NGD incoming! Mod platform - Ideas?

[Rex_Rocker]

The nail polish worked. I'm happy with the bridge now.

Now the one thing that I wanna change is the tuners. I have some of those standard Fender tuners that are square. The problem is the pins don't line up with the stock tuners. Gonna have to drill some holes to make them fit.

 

[Mincer]

The nail polish worked. I'm happy with the bridge now.

Now the one thing that I wanna change is the tuners. I have some of those standard Fender tuners that are square. The problem is the pins don't line up with the stock tuners. Gonna have to drill some holes to make them fit.

Just be careful! Very easy to drill right through the headstock. I use one of those old timey crank hand drills.

 

[ehdwuld]

I just crank them down
They press in just fine

 

[Rex_Rocker]

I just crank them down
They press in just fine

Oh. So you just put them in, fasten the nut from the front, and they press in? I gotta try that.

 

[Mincer]

Well, I've seen some cracked headstocks from that method, so, be careful with that.

 

[AdrianSD]

Just be careful! Very easy to drill right through the headstock. I use one of those old timey crank hand drills.

Wrapping some tape around the drill bit helps to avoid going too deep into the wood.

 

[Rex_Rocker]

F

Put the Fender tuners with some black plastic buttons in.

They're slightly misaligned, but meh. I did my best, hahaha.

 

[Mincer]

Wrapping some tape around the drill bit helps to avoid going too deep into the wood.

Not so much the tape, but putting pressure on it.

 

[Rex_Rocker]

Oh, I got some drill bits, and I just mounted them into my screwdriver. Even so, those drill bits almost sank into the wood like a hot knive on butter. I did use some tape so I'd know I didn't pushed in too deep.

 

[Mincer]

Yeah, it is super easy to do.

 

[Rex_Rocker]

Honestly, I dig how this guitar came out/is coming out. I'd put it against any Mexican Fender with all the upgrades now. I wish I had a first guitar as good as this one is.

I'm on the fence about the pickguard, and I wouldn't mind some strap locks. I don't know what color pickguard to get for it. My initial thoughts were cream, but I'm kinda digging the blacked out plastics look too. I think tortoise shell would look good too, but I feel like with tortoise shell, it's kind of a gamble on how it will look with the pickguards they sell on Amazon.

 

[ehdwuld]

Honestly, I dig how this guitar came out/is coming out. I'd put it against any Mexican Fender with all the upgrades now. I wish I had a first guitar as good as this one is.

I'm on the fence about the pickguard, and I wouldn't mind some strap locks. I don't know what color pickguard to get for it. My initial thoughts were cream, but I'm kinda digging the blacked out plastics look too. I think tortoise shell would look good too, but I feel like with tortoise shell, it's kind of a gamble on how it will look with the pickguards they sell on Amazon.

Take the pickguard you got

Stretch some contact paper over it and trim the holes out


Or , rattle can it some contrasting color
Like red or purple

If you don't like it alcohol will clean it right up

 

[AdrianSD]

Oh, I got some drill bits, and I just mounted them into my screwdriver. Even so, those drill bits almost sank into the wood like a hot knive on butter. I did use some tape so I'd know I didn't pushed in too deep.

Yes that can be tricky, the secret is: DON'T PUSH DOWN! Let the drill do the work, you just guide it. When you strip transmission oil pan bolts, or even cross-thread them you learn how to get better coordination, those fsckers are an absolute pain to sort out
If you're not happy with the results take them out, fill the holes and start again. With my OCD, if I don't like it I'd be losing my hair in no time flat!

 

[Rex_Rocker]

Dropped the SSH+ in for two reasons. First, I was curious about how it would sound on the Strat. Second, I kinda wanted the JB for my Les Paul Tribute. I liked the result! I think I like it just as much, maybe even better on this particular guitar. I feel like the SSH+ having more sizzle gives the guitar more of a Strat-y vibe... well, as much of a Strat-y vibe as a hot overwound humbucker can have, LOL.

 

[Rex_Rocker]

So the mods so far:

1. Fender standard non-locking tuners w/black plastic buttons
2. Fender bent steel saddles
3. Suhr SSH+ pickup
4. DiMarzio 500K pot (with 1M resistor in parallel)
5. Fender/Switchcraft jack

I'd put it up against any mid-priced Fender as is, personally. I wanna get some strap locks for it... and I'm still considering a cream or tortoise shell pickguard. And something with that tone knob.

 

[Chistopher]

Put a yellowed maple neck on it, and you got yourself a DG Black Strat, but cooler

 

[ehdwuld]

Did you roll that fretboard?

 

[Rex_Rocker]

Did you roll that fretboard?

I think they did it with the setup they gave it. The fretboard is rolled right now. I doubt it came like that from the factory.

 

[Sam SG]

Maybe its cause Im lusting after one myself.
BUT I can totally see a WD dark red pearl pickguard on that axe.