KeeperOS
New member
My first and only guitar, a 2000 maple neck MIM Fender Stratocaster which I never seem to get over (especially when the time for a new guitar seems to be coming, I swear there must be something wrong with me and this Strat 
).
It has gone through a hell of a lot changes and I suspect it will go through some more...
Currently it is loaded with new electronics (500K pots) and 2 DiMarzios, the "Fast Track 1" at the neck and the "Fast Track 2" at the bridge, retaining the stock middle pup since I only ever used it for the clean parts in the 2nd and 4th position (in fact almost exclusively the Neck/Middle position).
When I play the dirty parts I mostly use a blend pot for a bridge + neck (the neck at about 40 to 80%) combo so as to fatten the sound while still retaining the desired amount of "icepickiness" that is inherent in the bridge position.
Also, I currently have a Line 6 Spider II 30 (planning to go for a Spider III 75 or better in the future).
I like the tone I'm getting from the neck pup but even like this I find the bridge a tad too little, I think I might be needing a full-sized humbucker.
(I believe the standard Strat body is routed for a HSH configuration so that shouldn't be a problem.)
I play Traditional 80s (Traditional Heavy, NWoBHM, Power, Glam/Hair as well as their mixtures) Metal and looking for Heavy but with a slight hint of "Glam" tone (think Helloween, Savatage, Fifth Angel and Ten/Firehouse/Dokken).
Since I built that first combo I got a lot more particular about what I want:
- First and foremost, probably a full sized humbucker able to hold its' own in rhythm parts (i.e. me being the only guitar) and have enough definition for solos of the afore mentioned music styles.
Currently I mostly (mostly, not always) use the neck for rhythm parts and chording and the (blended with the neck) bridge for soloing so all weight MUST be put on that.
- Secondly, I liked the Fast Track 1 in the neck and think I want the neck pu to be a single-sized humbucker too (not necessarily the same one, your call).
I'll definitely be wanting to use the neck pup for gained rhythm (perhaps paired with a second guitar) as well as (sometimes) for lead/solos (alone).
Additionally, when playing clean chords I'll be wanting that signature Neck/Middle Strat sound. It is by far my favorite clean sound and the new combo MUST be able to adequately approximate that (if needed with pup height adjustments, the FT1
/Fender stock(m) combo with a little height adjustment gave me a pretty good approximation although I suspect it was because I retained the stock middle pup).
Should I again make a new pickguard or am I better to get a new guitar?
- If you think a new guitar then would you mind making a suggestion, preferably with 24 frets and a tremolo for up to 1250$ (about 1000 euros)?
- If you think the old girl can pull it off then name the contents of the new pickguard.
In this case I was thinking of again keeping the stock pu for the middle, depending on the cost so IF possible make two suggestions, one while retaining the stock middle pup and one using all 3 new pups. I don't mind the middle being either single or stack (or hum) as long as it has a balanced (middle) tone and helps in the better approximation of the Strat Neck/Middle tone.
I would greatly appreciate any input on the matter!
Thanks!
).It has gone through a hell of a lot changes and I suspect it will go through some more...
Currently it is loaded with new electronics (500K pots) and 2 DiMarzios, the "Fast Track 1" at the neck and the "Fast Track 2" at the bridge, retaining the stock middle pup since I only ever used it for the clean parts in the 2nd and 4th position (in fact almost exclusively the Neck/Middle position).
When I play the dirty parts I mostly use a blend pot for a bridge + neck (the neck at about 40 to 80%) combo so as to fatten the sound while still retaining the desired amount of "icepickiness" that is inherent in the bridge position.
Also, I currently have a Line 6 Spider II 30 (planning to go for a Spider III 75 or better in the future).
I like the tone I'm getting from the neck pup but even like this I find the bridge a tad too little, I think I might be needing a full-sized humbucker.
(I believe the standard Strat body is routed for a HSH configuration so that shouldn't be a problem.)
I play Traditional 80s (Traditional Heavy, NWoBHM, Power, Glam/Hair as well as their mixtures) Metal and looking for Heavy but with a slight hint of "Glam" tone (think Helloween, Savatage, Fifth Angel and Ten/Firehouse/Dokken).
Since I built that first combo I got a lot more particular about what I want:
- First and foremost, probably a full sized humbucker able to hold its' own in rhythm parts (i.e. me being the only guitar) and have enough definition for solos of the afore mentioned music styles.
Currently I mostly (mostly, not always) use the neck for rhythm parts and chording and the (blended with the neck) bridge for soloing so all weight MUST be put on that.
- Secondly, I liked the Fast Track 1 in the neck and think I want the neck pu to be a single-sized humbucker too (not necessarily the same one, your call).
I'll definitely be wanting to use the neck pup for gained rhythm (perhaps paired with a second guitar) as well as (sometimes) for lead/solos (alone).
Additionally, when playing clean chords I'll be wanting that signature Neck/Middle Strat sound. It is by far my favorite clean sound and the new combo MUST be able to adequately approximate that (if needed with pup height adjustments, the FT1
/Fender stock(m) combo with a little height adjustment gave me a pretty good approximation although I suspect it was because I retained the stock middle pup).Should I again make a new pickguard or am I better to get a new guitar?
- If you think a new guitar then would you mind making a suggestion, preferably with 24 frets and a tremolo for up to 1250$ (about 1000 euros)?
- If you think the old girl can pull it off then name the contents of the new pickguard.
In this case I was thinking of again keeping the stock pu for the middle, depending on the cost so IF possible make two suggestions, one while retaining the stock middle pup and one using all 3 new pups. I don't mind the middle being either single or stack (or hum) as long as it has a balanced (middle) tone and helps in the better approximation of the Strat Neck/Middle tone.
I would greatly appreciate any input on the matter!
Thanks!
