SX Strat: My first modding project

[FrankenFretter]

http://lh5.ggpht.com/_NPlyZiLy0Pw/SkaKRqqQtNI/AAAAAAAAAQ4/G3_SQLyjm1s/s288/100_1681.jpg
The guitar wasn't awful when I bought it, but I decided to turn it into something a little...nicer.

Bought a black pickguard and backplate, a set of GFS Texas Staggers, new tuners, and a Mid-Boost/Frequency Expander board. Also in the plan is to replace the trem block with a higher mass block.
http://lh5.ggpht.com/_NPlyZiLy0Pw/SkaAQxovvuI/AAAAAAAAAOs/IEO7v0bec5A/s288/100_1824.JPG http://lh6.ggpht.com/_NPlyZiLy0Pw/SkaAR6NEHBI/AAAAAAAAAOw/03Tjhyq_HoY/s288/100_1826.JPG http://lh3.ggpht.com/_NPlyZiLy0Pw/SkaASN0ExnI/AAAAAAAAAO0/ZXV8zjbLmpg/s288/100_1838.JPG http://lh5.ggpht.com/_NPlyZiLy0Pw/SkaASRXtgYI/AAAAAAAAAO4/B7saYyQ87vk/s288/100_1840.JPG http://lh3.ggpht.com/_NPlyZiLy0Pw/SkaASoHamDI/AAAAAAAAAO8/Mudf75uLwWs/s288/100_1890.JPG

One of the problems I've run into is that the new pickguard with full size Alpha pots doesn't seem to want to fit in the cavity. My plan is to rout a little bit out, so that the assembly will fit without having to Dremel the pickguard. I'm a little nervous about it, so if anyone has any suggestions, I'm all ears. Actually, any suggestions and/or advice about the whole project would be appreciated. Thanks!

[Stormrider]

This has probably been asked many times before, but do standard Fender/Squire/whatever pickguards fit the SX guitars? Did you buy your black pickguard from SX (rondomusic?) or is it a standard, one-size-fits-all dealie?

[FrankenFretter]

This has probably been asked many times before, but do standard Fender/Squire/whatever pickguards fit the SX guitars? Did you buy your black pickguard from SX (rondomusic?) or is it a standard, one-size-fits-all dealie?

I bought it from Guitar Fetish. It's the 11-hole American Strat pickguard, and the SX had an 11-hole pickguard. It's not a direct drop-in, that's for sure. I've heard that's common for most pickguard replacements, which I assume means for Strat knock-offs. Everything seems to need some modification to fit this guitar, except the pickups. Haven't yet attempted the tuners, mostly due to lack of time.

[M29]

Cool project FrankenFretter!! I am anxious to hear it with the components you are using. Looks like you are doing a nice job. I like the black guard better than the white. Have you considered cream colored pickup covers and knobs they might look good too? Either way it looks good and I am anxious to hear the pickups and the tone expander board.
I have had to route the cavity some to fit full size pots too. Just be careful.

This is the first time I have heard the mention of GFS Stagger pickups I will have to go over and check them out.

M29

[FrankenFretter]

Cool project FrankenFretter!! I am anxious to hear it with the components you are using. Looks like you are doing a nice job. I like the black guard better than the white. Have you considered cream colored pickup covers and knobs they might look good too? Either way it looks good and I am anxious to hear the pickups and the tone expander board.
I have had to route the cavity some to fit full size pots too. Just be careful.

This is the first time I have heard the mention of GFS Stagger pickups I will have to go over and check them out.

M29


I have seriously considered the cream or aged p/u covers and knobs. Still turning that one over in my mind, and it's quite tempting. The p/u's are these : http://store.guitarfetish.com/prtestseourb.html http://ep.yimg.com/ip/I/yhst-50206111187217_2060_16338630. I guess I've been calling them by the wrong moniker. Hopefully I'll get the dang project done sometime this summer so I can hear them too. Everything I've read about them is great. As if it weren't readily apparent, I'm seeking that SRV sound. Minus the 13s, that is. ;)

[M29]

Cool FrankenFretter! I put GFS Mean and Dream 90's in my semi hollow body and I really like them. I get questions on the sound all the time.

Nice project!!

M29

[ibanezjunkie]

sunbursts and black pickguards are H O T.

have you looked at texas specials? get that tinny/trebly SRV lead tone.

oh and this is totally off topic, but what marshall would that be in the background of the first pic?

[FrankenFretter]

sunbursts and black pickguards are H O T.

have you looked at texas specials? get that tinny/trebly SRV lead tone.

oh and this is totally off topic, but what marshall would that be in the background of the first pic?

I think I'll be happy with my p/u choice. Fender p/u's are overpriced, IMO.

The Marshall is a VS100. I replaced the speaker with a Celestion, and I'm considering replacing the 12AX7 with a 5751. I'm pretty happy with that amp, though.

[ibanezjunkie]

i have one of the oldest marshall valvestates. when i put JJs in my blackheart, i put the stock BH tube in the 8100 head and it sounded alot better.

what speakers did the VS series have? the 8000 series had Celestion G12H speakers, ive got the 4x12 and its amazing.

[FrankenFretter]

i have one of the oldest marshall valvestates. when i put JJs in my blackheart, i put the stock BH tube in the 8100 head and it sounded alot better.

what speakers did the VS series have? the 8000 series had Celestion G12H speakers, ive got the 4x12 and its amazing.

I honestly don't remember what the speaker was originally. I had to replace it; it was damaged when I moved.

[FrankenFretter]

Finished almost all the soldering, and installed the Wilkinson tuners. Now I just need to install the expander and rout the body enough to fit the new pickguard/pots. Progress is slow, but I'm getting there.

[Big K]

:bravo:

[Duff49]

I have a nice red SX strat that I have been thinking of hot rodding.

I would go with a purple tortoise shell pickguard, black pu covers, possible gfs texas type pickups or some really hot ones, or even splurge for some SD humbucking single coils, rails or other variations.

Probably replace all the electronics and switch with American ones and drop in the new GFS bridge.

What is the expander board? I have not heard of that. What does it do? Sounds like it makes is brighter and boosts the output. What if you already have high output pickups. Do you have a link to the expander option?

I wouldn't hesitate to route the inside of the SX. Make it the guitar you want. You might be able to achieve your goal with a sharp exacto knive unless it is a lot of space you need. Even a dremmel tool with a bit should get you routed out to your desired clearance. I think it would look better with black knobs and pu covers, to avoid the tuxedo look with the black pickguard. I'm not fond of the tuxedo look, but thats just me. Gold knobs would look great too. But black pickups would blend right in nicely and look cool, like on my "Black Pearl" hot rodded Affinity with a black shell pickguard on a black body. That has Fender Schaller locking tuners on it and sounds great. Played it tonight.

You can produce an awesome guitar by hot rodding it and yours sounds like a true work of art that you will be proud of.

I put two sets of drop in Wilkinson locking tuners on two of my SX strats. I also have a stock SX copy of a Gibson LP Special with twin P90s that sounds great. I want to upgrade the P90s to something awesome.

Best Luck,

Duffy
Winfield, Pa.

[FrankenFretter]

What is the expander board? I have not heard of that. What does it do? Sounds like it makes is brighter and boosts the output. What if you already have high output pickups. Do you have a link to the expander option?

Best Luck,

Duffy
Winfield, Pa.

Thanks, Duffy. Here's the link (http://store.guitarfetish.com/midboexbotwo.html) to that board. Boosts the mids, yada yada, yada.

I was hoping to put some time into the project this week, but the temps are in the triple digits, and the attic is stupid-hot. I'm really looking forward to hearing the Strat through my new amph (http://www.thefret.net/showthread.php?t=12417). It seems to favor single-coils.

-Sean

[Kazz]

Triple digit temps in Oregon...wow......never got that hot when I lived in Springtucky (Springfield/Eugene)

[FrankenFretter]

Triple digit temps in Oregon...wow......never got that hot when I lived in Springtucky (Springfield/Eugene)

Temp got to at least 105 here in Salem, where I'm working. I'm a cable guy,so I'm out in it more than I'd like to be. It's supposed to be the same tomorrow. Fantastic...