It is currently Tue Mar 17, 2020 1:37 am

All times are UTC - 7 hours



Post new topic Reply to topic  [ 37 posts ]  Go to page 1, 2, 3  Next
Go to page 1, 2, 3  Next
Author Message
Post subject: HHH Frankenstrat from hell
Posted: Mon Jun 16, 2014 11:15 am
Offline
Professional Musician
Professional Musician
User avatar

Joined: Fri Sep 05, 2008 6:01 pm
Posts: 1479
Location: Los Angeles, USA
Was digging threw some older pics today and thought I would share this. I don't remember if I had posted these here before or not. It was a squire body I painted and reliced and cut the pickguard for 3 humbuckers with a coil tap on the neck pup which was a fender pup. The other 2 I have no idea what they were. Then bolted on a Mexican neck.
Image[/URL][/img]

It seems later on I had replaced the Mexi neck with some unknown neck which was older style with the truss adj on the bottom. I recall that neck had some kind of an ugly duck bill coming off the top of the headstock which I reshaped to look closer to a Fender however you can plainly see that is not a Fender neck. What was I thinking? I have no idea but I was able to sell it on ebay I think in 2008.
Image[/URL][/img]
Image[/URL][/img]

Underside of pickguard...
Image[/URL][/img]

I also recall that neck was warped and I fixed it with some heavy books and a heat lamp...well at least it seemed to be fixed after a few days lol.

_________________
I'm almost out of stuff to sell.


Top
Profile
Fender Play Winter Sale 2020
Post subject: Re: HHH Frankenstrat from hell
Posted: Mon Jun 16, 2014 4:34 pm
Offline
Rock Star
Rock Star
User avatar

Joined: Tue Jul 17, 2007 9:44 am
Posts: 7282
Location: Washington
Did a metal-head or a punk rocker buy it?

_________________
Member #26797
My other guitar is a Strat.

Image


Top
Profile
Post subject: Re: HHH Frankenstrat from hell
Posted: Mon Jun 16, 2014 5:31 pm
Offline
Professional Musician
Professional Musician
User avatar

Joined: Fri Sep 05, 2008 6:01 pm
Posts: 1479
Location: Los Angeles, USA
Not sure but it was kind of geared to punk style granted I could see a metal head digging all those humbuckers. It was sold on ebay but the dude did contact me later and ask if he could paint the pickguard black. I told him he could do whatever he wants but to do it right he should remove and disassemble the guard. I don't think he felt confident with that.

I happen to have an older mexi body with a swimming pool route and thought about building another HHH with it. I know some people say the middle pup gets in the way of playing but I figure if Frampton and others could do it then so could anyone. I had no trouble playing it but if I build one as a keeper it is going to be different then that one at least using a better neck (a 60s ri which I have several of) and full thickness body. I might consider a relic again being my skills in doing so have greatly improved since that monstrosity lol. But I am thinking maybe a sunburst and use chrome pup covers...something a little classier.

_________________
I'm almost out of stuff to sell.


Top
Profile
Post subject: Re: HHH Frankenstrat from hell
Posted: Mon Jun 16, 2014 6:31 pm
Offline
Rock Icon
Rock Icon
User avatar

Joined: Thu Dec 31, 2009 10:34 pm
Posts: 10760
Location: Athens, Greece
Fender doesn't offer HHH Strats yet but sells HHH pickguards.

Are the neck and bridge pickups tappable?


Top
Profile
Post subject: Re: HHH Frankenstrat from hell
Posted: Mon Jun 16, 2014 6:55 pm
Offline
Professional Musician
Professional Musician
User avatar

Joined: Fri Sep 05, 2008 6:01 pm
Posts: 1479
Location: Los Angeles, USA
chromeface wrote:
Fender doesn't offer HHH Strats yet but sells HHH pickguards.

Are the neck and bridge pickups tappable?


Yes I know I can now purchase HHH pickguards from several companies which will be a time saver. As far as the taps in the particular strat in this post, no...only the neck Fender pickup had the extra tap wires. But you can tap any pickup you use if it has tap wires if you add switches to do so. On the next one I am going to keep it simple...no taps. The advantage to the tap is you can get a more authentic Fender sound but honestly if installing those huge humbuckers it is not to get an authentic fender sound but something different and the decrease in hum is a plus. I just think it looks kind of cool and the fact that Fender does not make an HHH makes me want to make another even more.

Now in another HH build I am doing I am using the HH Blacktop wiring which is kind of special. It allows you to use the standard 5 way switch to do taps. Position 1 is bridge, 2 is inside bridge coil, inside neck coil, position 3 is both bridge and neck double coils, 4 is outside coils of bridge and neck pickups and 5 is neck.

_________________
I'm almost out of stuff to sell.


Top
Profile
Post subject: Re: HHH Frankenstrat from hell
Posted: Mon Jun 16, 2014 7:20 pm
Offline
Rock Icon
Rock Icon
User avatar

Joined: Thu Dec 31, 2009 10:34 pm
Posts: 10760
Location: Athens, Greece
From what I see only the front humbucking pickup has the 4-conductor cable allowing for coil tap/split.

A huge advantage of an HHH configuration with a 4-conductor cable is the wide array of killer tones you can get from those tone monsters.

With a super 5-way megapole switch and the S1 system everything is possible - from sparkling clean to hot and dirty. The Schecter mod is another nice alternative.


Quote:
Now in another HH build I am doing I am using the HH Blacktop wiring which is kind of special. It allows you to use the standard 5 way switch to do taps. Position 1 is bridge, 2 is inside bridge coil, inside neck coil, position 3 is both bridge and neck double coils, 4 is outside coils of bridge and neck pickups and 5 is neck.


How about an HHH Strat with the Blacktop wiring mod? :idea:


Top
Profile
Post subject: Re: HHH Frankenstrat from hell
Posted: Mon Jun 16, 2014 8:08 pm
Offline
Professional Musician
Professional Musician
User avatar

Joined: Fri Sep 05, 2008 6:01 pm
Posts: 1479
Location: Los Angeles, USA
chromeface wrote:
From what I see only the front humbucking pickup has the 4-conductor cable allowing for coil tap/split.

A huge advantage of an HHH configuration with a 4-conductor cable is the wide array of killer tones you can get from those tone monsters.

With a super 5-way megapole switch and the S1 system everything is possible - from sparkling clean to hot and dirty. The Schecter mod is another nice alternative.


Quote:
Now in another HH build I am doing I am using the HH Blacktop wiring which is kind of special. It allows you to use the standard 5 way switch to do taps. Position 1 is bridge, 2 is inside bridge coil, inside neck coil, position 3 is both bridge and neck double coils, 4 is outside coils of bridge and neck pickups and 5 is neck.


How about an HHH Strat with the Blacktop wiring mod? :idea:


1) Yes that is what I said...only the neck pickup had the tap wires which is why that was the one I tapped to a switch

2) I am aware I could tap all the humbuckers if I use ones that have the split wires, I just do not want to. I want to keep this next one simple, I do not need so much controls and taps to get the sounds I want or need for me.

3) I do not think I could do the Blacktop wiring mod with 3 split pickups and a standard switch, not enough provisions. If I racked my brain a little I could probably come up with something using an S1 in addition but just not feeling it. I am a less is more kind of guy so even adding the third humbucker is enough and as I stated I am really only doing this for the looks and the fact that fender does not make an HHH..I will probably never use more then 2 positions. Most of my current customs are actually only one pickup...and a volume..no tone. Let the amp deal with that lol.

_________________
I'm almost out of stuff to sell.


Top
Profile
Post subject: Re: HHH Frankenstrat from hell
Posted: Mon Jun 16, 2014 9:35 pm
Offline
Rock Icon
Rock Icon
User avatar

Joined: Thu Dec 31, 2009 10:34 pm
Posts: 10760
Location: Athens, Greece
One reason for which Fender doesn't make a Strat with three humbuckers is a lack of popularity.

If demand for HHH-equipped Strats increases and popularity grows, FMIC will eventually market a Strat with such configuration. Fender started making HSH models to satisfy the needs of their customers.

One notable fan of both HSH and HHH setups is Dave "MoonFace" Murray from the British heavy metal band IRON MAIDEN.

Image

Though his namesake signature Strat employs an HSH configuration most of his other stage guitars are fitted with three Seymour Duncan HotRail humbuckers housed into an SSS format.

One of the three hotrail humbuckers from the vintage white Floyd Rose Classic has been replaced with a little screaming demon.


Top
Profile
Post subject: Re: HHH Frankenstrat from hell
Posted: Tue Jun 17, 2014 12:02 pm
Offline
Professional Musician
Professional Musician
User avatar

Joined: Fri Sep 05, 2008 6:01 pm
Posts: 1479
Location: Los Angeles, USA
It really does not matter to me why Fender does not make an HHH. It just makes me personally want to make them even more. Maybe if after 60 years or so they ever start making them I will squeeze 4 in there lol. (full size). And I am sure someone has done that before granted it would look kind of ridiculous.

I also want to make one using 3 lipstick tube chrome pickups. I know there are some out there but I saw a vid of SRV playing one of his that had those and said to myself "must have". Granted it did sound notably thinner then his #1 I think that guy could have played a bunch of rubber bands attached to a shoe box and make it sound good.

_________________
I'm almost out of stuff to sell.


Top
Profile
Post subject: Re: HHH Frankenstrat from hell
Posted: Tue Jun 17, 2014 12:08 pm
Offline
Amateur
Amateur
User avatar

Joined: Sat Feb 08, 2014 12:28 pm
Posts: 107
Location: Scotland
ebaysux wrote:
...a bunch of rubber bands attached to a shoe box


a PRS? :lol: :lol:

_________________
Fender '62 Reissue Stratocaster 2005
Gibson Les Paul Custom '68 2004


Top
Profile
Post subject: Re: HHH Frankenstrat from hell
Posted: Tue Jun 17, 2014 12:13 pm
Offline
Professional Musician
Professional Musician
User avatar

Joined: Fri Sep 05, 2008 6:01 pm
Posts: 1479
Location: Los Angeles, USA
Marianeq wrote:
ebaysux wrote:
...a bunch of rubber bands attached to a shoe box


a PRS? :lol: :lol:


I see what you did there. :twisted:

_________________
I'm almost out of stuff to sell.


Top
Profile
Post subject: Re: HHH Frankenstrat from hell
Posted: Tue Jun 17, 2014 1:51 pm
Offline
Amateur
Amateur
User avatar

Joined: Thu Nov 14, 2013 10:56 am
Posts: 145
ebaysux wrote:
It really does not matter to me why Fender does not make an HHH. It just makes me personally want to make them even more...


I'd be right in line with ya! 8)
Otherwise, I'm ready to pull the trigger on a home-made mod project.


Top
Profile
Post subject: Re: HHH Frankenstrat from hell
Posted: Tue Jun 17, 2014 2:52 pm
Offline
Professional Musician
Professional Musician
User avatar

Joined: Fri Sep 05, 2008 6:01 pm
Posts: 1479
Location: Los Angeles, USA
Really. I mean is there such a low demand for an HHH Strat and such a high demand for an HHH Tele that Fender made this?

Image


Granted at the time John 5 was popular perhaps I need to get a homebuilt HHH Strat into the hands of someone from a famous band for Fender to make one? Now I do not know the sales figures on the John 5 and I think it was a Mexican but I figure if sales were not that high on it and no one famous is currently using an HHH Strat it is probably far down their list if on any list at all.

BTW on this J5 HHH tele it used a basic 3 position switch. Nothing fancy, no taps, master volume, master tone. Simple. On the strat I will use a 5 position and conventional strat 2 tone one volume but will use 500K pots like I did on that Frankensquire.

_________________
I'm almost out of stuff to sell.


Top
Profile
Post subject: Re: HHH Frankenstrat from hell
Posted: Tue Jun 17, 2014 9:07 pm
Offline
Rock Icon
Rock Icon
User avatar

Joined: Thu Dec 31, 2009 10:34 pm
Posts: 10760
Location: Athens, Greece
ebaysux wrote:
no one famous is currently using an HHH Strat it is probably far down their list if on any list at all.


Image


Top
Profile
Post subject: Re: HHH Frankenstrat from hell
Posted: Wed Jun 18, 2014 12:57 pm
Offline
Professional Musician
Professional Musician
User avatar

Joined: Fri Sep 05, 2008 6:01 pm
Posts: 1479
Location: Los Angeles, USA
chromeface wrote:
ebaysux wrote:
no one famous is currently using an HHH Strat it is probably far down their list if on any list at all.


Image


That headstock does not look like a strat but regardless I am not sure if Sambora is well known or influential enough to this generation to call for Fender making another artist series for him. And I don't recall any old vids of him in Bon Jovi playing that one. I always kind of liked the star inlays in his necks but until I get good enough to do inlays I can live without it. That said the more artists I see doing this the more it justifies me doing it to one of my keepers. However I might list it with a really high BIN price just for giggles. If it sells I will make another.

_________________
I'm almost out of stuff to sell.


Top
Profile
Display posts from previous:  Sort by  
Post new topic Reply to topic  [ 37 posts ]  Go to page 1, 2, 3  Next
Go to page 1, 2, 3  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: