software

Hey guys, i'm thinking of getting a second hand MIM strat, and teach myself how to install and upgrade all the parts, set it up etc. Where would be a good starting place? What parts should i upgrade? I'm doing this with a cheap guitar, incase i fudge anything up, i wouldnt be ballsy enough to toutch my MIJ 84 Strat. So i thought this would be a good way to start. If all go's well, i will just take everything out of the MIM, and put the upgrades in the Jap.
Ideas?

I had a 99 MIM strat and the only thing i really changed about it was put on some .011 gauge strings, a set of Duncan Vintage Staggered pickups, and i lowered the bridge flush to the body and added two more springs in the back. That turned it into a really solid and reliable and vintage sounding strat. That would just about hold up to anything!
FenderBender

I guess you could do something easy like changing the saddles.

Actually, they're IMO the perfect platform to start.

If it's a newer MIM, to me the pickups aren't THAT BAD, so I'd start with the electronics. Then, the bridge/trem block. Callaham makes a MIM upgrade kit that's next on my list.

Then....pickups amp; tuning machines

While you're under the pickguard, sheild those cavities tooHave fun....it's cool to do

If you just want to learn....the first thing I would do it take it apart, and I mean everything. Take the bridge off, then take the saddles off. Then put it all back together. Then take the pickguard off and remove the pickups and unsolder them from the switch and ground. Then re-install them again.

Take notes and pictures if you need to before you dissasemble, so you know where to start in putting them back together. This way, you have nothing invested other than the cost of the guitar. Then if you do manage to mess something up (which is unlikely), at least it's not a new part that you just spent money on.

After you are comfortable with how the guitar works....I's start with a complete hardware upgrade from , then new pickups including shielding the guitar, and new pickups and switch.

That should get you well on your way.

Actually, my ma' just rang me, telling me 'you have your old yamaha electric here, want me to send it' its a H/S/S EG?112, so that would be a nice place to start, instead of buying yet another guitar.
So! I'll Start with the hardware ( Saddles, trem, bolts, ) then the electronics and insides. What should i replace the electronics with, what brand/quality?

Not trying to get you to drop money into that yamaha, but I'm not sure if you'll have luck finding a bridge that'll fit in no prob and etc...

IMHO the MIM Strat is a great place to start. 1 on everything above, then try replacing the nut if you're really brave. That plastic POS doesn't do much for the tone. I'd do that before fooling with the tuners, personally.

I gradually worked up to building a whole new pickguard assembly, then moving it to a Warmoth project and started over again on the MIM Strat.

Have fun

Chip

hmm, so where can i find a total electronics kit? All the insides? Would it be worth getting a hardware and electronics kit for my 80's Jap fender? Alot of people i talk to here in Australia are telling me ' dont change the pick up's dude!!! ' Would it be worth it if i did? Say to some classic strat SD's?

I was gonna ask you where you were...

This place carries good kits, but you might be able to find the parts at a local guitar or electronics store to save on the shipping......

from : localhost/for the quot;To Replace or Not To Replacequot; question....all I can say is you'll be amazed at the difference between what is normally POS stock pickups amp; a good upgrade to Duncans, Fralins, DiMarzios or whomever you may choose. If you think your guitar sounds good now, it'll be like opening the blinds on your window amp; letting to sunshine in!

With my Jap 80's strat, i'm thinking of 2 Vintage pickups, Neck and middle, with the middle reverse wound. Now for the the Bridge, i'm thinking Alnico 2, or Custom.

Or, maybe a pickup that might give me more of a 'jazzmaster' sound. The specific sound, i'm looking for, is the lead guitar on the cure song 'picture's of you' to wich both a Jazzmaster, and a strat are used.

...anyone?