I did this Callahan block.


Then I did this all new pots and switch the good stuff
The connections are good but maybe not as pretty as some of you pro`s.
I checked the pups and the fralin neck was 6.5- fender middle was 5.8 and fralin bridge was 6.8

Then I finished with this, new black covers and guard.
Kinda smudgy I didn`t wipe down or anything since I still have to string up and test.I just did the screw driver tap to make sure the pups and controls were working right with the switch.

I wired it using this diagram below, how important is the extra ground wire to the body # 19 in the diagram?

http://www.fender.com/support/diagrams/ ... 02CPg2.pdf

is this a new mexican strat??

Looks good! The block will be the biggest thing you'll notice the difference with. Good luck!

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The body itself and bridge are the only parts mexi now. It is an old mexi body from when they first started making them.It had the mexi mini pots and plastic selector switch hence the upgrade to the new pickgaurd and US stuff.I can live with the body being mexi because it is a nice one and matches very well with the US neck, but the Fralin pups deserved better.
thanks for asking

I'm getting a new mexican fat strat in the winter or early spring. The lake placid blue one! I'm in love with the new logos! I want to install locking tuners and a black pickguard. Maybe some new pickups later on too, and a colitap! i really want to play blues, classic rock and some metal, but i dont know what pickups to go with. any ideas?

Is it this one?
http://www.fender.com/products//search. ... 0144700302

I just noticed they are using two adjustment screws for the top of the bridge humbucker same as Carvin.This poses a problem when switching to other aftermarket pickups.

trust me I know what a pain it is

I would try the pups that come with it they may work just fine.
The other option is to not go with the fat strat model and upgrade would be easier since Dimarzio for instance makes some really nice single coil sized humbuckers.That way you could always switch pickups with no future problems.Bill n Becky Lawrence make some nice pups also.

Strung up wiped down and kickin out some serious tone now.The upgrades were worth doing as it sounds even better now.Man whoever before I got it really had this thing a mess. I do have an issue with the Callahan trem block.I used one of the old string ferules for the string tree spacer.

This is one of the nicest playing and sounding strats I have ever played.
Not bad for $550!

I`ll stop posting about it now.I`m sure some are tiring of it.

I really appreciate all the help and advice I got here during the last few weeks.Priceless!!!Plus, I have learned quite a bit about the world of Statocasters. thanks Rob

Hi maxoom: that ground-to-body wire is only there if you have shielding paint (matt black) in the pickup and control cavities. If you do then there will be a little screw grommit to attach the ground wire to - if it ain't there then you don't need to worry about it. (The ground-to-trem-claw wire is another matter, though: very important.)

So. Nice looking Strat! Worth the hassle, huh? I think so!

If that's a Mexican body it is a very good one. No veneers front and back, and a two piece construction joined cleanly down the middle. Nothing to complain about there!

Silly of me, but I like that bit of dark grain to the right of your trem block cavity that carries over into the belly cut. I'm told by a tree expert that those marks are caused in alder when the tree moves about in the wind and tiny fissures form inside the timber which then fill with resin which sets hard - and gives those black marks. It's your body's "fingerprint". Meaningless, I know, but it's the kind of thing I take pleasure in.

Anyhow. Nice work! Now go rock that babe!

Cheers - C

Hi Ceri,thank you for your help.I had initially hooked up the extra to the body ground but still had a ground loop hum.So I unhooked it.Still had a Hum? I then rehooked it up and isolated all the spots where the pickgaurd foil and my trem cavity copper foil connected and also lined the area by the pots that might touch with electrical tape.So after several tries I have success ground loop hum is gone everything sounds great and I am relieved to be done. Funny you mentioned it I fixated on that streak of grain also.I always look for any grain that is identifying and unique.

Thank you for your response that helped me realize that because I had shielded the cavity that I did indeed need that extra wire to body.

Maxoom,

The guitar looks great and I'm glad it sounds just as sweet! Sorry to hear you had an issue with the trem-block. Mine lined up perfect. I wonder if there were any changes to the bridge on MIM standards between when yours was made and my 2001. Best of luck with it. I think you have a lot of guitar there for $550.

By the way they say in the instructions for my Callaham block that you need a different threaded arm for the tremolo when you install them. I didn't notice this 'til after I installed mine, but it is not an issue as I lock it down with 5 springs and don't use the tremolo. This is good for others to know though.

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That's nice. Love it. I hope to have mine finished thes weekend and post pics of it for you.

RK

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RK

2007 Fender Highway 1
2012 American Deluxe
2015 MIM Dave Murray HHH
2010 Fender Blacktop
1987 Fender Avalon Acoustic
2012 Marshall DSL 15 watt head

Kong, I`m not using my trem so it`s not an issue right now but should I or someone else that buys one want to? Maybe this fits the newer mexi trem hole and not my older one? Seems they keep changing the mexi specs.


rkreisher,make sure you don`t forget to post them.I always love to see the guitar pics.