Rebuilding fake strat.. Help!!?!

X

xmandier

New member
Hello everybody. I have an old crappy squire copy that i want to upgrade. But i'm not sure if it's worth it. I'm going to ask a set of questions here under, would be helpful if u could answer them for me. Here is a picture of it
11263706_476112645883999_1236433982_n.jpg


I'm also going to do a paint job on it, be that i can handle myself and ask the paint shop about :)

Question 1: Is it even worth it? I mean it's a cheap copy of a copy :/

Question 2: I'm thinking of putting a floyd rose on it, that means that i have to carve in to the wood right? Also which should i choose, I am on a budget. Or is this all a bad idea?

Question 3: Pickups, now. I'm thinking of putting a humbucker in the bridge, for more metal lead playing. With lead tones that just blow you away, witch one should i choose there? And is that a bad idea in any way?
In the middle and neck pickup, i'm not sure, i also want to play blues on this, in style of like bb king. And stunning cleans, any tips? (I'm guessing that this is not an bad idea)

Question 4: Is there anymore things I should switch? For more than just visuals? Anything here. Tips or things i forgot :)

Thanks for the help!!! :)
 
Re: Rebuilding fake strat.. Help!!?!

I'd say modify the crap of it. Then come to ask questions!

now seriously, one possible gotcha here : Do you *like* the tonal characteristics of this guitar? Does it sustain well? Does it feel good? If yes, then maybe it is worth it, but OTOH this could stand as a reason to leave it alone as is.
 
Re: Rebuilding fake strat.. Help!!?!

Cheap affinity or bullet strats have thinner bodies
The block of the Floyd will stick out the back

If you want a cheap floyded strat
Go to rondo music and get an SX with a Floyd

Bout $150

Done

Neck pocket will be unique
Pickguard may not swap
Candy shell finish

But it should play well

*(Sent from my durned phone!)*
 
Re: Rebuilding fake strat.. Help!!?!

First post? Welcome to the tone chase sweepstakes!

What brand is that, anyway? Where did you find it?
 
Re: Rebuilding fake strat.. Help!!?!

I have no idea, its some cheap ripoff. Got it from a buddy (I don't use it now, it's so bad, the bridge is broken so the string hight is over 1 cm :/
 
Re: Rebuilding fake strat.. Help!!?!

The experience to be gained by dismantling and re-assembling such a guitar is advantageous. The economics of repainting and adding a double locking vibrato system are not.

In your position, the first thing that I would spend money on is one of Dan Erlewine's guitar repair and maintenance books.
 
Re: Rebuilding fake strat.. Help!!?!

greekdude said:
I'd say modify the crap of it. Then come to ask questions!

now seriously, one possible gotcha here : Do you *like* the tonal characteristics of this guitar? Does it sustain well? Does it feel good? If yes, then maybe it is worth it, but OTOH this could stand as a reason to leave it alone as is.
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Great advice here. It looks like you may have the ideal guitar for learning to mod. Since it isn't really valuable, you aren't out much if you trash it. On the same hand, you may want to keep your cash outlay low because the value won't really increase if you add better stuff.
 
Re: Rebuilding fake strat.. Help!!?!

Funkfingers said:
The experience to be gained by dismantling and re-assembling such a guitar is advantageous. The economics of repainting and adding a double locking vibrato system are not.

In your position, the first thing that I would spend money on is one of Dan Erlewine's guitar repair and maintenance books.
Click to expand...

Excellent advice. I've been building and modding for many, many years and I still refer to "How to Make Your Electric Guitar Play Great" by Erlewine. That's a small investment that will pay off for the rest of your life.
 
Re: Rebuilding fake strat.. Help!!?!

+1 To Dan's " How to make your Electric play great. " Another book I found very help full is "Build your own Electric Guitar by Melvyn Hiscock.
 
Re: Rebuilding fake strat.. Help!!?!

xmandier said:
Question 1: Is it even worth it? I mean it's a cheap copy of a copy :/
Click to expand...
depends on what you mean by worth it.. i did it and it turned out pretty good...so good in fact, this guitar became my #2 of of 5.. I had to put alot of work in her though and around 3x what i paid for the guitar in parts.
http://www.guitarelectronics.com/ & https://www.allparts.com/ is your friend
all color coordination will make an project more awesome or less.. having a vision.. end game.. plan is very important so be sure to plan your project with a budget/time allocation..also.. dont forget to budget in your tools.. just remember to PLAN!!! yopu increase your chance of sucess.. I generally plan my projects several weeks ahead.. parts and needed tools sourced..wiring diagrams drawn..time allocated.. work area prepped
Question 2: I'm thinking of putting a floyd rose on it, that means that i have to carve in to the wood right? Also which should i choose, I am on a budget. Or is this all a bad idea?
Click to expand...

I would not put a floyd on this guitar as it would be very costly and in the end, you would not be very happy i think.

Question 3: Pickups, now. I'm thinking of putting a humbucker in the bridge, for more metal lead playing. With lead tones that just blow you away, witch one should i choose there? And is that a bad idea in any way?
In the middle and neck pickup, i'm not sure, i also want to play blues on this, in style of like bb king. And stunning cleans, any tips? (I'm guessing that this is not an bad idea)
Click to expand...
my 'strat' is a HSH strat and I love it..i have the humbuckers wired for series/split/parallel wiring to give alot of tonal options
Question 4: Is there anymore things I should switch? For more than just visuals? Anything here. Tips or things i forgot :)

Thanks for the help!!! :)
Click to expand...

tuners..pickguard.. bridge.. I changed out everything on mine for quality parts as well as color change.. As I said.. Guitar Fetish is your friend and has quality "copy" parts that wont cost alot..I bought their locking tuner copies and they are quite nice.. easily surpassing my jackson stock tuners in my 2 jacksons

I WOULD NOT spend alot of money on premium parts for this guitar.. you can if you want but you are taking a risk that you probably will not be happy with
 
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