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Post subject: Re: Fans of Strat Plus and Strat Ultra
Posted: Fri Jul 15, 2011 10:13 am
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Xhefri wrote:
Mr chromeface, sometime show us some of "your" guitars. I know you pull a lot of research off the web and share that, but I would be interested in knowing a little bit more about you and your guitars!


Jeff, I had no spare time to take a pic from my gear. But I promise you to post a photo of my brother's Squire "Blackie" when time permits. :P


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Post subject: Re: Fans of Strat Plus and Strat Ultra
Posted: Fri Jul 15, 2011 10:31 am
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bluesdeluxe82 wrote:
What do you guys think the demand on these guitars will be in a few decades? It seems to me Fender went through a really bad period in the 70s-80s with very few guitars being sought out by collectors. All I've lived and known has been the Fender Ultra because I was born in the 80s but from reading people swear the Ultras and Pluses were some of the best guitars Fender ever made even when compared to some Custom Shop guitars.

I guess there is no real way to answer this question until we see the demand go up. I think my dad paid $1200-$1600 for his new back in 91 and I just got a near mint used one for $900 so we obviously aren't quite there yet. I do hear the lace sensors are going up in value quite a bit though. Any thoughts?

I have been watching these for around 13 years and the prices have steadily gone up. The 87-88 models have really jumped the last 3 years some going for has high as $2200 which I admit is a bit crazy. Great investments really.

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Post subject: Re: Fans of Strat Plus and Strat Ultra
Posted: Fri Jul 15, 2011 8:07 pm
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bluesdeluxe82 wrote:
What do you guys think the demand on these guitars will be in a few decades? It seems to me Fender went through a really bad period in the 70s-80s with very few guitars being sought out by collectors. All I've lived and known has been the Fender Ultra because I was born in the 80s but from reading people swear the Ultras and Pluses were some of the best guitars Fender ever made even when compared to some Custom Shop guitars.

I guess there is no real way to answer this question until we see the demand go up. I think my dad paid $1200-$1600 for his new back in 91 and I just got a near mint used one for $900 so we obviously aren't quite there yet. I do hear the lace sensors are going up in value quite a bit though. Any thoughts?


I'm not likely to be alive in a few decades, so I'm not too concerned with buying them for their investment value. At this point in my life I am strictly motivated by what I like, rather than what it's worth. From this perspective, I hope they don't increase in value or demand too quickly.
I've looked at many guitars and find that for me, the Ultra is quite simply the quintessential guitar. The only possible improvement I was able to come up with was a change to the Elite style knobs. Having said that, I can see where I might purchase another Ultra and change the sensors to Emerald Emerald and Double Purple, or some other configuration. Perhaps Gold Gold Double Emerald or Gold Gold Emerald/Purple, you get my drift...
As far as the sensors gaining value, I may be wrong, but I think that only applies to the older versions. I have the older sensors with only the white and orange wires. The newer versions include a green wire. I read that the two wire versions are sought after because they have a better tone. Looking at a new sensor doesn't give me any reason to believe this to be true, however.
People are constantly searching for something newer, better, faster, louder, shinier, etc, etc. I think this behavior has caused the Lace Sensor to be seriously underrated. I am fine with this. I say let the masses chase the rainbows and consume the pablum. I am content to play what I play because it suits me and if it costs less because nobody else wants it, so much the better!


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Post subject: Re: Fans of Strat Plus and Strat Ultra
Posted: Sat Jul 16, 2011 11:46 am
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For as long as the Ultra was in production it is kind of mind boggling that so few come up for sale on the second hand market. As far as them going up in price I can see that happening very easily. Whenever you have a good guitar that has been discontinued the odds of it going up increase highly, especially if a popular artist decides to pick one up, like Johnny Greenwood of Radiohead did with the Tele plus making that a hot guitar.


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Post subject: Setting up the Strat Ultra
Posted: Sat Jul 16, 2011 12:07 pm
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I just got my Ebay Strat Ultra in the mail today and I am blown away at how pristine a 20 year old guitar can be. This thing has not been played much at all. The frets are like new; so much so that they even have a slightly sharp edge on the outer most part that needs to be worn down, any thoughts on sanding or polishing the edges?.

The main question I have is has someone created a step by step sequence on how to properly setup the Ultra? It's probably the same as any strat but I've never done one correctly and always dabble with this or that.

From the seller, this Strat came with the bridge completely locked down. The middle spring is connected to the Trimsetter screw which isn't adjustable. I wound up loosening the outer two spring screws so they weren't pulling the Tremolo down as much but the middle spring is now more tight than the other two. However now the bridge rides up just about 1/4 of an inch which gives me the ability to vibrato the bridge nicely. Is it better to have 2 springs that are the same tension or is it okay to keep the middle spring in there even though it's tighter than the other two?

Here's a photo of the setup (everyone likes photos right):

Fender Floating Bridge:


Image
Fender Tremolo Cavity:

Image


Also, now that the bridge is floating (as opposed to being locked down), the action starts getting higher the closer you get to the pickups. What is the best way to lower this action? Should I lower the hex nuts that lift the saddles so that they sit lower bringing the strings down? Do I have to play around with the neck and adjust the bow in it? I guess the 3rd option is the two posts that hold the bridge but I'm not sure if those are typically adjusted (I would assume tighten them to bring the entire bridge lower). Any ideas?

Strat Ultra Saddles:

Image

Strat Ultra High Action:


Image

After reading almost this entire thread, I also raised the back pickups as close to the strings as possible to give it that extra output. I don't remember my dad's pickups every looking this far out of the pickguard though. What do you think; is this normal?

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Post subject: Re: Fans of Strat Plus and Strat Ultra
Posted: Sat Jul 16, 2011 4:05 pm
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Whoa, that action seems high.

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Post subject: Re: Fans of Strat Plus and Strat Ultra
Posted: Sat Jul 16, 2011 4:13 pm
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i love the strat plus guitars!

heading over to the states on the 26th (Chicargo, Ohio, Nashville), hopefully i can pick up a strat while im there...

comtemplating a strat plus, if i can find one, otherwise im tempted to get a strat deluxe hss and put in a s/s/s lace sensor pickguard to replicate a strat plus..

what are your thoughts?

anyone know if any of the guitarcenters in either chicargo, ohio or nashville have used strat plus or ultra's in stock?


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Post subject: Re: Fans of Strat Plus and Strat Ultra
Posted: Sat Jul 16, 2011 5:55 pm
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I love the Ultra's, I want one bad, but they are never on the market. I almost traded my HM Strat for one once, but the guy pulled out at the last minute :(

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Post subject: Re: Setting up the Strat Ultra
Posted: Sat Jul 16, 2011 5:58 pm
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Nice Ultra! Your action is really messed up. I can tell by looking at the Picts you need to adjust the micro-tilt on the neck. First I would adjust the truss rod so there was about .10 inch at the 8th fret. ( check online about how to adjust the truss rod. I am on my iphone and it is too hard to go into details!) Then loosen the two lower screws on the neck plate and turn the micro-tilt 1/4 turn clock wise and then retighten the neck screws. Play the guitar above the 12 fret and see if the strings are bottoming out. You should also be able by sight to see how the strings lay on the fretboard, that hey follow it fairly equally down the board. Once it looks and sounds pretty good, then fine tune with the small Allen screws on the saddled. All this is pretty easy and anything you do that might make it bad, just undo. A little playing around with it and it will play great.

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Post subject: Re: Fans of Strat Plus and Strat Ultra
Posted: Sat Jul 16, 2011 6:57 pm
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Congratulations on your win! I just watched a blue one end on fleabay with no bids. I think I would have paid the $1400.00 for it if I had the money to spare!

Well, for starters, the saddle on the low E is definitely out of whack. I'd go ahead and download the setup guide for a '92 Plus and follow the steps in that to set yours up.
I'm sure you noticed the Hipshot Tremsetter is missing. :shock: It looks like the PO installed a Chinese spring. I'd replace that with a Tremsetter right away. I like for all the things to be there, myself. Alternatively, you can buy a regular claw and install it along with three regular springs. In any event, it'll be easier to adjust the floating bridge that way.
There is no electronic limit on how close you can set the sensors to the strings. However, too close and you are going to be hitting them with your pick. I recommend setting them slightly closer than the required distance of standard pickups.


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Post subject: Re: Fans of Strat Plus and Strat Ultra
Posted: Sat Jul 16, 2011 8:04 pm
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Hey wrvond, that blue one is exactly the strat my dad has only his is a 91 I think with the other type of locking tuners. I do love that midnight blue burst although under daylight you can see the purple which isn't as cool as if it were just dark blue IMO....but still a very very pretty guitar.

As for the setup, what makes you think those springs are Chinese? I really don't think a thing has been touched on this guitar so I'd be shocked if they did something like exchange the springs out.

As for the tremsetter, I always enjoyed being up to ride the bridge with my palm up and down and the tremsetter will prevent that....so I'm thinking of not using it. Maybe I should add a 3rd spring since I removed the silver middle one and not just have the two black ones. I also like that Jeff Beck wobble where you slap the trem bar which the tremsetter will prevent.

I think I have the floating bridge looking pretty good right now but I'm having trouble getting the neck set correctly. I've done a ton of adjustments to the micro tilt and the truss rod and I can't get ANY relief on the middle frets when holding down the 1st and last fret like all the instructions say to do. The string basically touches every single fret all the way up the fretboard. Not sure what to do next...


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Post subject: Re: Fans of Strat Plus and Strat Ultra
Posted: Sun Jul 17, 2011 8:58 am
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I was only referring to the center spring. All the silver colored springs I've seen (admittedly not that many) have come from China.
You're right that a tremsetter will prevent using your palm to create vibrato if it is adjusted correctly.
However, if you are using 9's, I have found that two springs are enough to maintain the string/spring balance. So, leaving the tremsetter slack would still allow you to palm the trem. I realize this means the tremsetter isn't actually doing it's job, but it does allow all the correct pieces to in their correct places. It really depends on how important keeping the guitar original is to you. It may be that using a regualr claw with three string works best. It wouldn't be any big deal to order a tremsetter kit and put it in a box in case you ever want to use it or sell the guitar (to me, of course!) :lol:

Here is a youtube video that clearly demonstrates truss rod assembly:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PHHepmTX3So

Once that is set, his other three videos should get you all set up.


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Post subject: Re: Fans of Strat Plus and Strat Ultra
Posted: Sun Jul 17, 2011 9:45 am
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Bluesdeluxe82
Congradulations on picking up this great guitar. In your post you stated " I really don't think a thing has been touched on this guitar so I'd be shocked if they did something like exchange the springs out." Here is what I think happened to you guitar. I think it originally came with the Hipshot tremsetter installed. In your original post I see the tremsetter sitting in the case. For some reason I think the original owner removed the tremsetter and replaced it with a spring. Now the middle spring that replaces the tremsetter is not adjustable and this may lead to some problems in adjusting the bridge the way you want. As wrvond suggested, I would either reinstall the tremsetter or remove the tremsetter claws and replace them with the standard strat claw and three strings.
I also noticed that the 6th string saddle needs to be readjusted and as Xhefri said the micro tilt neck looks a little out of wack.
Finally if you are having problems getting the neck adjusted, as you said after adjusting the strings are hitting at all frets, take the guitar immediately to an authorized fender Service center. Good Luck


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Post subject: Re: Fans of Strat Plus and Strat Ultra
Posted: Sun Jul 17, 2011 11:25 am
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Thanks for the youtube link. I really wish it was as easy as he makes it out to be (and others). No matter what I do I cannot get ANY space between the 6th string and the middle frets...they always touch. I assume adjusting the bridge and saddles does not matter because you have to fret the 17th fret or so anyways and that negates any adjustments behind that point right? I've also turned my truss rod all the way counter clockwise until it doesn't want to turn easily anymore but there is still no gap inbetween the strings and the fret when doing the capo/17th fret test. I'm puzzled.

I did take the neck off last night and noticed that the screw that fits into the Micro Tilt had come out and was not functioning so I screwed that back in and tightened it until it was just below level on the opposite side. Will adjusting the micro tilt affect the "truss rod test" above or will it be negated by pressing the 17th fret just like any bridge/saddle adjustments?


As for the springs, I just ordered a new standard claw and some RAW VINTAGE springs that people are swearing by (strange to swear by springs I know). I plan on copying the other Ultra I have which I think is 3 or 4 springs but still floating the trem. I don't care that I change out parts on this guitar as long as I keep the originals for resale although if I can get this one playing perfectly I think this is a keeper.


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Post subject: Re: Fans of Strat Plus and Strat Ultra
Posted: Sun Jul 17, 2011 5:21 pm
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bluesdeluxe82 wrote:
Thanks for the youtube link. I really wish it was as easy as he makes it out to be (and others). No matter what I do I cannot get ANY space between the 6th string and the middle frets...they always touch. I assume adjusting the bridge and saddles does not matter because you have to fret the 17th fret or so anyways and that negates any adjustments behind that point right? I've also turned my truss rod all the way counter clockwise until it doesn't want to turn easily anymore but there is still no gap inbetween the strings and the fret when doing the capo/17th fret test. I'm puzzled.

I did take the neck off last night and noticed that the screw that fits into the Micro Tilt had come out and was not functioning so I screwed that back in and tightened it until it was just below level on the opposite side. Will adjusting the micro tilt affect the "truss rod test" above or will it be negated by pressing the 17th fret just like any bridge/saddle adjustments?


As for the springs, I just ordered a new standard claw and some RAW VINTAGE springs that people are swearing by (strange to swear by springs I know). I plan on copying the other Ultra I have which I think is 3 or 4 springs but still floating the trem. I don't care that I change out parts on this guitar as long as I keep the originals for resale although if I can get this one playing perfectly I think this is a keeper.

Did you get my PM return to your questions?

I find it odd that in all the years of working with guitars and reading Fender's set up tips, that one would adjust the truss rod by only going to the 17th fret as shown in the video. I have always used the 21st or 22 fret, depending on the guitar. And then measured at the 8th fret.

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