NGD incoming! Mod platform - Ideas?

[Rex_Rocker]

I will post pics when it gets here, but I just basically ordered a cheapie Squier Strat to mod.

Just wanted to share cause I'm really excited.

Also... wanted to ask what humbucker you guys think would be best for it? Duncan JB, Duncan Distortion Neck, or Suhr SSH+?

Also... suggestions on goods but cheap tuning machines? I was thinking Gotoh... but anything that's cheaper and just as good?

Brass or steel saddles for it? I have both.

Other cool modding ideas?

 

[Chistopher]

Paint the pickguard screws black and put in some dark nickel or black hardware.

Everything else is secondary

 

[jeremy]

i mean, squire single bucker strat screams invader to me. dimebucker might be sweet too. id play the thing before i planned on anything else.

 

[Mincer]

Hipshot tuners are cheapish and work well. Also, consider a total blackout.

 

[ehdwuld]

One humbucker
Sweet a 3 position on off on toggle mini switch

Switches between
series (normal humbucker)
Parallel (still humbucker just thinner single coil-ish)
Single coil ( pick one coil- i'd suggest the one closest to the bridge)


Or switch from different tone caps

Or some sort of boost and/or preamp

 

[Rex_Rocker]

Or some sort of boost and/or preamp

Great idea! I will have one of the knobs unused. I could go with that.

 

[Rex_Rocker]

Also, consider a total blackout.

Yes, I feel tempted.

 

[Rex_Rocker]

id play the thing before i planned on anything else.

True.

I have high hopes, though. I played a similar one at the store, and I know I like the neck profile. The store is throwing in a setup and fretjob, so I'm hoping it's not too terrible.

 

[Rex_Rocker]

Paint the pickguard screws black and put in some dark nickel or black hardware.

Everything else is secondary

Yes. The blackout is tempting.

 

[jeremy]

nah, i meant see if the tuners are ok and the bridge is ok, etc... do you know how its routed under the guard?

 

[playas]

As it´s a hardtail are you planning on seeing if you can enlarge the route to get the pickup any closer?

 

[ehdwuld]

nah, i meant see if the tuners are ok and the bridge is ok, etc... do you know how its routed under the guard?

If it has the standard routing
That gives you places to stash the battery for that boost.... Winning

 

[Rex_Rocker]

nah, i meant see if the tuners are ok and the bridge is ok, etc... do you know how its routed under the guard?

HSH.

I wanna use the parts that I already have, but the particular tuners I have, I don't think will fit. But you're right, maybe they're not terrible. I hope so!

 

[Rex_Rocker]

As it´s a hardtail are you planning on seeing if you can enlarge the route to get the pickup any closer?

Maybe! But that would be a bit further down the line.

 

[ehdwuld]

You could route out a battery box on the backside

Anywhere behind the pickguard would work

You may not want to put it between the bridge and neck pocket
In case you want to load up pickups later

I would suggest using the area on back
Between the control cavity and the lower horn

Its mostly un used any way
And if you go too deep
The pickguard covers your mistakes

 

[Rex_Rocker]

Yeah, while I'm not really opposed to chopping wood on a cheapie guitar, I don't really have the tools right now. Maybe further down the line. I'd actually like that. But for now, I was thinking more stuff I could do about the hardware, electronics, or simple stuff like rolling the fretboard.

 

[Chistopher]

One humbucker
Sweet a 3 position on off on toggle mini switch

Switches between
series (normal humbucker)
Parallel (still humbucker just thinner single coil-ish)
Single coil ( pick one coil- i'd suggest the one closest to the bridge)


Or switch from different tone caps

Or some sort of boost and/or preamp

Perhaps a rotary switch for the second knob? Makes it more unique

 

[ICTGoober]

Also, consider a total blackout.

The proper term is "murdered out".

 

[AdrianSD]

Yeah, while I'm not really opposed to chopping wood on a cheapie guitar, I don't really have the tools right now. Maybe further down the line. I'd actually like that. But for now, I was thinking more stuff I could do about the hardware, electronics, or simple stuff like rolling the fretboard.

Happy NGD!
Filing the fret ends at least is a good idea if they are too sharp. Once it's playable enough to you - truss rod adjustments, action etc - just throw a JB in it and rock on
LE: Now that I saw the distance to the bridge, I'd go for a Distortion with hex screws for the EAD strings, for a unique flavour.

 

[Rex_Rocker]

I was going through the stuff I have... it's either a cream pickguard, a 3-ply Black-white-black pickguard, or the stock all black pickguard.

I also have brass or steel block saddles.

And I found I have the stock non-locking Fender tuners from my old MIM Road Worn. But those are surely going to require drilling, right? Ugh.