Best Strat setup for surf

JObeast

Joined: Jul 24, 2012
Posts: 2762
Finknabad, Squinkistan
Turkmenistan

Posted on Feb 29 2016 10:43 PM

Asian Strat (includes Korean Danelectro) string spacing is 52.5 mm overall or 10.5 string-to string, which is 2 1/16th". Smaller than MIM or Japan.
This is all I have found so far in this narrow gauge:
Mojotone Fender Asian Strat Tremolo $25.75
Seems awfully cheap; I fear it will be 'pot metal' whatever that is.

—

Squink Out!

Last edited: Feb 29, 2016 22:58:34

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JObeast

Joined: Jul 24, 2012
Posts: 2762
Finknabad, Squinkistan
Turkmenistan

Posted on Feb 29 2016 11:41 PM

Found this:
$165.00 Callaham Mexican Std Model Strat Bridge
(2 1/16 mounting spacing and 2 1/16 string spacing)

Mexican Std Model: This is a complete assembly that is a direct replacement on Mexican Standard Guitars. It has a 2 1/16 string spacing and a 2 1/16 mounting spacing. And will work with any guitar with a 2 1/16 mounting spacing. It does not need to be a Fender guitar. If you have 2 1/16 mounting and a 1 3/4 body with vintage style routing, it will work.

This costs about 60% of the rest of the whole guitar. Is it worth it?

Callaham also sells bent steel saddles for $40 a set and an entire vintage-style hardtail bridge assembly for $69 that will fit my 1974 hardtail Strat and maybe make it sound and play a little more 60s.

—

Squink Out!

Last edited: Feb 29, 2016 23:56:37

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JObeast

Joined: Jul 24, 2012
Posts: 2762
Finknabad, Squinkistan
Turkmenistan

Posted on Jan 30 2018 10:16 AM

Belated update after playing ‘92 Mexi Strat for over a year with upgraded bridge:
I opted for a a standard US made (I think) Fender bridge and full vibrato block, all together less than $50 shipped. The slightly wider American bridge was no problem to install - I simply filled the 4 outside screw holes with glue and toothpicks, attached the bridge with the two center screws to insure proper alignment, and drilled new holes for the other four acres with the bridge plate in place. The infinitesimally wider spread of the strings is negligible and the guitar plays and sounds great. I got a Ken Rose custom AlNiCo pickup set with bridge pickup plate, sold the original Japanese-style ceramics for the same price and I’m happy as a clam with this surfy Strat. I wired the pickups with a blend pot and I love this thing. Best cheap rebuild/upgrade I’ve managed so far.

—

Squink Out!

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CrazyAces

Joined: Jul 31, 2012
Posts: 4054
Buffalo, N.Y.
3 News Pins

Posted on Jan 30 2018 10:47 AM

Glad your mods worked out on your Strat.
I've always found the blend pot to be very useful on Strats, especially on stage or recording.
Besides the neck and bridge pickup combo it can really make a sound "happen" or fit in a mix by being able to blend in a little of the other pickup here and there.

Oh and, Kluson now has a narrow spaced, Steel block, six fulcrum screw Strat bridge on the market.
I haven't tried one yet but I'm about to order and install a few.

Cheers,
Jeff

—

http://www.facebook.com/CrazyAcesMusic
http://www.youtube.com/user/crazyacesrock
http://www.reverbnation.com/crazyacesmusic

Last edited: Jan 30, 2018 10:49:05

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stratdancer

Joined: Dec 11, 2013
Posts: 2537
Akron, Ohio
United States

Posted on Jan 30 2018 12:31 PM

Nobody is a stronger advocate for the blender pot than me. Even Ivan said he's wiring all his strats that way ! Seriously. It takes a great group of tones and makes them greaterer!

—

The Kahuna Kings

https://www.facebook.com/pages/The-Kahuna-Kings/459752090818447

https://thekahunakings.bandcamp.com/releases

Last edited: Jan 30, 2018 12:31:50

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Samurai

Joined: Mar 14, 2006
Posts: 2294
Kiev, Ukraine
Ukraine

Posted on Oct 19 2019 08:49 AM

After getting a blender pot that mixes neck to bridge or bridge to neck I found myself using it more and more
My favorite one is a bridge with just a little neck added, it tames high end and gives more fullness
Second one is neck and bridge all the way together, great sound for Jaguar style rhythm with round highs and a very prominent reverb

—

Waikiki Makaki surf-rock band from Ukraine

https://linktr.ee/waikikimakaki

Lost Diver

https://lostdiver.bandcamp.com
https://soundcloud.com/vitaly-yakushin

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Samurai

Joined: Mar 14, 2006
Posts: 2294
Kiev, Ukraine
Ukraine

Posted on Oct 19 2019 08:51 AM

This is neck and bridge together

—

Waikiki Makaki surf-rock band from Ukraine

https://linktr.ee/waikikimakaki

Lost Diver

https://lostdiver.bandcamp.com
https://soundcloud.com/vitaly-yakushin

Top

stratdancer

Joined: Dec 11, 2013
Posts: 2537
Akron, Ohio
United States

Posted on Oct 19 2019 11:10 AM

That sounds great! If your into experimenting play with the height of the neck and bridge pickup. Mine are fairly exaggerated. The treble side is very close to the strings on both pickups. This helps me get that very bright jag tone. My jag tone is on the neck setting and the blender on 3-4.

—

The Kahuna Kings

https://www.facebook.com/pages/The-Kahuna-Kings/459752090818447

https://thekahunakings.bandcamp.com/releases

Top

Samurai

Joined: Mar 14, 2006
Posts: 2294
Kiev, Ukraine
Ukraine

Posted on Oct 19 2019 12:11 PM

stratdancer wrote:

That sounds great! If your into experimenting play with the height of the neck and bridge pickup. Mine are fairly exaggerated. The treble side is very close to the strings on both pickups. This helps me get that very bright jag tone. My jag tone is on the neck setting and the blender on 3-4.

But then the sound of bridge pickup would be too bright, and I use it a lot alone)

—

Waikiki Makaki surf-rock band from Ukraine

https://linktr.ee/waikikimakaki

Lost Diver

https://lostdiver.bandcamp.com
https://soundcloud.com/vitaly-yakushin

Top

JObeast Joined: Jul 24, 2012 Posts: 2762 Finknabad, Squinkistan	Posted on Feb 29 2016 10:43 PM Asian Strat (includes Korean Danelectro) string spacing is 52.5 mm overall or 10.5 string-to string, which is 2 1/16th". Smaller than MIM or Japan. This is all I have found so far in this narrow gauge: Mojotone Fender Asian Strat Tremolo $25.75 Seems awfully cheap; I fear it will be 'pot metal' whatever that is. — Squink Out! Last edited: Feb 29, 2016 22:58:34 Top
JObeast Joined: Jul 24, 2012 Posts: 2762 Finknabad, Squinkistan	Posted on Feb 29 2016 11:41 PM Found this: $165.00 Callaham Mexican Std Model Strat Bridge (2 1/16 mounting spacing and 2 1/16 string spacing) Mexican Std Model: This is a complete assembly that is a direct replacement on Mexican Standard Guitars. It has a 2 1/16 string spacing and a 2 1/16 mounting spacing. And will work with any guitar with a 2 1/16 mounting spacing. It does not need to be a Fender guitar. If you have 2 1/16 mounting and a 1 3/4 body with vintage style routing, it will work. This costs about 60% of the rest of the whole guitar. Is it worth it? Callaham also sells bent steel saddles for $40 a set and an entire vintage-style hardtail bridge assembly for $69 that will fit my 1974 hardtail Strat and maybe make it sound and play a little more 60s. — Squink Out! Last edited: Feb 29, 2016 23:56:37 Top
JObeast Joined: Jul 24, 2012 Posts: 2762 Finknabad, Squinkistan	Posted on Jan 30 2018 10:16 AM Belated update after playing ‘92 Mexi Strat for over a year with upgraded bridge: I opted for a a standard US made (I think) Fender bridge and full vibrato block, all together less than $50 shipped. The slightly wider American bridge was no problem to install - I simply filled the 4 outside screw holes with glue and toothpicks, attached the bridge with the two center screws to insure proper alignment, and drilled new holes for the other four acres with the bridge plate in place. The infinitesimally wider spread of the strings is negligible and the guitar plays and sounds great. I got a Ken Rose custom AlNiCo pickup set with bridge pickup plate, sold the original Japanese-style ceramics for the same price and I’m happy as a clam with this surfy Strat. I wired the pickups with a blend pot and I love this thing. Best cheap rebuild/upgrade I’ve managed so far. — Squink Out! Top
CrazyAces Joined: Jul 31, 2012 Posts: 4054 Buffalo, N.Y.	Posted on Jan 30 2018 10:47 AM Glad your mods worked out on your Strat. I've always found the blend pot to be very useful on Strats, especially on stage or recording. Besides the neck and bridge pickup combo it can really make a sound "happen" or fit in a mix by being able to blend in a little of the other pickup here and there. Oh and, Kluson now has a narrow spaced, Steel block, six fulcrum screw Strat bridge on the market. I haven't tried one yet but I'm about to order and install a few. Cheers, Jeff — http://www.facebook.com/CrazyAcesMusic http://www.youtube.com/user/crazyacesrock http://www.reverbnation.com/crazyacesmusic Last edited: Jan 30, 2018 10:49:05 Top
stratdancer Joined: Dec 11, 2013 Posts: 2537 Akron, Ohio	Posted on Jan 30 2018 12:31 PM Nobody is a stronger advocate for the blender pot than me. Even Ivan said he's wiring all his strats that way ! Seriously. It takes a great group of tones and makes them greaterer! — The Kahuna Kings https://www.facebook.com/pages/The-Kahuna-Kings/459752090818447 https://thekahunakings.bandcamp.com/releases Last edited: Jan 30, 2018 12:31:50 Top
Samurai Joined: Mar 14, 2006 Posts: 2294 Kiev, Ukraine	Posted on Oct 19 2019 08:49 AM After getting a blender pot that mixes neck to bridge or bridge to neck I found myself using it more and more My favorite one is a bridge with just a little neck added, it tames high end and gives more fullness Second one is neck and bridge all the way together, great sound for Jaguar style rhythm with round highs and a very prominent reverb — Waikiki Makaki surf-rock band from Ukraine https://linktr.ee/waikikimakaki Lost Diver https://lostdiver.bandcamp.com https://soundcloud.com/vitaly-yakushin Top
Samurai Joined: Mar 14, 2006 Posts: 2294 Kiev, Ukraine	Posted on Oct 19 2019 08:51 AM This is neck and bridge together — Waikiki Makaki surf-rock band from Ukraine https://linktr.ee/waikikimakaki Lost Diver https://lostdiver.bandcamp.com https://soundcloud.com/vitaly-yakushin Top
stratdancer Joined: Dec 11, 2013 Posts: 2537 Akron, Ohio	Posted on Oct 19 2019 11:10 AM That sounds great! If your into experimenting play with the height of the neck and bridge pickup. Mine are fairly exaggerated. The treble side is very close to the strings on both pickups. This helps me get that very bright jag tone. My jag tone is on the neck setting and the blender on 3-4. — The Kahuna Kings https://www.facebook.com/pages/The-Kahuna-Kings/459752090818447 https://thekahunakings.bandcamp.com/releases Top
Samurai Joined: Mar 14, 2006 Posts: 2294 Kiev, Ukraine	Posted on Oct 19 2019 12:11 PM stratdancer wrote: That sounds great! If your into experimenting play with the height of the neck and bridge pickup. Mine are fairly exaggerated. The treble side is very close to the strings on both pickups. This helps me get that very bright jag tone. My jag tone is on the neck setting and the blender on 3-4. But then the sound of bridge pickup would be too bright, and I use it a lot alone) — Waikiki Makaki surf-rock band from Ukraine https://linktr.ee/waikikimakaki Lost Diver https://lostdiver.bandcamp.com https://soundcloud.com/vitaly-yakushin Top

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Best Strat setup for surf