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Post subject: MIM Delux Powerhouse Strat Modfications
Posted: Mon Jun 16, 2014 8:21 pm
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Good Morning Everyone,

Firstly I know that this topic has been coverd a few times, but I'm doing it again anyway to see if anything new comes out..

I am heading to USA in a few weeks and was firstly looking at getting myself a new American strat (mainly due to how much cheeper they are in the USA then what they are in Australia). last night I was re-stringing my PH strat and the bloody nut broke, after about a hour long swearing session I decided that it wasn't such a big deal I could use the oppitunity to upgrade to a nice Graph Tech nut, then I thought I should put some Graph Tech string saver saddles on it too. The more I got thinking the more things I started thinking about changing and my idea changed from rather than buying a new american strat in the States I can buy a bunch of parts to upgrade my PH, after all I have been weilding it for about 15yrs so it would be a shame to retire it.

So my question for ya'll is, if you were in my situation what mods would you consider.

Rite now I am at

Graph Tech string saver Saddles
Graph Tech Black TUSQ nut
Graph Tech Black string tree
Fender Vintage Noiseless Pup (or possably N3)
Clip the Caps


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Post subject: Re: MIM Delux Powerhouse Strat Modfications
Posted: Mon Jun 16, 2014 8:35 pm
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Maybe better tuners and a high quality steel or brass trem big block. That is already a decent guitar and the upgrades you plan on doing are worth it. As far as changing the pickups though I think on those the middle pickup is boosted with a battery powered circuit so not sure how a swap will react or if you should just remove the mid boost circuit altogether if not happy with it and just go with the best pickups you can afford and replace the pots with CTS and that MIM should be very comparable at least in sound to a USA.

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Post subject: Re: MIM Delux Powerhouse Strat Modfications
Posted: Tue Jun 17, 2014 12:55 am
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ebaysux wrote:
if you should just remove the mid boost circuit


The OP wants to clip the two resistors from the boost pot (unlock the full 25dB gain, aka Clapton mod).

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Post subject: Re: MIM Delux Powerhouse Strat Modfications
Posted: Tue Jun 17, 2014 1:48 am
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I'd go along with everything you mentioned but would add some tuning pegs to the list and maybe go with some Lace Hot Golds for the pups. The string savers along with the Tusq nut and Hot Golds would really give you some awesome clean sustain and clarity.

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Post subject: Re: MIM Delux Powerhouse Strat Modfications
Posted: Tue Jun 17, 2014 11:52 am
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chromeface wrote:
ebaysux wrote:
if you should just remove the mid boost circuit


The OP wants to clip the two resistors from the boost pot (unlock the full 25dB gain, aka Clapton mod).

Image


Ah Okay. He said "clip the caps". As an electrical engineer grad I know the difference between a resistor and a capacitor lol. But still is this necessary or useful if he feels the need to change the pups anyhow? I am a Clapton fan myself but personally never thought his tone was anything spectacular such has it is with SRV as far as blues...(in my opinion at least).

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Post subject: Re: MIM Delux Powerhouse Strat Modfications
Posted: Tue Jun 17, 2014 8:57 pm
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Personally I strongly recommend removing the internal dummy coil from the guitar if the OP plans putting stacked hum-canceling pickups on his guitar.

The dummy coil eliminates the 60-cycle buzz generated by regular single coils as a result of a cranked mid booster. Noiseless pickups (and humbuckers in general) may not require a dummy.


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Post subject: Re: MIM Delux Powerhouse Strat Modfications
Posted: Tue Jun 17, 2014 9:52 pm
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Hi Guys,
Cheers for your reply’s,

yeah sorry I was referring to the resistors on the boost pot so that it is upped to 25db.
I was looking into the "Noiseless' pups so as I can remove the dummy coil , however thinking about it I could probably just leave it in a go for a standard pickup like CS-54's or something. I guess I will just have to spend some time in the local guitar shops trying out a few different ones. I am trying to achieve a similar tone to SRV.

A few of you guys have mentioned the tuning pegs? Are you referring to the tuning machines?, I have never had any problem with the std ones it came with, the guitar seems to always hold it's tune.. Will new tuning pegs offer anything more then holding tune?


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Post subject: Re: MIM Delux Powerhouse Strat Modfications
Posted: Tue Jun 17, 2014 10:19 pm
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SuperDan wrote:
A few of you guys have mentioned the tuning pegs? Are you referring to the tuning machines?, I have never had any problem with the std ones it came with, the guitar seems to always hold it's tune.. Will new tuning pegs offer anything more then holding tune?


You'll get more "bang for buck" by replacing that pot-metal trem block with one made of real steel. The stock tuning machines are adequate to the task unless you favor *serious* wankering with the tremolo.

Arjay

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Post subject: Re: MIM Delux Powerhouse Strat Modfications
Posted: Wed Jun 18, 2014 12:41 am
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SuperDan wrote:
I am trying to achieve a similar tone to SRV.


You can't go wrong with a TX Special pickup set or some Tex Mex singles.

Lace Emeralds are also under consideration in the case you decide pulling out the dummy coil.

With an Emerald/Purple Dually Sensor (humbucker) in the bridge position you can get some smoky LoneStar tones.

You'll probably need an HSS pickguard, which is not your intention (even if the Powerhouse is already routed for a bridge humbucker).

Bearing in mind SRV used Van Zandt Blues pickups on his guitars (excepting the Hamiltone which sported active EMGs).


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Post subject: Re: MIM Delux Powerhouse Strat Modfications
Posted: Wed Jun 18, 2014 7:37 pm
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Cheers ChromeFace,
I'll look into the TX pups..

yeah I want to keep it SSS, still looking kinda "original" if you know what I mean


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Post subject: Re: MIM Delux Powerhouse Strat Modfications
Posted: Wed Jun 18, 2014 9:34 pm
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The TX Specials are a standard feature on the SRV signature series since its inception in 1992.

Keep in mind that the original Number One sported Van Zandts.

In that case I strongly suggest you to keep the dummy coil as TX Specials are regular single coils.

If you really want removing the dummy while retaining that Texas Roadhouse grit I'd recommend the Lace Emeralds.


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