I picked up my 1995 MIA Stratocaster from the pawn shop. It is AMAZING!!! I practiced 2 and a half hours last night and was sad that I had to work today. Before I was getting it because of the great deal I got on it, now I don't care how much its worth. It's priceless to me.

I look at her and feel as though I have gone waaaaay overboard! Someone with my lack of talent shouldn't be playing something soooo beautiful!

I do have some questions...

I notice that the middle tone knob does very little. Certainly not as much as the lower tone knob. What position should I have the 5 way switch in to hear the middle tone knobs greatest effect? Wondering in case I have to replace if there is something wrong with it.

When getting the guitar there was a guy there that that said that the neck had clay markers in it and had I not bought it he would have because of it. What does the clay markers indicate? He would not elaborate when I asked.

Because it is a 95 the 5 position switch hisses and crackles between postions when I switch it. Should I replace or is there an easy way to clean it (other than switching it back and forth really fast until it stops making noise )

Am I required to purchase clothing, hats, belts and stickers showing that I have become a member of the Fender family? Is it proper to represent?

I am considering changing my forum name from learninglate to ABSOLUTELYSTOAKED!!!

learninglate

Im sorry I have no technical details to offer you..however the Fender dress code is strictly enforced!

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Mona
"Music is What Feelings Sound like"

I think depends on the wiring.

What's termed as Vintage wiring sets the middle control (or top tone control that is closest to the volume) as the tone for the neck pickup.

the bottom tone control would be for the middle pickup

The bridge pickup, in vintage wiring; is not affected by the tone control at all.

So with this setup, you should hear a change with the top tone control only when you are using the front pickup alone, or paired with the middle pickup.

edit: regarding the crackling noises, you could use some electronic contact spray cleaner, (Radio Shack) this tends to most of the time help, but seems that inevitably, the switch will need to be replaced. (it's quite common, and quite easy as a DIY project if you know how to solder) you can get replacement parts at Stewart McDonald's web site.

/KB

I'd try position 1 (neck pickup only); that should give the best audible result for comparison.


Clay markers are those white dots on the neck. Guessing on a rosewood fretboard..?


Try a little PRF 7-78 or some other electrical contact spray.
This switch hiss/crackle might also suggest that the tone pot is reaching the end of its lifespan...


Nope, those are strictly reserved to be worn by Fender factory workers & management & their families or other close relatives (second cousins etc. excluded).

Welcome to the team!

Firstly, photos are required...no, not of you...the guitar. See the FAQ regarding acceptable sites, etc.

Meanwhile, now that you have one, it is time to take a peek under the hood. You will need to assess/clean/replace the selector switch, and take a good look at the jumper wires from the tone cap to both tone pots...one could be broken or loose or on the way out.

Also a good time to take more pix of the insides, neck heel/pocket stamps, confirm dates and identities of pups and other electronics. You did say this was a pawn shop deal? No idea of where it came from and how it got there?...good to find out now. Pictures?

There are many posts with techniques for doing this carefully...have a search before taking the plunge...

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1967 Epiphone Madrid EC-30
1975 Fender Stratocaster
1981 Rickenbacker 360
2002 BC Rich Bich
2007 Fender Standard Stratocaster
2012 Taylor GA3-12
2012 Squier Telecaster
2017 Les Paul Kit


"Make every song you sing your favorite tune."

I am going to like coming here. Thank you for the advice. Jmattis yes it does have a rosewood fretboard what is the significance of the clay markers? I know fender quality just not the specifics.

I will read up on the pages on cleaning and inspecting tomorrow. I will post pics if interested.

Thanks

Welcome! Never to late. I'm 42 &1/2, been a drummer all my life and decided to pick up a "Strat pack" this January and 1 MIM, 7 Squier Strats and 2 Tele Squiers later I am still going. Learning slow, but learning all the same and monday got clobbered with Bells Palsey on the left side of my head, so let them eat cake! Grab a Fender and ROCK ON!

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I believe that Jimi, Stevie, Jeff, Robert, Hubert, Les, Leo and the "Duck" are all looking down on Joe B. saying "Holy smokes that dude got some stuff going on!"

Check out the cause:
http://crossroadsguitarfestival.com/

Don't worry about clay dots. They're something people who know very little about guitars like to comment on. Clay dots were used in the 60s and they were not really clay. They were more similar to the stuff holding the tiles together on your bathroom floor. Yours are likely high quality plastic, much better (IMO) than "clay".

If your pickup selector switch is scratchy, they take about one hour to get replaced, and cost something like $5 + labor. Well worth the investment.

Finally, there's lots of excellent YouTube videos that can teach you all about the tone controls and different pickups. Visuals help a lot more than what you read on here.

Lbb is right, the dots are probably not actually clay (I presume those could only be found in rare Custom Shop models in the 1990's) - but what the heck, someone envied your guitar so enjoy...
Clay dots are rare, thus that envy.
A little background if you're interested: Clay dots etc.

About the wiring: there is no guarantee that the wiring is still original in a 1995 Strat - although those hisses/crackles may suggest it's been left as is. Check/have it checked if you want to.

The main thing is that feeling you get when playing your guitar...