There's a chance of a hefty discount on an American Special HSS Strat here at the local best-price dealer. I had initially thought of buying that, but then, the option of importing a cheap used American Standard came to mind- and then adding the pickups I want. But with the festive season around, they may offer the Strat at a seriously useful price. I wish to upgrade it for higher output and longer sustain. What upgrades can be done for it?

For instance, I've thought of either changing the springs at the back, or upgrade the bridge (to a two-pointer, with more steel in it). The next upgrade, if needed, would be the tuning pegs, and the last in line would be a neck humbucker of singlecoil size- or to take it further, route out space for a full neck humbucker and fit one in. Not all at one go, but step by step. That's effectively putting in American Standard hardware into an American Special, so would you advise it?

If you go for an HSH setup with a full-sized neck humbucker you should change the pickguard.

You can also make an HHH configuration without altering your guitar. Two SD Classic Stack humbuckers in the neck & middle and a SD Jeff Beck Trembucker in the bridge for fat and juicy tones!

While it is possible to modify a Strat body routed for the 6-screw bridge to accept a 2-point trem, I don't know if it would be worth the effort. Also; what do you mean by "more steel in it"? Regardless of the style of bridge, you can upgrade to a a heavier steel inertia block which may help increase sustain.

There's this bridge upgrade kit by Callaham, for $129, which uses only steel parts, no zinc, and they claim to use harder steel. Maybe something similar?

Callaham is one possibility for sure, but I would suggest just replacing the block first. GFS offers a steel block for around $20.00 or so vs. $60 for the Callaham block.

Reviews of that GFS kit offer varying results, and apparently their pieces are made in Asia, unlike Callaham, who build theirs in USA, which is why Callaham costs three times as much (a lot like Warmoth vs Mighty Mite, if I'm not wrong). I want solid steel, not zinc or any cheaper substitute.

Or maybe I stay with the same springs and saddles, and just change the block? I can then save 50% of the money on the full upgrade kit.

I know this is a Fender community forum; but have you considered other brands? You can do whatever you'd like; but have you looked at offerings from Ibanez, ESP/LTD, or Jackson/Charvel (which is part of Fender)?

I don't agree with the prices set by ESP/LTD, Schecter and those other Asian brands, as they are too high, and we can get new American-made guitars at those prices. Ibanez cut costs left, right and center, and the guitars we get here are not even much good. The local luthiers say Ibanez cannot last long in our harsh tropical climate.

Jackson is one brand I like, but I'd like to get one of the last few guitars made in Japan- be it used or new-old stock. However, they really are hard to reach. I can afford only used Jacksons at present.

The other non-Fender brand I have thought of is Godin, but the local dealers quote needlessly high prices for them. If I can get one at a discount, I'll pick it up.