strat bridge angle

[corsair]

Ritchie also has a synth of some sort on his strats and the middle p'up wound hard down into the recess but I'm picking the RS guy wouldn't recommend that!!

Having the trem sitting arse high like that is why people who know not what they're doing absolutely wreck the bevel on the front edge by a) screwing it hard down, or b) trying to use the wang bar while it's sitting high! I was under the impression that Fender style trems shouldn't be set to allow up bends? Is that correct?

[Ears]

Some useful info here (pdf file)
http://vintagevibeguitars.com/wiring_di ... atTips.pdf

[handsoffmatt]

I was under the impression that Fender style trems shouldn't be set to allow up bends? Is that correct?

No that's not quite correct - it is perfectly OK to set a Fender trem up for bending "up" (in fact Fender factory-set them this way and recommend it in their documentation). However, as any real-world Strat owner knows, it doesn't matter how many locking machine heads, roller nuts or super-duper bridge setups you have - the damn thing just won't stay in tune with anything more than "moderate" tremolo use.

Strat's LOVE to be set up with the trem hard against the deck!

[Vorbis]

Strat trems are for decoration only. Screw 'em down, block em up and throw away the bar.

Dont forget sarge you'll need to lay down $$ for pickups, possibly a new nut and if you must use the trem may I recommend one of the Wilkinsons from guitarparts.

Better still if its no interest you could try to stretch to a highway1 ?

[sgt mukuzi]

the highway is about 6 hand shandy more the mexy is 999, thats about $20.88 a week, if i go the highway

damn i will now

it will be just a smidge over 30.

i had a look at the HW1, with its matt finish, didnt look hard enough to see where it was made.

BUT, if the pick up poles arnt in line with the strings i will need a new thread

[Basket Case]

Highway 1s are USA made. Mighty fine guitars IMHO.

[sgt mukuzi]

sweet as ill check it out tomorrow, if i dont get kinghit as i walk in


oh and Ears: ive seen a few G&L guitars with megga thin fretboards and i did think of leo when i look up at the thin rosewood fretboard on the fender
but thats what the 80`s was all about
getting talked out of buying a fender etc because of stuff like this,, mate look at this jackson, nice thin neck, hot pick ups etc etc

[Ears]

Sgt, I don't know a great deal about difference between made in Mexico and US but I suspect the main price differential stems from the difference in labour costs. I'm aware that specs are a little different as well for some parts and I'm sure there are plenty in here who'll have a more information.
I'll also go out on a limb and say I think most of the aftermarket hardware market trades on pipe dreams and extravagant promises.
You really aren't going to hear any difference between cast vs s-steel trem block etc, as there are too many other competing, and often out of your control, factors are involved in sound and they are often far more important.
You are perfectly aware that gear used 30+ years ago in classic recordings was often stock so I have similar opinion about replacing stock PUps. Unless you really require hot or active output then don't change 'em, IMO changing them may even negate the whole point of getting a Strat in the first place. So I wouldn't get spooked by the 'Oh you'll need to replace this and that', if it feels right then don't lose any sleep over whether the PUps are wound with formar wire or poly coated wire etc, the saddles are stamped or cast, the cap is paper-wax etc etc etc. It just goes on and on and on.
I'd put money on it that the bridge will adjust to your requirement.

[crushing day]

No one ever seems to mention that Mex Strats use a set of measurements that don't match up with American Strats, and for that reason some parts aren't immediately interchangeable. The bridge string spacing is narrower, around 52.5mm overall, and consequently, some of the newer models i've seen have narrower neck pockets than the USA Strats.

I had a mid 90's mex strat in the mid 90'swhen they first really started to appear on the scene. Even though the build quality was good, the Poplar body was dead and lifeless. The neck was the best part of the guitar, and in the end was all that remained of the original instrument, after a body, pickups, bridge and tuners replacement ... pretty much the full MacNamara/Troy onthat guitar

On another note, i have another customer who has just swapped his Highway One strat body for a 2 piece Sunburst Allparts body... he keeps emailing me and raving about the difference (for the better).

Some people don't see the value in the wooden bits .. i've learnt to realise over the years that they are the most important platform.

[crushing day]

You are perfectly aware that gear used 30+ years ago in classic recordings was often stock so I have similar opinion about replacing stock PUps. Unless you really require hot or active output then don't change 'em, IMO changing them may even negate the whole point of getting a Strat in the first place.

Have you actually heard and compared the cheap ceramic bar magnet/polepiece single coils which lack definition and come standard in Mex Strats??? .. somehow i don't think those were what they were using in 'Classic' recordings 30+ years ago.

[Rog]

Although my Strat is rather modded, I really don't see the need to do it anymore. Fender produce 8,297 versions of Stratocaster and surely one could find a version that worked without further mods?

[sgt mukuzi]

thanks for all of the above

the mcnamara/troy comment just bought a ticket to the family dinner table

are the mexy strats smaller than the usa models? ive been reading a few revews and the HW1 strat revew states the neck is the same mesurement is 52 in stead of 56, so i`m thinking fender are mix and matching bits just like the old days.
imo some of the new stock is arse when you peer close up

[Ears]

You are perfectly aware that gear used 30+ years ago in classic recordings was often stock so I have similar opinion about replacing stock PUps. Unless you really require hot or active output then don't change 'em, IMO changing them may even negate the whole point of getting a Strat in the first place.

Have you actually heard and compared the cheap and nasty ceramic bar magnet/polepiece single coils that come standard in Mex Strats???

Nope. Thought they were AlNiCo same as US Fenders. You've caught me out.
There aren't many variables outside wire guage, number of turns, physical size and magnet type that goes into sonic characteristics of standard potted, unshielded Single Coil Stratocaster PUps.
I thought most of these specs were reasonably standard for stock Strats. But yes, ceramic vs alnico would certainly be a biggy. In my opinion they cease to be strat PUps if they're ceramic. So Sarge you might want to replace them at some stage.

Agree totally about the wood observation.

Vintage bridges are also wider than modern American. Does this mean standard modern American necks won't fit vintage instruments too?

[sgt mukuzi]

Thought they were AlNiCo same as US Fenders. You've caught me out.

same here... do the mexys have squire pups?
do the Highways have mexy necks?

wtf is going on. i went in there expecting a guitar

[Ears]

I'd negotiate a 30 day satisfaction or return period.
Should see you right.