 Tube Amp, Digitech GNX3, Line6 pedals, Ibanez Tube Screamer (my fav), Crybaby Wah

"Unplugged" is the defining factor here.

You stated you've given the guitar the whole treatment and it seems that you are very competent to do so. Consequently, MANY inconsistencies in terms of optimum playing condition can be eliminated here which takes us back to the inherent qualities of this individual specimen.

Unfortunately, certain guitars will simply be lifeless, regardless of their quality, composition and albeit, pedigree. This is also true even when it came from the same production lot of known to be, infinitely more lively ones.

Buying a superior, yet grossly overpriced block and/or entire tremolo system is not going to magically change a dull guitar into a tone monster. It might give you a touch more sustain and volume but contrary to popular belief, a radical tonal metamorphosis is simply not going to happen.

In this particular situation, I would think that you've realistically done all that you can do. The only thing left to give the guitar any semblance of what you're looking for would be a pickup or pickups change. At least electrically, you'll then be able to recoup the response you are used to.

As always, this is merely my opinion and YMMV.

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You dig?

I didn't see any mention of making sure the guitar is "tight". Over the years, the wood will shrink and the machines and neck screws amy need tightening. I've bought new Fender guitars that didn't stop shrinking for a few months... even an expensive Am Deluxe can shrink!

heres the vid of my guitar after its setup was done...notice how the tremolo isn't setup at all...im willing to bet it will make it sound noticeable better

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=asTAsU5ayMo

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Fender Highway 1 Strat, Fender Lonestar Stratocaster 25th Anniversary, Orange Rockerverb 50 w/ PPC212, Crate Vintage Club 30 Tube Amp, Digitech GNX3, Line6 pedals, Ibanez Tube Screamer (my fav), Crybaby Wah

I have a 2004 '60s Classic Strat and I greatly improved the tone and sustain by replacing the tremolo with one I ordered from StewMac. The Gotoh vintage version is a direct replacement. Order some 1 1/4" tremolo mounting screws because it comes with 1". You won't be sorry. Also, make sure the nut is up to snuff. (slots, depth, etc.) I replaced mine with a vintage bone, also from StewMac. I brought it in to try an amp at GC and fooled the manager. He couldn't believe it was a Mexi. He said he could usually spot Mexican Strats a mile away. I let him play it, and had to take it from him after awhile.

P.S. Those pickups are fine on that guitar. Closer to the vintage sound. I changed them out with Custom '54s and ended up putting the originals back in.

P.S.S. I wasn't impressed by the Bogner Alchemist.

Certainly no shortage of ideas here. I guess what's really annoying me is that I didn't notice the "deadness" at the store, a sin for which I blame nobody but myself. It certainly sounded fine with those heavy cables on it. That could indicate that 'hardtailing' it MIGHT turn the trick. I tightened her all up, tuners, neck (had to loosen it to adjust the truss rod anyway) on the initial setup. I do know my way around a Strat, but this one is just intent on making me really work for it. That's fine, I don't mind a challenge! Thanks for all the info and ideas, I'm always willing to try new things in pursuit of the tone monster!

PS - I picked up an Egnater Rebel 20 stack last month...best damned amp I've owned in 35 years of playing! Beats the snot out the M/B Lonestar Special that cost me 3X as much! Built like a tank, and the Egnater people are truly dedicated to their customers. I would encourage players of all styles to try one out.

Hey even Mercedes make a lemon every now and then. I would just try and sell it and at least get back what you paid and go get a differant ax instead of trying to get something out of it thats not there.

If it doesn't ring acoustically and vibrate in your hands, the only things I could suggest would be making sure the neck is tight in the pocket and neck screws are not stripped (I take it you already did this), with MAYBE a bridge/block change helping. Otherwise I'm afraid it's the wood -- or finish, and I'm sure you wouldn't want to experiment by sanding it down!

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Addicted to chasing down tone info, and publishing all my findings at my blog: www.WoodyTone.com

I had a set of Texas Specials laying around, so I threw them in. They helped the sustain and tone when plugged in. But get this, what REALLY helped was adding a 4th spring on the trem! I guess it makes sense, tightens up the metal to wood connection and stabilizes the bridge, but I've done this with other Strats and never noticed that big a change, if any at all!
Ah, the lovely mystery's of this instrument we all love so much.... They always teach you something!

I was going to suggest that if you wanted to keep the plate floating make sure that the leading edge of the plate is down in good contact with the body. But I guess you decided to bring the plate down flush. That will also ensure good body contact, although the pressure per unit area may well be lower than if you float the plate.

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James Burton Upgrade Telecaster
Hot Rodded Am Fat Strat Texas Special (now featuring Kinman Traditional II pickups)
Fender Blues Jr.
SWR California Blonde
Pedals Pedals Pedals

The neck could be warped? I have a teisco and on the e and a from the 12-18th the guitar sounded dead. i brought it over to my guitar tech and he fixed it as much as he could do.

it could be that

I'm not sure if it makes that much difference but Fender suggests the silver trem springs on the MIMs and the black trem springs on the MIA. Do you have the silver springs installed?

oh btw - do you know the weight of this guitar?