In Strat modding mode! Come recommend me stuff!

[Rex_Rocker]

Oh I get that modding is fun. It isn't as fun if you wind up settling for something you don't really like.

I do like the body.

I'd actually like the neck too if the truss rod worked as it should, LOL.

I don't love the 9.5" radius, but I can live with it, but the back of the neck is alright. The profile is not a baseball bat like my Gibson. The frets aren't as tiny as the Gibson, nor is the material as soft/easily dented as my Squier Classic Vibe. The rosewood is nice and dark. I would've so left it alone already if it wasn't for the truss rod not working correctly.

I mean, it is a Strat after all. It's not an RG550, which I also love, but the whole point of this guitar was "I can make a Grandpa-looking guitar sound Metal and perform well while still keeping somewhat Grandpa-ish aesthetics".

 

[solspirit]

Oh I get that modding is fun. It isn't as fun if you wind up settling for something you don't really like.

it happens, but the great thing is that you can try something else.

I have a few guitars that I would never touch, but the others that I'm not 100% satisfied with, I'll play with and mod. The worst result is, that I'm still not satisfied with it.

 

[The Guitar]

Pretty much did the same thing to a Lotus Strat copy I paid $80 for years ago. Only original parts left are the body, trem claw, and claw screws. The Schaller was bought new for around $200. Then I got a RG470 Wizard II neck from a pal and I finally could use the Schaller. Had it micro routed to fit the pocket and shave off the 23rd and 24th frets. Then a light up pickguard from Terrapin Guitars. The pickups are an Epiphone for the neck and a Widdershins grab bag pickup(12.5k) for the bridge. It's had a couple other configurations over the years, but probably could've got a decent mid range shredstick with the money I have in it. It's been fun and a learning experience. I just dropped that Widdershins pickup in and a brass block for the Schaller.

 

[Rex_Rocker]

Pretty much did the same thing to a Lotus Strat copy I paid $80 for years ago. Only original parts left are the body, trem claw, and claw screws. The Schaller was bought new for around $200. Then I got a RG470 Wizard II neck from a pal and I finally could use the Schaller. Had it micro routed to fit the pocket and shave off the 23rd and 24th frets. Then a light up pickguard from Terrapin Guitars. The pickups are an Epiphone for the neck and a Widdershins grab bag pickup(12.5k) for the bridge. It's had a couple other configurations over the years, but probably could've got a decent mid range shredstick with the money I have in it. It's been fun and a learning experience. I just dropped that Widdershins pickup in and a brass block for the Schaller.

That looks really cool, man!

 

[Rex_Rocker]

OK, so an update. I took the guitar in to a local tech to get it checked to see if there was anything that could be done about the truss rod. If he's able to find something without having to do something extreme like replace the truss rod altogether, that's a win for me. I was AB'ing the neck with my Gibson and my Squier, and I realized none of them are dead-on what I'd prefer, but I think I like this neck the best. So I figured I'd give it one last chance.

If not, my new plan of action is to get a used Mexican Fender Strat from around that same era (2010's), which I guess will have a similar neck profile. Those sell for what? Like 500-600 bucks at most? Which is not much more expensive than the most expensive Mexican Fender replacement necks. Then I could sell the body and parts to make up for part of the cost, right?

 

[devastone]

Later to the party here. Do you need a strat headstock? If so check out Mighty Mite necks, they have a lot of options.

If not, try https://www.guitarfetish.com/Lido-Necks_c_1127.html

Or check out their XGP stuff and get a nice body and neck. You could probably build a really nice guitar from scratch with GF parts cheaper than a MIM Squier.

 

[Rex_Rocker]

Neck ordered!

It's Mexican, which is a perfect fit for my Mexican Strat's body.

It's Baked Maple, Flat Oval (19mm thick at the first fret and I suppose D-shaped?), 22 jumbo frets and 12" fretboard. So it's basically more of a Charvel-ish neck than Fender, TBH.

I'm excited!

 

[Rex_Rocker]

OK.... so how about trem blocks? The traditional is steel, right? How about brass?

 

[jeremy]

there is different types of steel and brass is an option as well. what are you trying to get out of the block swap? i love callaham for vintage strat stuff

 

[Rex_Rocker]

there is different types of steel and brass is an option as well. what are you trying to get out of the block swap? i love callaham for vintage strat stuff

More focused midrange. More upper-mid twang. More Tele-like response from the attack. I'm guessing brass?

 

[Rex_Rocker]

I am getting a thinner neck with a maple fretboard, so I suppose the tone is going to change.

I guess I should see what the neck sounds like first, TBH. Then, I'll decide if I need steel (wider-range) or brass (fatter), right?

As it is, right now the guitar is pretty fat-sounding. Not as fat as my Les Paul, but closer to the LP than to the Esquire I just sold.

 

[jeremy]

yeah, id wait. a thinner maple neck would typically be brighter but ya never know

 

[Rex_Rocker]

The fat neck is actually brighter here.

 

[NotDemanic]

Also, looked underneath the pickguard, seems like I'm stuck with an HS pickguard. Only routed for HSS.

No biggie. I can use a full-size hum and an Little '59 or a Quarter Pounder ot a Cool Rails or whatever in the neck.

This is what the body looks like without a pickguard. I think I can get the bridge pickup a bit closer to the bridge than it is right now with the right pickguard:



Althought, not THAT much closer, though.

I'd put a Lace Deathbucker in the bridge and two Lace singles in the middle and neck. Clear, bright, thick in the bridge without being overly middy. And no hum.

 

[Rex_Rocker]

I'd put a Lace Deathbucker in the bridge and two Lace singles in the middle and neck. Clear, bright, thick in the bridge without being overly middy. And no hum.

Already have the D Activator in there. I am very happy with it.

However, I am considering a Lace Blue in the neck. Got any experience with that? Or is there something in between a Blue and a Red?

 

[Chistopher]

I believe Burgundy is supposed to be a more single coilish Red. Purple I know for a fact is supposed to be between Burgundy and Blue in terms of tone.

 

[jeremy]

i like the fat neck tones better, but i knew that already. i also dont play metal much any more

 

[Rex_Rocker]

This time, I'm letting it acclimate, LOL.

 

[Rex_Rocker]

Looking good!

So far, initial impressions:
It's not that thin, LOL. I mean, it's thinner than the Gibson for sure, but it's not shredder-thin. No biggie.
The frets aren't that big either. Bigger than the Gibson... just not shredder big, LOL. No biggie.
The edges are not rounded like the Road Worn neck. No biggie. They're not rolled on my Gibson either.

So... so far so good! I definitely like the profile better than the "Modern C". It's thinner and wider, at least. We'll see about the fretboard when I string it up.

 

[Rex_Rocker]

So far so good!