Fender Stratocaster – Service and Setup

What a lovely old Strat.  In need of a little TLC but basically sound… The bridge is all a little manky, rather corroded, but I’m sure that can be sorted. It’s just a case of taking it all apart and getting the wire brush in there. That’s better, just needs setting up again. Another thing […]

Fender Stratocaster – All new electrics

Here’s a nice looking Strat’.  A rather nice upgrade with a new pick-guard and a set of Iron Gear Pickups. It’s also got a problem with one of the saddle height screws. A new set will sort that out. The new pickups are switchable with a Low/High output so I’m going to fit three Push-Push pots.  […]

Fender Stratocaster – Cleanup

Here’s a classic looking Strat,  Just needs a bit of a clean, I think had a bit of damp at it. Nothing too bad, but that’s what I got off the face of the fretboard. The frets themselves were also a little corroded.. so gently polish them with steel wool It’s difficult to clean the […]

Fender Stratocaster – Custom build

A collection of bits and pieces, put together should make a nice guitar… To make it a really great guitar, rather than just an average one I levelled the frets.  Firstly making sure the neck is level.With it nice and flat, grind down the fret tops to a common level….Once levelled each fret needs to […]

US Stratocaster – How low is your action!

I’m often asked for a low action, but this is probably the lowest I’ve ever seen! Actually someone’s had a go at it and the owner wants me to put it right.  I like a low action myself but this is un-playable.The tremolo is also sitting flat and locked in place… It didn’t really take a […]

US Stratocaster Setup

Had a rather nice US Stratocaster on the bench today.  Nothing major, just a clean and setup. I rather like the body, nice paint finish over a very nice piece of wood…. The fretboard was a little grubby… A quick rub down with some steel wool will remove that and polish the frets at the same time.  […]

Very Special Stratocaster

Wow, this has to be the nicest Strat’ I’ve ever had the pleasure of working on!  I’ve had both extremes this week, probably the cheapest and nastiest neck fitted to an old Squire and now this…..Absolutely stunning!!  I actually did very little, since it didn’t need much doing but I just wanted to share it […]

Fender Strat – Floyd Rose setup – completed

Got the screws… all I need to do now is put the springs back and fit a new set of strings… Now for the balancing act!  adjusting the tension of the springs against the tension in the strings so that the tailpiece sits parallel with the body. Complete the rest of the setup and it’s ready […]

Fender Strat – Floyd Rose setup

A classic guitar in need of a little TLC… The main reason for getting into this one is that the Floyd Rose is sitting flat on the body, effectively a hard tail. With the rear cover off I can see why, the spring claw is screwed right in… Apart from that the heads on the […]