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Post subject: updating cheaper Fenders
Posted: Mon Feb 14, 2011 7:17 am
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Hobbyist
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Joined: Mon Feb 14, 2011 6:52 am
Posts: 2
First, I am a new member and a new Fender owner and I am very happy to be here. Please read my entire post before responding or "flamming" me if I say something stupid 8-)
I have been a drummer my entire life. Years ago, I was the victum of a very irresponsible drunk driver that disabled me and changed my life forever. Since I can no longer play the drums, the logical choice for me is to learn how to play the guitar. Sadly, I survive on a VERY modest disability income so buying my dream axe, in this case a American Strat is not going to happen. A friend had a older Fender Starcaster that is in mint condition that was gifted to me. The neck and body of this guitar look brand new. Is there any chance this guitar can be upgraded? Now, I have common sense and I know it will never be a real strat and I'm not trying to turn it into one, but I have seen some used Strat parts on Ebay that might be affordible to me. I would really like to upgrade the pickups and the bridge. The ONLY thing about this guitar I don't like is the ebony fretboard. I dream of owning a Strat with a gorgeous blonde fingerboard. If I found a neck cheap enough, could it be replaced? I'm simply trying to have a decent guitar.. that's all.
Thanks so much in advance for any pointers/tips you can offer.
-Patrick


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Post subject: Re: updating cheaper Fenders
Posted: Mon Feb 14, 2011 10:29 am
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Aspiring Musician
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Joined: Wed Dec 22, 2010 7:05 am
Posts: 667
Any Fender Strat neck will fit any Fender Strat body. So maybe one day you can buy a maple fretboard neck. :) The only things that really should be upgraded is the pickups. The tuners on many of the Mexican Strats are the same ones used on the 1990's era American Standards. If the bridge is all there and functional, I would leave it alone too unless you just have to have a different string spacing.


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Post subject: Re: updating cheaper Fenders
Posted: Mon Feb 14, 2011 11:26 am
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Joined: Mon Feb 14, 2011 6:52 am
Posts: 2
I took my Starcaster to our local pawn shop and they offered me a dark blue Squier Affinity Strat for mine and $10.00. I jumped on that like free cheese! The Squier has a few scratchs on it, but other than that it's in great shape and I am MUCH happier. The difference in these 2 guitars is night and day. The Affinity is so much lighter with way better hardware. I might be crazy but I swear it sounds better too. It rocks my Line 6 Pocket Pod! I think I got a killer deal and I am a happy camper. I would still like a neck with a maple fretboard, but the board on the Affinity is really smooth playing.

-Patrick


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Post subject: Re: updating cheaper Fenders
Posted: Mon Feb 14, 2011 5:24 pm
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Joined: Wed Jul 29, 2009 10:03 am
Posts: 9449
Location: NL Canada
Welcome to the Forum Crashman,I'm glad that you found a guitar that's to your liking. Don't get too hung up on the fretboard because most of the differences are in aesthetics alone athough there's a small difference in the texture of the fretboard under your fingers. These differences are minimal and won't affect your playing in the least. Drop a line any time you need input or advice on any guitar related problems.In future you maay get more responses on the Lounge part of the forum.Lots of Luck.

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'65 Strat,65 Mustang,65 Jaguar,4 more Strats,3 vintage Vox guitars,5 Vox amps,'69 Bassman with a '68 2-15 Bassman cab,36 guitars total-15asst'd amps total,2 vintage '60s Hammond organs & a myriad of effects-with a few rare vintage ones.


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Post subject: Re: updating cheaper Fenders
Posted: Wed Feb 16, 2011 1:43 pm
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Professional Musician
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Joined: Fri May 15, 2009 12:39 pm
Posts: 1466
Location: Birmingham UK
Good for you Patrick. And at the risk of sounding patronising, I must say you've had a raw life deal somewhere along the way. Sorry about that, for what it's worth.

Enjoy the Squire. I have 2, in addition to my Fenders, and I love them both.

Once you've got over the pleasure of new ownership and maybe start to think about upgrading again, the Squire will be a good platform for improvements. Watch the 2nd hand adverts for good quality pickup sets. Or spread the load and replace them one by one when there's a few extra pounds/dollars in the kitty..

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Fender Highway & Classic 60s Strats, Fender Toronado, Telecaster, Gretsch Projet, Charvel 3, PRS SE Soapbar II & Custom 24, Burns Batwing and many others!


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Post subject: Re: updating cheaper Fenders
Posted: Wed Feb 23, 2011 4:08 pm
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Aspiring Musician
Aspiring Musician

Joined: Wed Dec 22, 2010 7:05 am
Posts: 667
MusiciansFriend has Custom Shop Texas Special pickups on sale for $128 !!!!!! These would give your Squier a MAJOR boost! Well, if you like blues styles and don't play anything harder than rock. :)


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