NorioDS Japan.
Maybe I have a half decent strat copy on my hands?!
Looks like it! I've google it before, but there is not much more info than you found.
- Tuners - is there any slop (play when you tighten/loosen the winder?). These tuners can be hit n miss, sometimes they're fine, usually not. Cheap upgrade (R350ish) to something from blackbeards den.TerryD - figure out what part you need from this handy guide. Install isn't always straightforward, might need to do a little fitting, widen the peg holes, re-drill a few mounting holes.
It's easy to drop R2k+ on fancy tuners - I wouldn't until you are are using that guitar a lot.
- Pickups - I'm guessing but those look like ceramic magnet'ed pickups. The steel baseplate is eerily familiar (Like the ones in my strat). Not a bad pickup, but certainly not regarded as a classic sounding strat puckip, ceramic magnets tend to be a bit trebley/harsh, often slightly higher output and can handle a bit of gain - though these you have are probably microphonic (mine are!)
if you can find someone upgrading their Classic VIbe Squire, grab those pickups! See what alinco pups are floating sourng the 2nd hand market. I did find a source for Classic Vibe replacement pups via Paul Bothners - last I checked (2018?) was around R550/pup
I'd get the guitar playable before this upgrade - A/B with a few of the GT'ers strats before deciding.
- Wiring
Ummm, can't really tell from the photo's if the pots/switch are decent or not. Alpha pots are usually fine, these probably fine for now - might need a service with some switch cleaner to cure some scratchiness?
Upgrades to these parts, I think it's a good idea (CTS/Switchcraft bits) - tone difference? It's always debatable - I think when I've done a upgrades to the pots/switch I've gotten a decent result. Though I usually change pot values/upgrade wiring/add in a mod.
- Frets
I can't really see them in any photo - though in one, they do look a bit worn below the 7th fret? Likely a partial fret dress -that's a job I'd pay for someone to do - crowning frets is a PITA - second to none.
- Body/rest
That looks like a solid piece of wood - I'm not spying any ply or chipboard? If it's lightweight possibly basswood, if not maybe alder. Nice colour, looks classy with maple fretboard.
Someone will say you should add a high mass bridge block - easy enough, but not the callaham block made of unobtanium - you can find better places for that $!
Nut - can get a graphtech one for cheap - but likely it will need a little setup to fit nice. Saddles look fine for now. Scratchy jack is often just a little cleanup & tighten in the socket.
Nice one, that was fun!
