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Post subject: Deluxe Players Strat-mods?
Posted: Thu Jan 20, 2011 4:59 pm
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Well, I'm contemplating getting a Deluxe Players Strat. First to go is the pickguard. I dont live anywhere close to try 1 or more out so any suggestions/opinions are welcome. I was kicking around the idea of the "Clapton" mid boost and removal of the push button option. I use the neck pickup for about 75% of stuff anyways. I have no problem with routing out some wood for the board,battery etc....Pretty sure I'd want a seperate TBX tone pot for the bridge pickup though. I might actually use it at that point. Also, If anyone has any "real" pictures of their sunburst model, please post them. All I can find are the typical internet pics.


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Post subject: Re: Deluxe Players Strat-mods?
Posted: Thu Jan 20, 2011 5:45 pm
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I actually used a DP strat pickguard when I installed the Clapton mid boost in my 99 Am Dlx strat that came with the VNs as original pups. I had to do a lot of head scratching to figure out how to incorporate the push button into the wiring scheme of the Clapton, but I did it successfully... I found it's really nice versatility-wise, but my guitar sounds quite different than the Clapton does. I am sure that it has to do with all the other differences between the two models (Clapton being based on a 50s guitar with vintage everything, the Am Dlx with 2 point bridge, etc.)... The tone just isn't the same in my Am Dlx... I found that I hardly ever play the guitar any more since picking up a used Robert Cray strat on ebay right before Christmas. Next time I change strings I will try to remember to take pictures of the route I did and the wiring as well...


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Post subject: Re: Deluxe Players Strat-mods?
Posted: Thu Jan 20, 2011 5:57 pm
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That would be great, I'd appreciate it. How do you like the noiseless pickups?


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Post subject: Re: Deluxe Players Strat-mods?
Posted: Thu Jan 20, 2011 6:15 pm
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I used to have a 2003 Clapton that I liked a lot. I'm not too impressed with the VNs in my Am Dlx. Although it's entirely possible that I mucked something up when I wired it up. I, unfortunately am NOT a techie, I wired visually, copying pictures, charts and schematics (lots of trial and error, more error, actually). I can test pots and pickups (read ohms, etc.) but as far as any more than that I'm as green as they come.

If I had it to do all over again, I'd have experimented on a less costly guitar (not my Am Dlx!). But, enthusiasm got the best of me. I freaked my son out when I had my guitar in pieces on the floor of my den, drilling holes into my guitar and then taking a chisel to it (when making the cavities for the PCB board in front and the battery in back). But, I'd already defiled the guitar previously by having a local luthier install an LSR nut on it for me, so once I started down that modifying road, I figured there was no turning back...!

But, I digressed from your original question about how I like the pickups. I've actually thought about having someone "in the know" take a look at it, just to make sure I got it right. It is HARD to find trustworthy techs in the two places I've lived of late (Kansas City and now Little Rock).

I think the pickups are "ok"...but I used to have a Artist Buddy Guy that I thought sounded just a little better than the Clapton and my Am Dlx. Then again, it had a snappiness to it due to the ash body. My Am Dlx has a HEAVY 3 piece alder body with a THICK poly finish. Take that, the non-steel block, the square bridge pieces, the LSR and the locking tuners and I've deviated quite a bit from the Clapton model. Your guitar is much closer to a vintage setup so you might come out better than I did.

The VNs are certainly quiet and respond very nicely to the boost. I've written a post here previously about how it responds quite differently depending on whether they're played thru a tube amp or something solid state like my Digitech GNX4.

To be totally truthful, I think I'm moving away from the boost thing and moving into a "vintage" kick. This RC strat is a great sounding, snappy and responsive guitar!


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Post subject: Re: Deluxe Players Strat-mods?
Posted: Thu Jan 20, 2011 6:25 pm
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I know all about the defiling thing. Back in the early 90's, I had a Parsons/White style custom bending setup installed in a brand new Crimson Frost Telecaster Plus...also had an additional Lace Sensor Silver added to the middle position along with a Hipshot bending system on top.....But, the Strat mods I asked about, I considered doing to my Classic 50's Players Strat but I'm leaning more towards the Deluxe Player. Kind of a SRV look with Clapton'ish guts...


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Post subject: Re: Deluxe Players Strat-mods?
Posted: Thu Jan 20, 2011 6:27 pm
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You know, they say if there aren't any pictures, it didn't happen:

Image
Image


Last edited by collinsml on Thu Jan 20, 2011 6:31 pm, edited 1 time in total.

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Post subject: Re: Deluxe Players Strat-mods?
Posted: Thu Jan 20, 2011 6:31 pm
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did you put the battery under the pickguard or go the "battery box" route?


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Post subject: Re: Deluxe Players Strat-mods?
Posted: Thu Jan 20, 2011 6:32 pm
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....does the boost play well with a TS9 by chance?


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Post subject: Re: Deluxe Players Strat-mods?
Posted: Thu Jan 20, 2011 6:34 pm
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I put it in the back. I tried to imitate the Clapton setup. Have you seen this site on how to install it without mods? http://areyouexperienced.net/fender_cla ... st_kit.htm I tried it but things didn't fit well enough for me so I got frustrated and started hacking on my guitar to make it all fit! Not recommended!

Edited to respond to your question about the TS9. It works just fine with additional boosts, etc. Just have to be moderate in their application. 25 db of boost available on tap from the guitar PLUS a pedal is a lot of gain..


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Post subject: Re: Deluxe Players Strat-mods?
Posted: Thu Jan 20, 2011 6:47 pm
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I just scanned this post and saw your comments about your CP50. I have one too! Great guitars! In all (Fender-wise), I have the CP50 (stock), a Baja Tele (stock), a Cray (stock), a 1992 '57 reissue (it's visible in the same Photobucket account) and the Am Dlx. More gear than talent, sadly! I compensated by getting more stuff! But that's changing, I'm thinning the herd and focusing more on playing, hence my return to the "vintage" side of things. Liking stuff more simple these days...


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Post subject: Re: Deluxe Players Strat-mods?
Posted: Sun May 26, 2013 2:16 pm
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I'll add in one comment about the Lace Sensor pickups; I was never a fan, they just sounded too clean to my ears. I've swapped them out for Lollar Blackfaces and couldn't be happier.


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Post subject: Re: Deluxe Players Strat-mods?
Posted: Sun May 26, 2013 11:39 pm
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collinsml wrote:
You know, they say if there aren't any pictures, it didn't happen:

Image
Image



Links are broken.


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