Spondylitis Association of America Forums General Discussion Off-Topic Forum Rebuilding my Strat

Chris,
Are they single-coils, humbuckers, or a combination of the two? I can definitely point you in the right direction to get you some brighter pickups, and as long as you're replacing them with the same type (meaning putting singles back in single-slots or humbuckers back in humbucker slots) then replacing your pickups is a breeze. All you need is a 30watt pencil-type soldering iron and a little manual dexterity. It all depends on the sound you're looking for. If it's heavy-heavy metal you're after, say Zakk Wylde's sound, you'll want to look at EMG's. Many people, however (myself included), find EMG's lacking in 'character' and a little too sterile. If you want a warmer tone with much more versatility, you'll want to consider Seymour Duncan's. They have a pickup for just about every application, and they are, in my opinion, the best mass produced pickups on the market today. There's always DiMarzio, but they've kinda gone downhill in the last few years, due to over-automation. The best pickups you can get are going to be 'hand-wound', and those are gonna cost you a pretty penny - as much as 400-500 bucks for a set of 3 single-coils for a standard strat. I've been building and rebuilding guitars for many years now, and have encountered just about every pickup made today (except some of the really high-dollar ones) and in my humble opinion, you can't go wrong with Seymour Duncans. Let me know what kind of pickup configuration you have and I'll recommend some replacements that will get you back the sound you want. Fenders made in the late 80's through today are beautifully made guitars, but they are sorely lacking in the pickup department. All their standard pickups (except those made in the custom shop) are wound overseas, mostly in Korea, and the quality and tone of those pickups leaves MUCH to be desired. That's why most serious players will replace the pickups first thing when they get the guitar home. Plan on spending about 50-75 bucks per pickup, depending on the style. Nothing will bring your guitar back to life faster, though. You'll be wanting to play that thing all day long, once you get it refitted, guaranteed!

Sorry for the novel, I can talk guitars all day long!!! :p :p :p

Rob

A pair of old humbuckers if I recall. I haven't played in a couple years, have stuck with piddling about on my bass.

I really want a "bright" sound - so no EMGs. Classic Clapton-esque.

Looks great! Fun project!

Does playing help keep your fingers loose? Mine, on my left hand, keep locking up on me.

I bought my son a little cheap beginner guitar for CHRISTmas (didn't want to spend a load until he shows a real interest) and was thinking about getting myself a guitar so we could learn together.

We homeschool so I am adding this to the curriculum we already do.

I was looking at the Esteban course advertised on TV these days.

Absolutely, yes. It keeps your fingers limber and your wrists, elbows, and to some extent, your shoulders. Get yourself a light guitar, though. If you're thinking electric, a strat or semi-hollow body guitar is a good choice, or any acoustic guitar would do the trick. A really great choice for an acoustic would be a 'Celebrity' which is made by Ovation - beautiful guitar with an awesome sound. Great deal for the money.

Hope this helps!

Rob

Thanks! I just saw your reply to my thread in the general forum.

Chris - look into the Seymour Duncan "Custom Customs". Great tone, lots of bright highs & mids, all around great pickups. Here's a link to a place you can pick them up, but there are many places you can get them...

SD Pickups

Look around that page - you'll find many different humbuckers that have all kinds of different sounds. My favorites are the Custom Customs, but there are many to choose from.

Rob

Very cool! I redid an old rogers snare drum I had and gave it to my daughter. She treasures it even though she does'nt play it. Cant wait to see how it turns out. A Gibson SG might be a good guitar if your fret hand is giving you problems. The strings are very close to the fret board and they just seem easy to play(this is from a drummer so its an opinion). Peace, Thak.

Thakman, you're right about a Gibson SG, and the same goes for a Les Paul - they're famous for their 'low action' and ease of play. I've got a beautiful LP that has that 'magic' combination of low action and playability - it's a 'SmartWood Exotic', made from exotic African Hardwoods (from renewable forest sources). The carved top is made of Peroba (on a mahogany body, like all LP's) and the fretboard is Curupay. Gibson only made a few thousand of these beauties, and they're destined to be collector's items, but that's not why I love it - It's just SO easy to play - like butter. I also have an Ibanez Presige series II with an exotic top - this one is made of Bubbinga, another renewable hardwood from Africa. It has a 'Wizard II' neck, also famous for it's low action and ease of playability. Here's a pic of my babies together, and another shot that shows the detail of the bubbinga top on the Ibanez. These 2 are the ones I play the most, simply because they are so easy on the fingers.





I sound just like a proud parent, don't I? LOL
Although I love these 2 guitars, neither can hold a candle to my darling strat, however. I just hope when I'm all done it will be as beautiful as these 2.

Rob

Hi Rob,
Wow I just realized I should check out the off topic posts here!...I've been missing out!..I just clicked on and saw the great job you're doing here with your 71' strat...man, that is going to be really nice when you are all finished! Very cool! I love strats too..especially older ones....I had a pre CBS 66' for a long time (Olympic white like Hendrix' model) not strung left handed tho..it was right handed model..wish I never sold it....I've let a few Guitars slip thru my hands that I wish I had kept, and that one is #1. I sold it to a student in trade for a 76' Telecastor Custom (which I still have) and like 500 cash. Man I wish I had that guitar back!....the Tele is sweet too tho...ash body, maple neck,humbucker,single coil pick-ups and close to mint. I also have a 1969 Guild T-100 Jazz Guitar that is my main ax that I play everyday....needs a little fret work now but still plays nice..tobacco sunburst....and my most cherished Guitar is a 1928 National Silver tri-cone Wild Rose style 2 1/2. My uncle gave it to me about 5 years ago....my Aunt found it at a pawn shop back in the 50's for 10 bucks! Can you believe that?! I was floored when I saw it! Lastly, I have a 1980 Fender P Bass in bright red....I play Bass too so I keep it close by. I am thinking about getting another Jazz Guitar these days....how do you like the older Guild Starfires? I like the thinner body on those...I love the Gibson 175's but the price is way too out there. I was thinking maybe the Gibson 125 tho? Have you heard of the book called "Bluebook of Guitars" by Steven Cherne?..Its more like a dictionary of Guitars....I've been going thru it and checking out all the possibilities....its a great book!I've got the 4th edition and there is probably a newer one out now.... a ton of of Guitars and prices for every vintage year etc.
Your Ibanez and your Les Paul look great! What year is your LP? You've got a really nice assortment of guitars!I bet they play nice! Looking forward to seeing the 71' when its finished! You're doing a great job!
Thanks for posting all the cool Guitar pics and info Rob! I'm way into talking Guitars too...there are just so many cool ones!

Peace,
Jonathon

I'd like to know what year the les paul is too. In 85, les paul did a showcase edition of various guitars-one for each month of the year. 200 distributed in the states, don't know how many internationally. He had the March. Unfortunately during some bad times, we had to pawn it, and were unable to get it back. We don't talk about it much.

He found it difficult to play though, because of the thick neck. The sound was better than his cheap ibanez, but he followed more of the style of Randy Rhodes, putting classical to a heavy metal edge.

That was one of the things that made me fall in love with him, His long black hair and the way he played. We'd sit for hours in his room with him practicing and me laying on the bed watching him. We were broke and happy. Hey....we're still broke and happy.....guess some thing never change!!

He can't play anymore. It's too painful for him. I've tried to get him back into it, even before he got really sick, but he says when he lost that guitar, a part of him was lost too. It wasn't just the guitar, it was that at 15, he worked his a** off with part-time jobs to buy it. It was more sentimental.

Sarah