Hi!

I was wondering if anyone on here has any experience with modifying one of these bad boys?

I bought one used back in the early 90´s, not quite mint - but my first, and only, guitar. I love this guitar, I´m used to it, it´s well set up for my use and it has a lot of sentimental value for me - BUT unfortunately I can´t get the sound I want from it.. So I was thinking of modifying it by putting a new pickguard with some passive pickups in it (probably Seymour Duncan Antiquity I). I´m a TOTAL noob when it comes to this kind of thing - so I´m getting a more knowledgeable friend of mine to help me do the actual assembly, but I don´t want to get him involved if it turns out to be a massive amount of work..

What I was wondering was how far from a "standard" strat the Elite actually is? Are the internal measurements reasonably alike? Will I need to get a new bridge to make a standard strat pickguard fit? Will the space left by the electronics I remove adversely affect the sound of the guitar?

Am I better off hanging it on my wall and saving up for a guitar that already has the sound I´m looking for??

Looooong first post..

Get yourself a copy of A.R.Duchossior's famous book on the Stratocaster.
You'll find photos of the guitar, it's routing, and wiring diagram of the pickguard. The Elite was the platform from which the Clapton evolved, and the routing is still the same. You might consider fitting that guitar with an EMG DG-20, which is the Gilmour electronics, only the pickguard is moto w/cream covers and controls. Of course, that's prewired, but you can install that circuitry in about any pickguard which the EMG's will fill. Then there's the issue of the Freeflyte trem. Just a few thoughts there and there, but start with A.R.D.'s book. Doc

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"Another day in paradise!"

check out this ebay page and let us know what you think about messing around with a cool guitar that was only produced for a year.
http://cgi.ebay.com/1983-Fender-Strat-E ... 414ee61f30

http://www.gbase.com/stores/gear/gearli ... trat+elite

I say hang it up, or trade for something
plus, you need to show us pics

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People say I'm a nice guy, I can't figure why

Therein lies the problem.. Not only is it semi-rare, but it´s my first "love" as well.. So I don´t know if I could ever trade or sell it, but it just doesn´t work for me sonically. Maybe I should just start the long and painful process of saving up for a new guitar..

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GOOD IDEA Get yourself a Clapton ....and....while you're at it....get a respectable case for that one if you don't have one already.

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"Another day in paradise!"

Yeppers, I agree! I have seen many unique guitars that were hacked, modded, rewired, etc., years ago. Now one see them and they think, What was the person thinking, they should not have done this to this guitar. So think about 15 years from now, you will look at this guitar and think, Why did I do that, that was dumb! So keep it original as these are fairly rare, even now. In 15 years it will even be more rare, and best left unmolested. Get yourself another Strat. Maybe go to MC and play different ones so you can find the tone and feel your looking for. Start saving!

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Xhefri's Guitars
www.xhefriguitars.com

I think I´ve been convinced to keep it as it is. As you can probably tell, I didn´t really want to butcher it anyways..

I hope I can find a strat that feels and plays like this one, but sounds more to my liking.

Thanks guys =)

ISuggest you start with the American Deluxe and the American Standard. If price point is an issue look at the American Special, the Highway One, and the MIM Standard. From there, peruse the product list, read specs and see what you can find on the walls in those categories, to audition. Most of the guitars in the Fender line are fitted with what they call a 'modern C-neck' which may be closer to your Elite in terms of feel. The Deluxe come with a soft V as well which is generic for most of the V-necks in the line. The Clapton and the '57VHR are different in that respect. Also be aware of neck radius. Most Fenders are 9.5 but some of them are 12, so you need to check specs in that regard as well.
Let us know what you settle on.
Doc

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"Another day in paradise!"

This is the most beautiful Guitar that I have ever seen or owned.

Jumping in a year late... but that's a beautiful body on the guitar...

I'd have taken the original electronics/pickguard and put it away...

New pickguard, whatever pickups you want to try, and play around till you get the sound you want.

Someday, if you change your mind, you'll still be able to reinstall the original parts, resolder the output wires, and put it back original...

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Still looking for that One Guitar To Rule Them All since 1964...
FSR Fender 60 Anniversary Strat HSS MIM, Gibson ES 335, Taylor 555, Ovation Custom Balladeer-12, Baby Taylor, Fender Princeton Chorus (stereo), Fender Champ 600