AthenasDad
New member
I was just wondering how many of you own or have played this guitar. I just got into electric and want to know how many of you have done any mods.
Thanks
Thanks
Squire Strat 70s vintage modified mods ?
- Thread starter AthenasDad
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Re: Squire Strat 70s vintage modified mods ?
As we are on an aftermarket pickup forum, everyone will have done mods.
But the best advice even for experienced players is to play the unmodded guitar before figuring out if anything needs doing, much less what to do.
For someone new to electric I'd be looking to figure out the instrument type first and how you play before even that step. There is a whole world of tones and you will need time to narrow the focus.
As we are on an aftermarket pickup forum, everyone will have done mods.
But the best advice even for experienced players is to play the unmodded guitar before figuring out if anything needs doing, much less what to do.
For someone new to electric I'd be looking to figure out the instrument type first and how you play before even that step. There is a whole world of tones and you will need time to narrow the focus.
FuseG4
Our Neighbor Totoro
Re: Squire Strat 70s vintage modified mods ?
I've played those I like em. The Duncan Designed pickups are good but they can be improved upon just depends on what you want. p.s. an aesthetic mod I always do to duncan designed: buff the logo off.
But if you want to play more rock or make the guitar more versatile I would probably add a higher output bridge pickup.
but yeah other great one is to jumper a wire from the lug on the switch where the 2nd tone control goes to the pickup switch, to the empty lug next to it towards the middle of the switch. That will give you a tone control that controls the middle and bridge pickup. Stock, the bridge has no tone control.
I actually like the tuners that come on those, I have squier vintage tuners on my Jazzmaster and I wouldn't change them, they work great.
A good mod for any low end guitar especially for playability, action, and tuning issues is a really well cut nut done by a good guitar repair place.
If you don't use the trem bar then you can tighten the springs in the back cavity to pull the bridge back against the body. This can give you more sustain and more focused tone.
I've also done mods to put the neck pickup and bridge pickup on together, that combo isn't normally on the switch. It's nice for playing clean.
But yeah... a hotter bridge pickup and/or put the 2nd tone control with the bridge pickup are where I would start.
I've played those I like em. The Duncan Designed pickups are good but they can be improved upon just depends on what you want. p.s. an aesthetic mod I always do to duncan designed: buff the logo off.
But if you want to play more rock or make the guitar more versatile I would probably add a higher output bridge pickup.
but yeah other great one is to jumper a wire from the lug on the switch where the 2nd tone control goes to the pickup switch, to the empty lug next to it towards the middle of the switch. That will give you a tone control that controls the middle and bridge pickup. Stock, the bridge has no tone control.
I actually like the tuners that come on those, I have squier vintage tuners on my Jazzmaster and I wouldn't change them, they work great.
A good mod for any low end guitar especially for playability, action, and tuning issues is a really well cut nut done by a good guitar repair place.
If you don't use the trem bar then you can tighten the springs in the back cavity to pull the bridge back against the body. This can give you more sustain and more focused tone.
I've also done mods to put the neck pickup and bridge pickup on together, that combo isn't normally on the switch. It's nice for playing clean.
But yeah... a hotter bridge pickup and/or put the 2nd tone control with the bridge pickup are where I would start.
Chistopher
malapterurus electricus tonewood instigator
Re: Squire Strat 70s vintage modified mods ?
Here's where I would start if all I knew about the guitar was that it's a garden variety Strat:
1-This is the most important, get it set up properly. This requires no physical modifications and will create a whole world of improvement.
2-Beef up the bridge pickup to something more powerful, probably a single coil sized P90 or humbucker. If the other pickups sound bad next to the new bridge pickup replace them too. A general rule of thumb I have for budget guitars is don't spend more than the guitar is worth used on pickups. You can find a used Seymour Duncan California set for around $100 and trade (you can use the Trading Post on this forum) the bridge pickup for a SSL-5, which is more suited for that position.
3-Rewire it so that the neck and middle are on the same tone control and the bridge is on its own. This is because the bridge pickup is so different tonally from the other two. I also like to put a smaller tone cap for the neck and middle and a larger one for the bridge.
4-Cut down on noise if it's an issue. This would be done by shielding the electronics with copper tape as well as shielding the pickups themselves by partially enclosing them in copper wire (if you completely encircle them it messes with the high end, but if the copper doesn't form a complete loop it does not). If you don't know what shielding is look it up.
5-If the nut isn't properly cut and is causing tuning issues, I'd replace that.
These are the major changes, but there are plenty of small things you can do as well. You can sand the neck down a bit if you think the finish is too thick, add a switch to turn the neck pickup on regardless of what position the 5-way is in, and many other things.
Here's where I would start if all I knew about the guitar was that it's a garden variety Strat:
1-This is the most important, get it set up properly. This requires no physical modifications and will create a whole world of improvement.
2-Beef up the bridge pickup to something more powerful, probably a single coil sized P90 or humbucker. If the other pickups sound bad next to the new bridge pickup replace them too. A general rule of thumb I have for budget guitars is don't spend more than the guitar is worth used on pickups. You can find a used Seymour Duncan California set for around $100 and trade (you can use the Trading Post on this forum) the bridge pickup for a SSL-5, which is more suited for that position.
3-Rewire it so that the neck and middle are on the same tone control and the bridge is on its own. This is because the bridge pickup is so different tonally from the other two. I also like to put a smaller tone cap for the neck and middle and a larger one for the bridge.
4-Cut down on noise if it's an issue. This would be done by shielding the electronics with copper tape as well as shielding the pickups themselves by partially enclosing them in copper wire (if you completely encircle them it messes with the high end, but if the copper doesn't form a complete loop it does not). If you don't know what shielding is look it up.
5-If the nut isn't properly cut and is causing tuning issues, I'd replace that.
These are the major changes, but there are plenty of small things you can do as well. You can sand the neck down a bit if you think the finish is too thick, add a switch to turn the neck pickup on regardless of what position the 5-way is in, and many other things.
ehdwuld
A Ficus
Re: Squire Strat 70s vintage modified mods ?
Locking tuners
Just because it makes string change easier
Do that on every guitar you have
Replace the second tone control with a neck always on switch
That will give you neck and bridge options and all three pickups at once
Wire the other tone control as a master tone
Buff the back of the neck with steel wool make it smoother
Locking tuners
Just because it makes string change easier
Do that on every guitar you have
Replace the second tone control with a neck always on switch
That will give you neck and bridge options and all three pickups at once
Wire the other tone control as a master tone
Buff the back of the neck with steel wool make it smoother
Kac
Hootersologist
Re: Squire Strat 70s vintage modified mods ?
These mods are probably not what every single person would be interested in, but I'm in total agreement. :bigthumb:
Jacew
New member
Re: Squire Strat 70s vintage modified mods ?
Two most useful mods in my opinion:
1. What Ehdwuld said: "Buff the back of the neck with steel wool make it smoother". If that Squier has similar thick coated neck like CV series, this really improves playability.
2. Change the trem block for full sized steel or brass. With decent electronics, this has huge impact for a good tone and sustain. Also make sure to set up trem properly while you're at it. Either flush or floating, which way you like.
I think VM Squiers probably have quite nice nut, at least in my experience it's only the very cheapest Squiers that may have poor nuts. If it causes trouble, try to lube it first and see if that helps.
Two most useful mods in my opinion:
1. What Ehdwuld said: "Buff the back of the neck with steel wool make it smoother". If that Squier has similar thick coated neck like CV series, this really improves playability.
2. Change the trem block for full sized steel or brass. With decent electronics, this has huge impact for a good tone and sustain. Also make sure to set up trem properly while you're at it. Either flush or floating, which way you like.
I think VM Squiers probably have quite nice nut, at least in my experience it's only the very cheapest Squiers that may have poor nuts. If it causes trouble, try to lube it first and see if that helps.
Re: Squire Strat 70s vintage modified mods ?
Here's what I did to mine when I was extremely broke post-divorce, only required one purchase beyond the guitar and that item can be found cheap used.
1- Moved bridge pickup (close to a Custom Flat in output) to the neck position.
2- Added a JB Jr to the bridge position.
3- Wired the bridge to the second tone, the neck and mid to the first
4- (the cheater way to do this) Switched the neck and mid at the 5-way to give neck and bridge together (I don't use bridge/mod together)
Eventually I bothered to get a push-pull tone to activate the bridge in any position and put the 5-way back to standard order, just cuz
I had paid $150 for the guitar and $40 for the JB Jr. It was a versatile and solid guitar for the price with just the two mods, pickup and wiring.
Here's what I did to mine when I was extremely broke post-divorce, only required one purchase beyond the guitar and that item can be found cheap used.
1- Moved bridge pickup (close to a Custom Flat in output) to the neck position.
2- Added a JB Jr to the bridge position.
3- Wired the bridge to the second tone, the neck and mid to the first
4- (the cheater way to do this) Switched the neck and mid at the 5-way to give neck and bridge together (I don't use bridge/mod together)
Eventually I bothered to get a push-pull tone to activate the bridge in any position and put the 5-way back to standard order, just cuz
I had paid $150 for the guitar and $40 for the JB Jr. It was a versatile and solid guitar for the price with just the two mods, pickup and wiring.
Re: Squire Strat 70s vintage modified mods ?
Mine was a pleasing satin and I blocked the trem, so that's easy.
Mine was a pleasing satin and I blocked the trem, so that's easy.
Jacew
New member
Re: Squire Strat 70s vintage modified mods ?
Even when blocked, a good tremblock greatly improves tone over the slim and light stock ones.
Even when blocked, a good tremblock greatly improves tone over the slim and light stock ones.
Chistopher
malapterurus electricus tonewood instigator
Re: Squire Strat 70s vintage modified mods ?
I'm going to have to call a technical. A good tremblock will not improve tone 100% of the time. Switching a thin zinc block to a thick brass one will not fix a muddy guitar. Repeat first down.
I'm going to have to call a technical. A good tremblock will not improve tone 100% of the time. Switching a thin zinc block to a thick brass one will not fix a muddy guitar. Repeat first down.
Re: Squire Strat 70s vintage modified mods ?
I'll respectfully disagree, an inexpensive body benefits much less from this in my experience when I am blocking them. Even these better Squiers can be five piece bodies or more. A solid connection of any type seems to offer more improvement than bridge mass.
If you still want it to float by all means, get more metal under there, and stay on top of setup.
I'll respectfully disagree, an inexpensive body benefits much less from this in my experience when I am blocking them. Even these better Squiers can be five piece bodies or more. A solid connection of any type seems to offer more improvement than bridge mass.
If you still want it to float by all means, get more metal under there, and stay on top of setup.
JB_From_Hell
Jomo's Nimions
Re: Squire Strat 70s vintage modified mods ?
See, I love locking tuners. However, it isn't an 'always' mod if the tuners that came with it are good. I would also at least beef up the bridge pickup and wire it to its own tone. A great setup is worth the $ too and can make it play like a much more expensive instrument.
See, I love locking tuners. However, it isn't an 'always' mod if the tuners that came with it are good. I would also at least beef up the bridge pickup and wire it to its own tone. A great setup is worth the $ too and can make it play like a much more expensive instrument.
Chistopher
malapterurus electricus tonewood instigator
Re: Squire Strat 70s vintage modified mods ?
I like locking tuners and master tone (and volume) controls when I'm building or modding a guitar with a nontraditional design, but other than that I don't care for them.
I also have never cared much for extra switches. All they do is make one more necessary movement to get to the tone I want.
I like locking tuners and master tone (and volume) controls when I'm building or modding a guitar with a nontraditional design, but other than that I don't care for them.
I also have never cared much for extra switches. All they do is make one more necessary movement to get to the tone I want.
Jacew
New member
Re: Squire Strat 70s vintage modified mods ?
Well, I never called it a fix. It will be improvement nevertheless: Might not have effect always, but if you change something else later it might suddenly become important.
If you think there's any good reason not to improve those zinc blocks, feel free to disagree
To me that's one of the very few things in guitars that are purely cost cutting measures without positive effect of their own. Hence it being first upgrade I'd do to any guitar.
Well, I never called it a fix. It will be improvement nevertheless: Might not have effect always, but if you change something else later it might suddenly become important.
If you think there's any good reason not to improve those zinc blocks, feel free to disagree
To me that's one of the very few things in guitars that are purely cost cutting measures without positive effect of their own. Hence it being first upgrade I'd do to any guitar.
Chistopher
malapterurus electricus tonewood instigator
Re: Squire Strat 70s vintage modified mods ?
I didn't say it wouldn't have an effect, I just said the effect isn't always an improvement.
I didn't say it wouldn't have an effect, I just said the effect isn't always an improvement.
Jacew
New member
Re: Squire Strat 70s vintage modified mods ?
And improvement doesn't always have an effect. Out of curiosity I have to ask: Have you ever found out any positive effect by those zinc blocks?
And improvement doesn't always have an effect. Out of curiosity I have to ask: Have you ever found out any positive effect by those zinc blocks?
