Improving Resonance in a Stratocaster

[ImmortalSix]

Hey guys --- lay on me some tricks about improving resonance in a Stratocaster.

I hear some folks sand the neck pocket to get polyurethane out of there, and I hear some folks sand the trem cavity, but I don't exactly know what that one's all about.

If someone can hit me with the real deal, or outline in detail how to do some of these ever-so-slightly beneficial tune-ups, I'll appreciate it!

-Hunter

 

[ImmortalSix]

Re: Improving Resonance in a Stratocaster

I have a 1996 American Standard Stratocaster. I have the bridge "hardtailed" with 5 trem springs and screwed down tight. I have performed the "loosen the neck bolts a quarter turn with the strings on, and let the neck draw in to the neck pocket then retighten" trick.

The guitar is not very resonant and is pretty lifeless to listen to unplugged. Great player, sounds great plugged in (see video demo of guitar in Signature) just lifeless unplugged.

Any suggestions will be appreciated!

 

[idsnowdog]

Re: Improving Resonance in a Stratocaster

Sand the heel of the neck, heavy saddles and trem-block with good mass. Also make sure that the string trees are good quality and that the angle of the strings over the nut are not too shallow.

 

[j9fd3s]

Re: Improving Resonance in a Stratocaster

it depends a little on what you start with, heres what i know....

1. the screws loosen up with time, key being between the trem top plate and the block, but also the neck.

2. i dont set the trem up to float, i set it up so that its flat against the body, and doing this i notice that with the american strats the block is touching the front of the trem route in the body, the MIM's dont

experimental stuff... the callaham website mentions the fit between the trem block and the top plate, its easy to sand em both flat. also the bottom side of the neck also should be flat.

i need to ask my engineer friends, but i think making the biggest contact areas is best

more of a tune up than a cure, but if it hasnt been done, it does make a difference.

mike

 

[jmh151]

Re: Improving Resonance in a Stratocaster

One thing I did was replace the neck bolts with machine bolts like Yngwie malmsteen's strat. They let you tighten the neck more into the neck pocket than the wood screws.

Sanding the polyurethane is only necessary if there's a big buildup of paint

 

[sosomething]

Re: Improving Resonance in a Stratocaster

Honestly there's a whole buttload of stuff you can do, from sanding neck pockets to replacing saddles and string trees and all points between, but the most all of those things tend to amount to, all told, is only a marginally-noticeable improvement.

There are exceptions to every rule but it seems that a guitar that's a dog is a dog is a dog no matter what you do. Either the wood sings or it doesn't.

That said, you're lucky because you really like the plugged-in tone of your Strat. Try to keep that in perspective and appreciate the guitar for what it is - it's an electric, after all, right?

 

[ImmortalSix]

Re: Improving Resonance in a Stratocaster

Honestly there's a whole buttload of stuff you can do, from sanding neck pockets to replacing saddles and string trees and all points between, but the most all of those things tend to amount to, all told, is only a marginally-noticeable improvement.

There are exceptions to every rule but it seems that a guitar that's a dog is a dog is a dog no matter what you do. Either the wood sings or it doesn't.

That said, you're lucky because you really like the plugged-in tone of your Strat. Try to keep that in perspective and appreciate the guitar for what it is - it's an electric, after all, right?

:laughing: that's probably the best advice I'm going to get

I am just a little frustrated that I'm playing my cheepnis (flavor of the month is the PRS SE Soapbar, before that it was the Epiphone Dot Studio, both less than $300 guitars) both around the house and at gigs because they're more resonant and I like that feeling.

I really only use the Stratocaster for recording, and even then very rarely. I feel guilty because it was such an expensive guitar.

I must try some of the tips and tricks though, because if I can make the guitar better (within reason and within disposable money) I must, because it was my first and my ballinest (new word)

I hear so many recordings where I can just feeeeeel that the Strat was a good one, ya know?

Mine is great with a cord plugged into it, but I just don't cart it around the house like I do my cheepnises

 

[super rad stuff]

Re: Improving Resonance in a Stratocaster

a combination of all these things(string trees, blocking trem, neck bolts, etc.) will be a bit better, though not by too much although noticeable.
... and sand every bit of paint off of the body and neck:naughty:

 

[sosomething]

Re: Improving Resonance in a Stratocaster

I can relate to you 100%. I've owned a few guitars that were clunkers acoustically. Some of them sounded great through an amp but I've wound up selling every one. Once you own a guitar that you can just feel in your gut when you play it, playing one that doesn't just cannot measure up.

Good luck! I hope you find that magic combo of upgrades that makes the Strat into what you want it to be.

 

[j9fd3s]

Re: Improving Resonance in a Stratocaster

i feel your pain too. ive got 2 american standards, one is lovely, the other is not.....

i'm going to try this stuff on mine too, maybe its a car thing, but i refuse to be beaten by a chunk of wood

 

[ImmortalSix]

Re: Improving Resonance in a Stratocaster

i feel your pain too. ive got 2 american standards, one is lovely, the other is not.....

i'm going to try this stuff on mine too, maybe its a car thing, but i refuse to be beaten by a chunk of wood

x2, I am a car guy, and if I can build cars from **** near scratch, I can handle a tune-up on an old Stratocaster! ([grandpa voice] If it's the last thing I do!)

 

[Gamera]

Re: Improving Resonance in a Stratocaster

Keep a big, big supply of fresh strings. Replace them often.

I think some of it is just the nature of the beast.

 

[Guitar-Sam]

Re: Improving Resonance in a Stratocaster

Well as a car guy and guitar player.Take the Super Stock drag racers approach to setting up your guitar. One little improvement may not amount to crap but 10 little things do.
Also allot of resonance can be had at the bridge saddle.Once you get your action were you want it.Don't be affraid to expierament with little 1/4 turns on the saddle screws and listen.

 

[super rad stuff]

Re: Improving Resonance in a Stratocaster

x2, I am a car guy, and if I can build cars from **** near scratch, I can handle a tune-up on an old Stratocaster! ([grandpa voice] If it's the last thing I do!)

on a side note, what's your opinion of factory five kit cars:naughty:

 

[j9fd3s]

Re: Improving Resonance in a Stratocaster

Well as a car guy and guitar player.Take the Super Stock drag racers approach to setting up your guitar. One little improvement may not amount to crap but 10 little things do.
Also allot of resonance can be had at the bridge saddle.Once you get your action were you want it.Don't be affraid to expierament with little 1/4 turns on the saddle screws and listen.

exactly!

 

[j9fd3s]

Re: Improving Resonance in a Stratocaster

on a side note, what's your opinion of factory five kit cars:naughty:

we go road racing, so my perspective is warped. in the roadracing class they run a 5.0l ford engine, limited to 225hp, on slicks

the cars seem durable. 225hp doesnt make it fast from turn 11 to turn 2 at infineon its as fast as an rx8 with 2 people in it (rx8 doesnt shift, we were suprised too) after turn 2 the thing is gone, because its on slicks.

http://www.ffrchallenge.com/

 

[wanmei1]

Re: Improving Resonance in a Stratocaster

Tweaks are just that, tweaks.

Basically the one thing you can't overcome or change in any guitar is body wood that doesn't resonate or doesn't have much resonance.

Everything else can be changed or fixed.

You can improve things a little but that's all.
All of the previous mentioned tweaks will "tweak" it a little.

Perhaps the biggest single tweak that increases sustain is using a heavier gauge of strings.
The heavier the strings, the more sustain.

This may or may not be realisitc for you and your playing style.

 

[guitarded]

Re: Improving Resonance in a Stratocaster

A good compressor / sustainer pedal can work wonders

Hey guys --- lay on me some tricks about improving resonance in a Stratocaster.

I hear some folks sand the neck pocket to get polyurethane out of there, and I hear some folks sand the trem cavity, but I don't exactly know what that one's all about.

If someone can hit me with the real deal, or outline in detail how to do some of these ever-so-slightly beneficial tune-ups, I'll appreciate it!

-Hunter

 

[super rad stuff]

Re: Improving Resonance in a Stratocaster

we go road racing, so my perspective is warped. in the roadracing class they run a 5.0l ford engine, limited to 225hp, on slicks

the cars seem durable. 225hp doesnt make it fast from turn 11 to turn 2 at infineon its as fast as an rx8 with 2 people in it (rx8 doesnt shift, we were suprised too) after turn 2 the thing is gone, because its on slicks.

http://www.ffrchallenge.com/

i know all about the ffr challenge class! however, i thought they ran radials??
btw i meant the street version. waddya think of those?

 

[Benjy_26]

Re: Improving Resonance in a Stratocaster

Increasing the weight of the headstock worked well for me on a buddy's strat. The Groove Tubes Fat Finger works wonders when placed just right.