Upgrading my Squier Strat

[Deleted member 8175]

I have a Squier SE Strat. Great mod platform because the bodies are full thickness. Gotta love a nice fat tax return! LOL

The guitar is going to get this stuff installed:

DiMarzio DP116 HS-2 - Neck and Middle

DiMarzio DP403 N.O.S. Virtual Vintage Heavy Blues - Bridge...the first version with A5 polepieces. (I like the sound better than the Heavy Blues 2 (DP409) and it's hotter because I like some more zap in the bridge pickups in my guitars)

StewMac Squier Upgrade Kit: Gotoh Magnum Lock Tuners, Highwood Saddles and an improved string tree. https://www.stewmac.com/parts-and-h...ets/squier-stratocaster-hardware-upgrade-kit/

Any recommendations for a new Trem block?

I'll post pics when it's done being overhauled.

 

[Techdeth]

I need to upgrade my Squire Tele . It’s a beast for country and classic rock

 

[Deleted member 8175]

I need to upgrade my Squire Tele . It’s a beast for country and classic rock

Man, some of the Squier guitars are killers. My neighbor has a cheap Squier Tele and that thing just wails. My Strat SE was made by a company called AXL, and these guitars came in the inexpensive Strat Packs in the early 2000's. The neck on this this feels like a lot of high-end guitars that I've sold and played.

 

[phillybhatesme]

From this thread - https://www.rig-talk.com/forum/threads/brass-trem-block.339297/
I wonder if @Scot would make another brass block for you.

FU-Tone otherwise - https://www.fu-tone.com/product-category/big-blocks/big-blocks-st/
But I have no experience with them.

 

[Jakem]

Cool stuff, good luck with the upgrades! I am currently in Tokyo and bought a killer MIJ FSR Strat and I might have to do trem/tuner/pickup change but we will see.

 

[Shreddy Mercury]

 

[Deleted member 8175]

View attachment 445842

I do have some Duncans and a few other pickups, but DiMarzio is home base for me. My first DiMarzio was a Super 2. (DP104)
They've been very good to me.
Great pickups, great people.

I've got a DP163 Bluesbucker (Neck) and DP153 FRED (Bridge) in my Ibanez RG. I need to break out the soldering iron on that guitar after I overhaul the Strat.

 

[stratjacket]

Looks like a fun project. For traditional bridges like that to block it, I would just add another spring or 2 and tighten up the plate to add more pressure keeping the bright flat against the body. It’s basically blocked and no modifications. You can still use the tremolo if you ever want, it’ll just be heavy to use against the added pressure.

 

[Music&Chaos]

I have upgraded many squires with nice pots, caps, and Planet Tone pickups (not to mention an amazing setup) and my clients are always super happy.

 

[Deleted member 8175]

I have upgraded many squires with nice pots, caps, and Planet Tone pickups (not to mention an amazing setup) and my clients are always super happy.

I used to do guitar repairs and hot rodding back in the early 80's. I miss that, so I've been dipping my toe in the water and now I'm finally getting off my ass. LOL

 

[Music&Chaos]

I used to do guitar repairs and hot rodding back in the early 80's. I miss that, so I've been dipping my toe in the water and now I'm finally getting off my ass. LOL

It can be so much fun!

 

[Deleted member 8175]

It can be so much fun!

Totally, bro! Things like wiring are a bit difficult since I had that stroke awhile back and it's frustrating at times. The wife said "Honey, walk away from the guitar for a few minutes, then go back to working on it and see how it goes". She's right. It works. God, I love that woman.

 

[Geo]

Before you go buying new pickups, give @Fiesta Red a pm see if he has anything cool.

 

[Music&Chaos]

Totally, bro! Things like wiring are a bit difficult since I had that stroke awhile back and it's frustrating at times. The wife said "Honey, walk away from the guitar for a few minutes, then go back to working on it and see how it goes". She's right. It works. God, I love that woman.

A good woman is worth more than her weight in gold.

 

[Deleted member 8175]

A good woman is worth more than her weight in gold.

Nothing better than a good one. Nothing worse than a bad one.

 

[Deleted member 8175]

That StewMac Squier Upgrade Kit is great! Excellent quality parts. The Gotoh Magnum Lock tuners dropped right in, and the Highwood saddles are a perfect fit on the bridge. I'm in my 60's and my eyes ain't what they used to be, so it was an adventure but I finally got that done. I cursed so much when getting the screws into the saddles that I had to ask God for forgiveness. LOL

Next up is installing better electronic parts to go with 3 new badass DiMarzios. I'll post pics when the guitar overhaul is complete.

Any recommendations for springs and a tremolo claw?

I'll try to post a clip or 2 as well.

Have a good one, y'all.

 

[Music&Chaos]

That StewMac Squier Upgrade Kit is great! Excellent quality parts. The Gotoh Magnum Lock tuners dropped right in, and the Highwood saddles are a perfect fit on the bridge. I'm in my 60's and my eyes ain't what they used to be, so it was an adventure but I finally got that done. I cursed so much when getting the screws into the saddles that I had to ask God for forgiveness. LOL

Next up is installing better electronic parts to go with 3 new badass DiMarzios. I'll post pics when the guitar overhaul is complete.

Any recommendations for springs and a tremolo claw?

I'll try to post a clip or 2 as well.

Have a good one, y'all.

As an avid trem user for 20+ years - I dislike the 'noiseless' springs I have tried. They all have a certain stiffness I just don't dig. I use a set of the standard (Fender?) Springs and roll up some paper towel and put em in each spring and my excess noise is gone whilst retaining the same smooth feel I like.

 

[VonBonfire]

Any recommendations for springs and a tremolo claw?

I always liked the standard american strat springs and never tried to mute them cause I liked the extra reverby sproing. Might not be so great for heavier stuff.