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  • Partscaster / learning project (doesn't need to be strat)

Thats bloody gorgeous.. nice one.

For future reference. I see it has an angled neck due to the bridge. Fyi.. if that angle is off even a bit.. it will cause choking on the strings.. kinda like what you described.

Great looker

    Nice Stunner.. really cool Guitar..

    bluefinllama Wait, due to the bridge?

    Basically the bridge is set high, so the neck has been angled back, and shimmed to suit..

    not an issue generally once set up.

        bluefinllama yeh. Dont stress. thats how it is supposed to be. That bridge is high when you compare it to a hipshot or other hardtail bridge. So that bridge design together with a flat top means the neck must angle backward a bit to get good action. Ala.. gibsons and other guitars with this design. You will prob find the neck pocket is routed like that as opposed to a shim.
        Was just pointing out that the angle is one more thing to check during a setup as it is a critical point for a setup. Shims help adjust angles when needed.

            bluefinllama
            For interest sake, here is a relatively good guide for setup, it will give you a better understanding of your guitar and setup, even if you never use it, i think its atleast good to know.
            Guitar Setup 101

                a month later

                bluefinllama The one i've played was quite nice - did have a upgraded set of tonerider city limit pups in it though.

                But the neck and body were sweet. Try a lowball (like I even need to suggest it ?)
                Bear in mind, you can get a new SX strat for around under R2k!

                    Just saw this in FB
                    A squire Strat for R1300

                      So, I bought the Hamer... There seems to either be a short, issue with the ground or the input jack needs replacing (at least from what I've been able to ascertain). I can't see any ground issues, so I will be replacing the jack first (probably should be done anyway).

                      I have taken it apart and took some photos, it seems like it's 100% original, the person from who I bought it said her husband bought it brand new in ~1997. She has a bit of work I believe, fretwork, electronics etc. The pots are cor-tek 500k and the 5 way switch is also cor-tek. I believe the bridge to be a wilkinson type? Sperzel style tuners should just drop in and the nut seems to be plastic.

                      I just couldn't help myself, she felt good when I picked her up ?

                      That looks awesome... nice looking chunk of wood with clean routes. Just beware if you intend refinishing.. that top layer is a veneer that is quite thin. So sanding will take you through to wood underneath. I helped an old forumite with his hamer slammer once where we discovered the veneer.

                      Edit... mind you.. looking at it again.. it might not be a veneer... you should be able to tell by looking at the edges. Nice looking lumber either way

                      Otherwise that looks cool... the jack should be an easy enough fix. Enjoy

                      Also.. if you smooth out the edge of the trem for the top post.. it should help with tuning stability. Not sure how whammy inclined you are.

                      If it were mine... i would see if i could find a big old brass block for that trem.. it would do wonders for the tone... that block is on the skinny side. A really easy fix would be blocking the trem with a chunk of wood.

                      Not sure how many machinists you know but i would take that block to them and get them to mill one for you

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                        bluefinllama I just couldn't help myself, she felt good when I picked her up ?

                        That's the way! ?

                        Pups look like ceramic magnet'ed Cort ones - I've had hit n miss with them. Some sound good, some don't. If they do sound good, don't rush to Alinco magnet'ed ones - I've got a set of Ceramic's in my MIJ Strat - while not a classic strat tone, they sound okay and take drives fairly well (for a single coil).

                        guidothepimmp Edit... mind you.. looking at it again.. it might not be a veneer... you should be able to tell by looking at the edges. Nice looking lumber either way

                        Thought it looked like a refinish? If so, if there was a veneer (possibly, if it was originally a sunburst, which I doubt) - it might have already been removed (Usually them slammers are a thickish poly coat - at least the handful I've seen.)

                        guidothepimmp A really easy fix would be blocking the trem with a chunk of wood.

                        At the least, I set all strats with the trem sitting on the body - it really does fill out the tone somewhat, blocking the trem is also a grand option. Though you lose the option to to pitch up using the trem.

                                So I wasn't able to pick up a jack today, will do so during the week, the weird thing I saw though is there seems to be a cap on the volume pot as well as one of the tones, this isn't normal is it?

                                Also, it doesn't seem like a veneer, unless it's very well done, but I can't see it.

                                I'm actually not going to touch the finish at this stage, I think she looks good as is - might revisit this in the future, at the moment the goal is to get her playing again.

                                Ya, been looking at getting the bourns 500k pots and jacks from RS, the 5 way switch seems to be quite expensive all around South Africa - can pick a Fender one up from Amazon for $16. Regarding the tremelo block, a nice brass one would be amazing, but she needs to play first - would also set it up against the body instead of blocking it completely.

                                So excited though, now if only I can inherit that money from my late deceased Nigerian cousin I never heard of (got an email the other day).

                                  bluefinllama there seems to be a cap on the volume pot

                                  Could be a treble bleed mod (though that usually uses a resistor and not a capacitor) - it's one of my must have mods for a strat.

                                  Check Raru, they've got a half decent sale on, and stock guitar parts - the CTS pots I saw on sale were 500k's.

                                  bluefinllama I think she looks good as is - might revisit this in the future, at the moment the goal is to get her playing again.

                                  Relic it... ? It's my goto option whenever I see a refinished guitar

                                      I'll check out a few wiring diagrams and see if I can figure out what it is, wrt the pots, RS is R50 each for the Bourns and actually have stock, not dispatched in 15-20 days, Bourns pots are on par with CTS, aren't they?

                                      The relic-ing is going to happen - over time though ?

                                      bluefinllama RS is R50 each for the Bourns and actually have stock, not dispatched in 15-20 days, Bourns pots are on par with CTS, aren't they?

                                      That's a great price for the bourns ones! I've read that some peeps prefer the bourns ones - I'd say between the two they're on par quality wise.

                                      Happy modding!