Modifying a Fender Mexican Strat

punk_one82

I'm interested in buying a 2nd hand Mexican strat but only if i can make a few modifications.
Just wondering if it's possible to install the "6 in a row" vintage tuners instead of the modern ones and where can I get the Fender vintage tuners?
Any help would be appreciated.

Dord

Why would you want to go backwards instead of forwards?
If you're looking for a strat with vintage styled tuners try pick up a Classic series (Mexi).

Voodu Child

Thomann do a good range of tuners, they might have what youre looking for.

More than likely, they won't be a direct replacement, the position of the fixing screws on Strat tuners has varied from type to type...and the post holes might need to be plugged and re-drilled smaller.

Obviously, careful choice of the right tuner might give you a direct replacement, its really just a case of knowing what you have and what you need, and im not 100% sure on mexican tuners so I couldn't advise in this case.

The Mexican classic strats are vintage-styled, and actually very highly-regarded (better than your basic 'standard' mex). And the Japanese Strats are pretty much all vintage styled (and easily available 2nd hand on Ishibashi).

punk_one82

Yeah, I know a bit about the Classic mexican strats and that, but it's not a case of buying one.
I'll be part exchanging,so unfortunately I don't really have a choice on the strat I get. And I just prefer the look of vintage tuners. I think the modern ones just look cheap.
However,if i have to redrill holes etc I may just use the mexican strat and some cash to order in a Classic players mexican strat. May be the better option. Any opinions or suggestions? It's only going to be my backup guitar I suppose.2nd to my 62 reissue tele.

Seziertisch

In terms of improving tuning stability, there are other things you should probably check out first.

Most tuning problems are a result of friction in other areas. Are the nut slots cut correctly?

Also, be sure to check that the bridge is sitting properly and properly aligned. The initial run of Mexican Strats are quite highly regarded with the build quality considered to be comparable to US Standards. There has been speculation that this was the result of the machines in the factory being brand new and set up perfectly. The older they got, the less tight the tolerances got and the more likely it became that guitars would not line up as well as they could or should. A bridge cavity that is slightly off is a tough thing to remedy.

In terms of improving the guitar I would suggest going at the electronics first. I'm not sure what pots ect. come as standard in Mexican Fenders, but it might be worth considering getting a full upgrade and doing a complete rewire.

Shielding the guitar properly might also be a good idea. I have never had to do it myself, but there has been discussion on the forum here about it already.

And of course in terms of pickups, the world is your oyster. But check out Vintage Vibe Guitars. They make some extremely affordable boutique pickups that sound great. They also do some great custom work (again very affordable) so if you are looking for something a bit different to put into your new Tele and you haven't seen it offered elsewhere then just contact them directly and ask them what they can do for you.

punk_one82

I'm not really looking to improve the guitars playability etc.
Changing to vintage tuners is merely aesthetic as I don't like the look of the modern ones, I'd also be changing to mint green pickguard etc. I just don't like the new look. I probably would change pickups on the strat but tbh,I don't have a clue about the pots and wiring and all that. Where do I go to get that done and is it really worth it?

punchdrunk

your wasting your time trying to put klusons on a modern neck,the diameter of the hole is different, the mounting screws are in different locations,why ruin a good neck?

Seziertisch

Do a google search for "guitar wiring upgrade" or something similar. It might even be worth your while to throw Mexican Fender or something into the search.

It would depend on the quality of the stuff in there already. In some cases you can buy pre-wired harnesses which require no soldering from various manufacturers/companies. Generally speaking Switchcraft jacks and CTS pots are considered the best. Capacitors added to the circuit are also a topic of debate. You can pay an awful lot for some vintage/vintage repro caps. There are guys that swear by them. Although, there are also some affordable options. Ones that get mentioned again and again are Sprague Orange Drops.

Check out guitarfetishdotcom.

Also soldering is a skill worth learning. From my own experience, be sure that if you are working with lead-free solder that you get an iron that is capable of getting hot enough. Lead-free has a higher melting point than leaded. You could also just track down some leaded solder (plenty available on ebay) and go with that.

Should you decide to get someone else to do it, you could check out

http://profile.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=user.viewprofile&friendid=338607924

I paid a visit to his shop and he gave the impression of knowing what he was about.

punk_one82

Punchdrunk,that's why I started this thread. I'm trying to find out if I could or not. But now that you mention it, would a vintage reissue neck fit in a mexican standard body? I wouldn't mind just changing necks seeing as I play a vintage neck already and love the size and shape.

I may also try get the pots and re-wiring done but does it actually make much of a difference to the sound? If not then the money will probably just go towards a new amp.

Eoin Madsen

punchdrunk wrote: »

your wasting your time trying to put klusons on a modern neck,the diameter of the hole is different, the mounting screws are in different locations,why ruin a good neck?

We're talking about a Mexican Strat... who said anything about a good neck? :pac:

punchdrunk

Eoin Madsen wrote: »

We're talking about a Mexican Strat... who said anything about a good neck? :pac:

punk_one82

Ha.very true

BostonB

The Mexican Classic Strats all seem decent including the necks. Theres a few of them for sale on adverts.

punk_one82 wrote: »

Punchdrunk,that's why I started this thread. I'm trying to find out if I could or not. But now that you mention it, would a vintage reissue neck fit in a mexican standard body? I wouldn't mind just changing necks seeing as I play a vintage neck already and love the size and shape.

I may also try get the pots and re-wiring done but does it actually make much of a difference to the sound? If not then the money will probably just go towards a new amp.

None of that makes any sense. Just buy a Mexican Classic Strat. Theres a even few 2nd hand ones on adverts.

punk_one82

I WOULD buy a classic players strat if I had the money.
But I already said that I will be part exchanging for this strat so buying one isn't really an option yeh.

BostonB

Its going to cost you more to do what your talking about.

punk_one82

I won't be doing all the pots and all that.
The only thing im interested in is the neck.

BostonB

punk_one82 wrote: »

... "6 in a row" vintage tuners instead of the modern ones and where can I get the Fender vintage tuners?....

...vintage tuners already on the Mex Classic Player

punk_one82 wrote: »

....I'd also be changing to mint green pickguard etc. I just don't like the new look. I probably would change pickups on the strat ...

...vintage pickguard and pickups already on the Mex Classic Player

punk_one82 wrote: »

....would a vintage reissue neck fit in a mexican standard body? I wouldn't mind just changing necks seeing as I play a vintage neck already and love the size and shape....

...vintage style neck on the Mex Classic Player, V or U 50's/60's.


Lets face it you are only going for a standard mex strat because you don't want the hassle of selling your own privately, and thats the only strat they have which you can do a trade in. But you should just sell it, then pick up a 2nd hand Mex Classic Player. Its a 2nd guitar so theres no rush is there? IMO you'd have to pick up a few strats and see which ones you like, in terms of the neck. They vary quite a bit no?

punk_one82

I know all that about the classic player strats, which is why I'd love to buy one.
The problem lies with no one really showing interest in buying, I've only had trade offers and the guitar I have isnt getting used.
Whereas if I got the strat I would deffo be using the 2 guitars.
And in terms of neck, I'm really looking for one the same as my 62 tele which is a C shaped neck,so I know what im looking for I suppose.

BostonB

What strat/guitar are you trying to shift?

Might be worth getting a cheap flight to london, and trawling the 2nd guitars over there.

punk_one82

Trying to sell my Jackson Slsmg soloist.
Not into metal as much as I used to be, so I'm reverting back to the classics.

Seziertisch

Whatever you decide to do, I would definitely recommend holding on for the guitar you want. You already have one functioning guitar so that is not an issue. It might take a bit longer to get the cash together but it will be worth it.

dasdog

Eoin Madsen wrote: »

We're talking about a Mexican Strat... who said anything about a good neck? :pac:

Aren't the necks on these are made in the US? I got one last year (after having a Strat phobia for many years) and I've never looked back. The shielding is horrendous on them though - its well worth the effort of sorting that out.

Dord

dasdog wrote: »

Aren't the necks on these are made in the US? I got one last year (after having a Strat phobia for many years) and I've never looked back. The shielding is horrendous on them though - its well worth the effort of sorting that out.

Necks are made in the US and shipped to Mexico, final finishing is done in Mexico. Apparently Fender Mexico have the facilities to make necks (with some changes) in the future if Fender US wants them to.

Eoin Madsen

dasdog wrote: »

Aren't the necks on these are made in the US? I got one last year (after having a Strat phobia for many years) and I've never looked back. The shielding is horrendous on them though - its well worth the effort of sorting that out.

Why would they be any better if they were made in the US? I don't think the country of original or the nationalities of the workers are where the differences arise. I assume they apply different quality tolerances etc. Mex Strats are hit and miss, but that has nothing to do with Mexico. Besides, the US ones are pretty flakey these days as well, imo.

dasdog

Eoin Madsen wrote: »

Why would they be any better if they were made in the US? I don't think the country of original or the nationalities of the workers are where the differences arise. I assume they apply different quality tolerances etc. Mex Strats are hit and miss, but that has nothing to do with Mexico. Besides, the US ones are pretty flakey these days as well, imo.

I don't disagree with your sentiments. Just trying to confirm if what I was told was true. I tried several guitars before settling on the Mexican manufactured one I bought and it felt a lot better than the US ones I tried which were more expensive. It does seem to be hit and miss. Actually my most prized guitar is Japanese built (Charvel 750XL)

Voodu Child

Fender used to make rough necks in the US and ship them to Mexico for sanding/fretting/finishing etc. Im pretty sure the Mexican plant started making their own necks a couple of years ago. There is some crossover in some models though, where they might make them in one factory and assemble in the other etc. FWIW, the two factories are like only like 100 miles apart, so its just a case of throwing the guitars on a truck.

The Mexican strats are good guitars, nothing 'wrong' with them. But you have to accept that they're made to fall into a lower price-range than the USA strats. They save money on labour obviously, but they save it in other places too. Its just the company policy to build them to a cheaper standard, thats not a bad reflection of the location or workers in the factory, just company policy.

punk_one82

Thanks for the help lads.
I know exactly what I'm looking for so I think I will hold out until I can afford the Classic Players strat.
It may take awhile though.