Late 1980’s Strat aesthetics...

[Gtrjunior]

Imagine mini switches or a toggle. (No black available in the mockup). I could do Lynch switching but I want to be able to split/dual coil the humbuckers. More of a Dulonge volume position.

I’m still liking the HSS with more goodies I think. I’ve got single volume passive HB guitars. The hardtail is spinning me around though! The Seafoam hardtail has been sitting there for a decade, it needs to be finished!

That looks HOT!!
I’ll bet a black pearloid guard would look killer!
You know those ones that are sort of black-ish, grey/silver-ish.

[PFDarkside]

Imagine mini switches or a toggle. (No black available in the mockup). I could do Lynch switching but I want to be able to split/dual coil the humbuckers. More of a Dulonge volume position.

I’m still liking the HSS with more goodies I think. I’ve got single volume passive HB guitars. The hardtail is spinning me around though! The Seafoam hardtail has been sitting there for a decade, it needs to be finished!

[Gtrjunior]

I definitely like #3 from the top too. Although I would locate the volume knob a little further away from my picking hand and is put the toggle a little closer to where the Strat blade switch is located.
And of course, I’d want a Floyd. That’s just me though.

[ErikH]

What about #3? Dual Humbucker and limited controls? Metal knobs?

There’s were on the USACG website, I didn’t notice the odd headstock. It’s definitely going to be a Strat headstock.

Dual humbuckers, black hardware, simple controls (volume and toggle), ebony fingerboard. It has that "rock is my business" look to it.

[PFDarkside]

Been following this one and after looking over the pics in the first post multiple times, I keep going back to the 3rd from the top as my favorite one. It just screams late 80's superstrat to me, though there's not a Floyd on it, but that is OK. That's something I'd do, though with a traditional Strat headstock.

Keep in mind, if you go Warmoth with the Tele neck (or almost anywhere), you'll need to make sure you order it with a Strat heel. Tele neck heels are square. A Strat will fit in a Tele neck pocket, but it won't work the other way around.

What about #3? Dual Humbucker and limited controls? Metal knobs?

There’s were on the USACG website, I didn’t notice the odd headstock. It’s definitely going to be a Strat headstock.

[ErikH]

Been following this one and after looking over the pics in the first post multiple times, I keep going back to the 3rd from the top as my favorite one. It just screams late 80's superstrat to me, though there's not a Floyd on it, but that is OK. That's something I'd do, though with a traditional Strat headstock.

Keep in mind, if you go Warmoth with the Tele neck (or almost anywhere), you'll need to make sure you order it with a Strat heel. Tele neck heels are square. A Strat will fit in a Tele neck pocket, but it won't work the other way around.

[ItsaBass]

See what I wrote about my MIJ Strat that I Kahlerized, shown in this thread. I bought a used takeoff from a "vintage" Jackson. Yes, I had to lie in wait for it...but when it came along, I was ready, and I think it was only about $135. I put the time into completely disassembling, cleaning, and lubing it (which is a pretty straightforward process). They are an excellent, and eminently serviceable, product. The original low E string hook was broken, but I replace my low E string hooks with ones that accept a larger string anyhow, so no problem. Brand new part, retailed from Whammi World, dropped right in. Put a high tension spring in it, to counter the 11s I use. Also a brand new part from Whammi World.

Kahlers are easily adjustable for string spacing, height, and intonation. They are easy to service and repair. Cosmetically, they are perfect on a Strat; the baseplate fits right into the stock vibrato notch on a Strat guard. You need some neck angle for them to work their best.

You need not use them with a locking nut, and you need not do vibrato acrobatics with them (but you certainly can). They make an excellent general purpose vibrato.

They work best with Fender bullet end strings, IME.

Except for the straight back edge on the vintage baseplates (vs. curved today), there really isn't much difference between the old ones and the new ones.

Even the imports are good (4300 X-Trem).

[dystrust]

Out of curiosity, how available are replacement parts for the Kahler?

They're don't advertise a lot, but you can call Kahler directly, or order most things from Whammi World. It's been a while since I called them, but the last time I did the guy who answered the phone was an incredible wealth of knowledge as far as setup and maintenance.

Edit: I should add that this is for their cam-operated bridges. I'm not sure they make any of the fulcrum ones anymore, so parts are more limited for those.

[Gtrjunior]

Out of curiosity, how available are replacement parts for the Kahler?

[dystrust]

A Kahler would be cool as heck. I wonder if I could find an NOS version...

I've seen them, but they're ridiculously expensive on eBay. Expect to pay $300-400 for a NOS Kahler from the 80s, and around $200 for a used one. It won't look 100% correct, but honestly I'd rather have one of the knew ones with the locking screw in the back. If you're OK with a lightly used Kahler, I'd be willing to sell the '86 Kahler 2320 off of my Charvel Model 4 as I've wanted to put a new hybrid on there for a while.

[PFDarkside]

A Kahler would be cool as heck. I wonder if I could find an NOS version...

[ItsaBass]

Hardtail Strats sound and feel great IMO...and they ARE classic, having been available (and more common than you'd think) since 1955. A wankey vibrato system is not a must for '80s style guitars...but if you are going to use one, I vote a vintage-correct black Kahler. They have some advantages over Floyds (including looks IMO), and they are easy to install. In fact, I might be able to dig up the router template I made to install the one on the guitar I posted earlier...if you want to use it.

Also, FWIW, Kahler makes a nice hardtail bridge as well.

[PFDarkside]

You want to borrow my router?
Lol

Do I want to borrow it? Do I want someone that knows what they are doing to do so? Maybe... haha

[Gtrjunior]

You want to borrow my router?
Lol

[PFDarkside]

The only part of this guitar that currently exists is the hardtail Seafoam body!