My 2000 MIM Strat

[arellanon]

This is my first axe ever, a 2000 MIM Strat (title). As one can see it's not stock:reporter:

Neck - DiMarzio HS-3
Middle - Seymour Duncan Cool Rails
Bridge - Seymour Duncan SSL-5L

Graph Tech String Saver Saddles
Sperzel Locking Tuners

I love the way it sounds and plays; it's silky smooth (9-42's tuned to Eb) and the pups sound great! I'm a really big fan of these MIM Strats because they are so easy to mod and customize to one's tastes. I primarily use this axe to play clean stuff; this is my best clean channel guitar thanks to the Cool Rails and the HS-3. When playing with distortion the HS-3 is not too bad but the Cool Rails really sings; I just use the SSL-5L for any guitar part that needs much emphasis such as harmonics. I actually have the bridge blocked since I don't use the whammy bar much in this guitar or my other Floyed-Rose guitars. So yeah, the Cool Rails is my work horse! The Cool Rails and the HS-3 will stay there permanently but I would like to to experiment with other bridge pups, maybe a JB Jr? Any thoughts/comments/suggestions?

 

[edsmith]

Re: My 2000 MIM Strat

I'm not a fan of MIMs but that HS-3 is a great neck pickup. I love black Strats, that's why I own two of them Black Strats with maple necks is so classic.

 

[WhoFan]

Re: My 2000 MIM Strat

i've been using a 1999 mim standard for pretty much everything i do these days... pretty cool axes for low coin

 

[StrangeSound]

Re: My 2000 MIM Strat

Amazing, I'm not a fan of black guitars in general but this one speaks to me hehe I dig it!

 

[baritone]

Re: My 2000 MIM Strat

I like how Stratocasters are so open to funky pickup combinations.

 

[kjrocks]

Re: My 2000 MIM Strat

A JB jr would be very cool or why not a bridge Cool Rails? The JB jr will give that axe a kick in the pants for sure

 

[arellanon]

Re: My 2000 MIM Strat

Thanks everyone. Yeah, a JB Jr does sound good or even a second Cool Rails. I have a Hot Rails in the middle position of a Kramer and I'm not very happy with the sound it gives so maybe I can try that pup in the bridge for experimentation. Better yet I much rather try a pup I have no experience with, hence the JB Jr =)

 

[darnright]

Re: My 2000 MIM Strat

Did you notice that whomever built that guitar put everything upside down and backwards??? LOL
That's a cool looking guitar, some very good mods. I don't even own a USA strat, I have 3 MIM's that sounded as good and played better out of the box than my last 4 or 5 USA strats have. I've done some different upgrades on them, but I agree with you, MIM strats are fine guitars.

 

[arellanon]

Re: My 2000 MIM Strat

Did you notice that whomever built that guitar put everything upside down and backwards??? LOL
That's a cool looking guitar, some very good mods. I don't even own a USA strat, I have 3 MIM's that sounded as good and played better out of the box than my last 4 or 5 USA strats have. I've done some different upgrades on them, but I agree with you, MIM strats are fine guitars.

Ha ha ha, it's a mirror shot! I LOVE strats but the USA ones are too expensive for my taste so I buy the imports. My next strat HAS to be a japanese model; I regret not buying one while living there
BTW, what are these different upgrades you are talking about, if you don't mind asking you.

 

[darnright]

Re: My 2000 MIM Strat

Mostly pickups, pots, jacks and tuners. I made one old MIM into a hardtail. I fitted a wood block and installed a TOM and stop tailpiece. Had a HB in bridge and sounded a lot different after. I also stripped the finish off that one. I know there are guys that disagree, but I just haven't had any luck finding a good USA strat. I've tried over and over.
I'm sure the custom shops are much better, I think a lot of the problem is in the finish, wood has to breathe and move.
I had a couple of MIJ's that were excellent.
dave

 

[arellanon]

Re: My 2000 MIM Strat

Mostly pickups, pots, jacks and tuners. I made one old MIM into a hardtail. I fitted a wood block and installed a TOM and stop tailpiece. Had a HB in bridge and sounded a lot different after. I also stripped the finish off that one. I know there are guys that disagree, but I just haven't had any luck finding a good USA strat. I've tried over and over.
I'm sure the custom shops are much better, I think a lot of the problem is in the finish, wood has to breathe and move.
I had a couple of MIJ's that were excellent.
dave

Ah, I see. Where did you purchase your MIJ strat?

 

[darnright]

Re: My 2000 MIM Strat

I bought it in the late 80's from a local music store. They actually wanted to get rid of them at that time. MIJ was "bad" at that time. It was only a little later that they began to realize that where it was made (USA) didn't matter as much as the quality of materials and build. Then the MIJ strats and teles took off (as did the prices). During that time period, Made in USA was "the Best", MIJ and MIK were obviously of lesser quality.....MIC wasn't an issue then. How little they knew....
-dave

 

[KeeperOS]

Re: My 2000 MIM Strat

Heh, here's MY first guitar - 2000 MiM Strat.
Naturally it ain't stock either, I mean, what's the point in buying an MiM Strat and keep it stock? (BTW, yeah, it originally was SSS too but underneath was routed for HSS)

Duncan Crazy 8 / stock middle / DiMarzio Fast Track 1 (though I'd like to change that one).
Single 500K volume, single 250K tone and a split/neck on switch...

Can't get any better than that...

 

[arellanon]

Re: My 2000 MIM Strat

Heh, here's MY first guitar - 2000 MiM Strat.
Naturally it ain't stock either, I mean, what's the point in buying an MiM Strat and keep it stock? (BTW, yeah, it originally was SSS too but underneath was routed for HSS)

Duncan Crazy 8 / stock middle / DiMarzio Fast Track 1 (though I'd like to change that one).
Single 500K volume, single 250K tone and a split/neck on switch...

Can't get any better than that...

I like the color scheme you have going. Wow, that bucker looks evil! :headbang:

 

[KeeperOS]

Re: My 2000 MIM Strat

Yeah, I loved the B/W/B guard on the "Midnight Blue" color and it bonds real well with the maple 'board. That's the Crazy 8 at the bridge!!!

 

[midnite_man]

Re: My 2000 MIM Strat

This is my first axe ever, a 2000 MIM Strat (title). As one can see it's not stock:reporter:

Neck - DiMarzio HS-3
Middle - Seymour Duncan Cool Rails
Bridge - Seymour Duncan SSL-5L

Graph Tech String Saver Saddles
Sperzel Locking Tuners


I love the way it sounds and plays; it's silky smooth (9-42's tuned to Eb) and the pups sound great! I'm a really big fan of these MIM Strats because they are so easy to mod and customize to one's tastes. I primarily use this axe to play clean stuff; this is my best clean channel guitar thanks to the Cool Rails and the HS-3. When playing with distortion the HS-3 is not too bad but the Cool Rails really sings; I just use the SSL-5L for any guitar part that needs much emphasis such as harmonics. I actually have the bridge blocked since I don't use the whammy bar much in this guitar or my other Floyed-Rose guitars. So yeah, the Cool Rails is my work horse! The Cool Rails and the HS-3 will stay there permanently but I would like to to experiment with other bridge pups, maybe a JB Jr? Any thoughts/comments/suggestions?

or maybe a LIL 59 ? I tried a JB Jr. in my MIJ Strat once and it was just too shrill for my taste. I guess it may depend on what kind of music you play.

 

[baritone]

Re: My 2000 MIM Strat

I'm totally into Mexico Fenders. In stock form, American Fenders are spectacular guitars, but my preferences are a little different. If I am planning to modify a guitar, Mexico Fenders make a perfect platform.

The varying pickup combinations of the guitars mentioned in this thread just look cool. On my old Squier, I put a set of Duncans, a graphite nut, new tuners, and Graph-Tech Ferra Glide saddles. It plays really well and stays in tune perfectly now.

 

[d1dsj]

Re: My 2000 MIM Strat

Great first guitars fellas, my first was a POS Satellite L.P copy with a Ply body! That Crazy 8 is an Evil looking and sounding pick up... I put one in my boys Ibanez... along with a 'Lil 59 in the middle and a Duckbucker in the neck! Extremely cool guitar now... looks the dogs danglies too!