|
I acquired this Strat in late 1998. My dealer (Music Alley) had gotten it in as a trade, and had it priced at $350 (including the hardshell case). When I bought it, it had a Kahler bridge with fine tuners and at one time had a locking nut, but that had been removed. I assumed that the bridge had been added, but when I had my tech remove it to replace it with a standard bridge, we discovered that the Kahler had come stock from Fender. Therefore he had to dowel the holes where the Kahler was attached and drill new ones to mount the standard bridge. As everyone knows who has played or even heard a pre-CBS strat (prior to 1965), the pickups on the newer models leave a lot to be desired, so I replaced them with a Big Bottom Set from Rio Grande Pickups. What a difference..! The Big Bottom Set consists of 2 Vintage Tallboy's in the neck and middle positions, and a Muy Grande at the bridge. They really kick and have that clarity of tone that is so lacking in the newer models. I don't think that even the overpriced Custom Shop reissue models sound as good. I also replaced the standard white pickguard with a pearloid one, and put the aged white knobs and pickup covers on it. Then I had the neck reshaped from the "chunky" feeling standard round back to a soft "V" shape, kind of like the Clapton Signature model. Nothing really plays like a strat and I feel I've got one of the best here that money could "build". Oh yeah, the hinges on the original plastic hardshell case were starting to come loose, so I recently purchased a Fender vintage style tweed case for it. Much better protection, and it looks really cool too! |
|
Notice the filled screw holes on the headstock where the locking nut was removed, and the ones left when the string retainers were removed to install the Sperzel Trimlock tuners. Oh yeah, the mark of a true "working man's" guitar; there is a cigarette burn next to the low E tuner.
 
 
|
If you like the site, (or not), please
email me with suggestions and/or comments! 
Top of Page
|
