strat clone body upgrade worth it?

[brianhj]

I have an old strat clone and the body is made of plywood. I think it was made in asia because the bridge has narrower spacing than a normal strat. (I had to get "import narrow" saddles for it). I was wondering if you think it'd be worth it to buy an alder or ash replacement body or if I should go for, say, a standard strat new for $399. Suggestions? I'm wanting a decent strat really bad right now. :fing2:

If I buy a strat body, and it's routed for a trem bridge (mine's a trem, 6 hole), does the string spacing matter? I guess what I'm asking is could I use the bridge I have or would I need an american style bridge with wider string spacing?

And as far as the tone goes, I know the old "if it sounds good, does it really matter what kind of wood it is?" I guess I'm just wondering if it would make a noticeable difference!

Thanks

 

[jmh151]

Re: strat clone body upgrade worth it?

Go with the Standard Strat. It's easier to upgrade the parts as you get the money. Not to mention it's made of wood, not plywood.

 

[uOpt]

Re: strat clone body upgrade worth it?

There is a serious risk that the neck joint doesn't fit. The scale could be off, too.

 

[mrturtle_91]

Re: strat clone body upgrade worth it?

definitely go MIM standard strat...I hear they're an awesome bang for the buck...if you don't want to spend that much though, you could also get a Squier Vintage Modified Strat, or Deluxe Strat.

 

[scottish]

Re: strat clone body upgrade worth it?

couple of good deals at musicians friend scratch and dent right now on strats

http://www.musiciansfriend.com/prod...ect-Mount-Pickups-Electric-Guitar?sku=517592X

http://www.musiciansfriend.com/product/Fender-Standard-HSS-Stratocaster-Electric-Guitar?sku=516039X

there are a few more if you wanna pay as much as 500-600 but i think that might get you an MIA, imm not sure i didnt really check em out in detail

 

[brianhj]

Re: strat clone body upgrade worth it?

Thanks guys.. I'm probably gonna go with a MIM standard HSS and put new pickups in it. Probably three single coils and have the option to put a humbucker in if i ever wanted to.

I like the 3-tone burst but that's only available with the American. The 2-tone brown just doesn't look as good. I'll probably just go black.

I'm thinking of selling my 2006 les paul standard. A year ago I thought I wanted a les paul but it just didn't do it for me. I like my current "strat" and now I'm wanting a decent one. I'm dying for that strat tone!

Thinking I'm gonna sell my les paul, though...

 

[mrturtle_91]

Re: strat clone body upgrade worth it?

I believe the SSS is routed for HSH, or HSS, so you could just go with that, then if you wanted to, you could change it to a bucker.

 

[brianhj]

Re: strat clone body upgrade worth it?

Is it? I thought that was only on the American... anyone know if the SSS standards are HSS/HSH routed?

 

[sublimerules9604]

Re: strat clone body upgrade worth it?

im 95% certain that my mim 06 satin strat is routed at least HSS, but could be HSH now that I think about it.