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I picked up a Squier Bullet Stratocaster to fiddle around with. I wanted practice setting up a guitar, changing hardware, and swapping out pickups. I also liked the design of the guitar, so I figured it would be a good idea. My questions, at this point, are:

1. What are some good strat type tuners? I'd prefer a direct drop in set of tuners so I wouldn't have to do any extra drilling.

2. What's a good fixed/hardtail strat bridge? Again, just a drop in/no drilling...

3. Should I change the volume pot while I'm at it? Any suggestions? What's a good FAQ for changing pots?

4. Know of any humbucker pickup changing FAQ's online that are step-by-step and idiot proof with pictures?

5. How about the nut? What goes good with a strat?

Thanks for the look!

i really like sperzels, not sure how big the holes are in your squier

the callaham bridge is nice

i would change the pot to a cts brand

bone is my favorite for nuts

I'll second those choices. Really, you could change those pots out to any brand, like allparts or something, but CTS is great. Look for maybe a 500k pot if you're putting another humbucker in there.

There are probably 10mm holes in the headstock, which is pretty standard. If there is finish in the holes when you're putting a new tuning machine in, use a 'bastard-file' or 'round-file' to clear the hole.

I like bone nuts, or even slipstone if you're going to be experimenting with 'em.

Do some searches on this forum for the type of humbucker you're considering, and there are bound to be tons of threads with instructions or wiring options.

Thanks for the hardware suggestions. Comestically, do you fellas think I should stick with the nickel, or be a little exciting and go with gold? black? Let me know...the finish is quot;Ice Blue Metallicaquot; and the pickguard is black, if that tells you anything.

As for the pickup I'm going with a JB, because well, I had one awhile ago that I thought sounded really good and since then haven't owned a single JB equipped guitar. It'd be nice to have one in the collection, if you know what I mean. For generic rock stuff, anyway...

But yeah, as far as the FAQ's go, I'd like to install the pickup myself. I remember seeing an installation thread a little while ago (this week, actually) but I seem to have misplaced it.

swapping the bridge may be a pain since it has a real narrow string spacing and finding one that drops right in place may be tricky. i'd just leave that base of the bridge and change the saddles to some graphtech ones. as for the nut i'd go graphite since they are easy to work with and will help keep it in tune. for tuners the bullet uses vintage style tuners so the only upgrade to those woul be a better set of USA vintage style fender tuners or some klusons unless you want to ream the headstock out for 10mm tuners and drill new mounting holes for some schallers or sperzels. as for the pot, a cts 500k should work perfect for you with the JB.

-Mike


Originally Posted by XSSIVEswapping the bridge may be a pain since it has a real narrow string spacing and finding one that drops right in place may be tricky. i'd just leave that base of the bridge and change the saddles to some graphtech ones. as for the nut i'd go graphite since they are easy to work with and will help keep it in tune. for tuners the bullet uses vintage style tuners so the only upgrade to those woul be a better set of USA vintage style fender tuners or some klusons unless you want to ream the headstock out for 10mm tuners and drill new mounting holes for some schallers or sperzels. as for the pot, a cts 500k should work perfect for you with the JB.

-Mike

Okay, I picked up the JB and the graphite nut (allparts, $7). As far as the graphtec strat saddles what size am I using? 7/16quot; or 13/32quot;?

Are the USA vintage tuners really an upgrade from the already installed ones? Would the tuners actually matter if I changed the nut and saddles?

Also, you guys know any step by step idiot proof FAQ's on guitar maintainance complete with pictures? I googled it but there was too much stuff to sift through that I'm not really sure what's good and what's garbage.

Thanks again guys!

I hate to double post, but would these saddles work:

from : localhost/still can't find the measurements for the squier bridge saddles...


Originally Posted by Closed Eye....I still can't find the measurements for the squier bridge saddles...

You already have a squier, with a bridge, that has saddles on it... all you need now is a ruler or (better) a set of calipers, and you´ll have the measurements


Originally Posted by ZerberusYou already have a squier, with a bridge, that has saddles on it... all you need now is a ruler or (better) a set of calipers, and you´ll have the measurements

Derp! I'm such an idiot!

*goes to find a ruler*