I've got a relic strat that was a D.I.Y. job, it looks amazing and I love it but the strings snap all the time, my guess is that the hardware that the strings run through has been rusted and eats through the strings, what could I do to solve this without changing parts if possible? Could I take the parts off, sand them down or dip them in chemicals like WD-40? Thanks

to preserve the relic look, take a small cone point polishing tip and a dremel and touch up the contact points. if it is really rough use a small needle file to knock off the burs first.

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okay thanks, if I choose to replace parts do you know if fender sell hardware for their roadworn guitars?

Where are the strings breaking? Bridge, nut, trees, tuners?

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In my opinion Leo Fender had essentially perfected the guitar amplifier by 1964.

seanbluesroom - You might take a look at the video featuring John Cruz on the Custom Shop web site (http://www.fendercustomshop.com). There is a "Master Builder Tips" link at the bottom. Cruz takes you through his process of cleaning and lubricating the bridge, nut, and string tree to keep the instrument in good shape and to preserve the return to tune when the tremolo bar is used.

If you can locate the source of the breaks as mhowell suggested, you might be able to use the technique that Cruz mentions to minimize your breakage.

Good luck!

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Custom Shop '59 Stratocaster
AV Hot Rod '52 Telecaster
AV '56 Stratocaster
'65 Deluxe Reverb Reissue

They mainly snap at the trees, thanks alot for the link!

Are your string trees surface-mounted or are you using the delrin or metal spacers?

Spacers will reduce the extra angle created between the nut and the tuner posts, thus decreasing the friction there.

HTH

Arjay

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"Here's why reliability is job one: A great sounding amp that breaks down goes from being a favorite piece of gear to a useless piece of crap in less time than it takes to read this sentence." -- BRUCE ZINKY