Another Strat for the stable...

Van Noord

New member
MIM Straight Six "FSR" Strat!

Great neck on this one, single humbucker, single volume, matte finish, I'm stoked!

 
Re: Another Strat for the stable...

Now the fun starts with a search for a replacement pickup.
This is my third Fender Atomic pickup. It sounds surprisingly good in this guitar, its JB-like, lots if output...aggressive mids...fat crunch.

It likely works well here because the guitar is a bit lighterweight than my other two Strats. The Atomic sounded blurry, congested, and dark in those guitars.

I'll likely go with Dimarzio (again) and I'm looking at five currently in stock at my local shop.

Air Zone
Evolution
Mo Joe
Tone Zone
36 Anniversary PAF

I typically prefer a bridge pickup of medium output and with moderate eq curve. Suggestions are welcome of course.

The neck on this guitar is tapered and very fast. Nicely broked/worn in feel too. I may also change out the saddles for Graphtechs too.

All in, I paid $280 for it, case included. Not bad for a not all too common Strat in a cool stripped down configuration.
 
Re: Another Strat for the stable...

Now the fun starts with a search for a replacement pickup.
This is my third Fender Atomic pickup. It sounds surprisingly good in this guitar, its JB-like, lots if output...aggressive mids...fat crunch.

It likely works well here because the guitar is a bit lighterweight than my other two Strats. The Atomic sounded blurry, congested, and dark in those guitars.

I'll likely go with Dimarzio (again) and I'm looking at five currently in stock at my local shop.

Air Zone
Evolution
Mo Joe
Tone Zone
36 Anniversary PAF

I typically prefer a bridge pickup of medium output and with moderate eq curve. Suggestions are welcome of course.

The neck on this guitar is tapered and very fast. Nicely broked/worn in feel too. I may also change out the saddles for Graphtechs too.

All in, I paid $280 for it, case included. Not bad for a not all too common Strat in a cool stripped down configuration.

My favorite from that group is the Tone Zone, but it's probably a bit hotter than you're looking for and the EQ curve isn't for everyone. Maybe try the Mo Joe? I hear it's a moderate output slightly hotter PAF vibe.
 
Re: Another Strat for the stable...

Thanks, the TZ has that elevated beef in the lowend, something that can benefit Strats. But it may be too much and clash with my amps eq as my other Strats humbuckers have a more conservative amount of lowend.

I really like my Air Norton, the feel and clarity of Air Buckers have become something I really enjoy lately.
So I think The Air Zone may be the current front runner. It does still have the big lowend like the regular TZ, but I think it may be OK due to the lower output and increased clarity being an AirBucker and all.

(From Dimarzio)

The best way to describe the Air Zone™ is to say it’s a vintage version of The Tone Zone®. It’s got the same low string-pull as our other Airbuckers™ for singing sustain, plus it has the big bass response and cool harmonics of The Tone Zone®, with extra sensitivity and control. It’s a great match for very hot amps, allowing the player to take full advantage of massive preamp gain without turning the sound to mud or fuzzy noise. It’s also a great neck pickup for jazz players who need to get the hollow-body arch top sound from a solid body, and it offers exceptionally good split and series-parallel capability.
 
Re: Another Strat for the stable...

I should try and capture the neck profile and almost birdseye and light flame the neck has. Not sure if it would translate in photos but we'll see.

The matte finish is really tough on this one too. Nothing like the soft satin finish on my HWYOne, that's for sure.

I was playing the guitar today thrugh my JVM and the stock pickup handled itself pretty good. Aggressive & chunky for sure. Main gripes being the added noise it seems to give off, and well, single notes that seem weak tonewise and non musical.

Quite impressed otherwise, I love a neck that feels played. This one feels that way, yet the guitar overall doesnt look like it has those corresponding miles on it.

Next task will be a fretboard cleaning and fret cleaning/polishing as they are a bit tarnished and showing that light green tinge to them.
 
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Re: Another Strat for the stable...

Thanks, cleaned it and restrung it today.

You know, I initially had ideas of modifications, except the guitar just sounds GOOD the way it is. I'm hesitant to change out the Fender stamped saddles and the pickup is really growing on me.
Played alongside my JB, the Fender pickup is similar, only with less brittle highs, clearer lowend and less of that smog-like JB midrange.

Strung with 10's tuned to standard/drop D this axe screams and thumps with great resonance and sustain.
 
Re: Another Strat for the stable...

If you like the pickup the only thing I would consider doing to that guitar would be a push/pull split.
 
Re: Another Strat for the stable...

If you like the pickup the only thing I would consider doing to that guitar would be a push/pull split.
Great idea. Ill consider it for sure.

Drop me a line if you ever decide to get rid of it. Great guitar!!!
I've actually never seen another one. This is the first I've heard of this model. Apparently only 831 were made(?)!

It's sounds and feels great, even though the trem block appears to be very thin, thinner than my other Strats at least. Yet it still sounds thick and has great/normal sustain.



 
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