Quality Strat for modding

Stefanovic · **Joined:** Fri Mar 04, 2011 12:44 pm **Posts:** 29

Hi Stratmasters, for ages now I have been after a good feeling Strat in terms of been easy to play and smooth because the ones I have now feel heavy, cheap and generally crap. I fell in love with the Iron Maiden signature models, and due to the prices, I chose to put together a good quality one of my own. As well as the electronics, which are easier to put together and find, I need a Strat body and neck that just feels right.

Can anyone recommend affordable Strats that feel good to play on the neck (one of those thing necks would be nice like the Wizard III neck on my Ibanez RGA32) - that really did boost my playing. The electronics aren't a worry as I have a replacement set, but the body needs to be able to hold either a H/H configuration or H/S/H for my DiMarzio Super Distortion humbuckers. I'd imagine the Dave Murray signature Strat will have a quality neck for that really smooth, easy to play feel. I basically need an equivalent to that.

Any help would be uber appreciated.

Thanks!
Stefanovic

Robinstrat · **Posted:** Tue Jun 28, 2011 3:04 am

You could buy a Charvel ProMod SoCal(made in Japan).
It has an absolutely stunning neck (big frets, rolled fretboard, unfinished neck(oiled).
Floyd Rose (works perfect), Fender headstock.
Buy a used one and it´s a bargain.
Incredible sounding rock machines \m/

EDIT: maybe you can get the Charvel SanDimas cheaper used. It´s the same great guitar with a H/H routing and no pickguard and the jack at the side of the body (Les Paul).
The SoCal is routed for H/S/H.

Cheers,
Robin

Stefanovic · **Joined:** Fri Mar 04, 2011 12:44 pm **Posts:** 29

I've had a look at those Charvels, and they're like £500 upwards. Kind of too much for me. Maybe no more than £200. As I am only after the body and neck really.

Cheers,
Stefanovic

bluesky636 · **Posted:** Tue Jun 28, 2011 7:33 am

If all you want are bodies and necks, you can buy them here:

http://stores.ebay.com/The-STRATosphere

http://www.warmoth.com/

There are many others.

Ceri · **Posted:** Tue Jun 28, 2011 8:18 am

Stefanovic wrote:

one of those thing necks would be nice like the Wizard III neck on my Ibanez RGA32 - that really did boost my playing.

Hi Stefanovic: if it is a Wizard type neck you favor then you have to buy an Ibanez or similar shredder's guitar. Fender don't make anything nearly so thin for Strats.

The Wizard III is 19 mm thick front to back at the first fret and 21 mm thick at the twelfth. That is mighty skinny! For comparison, here are the front to back neck thicknesses of some guitars in my possession:

Squier Strat - 20.65 mm (0.813") - 23.40 (0.921)

MIJ Strat - 21.95 (0.864) - 25.40 (1.0)

MIA Strat - 20.90 (0.823) - 25.33 (0.997)

MIK Tele - 22.16 (0.872) - 22.88 (0.9)

Les Paul - 21.39 (0.842) - 24.81 (0.977)

Yamaha Compass Series - 21.02 (0.827) - 22.44 (0.883) (at the tenth fret)

You will see that the MIA Strat is pretty thin at the first fret by the standards of most Fenders - but it is still three mil thicker than the Ibanez. And over four mil thicker at the twelfth fret.

In fact, if affordability is a strong factor you'll notice on that list that the Squier neck is in fact the thinnest overall - though still significantly thicker than a Wizard. That one is a 1997 Chinese built Squier neck I have kicking around the workshop and I notice others now and again on Ebay for very little money. Get one in good condition and you are in business. (Or buy mine if you want - where are you on the planet?)

Fender necks are mostly favored by people who play blues, rock and similar, where a thicker neck is prefered. Ibanez and others aim more at the metal and hi-tech market. There are exceptions to that, of course. But mostly it is horses for courses with manufacturers: you go to the one that caters for your needs.

You seldom find super skinny necks from Fender: I can't think of one in the catalog at present (though I stand to be corrected).

Cheers - C

ORCRiST · **Joined:** Wed Feb 24, 2010 11:18 am **Posts:** 176

Stefanovic wrote:

Hi Stratmasters, for ages now I have been after a good feeling Strat in terms of been easy to play and smooth because the ones I have now feel heavy, cheap and generally crap. I fell in love with the Iron Maiden signature models, and due to the prices, I chose to put together a good quality one of my own. As well as the electronics, which are easier to put together and find, I need a Strat body and neck that just feels right.

Can anyone recommend affordable Strats that feel good to play on the neck (one of those thing necks would be nice like the Wizard III neck on my Ibanez RGA32) - that really did boost my playing. The electronics aren't a worry as I have a replacement set, but the body needs to be able to hold either a H/H configuration or H/S/H for my DiMarzio Super Distortion humbuckers. I'd imagine the Dave Murray signature Strat will have a quality neck for that really smooth, easy to play feel. I basically need an equivalent to that.

Any help would be uber appreciated.

Thanks!
Stefanovic

Well... if it were me, and I admit I know nothing about Iron Maiden or Dave Murray in particular - I might be able to pull a few ideas out of my arse about where you might find what you're looking for. :wink:

http://www.fender.com/community/forums/viewtopic.php?f=6&t=45710

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