Warning: preg_replace(): The /e modifier is deprecated, use preg_replace_callback instead in ..../includes/class_bbcode.php on line 2958

Warning: preg_replace(): The /e modifier is deprecated, use preg_replace_callback instead in ..../includes/class_bbcode.php on line 2958
SX Strat: My first modding project
Results 1 to 16 of 16

Thread: SX Strat: My first modding project

  1. #1
    Join Date
    Apr 2009
    Location
    Monmouth, OR
    Posts
    2,039
    Post Thanks / Like

    Default SX Strat: My first modding project


    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.



    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!

  2. #2
    Join Date
    May 2009
    Location
    Eastern CT, USA
    Posts
    4
    Post Thanks / Like

    Default

    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?
    Currently a bad bass player pretending to be a worse guitarist.

  3. #3
    Join Date
    Apr 2009
    Location
    Monmouth, OR
    Posts
    2,039
    Post Thanks / Like

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by 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?
    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.

  4. #4
    Join Date
    Mar 2006
    Posts
    2,627
    Post Thanks / Like

    Default

    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

  5. #5
    Join Date
    Apr 2009
    Location
    Monmouth, OR
    Posts
    2,039
    Post Thanks / Like

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by 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

    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 . 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.

  6. #6
    Join Date
    Mar 2006
    Posts
    2,627
    Post Thanks / Like

    Default

    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

  7. #7
    Join Date
    Apr 2009
    Location
    Hitchin, Hertfordshire, England.
    Posts
    975
    Post Thanks / Like

    Default

    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?
    Guitars: Ibanez RG420EG, Harrier Mistral Ice White Tele
    Amps: Hughes & Kettner Edition Blue 15R (w/ 8" Celestion), Marshall Valvestate Mk.I 8100 Head, Blackheart BH5H Head
    Cabs: Marshall 4x12 (4 x Celestion Pro 12")
    FX:Line 6 Floor POD, BOSS 7-band GE-7, BOSS Mega Distortion MD-2, Vox V847a Reissue Wah, Danelectro Cool Cat Drive

    Just another Rig Sig Jig, Dig?

  8. #8
    Join Date
    Apr 2009
    Location
    Monmouth, OR
    Posts
    2,039
    Post Thanks / Like

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by 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?

    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.

  9. #9
    Join Date
    Apr 2009
    Location
    Hitchin, Hertfordshire, England.
    Posts
    975
    Post Thanks / Like

    Default

    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.
    Guitars: Ibanez RG420EG, Harrier Mistral Ice White Tele
    Amps: Hughes & Kettner Edition Blue 15R (w/ 8" Celestion), Marshall Valvestate Mk.I 8100 Head, Blackheart BH5H Head
    Cabs: Marshall 4x12 (4 x Celestion Pro 12")
    FX:Line 6 Floor POD, BOSS 7-band GE-7, BOSS Mega Distortion MD-2, Vox V847a Reissue Wah, Danelectro Cool Cat Drive

    Just another Rig Sig Jig, Dig?

  10. #10
    Join Date
    Apr 2009
    Location
    Monmouth, OR
    Posts
    2,039
    Post Thanks / Like

    Default

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

  11. #11
    Join Date
    Apr 2009
    Location
    Monmouth, OR
    Posts
    2,039
    Post Thanks / Like

    Default Update

    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.

  12. #12
    Join Date
    Dec 2006
    Location
    Colorado
    Posts
    345
    Post Thanks / Like

    Default

    Guitars: A Few
    Amps: A Couple
    Pedals/Effects: Sure

    We've done four already, but now we're steady, and then they went one-two-three-four....

  13. #13
    Join Date
    Nov 2008
    Posts
    59
    Post Thanks / Like

    Default Sounds like a cool project

    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.

  14. #14
    Join Date
    Apr 2009
    Location
    Monmouth, OR
    Posts
    2,039
    Post Thanks / Like

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by Duff49

    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 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. It seems to favor single-coils.

    -Sean
    -Sean
    Guitars: Lots.
    Amphs: More than last year.
    Pedals: Many, although I go straight from guitar to amp more often lately.

  15. #15
    Join Date
    Dec 2007
    Location
    In The Middle Of The Arrpeggio
    Posts
    1,395
    Post Thanks / Like

    Default

    Triple digit temps in Oregon...wow......never got that hot when I lived in Springtucky (Springfield/Eugene)
    Guitars: 2002 Les Paul Studio Limited Color's Edition | 2004 Greg Bennett Avion Les Paul Copy | S101 Telecaster project | 2004 Washburn D46 Acoustic

    Amplification: Epiphone Valve Jr. Head and Cabinet | VOX AD30VT

    Effects: Rocktron Delay | BBE Free Fuzz | Big Muff Pi | Boss Flanger | Bad Monkey | Jekyll and Hyde | Cry Baby Wah | Boss EQ | Behrenger TU300 Tuner |



  16. #16
    Join Date
    Apr 2009
    Location
    Monmouth, OR
    Posts
    2,039
    Post Thanks / Like

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by Kazz
    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...
    -Sean
    Guitars: Lots.
    Amphs: More than last year.
    Pedals: Many, although I go straight from guitar to amp more often lately.

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •