It is currently Tue Mar 17, 2020 3:17 am

All times are UTC - 7 hours



Post new topic Reply to topic  [ 16 posts ]  Go to page 1, 2  Next
Go to page 1, 2  Next
Author Message
Post subject: As Strats change it's nice to see how they remain the same
Posted: Sun Oct 13, 2013 6:40 am
Offline
Aspiring Musician
Aspiring Musician

Joined: Thu Aug 02, 2012 6:15 am
Posts: 522
On another Forum (Strat Talk) a member posted a link in the Pre-CBS area, to an original 1960 Fender Stratocaster manual in PDF form. After reading the manual and examining the photo's, I noted how the bridge looked so much like the MIM Standard bridge of today. (Exceptions acknowledged - 21 Fret neck w heal based truss rod adjuster, Neck radius, metric vs us, pickups, Etc...) But, look at the bridge picture, the thickness of the metal, the saddle set screw height, does that remind you of a MIM Standard also?


Top
Profile
Fender Play Winter Sale 2020
Post subject: Re: As Strats change it's nice to see how they remain the sa
Posted: Sun Oct 13, 2013 7:16 am
Offline
Rock Star
Rock Star

Joined: Mon Apr 05, 2010 2:37 pm
Posts: 8708
Location: Natural Bridge, Virginia
Why do you find this so surprising? Fender builds many guitars today, both US made and import, using the vintage style bridge. The only difference is the MIM Standard Strat bridge has a string spacing of 2 1/16" vs the vintage spacing of 2 7/32". Are you also surprised that Fender still continues to build Telecasters with three brass or steel saddles?

_________________
Bill

Image


Top
Profile
Post subject: Re: As Strats change it's nice to see how they remain the sa
Posted: Sun Oct 13, 2013 2:34 pm
Offline
Professional Musician
Professional Musician
User avatar

Joined: Thu Jan 10, 2013 7:02 pm
Posts: 1978
Location: Manchester
The fact that Leo Fender's guitar designs have remained in production for over 60 years with only minimal changes is a stunning testament to the man's abilities as a designer. I can't think of many other products in any industry that have stood the test of time like Strats and Teles.

Leo got it right first time, the originals may have been tweaked a little to accomodate more modern playing styles but the fact remains that the similarities between a 1948 Fender and a 2013 Fender far outweigh the differences.

_________________
Image
Image my stuff on soundcloud


Top
Profile
Post subject: Re: As Strats change it's nice to see how they remain the sa
Posted: Mon Oct 14, 2013 1:05 am
Offline
Rock Icon
Rock Icon
User avatar

Joined: Wed Mar 31, 2010 12:48 am
Posts: 26417
Location: Tombstone Territory
GilgaFrank wrote:
I can't think of many other products in any industry that have stood the test of time like Strats and Teles.


There's only two that I know of......John Moses Browning's venerable M1911 automatic pistol and Rolex's superb self-winding time-piece movement.

Arjay

_________________
"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


Top
Profile
Post subject: Re: As Strats change it's nice to see how they remain the sa
Posted: Mon Oct 14, 2013 4:22 am
Offline
Aspiring Musician
Aspiring Musician

Joined: Fri Mar 16, 2012 12:49 pm
Posts: 838
Retroverbial wrote:
There's only two that I know of......John Moses Browning's venerable M1911 automatic pistol and Rolex's superb self-winding time-piece movement. Arjay
    Two more examples, albeit in a totally different direction, are Coca-Cola and the Colonel's 11-herbs & spices secret recipe. :wink:

    Cheers!
    BM

_________________
This is the Blues. Are you listening?


Top
Profile
Post subject: Re: As Strats change it's nice to see how they remain the sa
Posted: Mon Oct 14, 2013 12:16 pm
Offline
Aspiring Musician
Aspiring Musician

Joined: Thu Aug 02, 2012 6:15 am
Posts: 522
Let's get at the real reason for my post. How many downloaded the PDF. How many figured out that you can make your own reissue with just a few changes to your existing MIM's or an inexpensive used one.

The existing 6 screw bridge will do if you have the newer larger bridge block from 2006 to today, if not, the real Fender MIM parts are going for around $20-$30 on the bay right now. (Also check CL in your area).

Pickups. This is the one area where you can male the biggest difference. You can go Fender Custom Shop Fat 50's, 54's, 57/62, 69's: used from about $100. new from $150.00. You can also just put Regular Fender MIA pickups in used for around $60.00+, with these the bridge will be hotter and the noise cancelling in 2 and 4 positions will be there.

That will basically get you in the ball park. There are lots of other replacements you could do, New period correct neck - 180 to 250. 8 screw pickguard $35-$55. Solid steel block $40-$100. Turners $75.00. Etc. Etc. You can put as much or as little as needed into it.


Top
Profile
Post subject: Re: As Strats change it's nice to see how they remain the sa
Posted: Wed Oct 16, 2013 7:43 am
Offline
Professional Musician
Professional Musician
User avatar

Joined: Tue May 24, 2011 8:25 pm
Posts: 1099
Location: A cloud of eider down
Thats whi I like the classic series MIM's so much. It's a great platform for the price you can find on the used market. With a couple simple and relatively inexpensive upgrades, you have the making of a very nice Strat indeed!

_________________
"Where would rock and roll be without feedback?"
Image


Top
Profile
Post subject: Re: As Strats change it's nice to see how they remain the sa
Posted: Wed Oct 16, 2013 8:03 am
Offline
Rock Icon
Rock Icon
User avatar

Joined: Wed Mar 31, 2010 12:48 am
Posts: 26417
Location: Tombstone Territory
Arnold Layne wrote:
Thats whi I like the classic series MIM's so much. It's a great platform for the price you can find on the used market. With a couple simple and relatively inexpensive upgrades, you have the making of a very nice Strat indeed!


+1

That's the "dirty little secret".

:wink:

Aside from the polyester finish, there's really no functional difference between an AVRI instrument and a properly upgraded MIM Classic Series guitar......merely a significant price differential.

:mrgreen:

Arjay

_________________
"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


Top
Profile
Post subject: Re: As Strats change it's nice to see how they remain the sa
Posted: Wed Oct 16, 2013 9:16 am
Offline
Aspiring Musician
Aspiring Musician

Joined: Thu Aug 02, 2012 6:15 am
Posts: 522
Several years ago I picked up a used 2006 MIM FSR for a couple hundred dollars. It has a Natural Ash body, Tex-Mex Pickups, Rosewood slab, large block bridge, overall it's a heavy guitar. Now, I didn't mind playing it the way it was. It had a good sound, the pickups were a bit harsh, as the Tex-Mex are normally. The tone of the Ash was a bit better than the normal Alder bodies on my other Fender Strats. I had always wanted an "Original" Stratocaster. I just do not have the funds for one, not the AVRI of a years ago, nor the $700 to $900 Classics of today.

I decided to make my own "classic re-issue". I only wanted to make a few changes and not go overboard on parts to do the project with. I started with a set of Fender American Standard pickups I paid $60 for off CL. Just soldered them in, opened the #2 tone pot and made a no-load pot out of it. The switch was already wired to give the bridge and middle pickups tone control. So now I had the best of both tone control and wide open for bridge work.

I am not wild about the narrow necks on the MIM's, I wanted a neck I could really enjoy playing. I was at my local guitar shop and asked about a replacement neck. They were in the process of moving to a smaller location at this time. The owner pulled out a Mighty Mite neck and said it was on special for $125. I bought it. It did need the fret ends dressed. He offered to do it for free after the move. I said OK and went home with my purchase. Turns out it's a Birdseye maple, Ebonol (Ebony) slabbed, 22 jumbo Stainless steel frets and oil finished piece of work that wowed me.

I used a hand held Dremmel tool to carefully drill out all the holes for the turner posts, and neck heel screw holes. I used files and stones and polishing cloths to carefully finish the fret ends. This was actually the most rewarding part of the whole project, everything fit perfectly when I was finished. I used the Standard tuners off the original neck to save me from spending the $50 they cost. Instead, I invested $14 in a Tusq XL nut. I reshaped and finished the nut to match up with the jumbo frets.

Once it was all put together and tweaked with a good setup it played and sounded extremely well. I spent many weeks just tweaking this thing to pull the best out of it. It is now a players guitar. I have 1 MIA's that I play from time to time. I have another MIA that just sits in it's case along with another MIM that I am trying to decide what to do with. So basically I play 2 out of four. All the other stuff I had already acquired - pickguard, pickup covers etc.

Well that's my story and I am sticking to it. Oh, and here is the result.

Image


Top
Profile
Post subject: Re: As Strats change it's nice to see how they remain the sa
Posted: Wed Oct 16, 2013 9:29 am
Offline
Aspiring Musician
Aspiring Musician
User avatar

Joined: Sat Jul 07, 2012 7:27 am
Posts: 351
Location: From the Gaul
Right, I aged tuners and bridge and all chrome surfaces on my Classic 50s and it gives a vintage look that goes well with the Olympic White.
The pickup covers were also modified to make time.
A steel tremolo block, a bone nut, 54 microphones, electronics CTS PO condo Strat plunges me and my live in 1957!
Only difference, I like the gloss finish, I treat each burst or blow in a particular way using a Dremel to soften the look.
But it is heavy 3.90 Kg

_________________
Sorry for my english, not good, i am of the country of Molière, Hugo, Zola ...


Top
Profile
Post subject: Re: As Strats change it's nice to see how they remain the sa
Posted: Wed Oct 16, 2013 9:58 am
Offline
Aspiring Musician
Aspiring Musician

Joined: Thu Aug 02, 2012 6:15 am
Posts: 522
Heavy is right, mine is 8lb 13oz (3.99kg), manageable and worth it for the tone.


Top
Profile
Post subject: Re: As Strats change it's nice to see how they remain the sa
Posted: Wed Oct 16, 2013 10:05 am
Offline
Rock Icon
Rock Icon
User avatar

Joined: Wed Mar 31, 2010 12:48 am
Posts: 26417
Location: Tombstone Territory
SNick wrote:
Heavy is right, mine is 8lb 13oz (3.99kg), manageable and worth it for the tone.


Likely the difference between northern ash and swamp ash.

Arjay

_________________
"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


Top
Profile
Post subject: Re: As Strats change it's nice to see how they remain the sa
Posted: Wed Oct 16, 2013 11:12 am
Offline
Aspiring Musician
Aspiring Musician
User avatar

Joined: Sat Jul 07, 2012 7:27 am
Posts: 351
Location: From the Gaul
Arjay thank you, still relevant in the answers!

50s classic lends itself well to realize any côut a 57 Strat.
The 8-hole pickguard is very hard to find here in France and it is not a question for me to drill additional holes in the body of my Classic as those made ​​by the factory!
A 11-hole 3-ply is more "solid", that's for sure but Leo did it at the time and it would be a sacrilege to put it on my Classic pickguard, the body does not adapt will also !
Of course nowadays this Strat is not the very best, it has its flaws but also its qualities to look for.
Good Classic 50s second hands, a little research and some changes élèments and it gives some money for a great guitar if desired
I love tinted maple neck finish

_________________
Sorry for my english, not good, i am of the country of Molière, Hugo, Zola ...


Top
Profile
Post subject: Re: As Strats change it's nice to see how they remain the sa
Posted: Wed Oct 16, 2013 11:31 am
Offline
Rock Icon
Rock Icon
User avatar

Joined: Wed Mar 31, 2010 12:48 am
Posts: 26417
Location: Tombstone Territory
The control-cavity routs differ between the '50s body and that of the '60s to account for the added pickguard screw at the bottom of the guitar. The '60s body has an added "hip" at the lower edge to accommodate this screw.

Arjay

_________________
"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


Top
Profile
Post subject: Re: As Strats change it's nice to see how they remain the sa
Posted: Wed Oct 16, 2013 5:46 pm
Offline
Rock Star
Rock Star
User avatar

Joined: Tue Mar 01, 2011 3:10 pm
Posts: 5646
Location: Gateway to the West
SNick wrote:
Let's get at the real reason for my post. How many downloaded the PDF. How many figured out that you can make your own reissue with just a few changes to your existing MIM's or an inexpensive used one.

The existing 6 screw bridge will do if you have the newer larger bridge block from 2006 to today, if not, the real Fender MIM parts are going for around $20-$30 on the bay right now. (Also check CL in your area).

Pickups. This is the one area where you can male the biggest difference. You can go Fender Custom Shop Fat 50's, 54's, 57/62, 69's: used from about $100. new from $150.00. You can also just put Regular Fender MIA pickups in used for around $60.00+, with these the bridge will be hotter and the noise cancelling in 2 and 4 positions will be there.

That will basically get you in the ball park. There are lots of other replacements you could do, New period correct neck - 180 to 250. 8 screw pickguard $35-$55. Solid steel block $40-$100. Turners $75.00. Etc. Etc. You can put as much or as little as needed into it.


SNICK...Nice job you did on that one! The first thing I did when I got my 60's MIM Classic Series Strat was change out the pickups to Texas Specials and then a little later a steel block. Sure did make a difference. Never had a issue with the tuners though, they have stayed in tune even with my heavy handed bending!

Enjoy that puppy!

T2

_________________
-----------------------------------------------------------
What time is it? It's Fender Time.


Top
Profile
Display posts from previous:  Sort by  
Post new topic Reply to topic  [ 16 posts ]  Go to page 1, 2  Next
Go to page 1, 2  Next

All times are UTC - 7 hours

Fender Play Winter Sale 2020

Who is online

Users browsing this forum: No registered users and 2 guests


You cannot post new topics in this forum
You cannot reply to topics in this forum
You cannot edit your posts in this forum
You cannot delete your posts in this forum

Search for:
Jump to: