Strat mod time!

[vector]

I bought a used '76 CBS Strat back in '81 and by '85, had it modded irreversibly to be a Super Strat. Added a Floyd, routed under it to be able to pull it sharp by a step and have it flutter, routed for and added a mini-switch coil tapped SD Distortion in the bridge, had the board radius shaved down a little flatter and frets adjusted accordingly, and a behind-the-nut Kahler Finger-Tite string lock. Yeah, I know should taken the cash I spent on modding it and bought a used Model 3 or a Dinky. But I revered that ax. It had mojo. Almost 30 years later, after it being relegated to a case queen when it couldn't compete with the CS Charvel and Hamer, I've decided to mod it again to be worthy of gigging once again.

Planning on a new Musikraft Charvel-style (which will add a critical 22nd fret), all maple neck with a reversed Strat head and a proper Floyd shelf, swapping out the SD Distortion for a beloved TB-5 Custom, ditching the stock CBS era single coils for a Hot Rails and a Cool Rails, Schaller strap locks, black tuners, a new black pick guard (no b-w-b layers), toggle switch and a new paint job. 30 years of various playing mishaps and dumb stickers affixed have left it needing a new look. The recent Slime Green USA Charvel 8th batch thread gave me all the GAS I needed to make that call.

So, yeah, when all is said and done, this will be less like a Strat and more like a Charvel Pro mod. But it's all good- it will get more play and I can always put it back to the original 1st mod version with the Fender neck and single coils.

[straycat]

Have fun and keep us posted on what you do with it.

[Axewielder]

Sounds cool. I'd shim the new neck slightly when you put it on to get a 1 1/2 step pull-up range.

[vector]

Sounds cool. I'd shim the new neck slightly when you put it on to get a 1 1/2 step pull-up range.

Good call.

[leftykingv2]

I had a hot rail in the neck and a cool rail in the middle on one of my guitars for years. It sounded super sweet when soloing but it was way to much output for playing clean on the neck position. If you split it between the cool rail and the hot rail when playing clean though it sounds absolutely awesome. I think you'll be happy with the pick ups you've chosen. I own all three and I like all of them. The TB-5 is a great pick up. It can really do anything you will need. I've used mine for the heaviest stuff and the most jazzy stuff you can think of. It's one of those pick ups that just seem to work very well for all applications in my opinion.

[j2379]

Cool Rails sound great in the neck too.

[DonP]

I bought a used '76 CBS Strat back in '81 and by '85, had it modded irreversibly to be a Super Strat. Added a Floyd, routed under it to be able to pull it sharp by a step and have it flutter, routed for and added a mini-switch coil tapped SD Distortion in the bridge, had the board radius shaved down a little flatter and frets adjusted accordingly, and a behind-the-nut Kahler Finger-Tite string lock. Yeah, I know should taken the cash I spent on modding it and bought a used Model 3 or a Dinky. But I revered that ax. It had mojo.

I don't think you could get a used Model 3 in 1985.

Objectively, what is wrong with it as it sits right now?

[vector]

I don't think you could get a used Model 3 in 1985.

Objectively, what is wrong with it as it sits right now?

Not comfortable with the neck anymore. After 18 years of playing Hamers, Charvels, and Jacksons as well as a host of others, like Washburns, BC Rich, Dean Schecter etc. it just doesn't feel comfy. The pick up is kinda meh and uninspiring sounding. The Kahler lock tite is okay but the strings sometimes get hung up in the nut- taking away whatever value of having a locking nut can provide. Lastly, the 21 frest drives me fucking crazy! I'm so used to my Hamers w/ 27 frets that anything less than 24 becomes a pain in the ass and limits which songs I can do on them.