Hi all,
First post, please be kind.

I just picked up a new (to me) American Standard Strat. From what I can tell, it was made in 2000 (based on S/N) and is purple. I've never seen a purple one but it seems Fender made them for a couple years.

I like the way it sounds and plays. It's my first Strat. I've had a couple LP's over the years and mostly play acoustic (Martins for the most part) bluegrass stuff.

I'm having fun playing around with the different tones I can get from the strat.

The pups are not original as far as I can tell. I'm pretty sure they are Semour Duncan SSL-1 pups. The label on the back of the pups says SSL-1 20070327 (and the middle one is the RWRP if I'm reading the tag right). At 50, my eyes are not as good as they used to be but I'm pretty sure that is what the tag says.

Anyway, glad I stumbled on the forum here.

Anyone of you guys know anything about these pups? (good bad or otherwise?)

Thanks,
Jeff

Hi jeffnles1,

Congrats on the new Strat! I don't really know anything about your pickups, but I would like to see some pics of the guitar. I think that purple is a cool color, but don't see it very often.

see image posting info here
http://www.fender.com/community/forums/faq.php?sid=5a5106a4f589c2abc342a722ea3651a9&sid=f9e8310abc95b48c87c67a1c49ef1a64#f3r3

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---> "The amp should be SWITCHED OFF AND UNPLUGGED before you do this!" <---

Por favor, disculpe mi español, no se llega a la práctica con mucha frecuencia.

I'll try to get some natural light photos. With the flash, all you can see is reflection from the flash.

It is a very pretty guitar. White Pearl pickguard, rosewood fingerboard, purple metalic body.

I read some reviews on the pups on anther site and guys seem to be happy with them. I like the way it sounds so I may just leave them on.

If not, there are tons of different pups out there for strats.

As soon as I get some photos I will be posting them.

Jeff

Be kind......sure we will.

We need all the Jeffs we can get here.


I would like to see some pictures when you get then, you can place a piece of white paper over the flash to soften the flash an kill the glare some.
But daylight shots will bring out the color best.

_________________
Marriage is like playing cards...

At first all you want are Hearts and Diamonds.

But in the end, all you really want is a Club and a Spade.

This may be a cool new acronym for NOS.

Welcome and congrats on a fine guitar!

The SSL-1s are Seymour Duncan's take on vintage Strat pickups, manufactured the same way. They are more in a 1950s design vein where there is a crisp balance all around and comparatively speaking in terms of 1950s Strat pickups, they are not weak either.

When I was heavily gigging, I used them in my #1 Strat for 8 years running and they never left me wanting. (I didn't have a RW/RP one in the middle though.) I doubt very strongly you'll be disappointed with them.

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You dig?

OK, here are some photos. It's cold and snowing outside so I had to settle for some shots with my point and shoot digital.

Not the best photos in the world but at least it's better than using one's imagination.

My Purple Strat

Wow, that's purple alright! The pearl guard does give it a certain ambience though; I like it!!

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You dig?

Very pretty indeed, the pickguard makes it all come together!!

Thanks guys. In real life, it's just a bit darker than the photos show. I think the flash was bouncing off the metal flake in the paint. I'm showing my age, but if you remember the Hemi Purple of the 60's Chrysler cars, it's like a metalic version of that (maybe not exactly, but how does one describe the color purple?

Anyway, I do think the pearl pickguard does make it all come together nicely and the rosewood fretborard keeps the dark image theme carried through.

I'm still getting used to playing her (or is it an "it" not sure yet). I played a Les Paul years ago back when we were doing covers of what is now considered classic rock. For the past 20+ years, I've been playing acoustic bluegrass.

Our church needed someone to play electric, I came across this guitar for the right price from a buddy and now, I'm the proud owner of a Strat.

Any tips / suggestions / how to get the most from a strat that you guys can share, I'm all ears.

Thanks again,
Jeff

Get a good set-up done and condition the fretboard. Make sure your string hight is what you want, a medium low is nice, and pick-up hight is very important for a good sound.

This pretty much says it all. If your frets need a dressing, get it done before the fretboard conditioning.

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You dig?

Thanks guys.

Been working the setup for the past couple days. The frets look unplayed. No wear that I can see at all (unlike m #1 acoustic D-28 that needs refretted in the first 5 or 6). I have the string height set where I want it (nut was perfect, lowered the saddles a bit to where I like it), and set the intonation.

By conditioning the fretboard, you talking about that fretboard conditioner stuff (or lemon oil type of stuff)? If so, I have some I use on the ebony fretboards on my acoustics every year or so if they start looking dry. Is that what you're talking about?

As for smooth, the fretboard feels smooth as I'm playing and if it's anything like the fretboards on the LP's I've owend or the ebony on my acoustics, they do get better with play time.

The guitar has very little sign of being played much. A buddy of mine took it in on trade for some car stuff he was selling.

It does have the pewter color locking tuners too. I've never had the locking tuners on a guitar before and they are pretty nice, I like them.

I haven't messed with the pup height too much yet until I get the setup where I want it. Right now, they're about 8/64" on the bass side and about 6/64" on the treb side. Seems to sound pretty good but may play with it a bit later. Where do you guys start with the pup height?


Jeff

Yes to your question regarding the lemon oil. Keep in mind that rosewood is more porous than ebony so use the oil most sparingly.

You've started at a decent place with the pickup heights and there's nothing wrong with possibly adjusting them again at some future time (either way). Let your ear be your guide as each pickup has a "sweet spot" for each player.

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You dig?

That's a beautiful guitar Jeff,Prince would love it too for sure.BTW welcome to the forum from another oldie-56.

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'65 Strat,65 Mustang,65 Jaguar,4 more Strats,3 vintage Vox guitars,5 Vox amps,'69 Bassman with a '68 2-15 Bassman cab,36 guitars total-15asst'd amps total,2 vintage '60s Hammond organs & a myriad of effects-with a few rare vintage ones.