I am about to buy a strat standard model. I just wonder if one can install locking tuning machine heads (Fender/Schaller?) on the standard model without any modifcation of the neck head.

Welcome to the Forum...

Mate they should just slot straight on...

What year and is it American or Mexican?

Hi bjornhel, welcome to the Forum.

I can't remember what the back of the tuners on Standard Strats is like these days. However, there is a locator pin on the back of the locking Schallers which requires a small 2.5mm / 0.096" diameter hole in the correct position in relation to each peghole. As in this diagram:

http://www.stewmac.com/shop/Tuners/Guit ... cs#details

Someone will let us know whether that locator pin is already there on the Standard tuners: if not you will have to drill the hole.

Not difficult though.

Cheers - C

Hi,
Thousand thanks for the warm welcoming to the forum.

I really appreciate your answers and the URL to the diagram.
I will share with you how things go.

I have ordered an American Series standard strat. Unfortunately I have to wait for delivery. It could take three months to receive it due to the model is out of stock, so I have to wait for the next "batch".

I have an unmodified deluxe strat in my possesion, which I love very much. But I am in the mood to try new options to sound and performance so I decided to buy another one. I found the standard model very pleasant to play. It has the C shaped neck and the smooth back of the neck.
I got a very good price and as I will replace the pickups anyway I went for the standard model.

I plan to go for Kinman pickups. I don't know whether to go for the vintage (M III) or the newer FV-HMS ones. Any comments on the thoughts about the pickups? A matter of taste of course, but it is interesting to share thoughts and opinion. Another subject/forum? asks a newbie on the Fender forum.

Kind regards
Bjorn

bjornhel

The Locking tuners should fit without any modifications. They do on my Highway 1. Welcome to the Forum. No personal experience with the Kinman pickups. Sorry to hear that it will be a few months for your new guitar. Post pics when you get it along with your other guitar.

_________________
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

G'day again Bjorn,

Mate I think when you recieve your American Standard, you will really enjoy the pickups that come with it.

I don't know if you have already road tested a standard strat already but

If you play around with the pickup height of them you will find a nice spanky strat sound.

As far as Kinmans go, I don't have any ear on them besides my muso friends saying that they are very expensive but worth the dollar they are at.

Personally, I would experiment a bit with your standard as it is out of the box first.

I am very guilty of when I get a new strat, I swap out the pickups straight away, I have only done this with my MIM'S and MIJ strats...

I have never modified my MIA Strats or Deluxe Strat at all...I am resisting that urge so that they can stay as they are forever.

I would suggest that you keep your MIA gear as stock and buy yourself a MIM strat to tinker with.

In the end all is your decision my friend, just sharing an experience..

Goodluck and Take Care..