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previous: JohnC Thanks goodness!I thought a... -- 8/1/1999 11:40 PM

Re: Japanese Strat question

8/2/1999 3:47 AM
Steve A.	Re: Japanese Strat question John: I don't have one myself, but I've only heard great things about the MIJ Fender strats from the early 80's. I'm not surprised about the pickups (this is just my own opinion but I don't think any of the pickups that Fender was using in the early 80's were any good!) But if the guitar is made well, plays well and sounds well without an amp, you can always upgrade the pickups, pots and switch for better sounds through an amp later. On the other hand if the guitar doesn't play or sound well without an amp, you're just wasting your money upgrading the pickups, etc., because I doubt that you'll ever be really happy with it. FWIW I always test out guitars without an amp first just to find the ones that feel right to me. If it passes the unplugged test, then I'll try it out with an amp just to see if I need to change the pu's right away or not (which could effect the price I'll offer for the guitar). "If the sound isn't in the wood, it ain't never gonna come out of the speakers..." Since you are going to replace the pickguard anyway, I'd box up the old one- electronics and all- and wire up a new pickguard with a nice set of pickups (the brand and model depending on your tastes). I'd also recommend an upgraded wiring harness- like the Sup'rStrat one on my site for 9 different linkages or Dave Harris's harness with a blend pot. (I get really bored with the same 5 linkages Fender had been using since the 50's.) If you ever need to sell the guitar slap the old loaded pickguard back on and save the custom pickguard for your next strat (unless of course the buyer is willing to pay you for what it is worth- usually they won't!) If that guitar talks to you ("Buy me! Buy me!") jump on it... Steve Ahola http://www.techaccessinc.com/blueguitar/

8/2/1999 3:47 AM

Steve A.

Re: Japanese Strat question

John:

    I don't have one myself, but I've only heard great things about the MIJ Fender strats from the early 80's. I'm not surprised about the pickups (this is just my own opinion but I don't think any of the pickups that Fender was using in the early 80's were any good!) But if the guitar is made well, plays well and sounds well without an amp, you can always upgrade the pickups, pots and switch for better sounds through an amp later. On the other hand if the guitar doesn't play or sound well without an amp, you're just wasting your money upgrading the pickups, etc., because I doubt that you'll ever be really happy with it.

    FWIW I always test out guitars without an amp first just to find the ones that feel right to me. If it passes the unplugged test, then I'll try it out with an amp just to see if I need to change the pu's right away or not (which could effect the price I'll offer for the guitar). "If the sound isn't in the wood, it ain't never gonna come out of the speakers..."

    Since you are going to replace the pickguard anyway, I'd box up the old one- electronics and all- and wire up a new pickguard with a nice set of pickups (the brand and model depending on your tastes). I'd also recommend an upgraded wiring harness- like the Sup'rStrat one on my site for 9 different linkages or Dave Harris's harness with a blend pot. (I get really bored with the same 5 linkages Fender had been using since the 50's.) If you ever need to sell the guitar slap the old loaded pickguard back on and save the custom pickguard for your next strat (unless of course the buyer is willing to pay you for what it is worth- usually they won't!)

    If that guitar talks to you ("Buy me! Buy me!") jump on it...

Steve Ahola

http://www.techaccessinc.com/blueguitar/

Replies:

charlie Steve - I've visited your ... -- 8/2/1999 4:53 AM
JohnC I got it!It was 12'30 noon,... -- 8/3/1999 12:34 AM