my new 79 Strat and a few questions

...So I saw this 1979 Strat in the local store. I have always wanted a 70's strat (I was 11 when it was made) and it didn't take long before I took her home. got a very fair price on it. All original, pups dated 78, overall in good condition , definatly a player. Frets a little worn, but not too bad, and it was GRIMY 30 years of muck. I like a relic'ed look but not someone elses grime all over it
I have a few questions first and then I will post some pics.
1. the pups sound nice but the bridge pup when selected is very "microphonic" ?? tap on pickguard and it is very loud. when I touch the strings it does get quieter.
2. I put on the extra Callaham pickguard shield I had and the guitar is louder now??? did I need to move a wire?
I sprayed contact cleaner in the pots.
3. if you look at the photo of the bridge saddles the previous owner seems to have filed grooves into the saddles. Should I replace them with callaham/fender saddles instead??
4. take a look at the photo of the control cavity it was re routed after the polly was applied , at the factory..
Overall very happy, its heavy , has a cool vibe to it and the neck is fairly wide with a C profile, very nice feeling neck.
http://i262.photobucket.com/albums/ii120/markocaster_photo/P1020639.jpg
http://i262.photobucket.com/albums/ii120/markocaster_photo/P1020650.jpg
http://i262.photobucket.com/albums/ii120/markocaster_photo/P1020653.jpg
http://i262.photobucket.com/albums/ii120/markocaster_photo/P1020655.jpg

Here's my 1979 Strat.

http://i222.photobucket.com/albums/dd236/Dave_Lp_Strat/webP7240109-1.jpg

There are some cheap Strat kits available from Fender and your music dealer. One is the screw kit that contains all the chrome plated screws that are rusty on most Strats. It includes the pickguard screws and the allen screws that set bridge saddle height, as well as various other screws that typically rust on Strats. It's an inexpensive repair that dresses up the appearance with little work.

Nice guitar. I had a '79 Anni. with a maple body (10.2 lbs) and I suspect yours does too if it's heavy. Good luck with her.

Sure that was maple Strat God? Fender was very fond of real heavy ash back in the 70's when everyone thought "sustain" was of such ultimate importance. I never saw a maple body Strat from Fender. I could be wrong though.

Nice guitar. I had a '79 Anni. with a maple body (10.2 lbs) and I suspect yours does too if it's heavy. Good luck with her.

Its not maple its ash.

I think it is Ash but not for certain (did a little reading up on it)
I like the rusty screws etc...just removing the grime and leaving her as is :)