Final stages of partscaster upgrade. Recommendations?

[ledvedder]

I've slowly been upgrading an SX strat over the past few years, and I'm down to just a few parts.

Here's what I've upgraded so far:
Mighty Mite neck
Schaller locking tuners
Guitar Fetish bridge (not sure if I'm satisfied with this)
Dimarzio Norton humbucker
Fender single coils

I want to replace the cheap plastic nut on the neck, and possibly the bridge. What would you guys recommend?

 

[NoiseUnderTheFloor]

For a nut replacement I'd go with a Graph Tech. Best upgrade to a guitar I've ever made. Wasn't convinced and kind of thought they were "snake oil" for a while. Then I put one on my Gibson and it completely solved the tuning issues I was having with it.

I don't play Strats myself, but a lot of guys I know who do swear by Callaham bridges. They tend to be pricey though, so I guess it all depends on how much you want to invest in your parts guitar. You'd probably end up paying more for a Callaham than the entire SX guitar was new. If the bridge is ok for the most part maybe just upgrade the saddles. I'm sure there's good bridges for less $$$ than a Callaham out there someone could suggest.

I wish I could build a decent partscaster....tried a few times, never worked out for me.

 

[ledvedder]

I'm looking at both of these. Anyone have any experience with either?

http://www.guitarfetish.com/Wilkinson-S ... p_895.html

http://www.eyguitarmusic.com/Wilkinson- ... p_322.html

 

[Fragglerick]

+1 on the Graph Tech nut. I'd even consider Graph Tech saddles as well. I've had great luck with them myself.

 

[ledvedder]

+1 on the Graph Tech nut. I'd even consider Graph Tech saddles as well. I've had great luck with them myself.

Those are the Tusq XL ones, right?

 

[NoiseUnderTheFloor]

I'm looking at both of these. Anyone have any experience with either?

http://www.guitarfetish.com/Wilkinson-S ... p_895.html

http://www.eyguitarmusic.com/Wilkinson- ... p_322.html

I forgot about Wilkinson stuff, yes...its good! Those are the bridges Reverend Guitars uses. They have a nice smooth feel and the push in arm. I'd probably go with the Wilkinson WV6SB for a guitar that already has the 6 holes, instead of the other, which could possibly require drilling. Just be sure to get measurements and match them up with what you already have as far as holes and clearances.

 

[NoiseUnderTheFloor]

+1 on the Graph Tech nut. I'd even consider Graph Tech saddles as well. I've had great luck with them myself.

Those are the Tusq XL ones, right?

Yes, the Tusq XL is what I put on my Gibson. Worked wonders.

 

[ledvedder]

I'm looking at both of these. Anyone have any experience with either?

http://www.guitarfetish.com/Wilkinson-S ... p_895.html

http://www.eyguitarmusic.com/Wilkinson- ... p_322.html

I forgot about Wilkinson stuff, yes...its good! Those are the bridges Reverend Guitars uses. They have a nice smooth feel and the push in arm. I'd probably go with the Wilkinson WV6SB for a guitar that already has the 6 holes, instead of the other, which could possibly require drilling. Just be sure to get measurements and match them up with what you already have as far as holes and clearances.

Hmm, I'm leaning toward the free floating, 2 hole one from Guitar Fetish. It says you can just use the existing outer holes on both 53mm to 62mm string spacing. I'm ok with having to drill out the 2 outer holes for the mounting studs (dad has a drill press). I'm just used to Floyd Rose bridges. I don't know if the 6 hole one would be much of an upgrade from the existing bridge, but who knows?

 

[ledvedder]

For the graphtech nuts, I see they have a radius, along with a tab in the middle. Is this so they can be used for both flat bottom or curved slots?

 

[Fragglerick]

+1 on the Graph Tech nut. I'd even consider Graph Tech saddles as well. I've had great luck with them myself.

Those are the Tusq XL ones, right?

No just the regular black graphite ones.

 

[ledvedder]

OK, I ordered a graphtech nut.

Now, any good recommendations on a bridge? I don't want to get crazy, maybe $40-$50 max.

 

[NoiseUnderTheFloor]

I'm looking at both of these. Anyone have any experience with either?

http://www.guitarfetish.com/Wilkinson-S ... p_895.html

http://www.eyguitarmusic.com/Wilkinson- ... p_322.html

I forgot about Wilkinson stuff, yes...its good! Those are the bridges Reverend Guitars uses. They have a nice smooth feel and the push in arm. I'd probably go with the Wilkinson WV6SB for a guitar that already has the 6 holes, instead of the other, which could possibly require drilling. Just be sure to get measurements and match them up with what you already have as far as holes and clearances.

Hmm, I'm leaning toward the free floating, 2 hole one from Guitar Fetish. It says you can just use the existing outer holes on both 53mm to 62mm string spacing. I'm ok with having to drill out the 2 outer holes for the mounting studs (dad has a drill press). I'm just used to Floyd Rose bridges. I don't know if the 6 hole one would be much of an upgrade from he existing bridge, but who knows?

Yeah, I didn't see that part about the 2 post one using the existing outer holes with the spacing range. That's handy. If you have a drill press you should be good to go if need be.

 

[cardinal]

While that bridge may not care where the studs are, your string alignment over the neck and pickups probably does. I'd find out the string spacing etc.

 

[ledvedder]

The spacing is 2 1/16" from E to E, and 13/32" between strings.

 

[cardinal]

But where will that spacing be? It could be shifted up or down relative to where it is now if the studs are different from what the Wilkinson would prefer.

 

[ledvedder]

But where will that spacing be? It could be shifted up or down relative to where it is now if the studs are different from what the Wilkinson would prefer.

I'm not sure what you mean?

 

[ledvedder]

Also, what are your preferences between 2-point and 6 screw tremolos?

 

[ledvedder]

Here's the current bridge.

 

[cardinal]

Also, what are your preferences between 2-point and 6 screw tremolos?

I don't think I really have a preference. In theory, they should sound a bit different because the vintage style bridge always makes contact with the body, even when floating (the front edge is always on top of the body). But they both work fine.

But where will that spacing be? It could be shifted up or down relative to where it is now if the studs are different from what the Wilkinson would prefer.

I'm not sure what you mean?

From your picks, the top screw hole is centered under the low E string. If the top stud on the Wilkinson is not centered under the low E string (I can't tell from the pics), the strings won't be in the same place if you install that bridge (they'll all shift one way or the other).

 

[ledvedder]

Well, there was a Wilkinson WVS 50, Wilkinson stratocaster tremolo bridge WVS 50 IIK chrome, on Ebay with a "Best Offer", so I put in a, what I thought was a low, offer, and they accepted it.

After taking some measurements, it looks like the original tremolo location doesn't line up correctly centered with the guitar and neck. Actually, after measuring with my calipers, the low E string is further from the edge of the fretboard than the high E string. Looks like I'll be performing some hole filing with dowels. I see that my local Lowe's has 1/8" poplar dowels, Shop Madison Mill 0.125-in x 48-in Round Poplar Dowel at Lowes.com. I'm assuming these will work, but I just wanted to get other opinions from players that have performed this surgery.