I want to upgrade my 2006 Chrome Red Mexican with new pickups and gold hardware but I'm having dificulty finding left handed parts. I want to try to keep it all Fender or better if possible. I have a few questions that will help me in my persuit. Are locking tuners made specifically for righties and lefties or is there an actual left handed model? When upgrading pickups, do I need to ask for a left handed variety or can I just turn the units around and install them? I know I need a left handed bridge/tremolo assembly but I'm not having much luck locating a gold one. Any answers and suggestions will be welcome especially concerning the left handed configuration.

I just wanna warn ya before you start upgrading a mexi strat is kind of a double edge sword. Yes, it will be a lot cooler but after you add up the ad ons you could have bought an american guitar!!!

'As far as parts houses:

Parts is Parts - http://www.guitar-parts.com/
Music parts Guru - http://www.musicpartsguru.com/ (They are a big fender distributer of parts)

3tone, Thanks for the reply and for the 2 web sites. I'll check them out. And yes, I know it's could be costly. I have an American that I don't want to mess with. I bought the Mexi so I can experiment with it and just have fun.

see I just did that.....

Bought a mexi-Strandard...put 250 woth of up grades

Fendetr Pearl picguard and back plates
Fender CSN picups
Calliham Staineless steel saddles
Neck plate with "F" logo engraved on it

I had all these cool american guitar....once i got done tinkering...yes it was cool..but I never opalyed it...sold it and lost my shirt!

Hey Sunburst-

I have a 2000 MiM and I did some mods to it- Never been happier. I added Texas Specials to it for that nice midrange crunch and put on a new pickguard- The tuning keys and bridge are good for right now but soon I will upgrade those to something more to my liking.

This whole debate about MiA vs MiM is moot- If I had an American Strat I would have upgraded it too. The point being I want my guitar to play like "My" Guitar - Doesn't matter where it was born or how much it cost- Play it like you just stole it and traet it like a woman and you will never go wrong.

The Freeze

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There's Always Room For MELLOW !!!!

2000 MIM Stratocaster, Midnight Wine W/Texas Specials
2000 Fender Hot Rod Deluxe
1969 Fender Vibro Champ

Hi, I just purchased a new lefty MIM Strat from GuitarCenter, and a Frontman 25R amp. It feels great but Geez, it just doesn't produce great sound. By that I mean there's very little sustain or harmonics sound, or nice warm rich distortion. The reverb helps a little. I'm comparing this experience to a Gibson Explorer copy I had years ago. That thing could sing! Any advice on where I should focus? Pickups, amp, effects?? Or maybe it's just the nature of the Strat?

http://www.grguitars.com/parts_5lefty.htm

Good luck!

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Being able to play and enjoy music is a gift that's often taken for granted.

Don't leave home without it!

First things first...you probably should change the strings - even if you put the same kind on. Factory strings are who-knows-how-old, and tone dies with bad strings. Then, I'd look into an upgrade to your amp at some point (look at tube amps if you can). Take your guitar to a shop and plug into some and play....you will be surprised, I'm sure!

Don't give up on the Strat, cause it's a great foundation to build on!

Ahhhh, yes, I'll start with strings, many thanks...

Thanks for the replies guys, and Miami Mike...thanks for the web site. I am a little surprised that no one commented on the left handed tuners or pickups. Do they need to be left handed configuration or can the right handed style be used? I ask this because it's much easier to find righty stuff than lefty as all you leftys out there already know.

First thing i would do is get a different amp.The frontman amps are not the greatest sounding in my opinion.Before putting 250 in upgrades to your axe, you can probably get a nicer used amp for that.