In Strat modding mode! Come recommend me stuff!

[Rex_Rocker]

OK... so latest update. I swapped out the saddles from brass to steel (block). I definitely notice a tad more zing to the tone which I like. With the brass saddles and block, the Strat was starting to get a bit too fat. It was darker than my Les Paul, and I didn't quite like that.

I've got a steel block on the way. Should be here tomorrow or Friday.

I'm going to order a Duncan Distortion for it. I like the D-Ac... but it's not what I want.

So... what do y'all think? White (with a white knob) or zebra (with a cream knob)?



After that, I'll be set on the mods... I hope...

 

[Mincer]

Zebra and cream is my choice. Also, somewhere down the line...scallop the neck!

 

[jeremy]

zebra with cream sounds good, as long as the cream colors match

 

[Rex_Rocker]

zebra with cream sounds good, as long as the cream colors match

Oh, that I'm not so sure of.

The DiMarzio cream is darker than the Duncan cream. But knob is slightly lighter than the pickup. Both the pickup and the knob are darker than the cream pickguard I used to have that I posted last page.

I think it's impossible, honestly. Even my Gibson with all stock Gibson plastic has different shades of cream all over, LOL.

 

[Rex_Rocker]

Zebra and cream is my choice. Also, somewhere down the line...scallop the neck!

At some point... maybe...

But it would be just the last frets.

 

[Mincer]

At some point... maybe...

But it would be just the last frets.

NO DO THEM ALL!

 

[ErikH]

Or scallop from 12-22. Leave 1-12 as they are. I'm not a scalloped fan but I think I'd be able to adjust to that easier.

 

[Rex_Rocker]

Steel block is in!

Subtle difference, but I like it! Definitely more zing. Not airiness, mind you, but it seems like it did open up the top-end just a tad.

I'm slightly curious about trying the Highwood saddles, but I'm not sure they're worth it. I've dropped more money that I'd like on this guitar, even if the last stuff is just cheapie Musiclily stuff off Amazon.

Last mod remaining: The Duncan Distortion that's on the way!

 

[Mincer]

Which block is heavier?

 

[Rex_Rocker]

Which block is heavier?

In order, it's brass, then steel, then Zinc.

Brass and steel are really close, though.

 

[Rex_Rocker]

Question... do stamped steel saddles sound brighter than block saddles?

 

[beaubrummels]

IME block saddles sustain longer and can be slightly darker. Stamped can be brighter and not sustain as much.

 

[Rex_Rocker]

Decided I do want a neck pickup in there, LOL.

Well, not really. It's more of a biproduct of installing that pickguard which has the bridge pickup like 2mm closer to the bridge. Honestly, I wasn't expecting that much difference from 2mm, but damn.
MUCH better. The bridge pickup now sounds brash, bitey, and raspy, the way a bridge pickup should, IMO.

Mind you, it's not night and day, but it's... say... 5-10% better now.

 

[Rex_Rocker]

Awwwww, yeah.

 

[Chistopher]

Palm muting is slightly easier on block saddles if you have fatty hands if that makes a difference.

 

[Rex_Rocker]

I'll post a better pic tomorrow when it has a white knob, LOL.

I kinda liked the cream better, but I like the sound of the DD better, and I'm not as vain as to swap out a pickup that I like the sound of better for a pickup that I like the look of better, LOL.

I kinda like it. Looks more like 80's shredder now.

 

[Rex_Rocker]

OK, so here's a list of what's going on.

What's left from stock?

1. Fender MIM Roadworn body in Inca Silver.
2. Trem plate, screws, and claw
3. Jack plate and jack
4. Fender-branded Ping tuners
5. Fender neck plate

What are the mods?

1. Fender MIM Flat Oval baked Maple neck
2. Seymour Duncan Distortion
3. Random Artec rail pickup
4. Gibson 500T potentiometer
5. Fender-branded Switchcraft toggle w/ PRS Silver Sky switch tip
6. HS black pickguard
7. Schaller strap locks
8. Musiclily steel block saddles, trem block, and 5 springs making it decked against the body

So far, I'm 99% happy with it. It's the neck pickup that I'm not in love with, but at the same time, it's cirscunstantial. It was just so that I could have something to switch to because the pickguard that I liked was HS, and not single H.

Also, I think I might try going back to either brass saddles or block. But not both. Both darken out the guitar too much. But a mix of brass and steel makes it sound more balanced.

 

[Rex_Rocker]

I think I might swap out the neck pickup still... but I don't know for what. I know for sure I don't want an underpowered single coil. I'd love a white QP, but I'm dubious about paying CS money for one.

 

[Mincer]

A white QP would look and sound great.

 

[Rex_Rocker]

A white QP would look and sound great.

I'm sure it would. I'm just not sure I wanna spend that much on a CS pickup, LOL.