Squier modding! Fun and easy mods you like to do.

[Dayeeeve]

Hi all,
I know that mods on strats, particularly Squiers, has been covered on the board for a long time, however I wanted to share a recent project that I completed with people and ask what is your favourite mod or part to switch out, pickup configurations etc to do/have on your guitars.

I wanted to post the video I made but only if people are interested, I don't want this to become a "this is the best/that sucks" sort of discussion, I would to hear what you guys like to do so that we can give each other ideas etc.

I'm sure this has been covered before but after my recent modding I'm interested in hearing what others like to do to their guitars since I've acquired another squier (for free!!) That I will inevitably toy around with lol.

 

[Brandenburg]

Re: Squier modding! Fun and easy mods you like to do.

Hi all,
I know that mods on strats, particularly Squiers, has been covered on the board for a long time, however I wanted to share a recent project that I completed with people and ask what is your favourite mod or part to switch out, pickup configurations etc to do/have on your guitars.

I wanted to post the video I made but only if people are interested, I don't want this to become a "this is the best/that sucks" sort of discussion, I would to hear what you guys like to do so that we can give each other ideas etc.

I'm sure this has been covered before but after my recent modding I'm interested in hearing what others like to do to their guitars since I've acquired another squier (for free!!) That I will inevitably toy around with lol.

tremolo with brass or steal block.. anything is better than zinc
locking tuners
new nut
new or different colored pickguard with possible new p/u configuration
P/U swap
preamp boost or active tone circutry
coil split/ tap,parallel/series,phase switching
SHIELDING.. (extremely important IMO)

most of these mods went into my last modding adventure

 

[AlexR]

Re: Squier modding! Fun and easy mods you like to do.

I only got a squier body, so most of what I did was essentially a mod.

But upgrading the sliver of metal they jokingly call a trem block is essential.

 

[ChAoZ]

Re: Squier modding! Fun and easy mods you like to do.

How to turn a $400 Squier into a $1200 one ,and that's just in parts let alone my time ,not that that's very valuable
Vintage tuners
Gotoh floyd rose - ok not exactly easy but fun
Genuine Fender 8 hole pickguard ,modified for HSH ,and chrome surrounds added
Dimarzio super distortion and 36th anniversary humbuckers ,photo doesn't show fender single coil used
CTS pots ,CRL switch ,0.1uF PIO cap ,switchcraft jack

 

[Brandenburg]

Re: Squier modding! Fun and easy mods you like to do.

I bought my squire for a $100 and wasnt really playable when I got it.. but i dug the color and it had a good neck.. I spent ~400.. about 75 of that was for tools and supplies.. the rest was for parts..and a few parts I didnt use or thought i needed and didnt.. I refused to put real high dollar parts on her, but I the parts I picked out ... are working great.. excellent quality for a pricetag I can live with

 

[allbutromeo]

Re: Squier modding! Fun and easy mods you like to do.


'99 Squire Stagemaster. So far only mods are sanded down and tung oiled the neck, and stripped/sanded off the original Fiesta red finish and did this antique natural. Pickup swap maybe this weekend. Also has a brass block on the trem which was standard on these later but not sure about the first year 99s. The picture/bad lighting doesn't really let the gloss finish show

 

[crguti]

Re: Squier modding! Fun and easy mods you like to do.

my favorite mod is to sand the squier logo and put a fender made in U.S.A logo. Paint on top to make it look 'legal', then I beat the hell out of the guitar giving a vintage look that cork sniffers love. I make good money out of it.

 

[Artie]

Re: Squier modding! Fun and easy mods you like to do.

My favorite mod to almost any Strat, is to wire it for master vol/tone, and then use the extra hole for some kind of switch. It's function is pretty much determined by my mood at the time.

 

[kramersteen]

Re: Squier modding! Fun and easy mods you like to do.

Arcade button kill switch :18:

 

[Brandenburg]

Re: Squier modding! Fun and easy mods you like to do.

My favorite mod to almost any Strat, is to wire it for master vol/tone, and then use the extra hole for some kind of switch. It's function is pretty much determined by my mood at the time.

I did this.. well sorta..I used epoxy to plug one of the holes and added 2 mini-switches.. The epoxy I used is called Plast-Aid and is so f*cking awesome but be warned.. using it outside is a must. I could of added some white acrylic into the mixing container but I didnt have any at the time.. I can either drill it out and redo it with the added paint, paint the hole in an attempt to make it not so noticable.. or just leave it be.. Im seriously thinking of plugging up the tone control and just having a master volume.. If that turns out good.. then I might redo the top hole

 

[GuitarStv]

Re: Squier modding! Fun and easy mods you like to do.

Shielding is the best mod to start with, and tends to significantly improve Squiers for little cash. Everything else is dependant upon guitar and taste.

 

[Mark_McQ]

Re: Squier modding! Fun and easy mods you like to do.

I picked up an Affinity series cheap with the intentions of flipping it to make a little cash. Ended up keeping it and modding it because I liked how it played.

 

[Kac]

Re: Squier modding! Fun and easy mods you like to do.

My favorite mod to almost any Strat, is to wire it for master vol/tone, and then use the extra hole for some kind of switch. It's function is pretty much determined by my mood at the time.

This is a good one right here. Then pickup swaps for days.

 

[heem6]

Re: Squier modding! Fun and easy mods you like to do.

I took an Affinity Strat and sanded off the headstock logo, cut it down to a non-big headstock, put on Graphtek saddles and nut, removed all but two of the tremolo screws, replaced all the pickups (the humbucker is direct mounted to a piece of mahogany), had the frets leveled, shielded it and replaced all the electrical components. But it sounds awesome now: http://www.soundclick.com/player/single_player.cfm?songid=7684118&q=hi&newref=1

 

[Dayeeeve]

Re: Squier modding! Fun and easy mods you like to do.

Oh wow these are some really cool mods!!



This is a little pic of what I did. I mainly used things I had around the house so I only actually spent about £20!

I want to replace the trem block for a big brass or high mass one what do you think are the best or better ones to go for?

Also Heem6 what do think of the Graph tech saddles? I've heard mixed things about them.

 

[Dayeeeve]

Re: Squier modding! Fun and easy mods you like to do.

If anyone is interested heres the quick build video I made, currently working on a squier bullet my girlfriend had at her parents place!

Squier Affinity Strat Modding!: http://youtu.be/5VDs9KUoDj4

 

[idsnowdog]

Re: Squier modding! Fun and easy mods you like to do.

I bought a black Squier Affinity Tele this week for $50. I ordered a mini humbucker pickguard and pickup from GFS today for $63. I just need a decent bridge pickup now.

 

[heem6]

Re: Squier modding! Fun and easy mods you like to do.

Hi Dayeeeve - For some reason my Squier kept breaking strings at the bridge. I've played for 35+ years and have had dozens of guitars and have never had that problem before. The GraphTek saddles solved that for me on this guitar. The guitar sounds great and I have no problems with the GraphTek saddles, but I don't think I would spend the money again unless it was to fix that problem. I would probably just go for a whole new bridge instead. Cheers!

 

[Dayeeeve]

Re: Squier modding! Fun and easy mods you like to do.

Heem6 - oh wow yeah I've not had that issue on any guitars I've seen before. Did the tone change a lot with the new saddles? I remember reading a review once and the reviewer said it sounded duller after the installation.

 

[Dayeeeve]

Re: Squier modding! Fun and easy mods you like to do.

How to turn a $400 Squier into a $1200 one ,and that's just in parts let alone my time ,not that that's very valuable
Vintage tuners
Gotoh floyd rose - ok not exactly easy but fun
Genuine Fender 8 hole pickguard ,modified for HSH ,and chrome surrounds added
Dimarzio super distortion and 36th anniversary humbuckers ,photo doesn't show fender single coil used
CTS pots ,CRL switch ,0.1uF PIO cap ,switchcraft jack

Awesome, Dave Murrey influenced I'm guessing