Breathing new life into an abused Strat

I made a bad trade online a few years ago and ended up with a MIM franken-strat in HSS p/up configuration (:oops:). It has dead spots all over the fretboard, and some genius replaced the stock hardware with cheap gold junk. I'm currently using it as a backup for my G&L, but it's not doing that great at that, either.

So far all I've done is replaced the gold/plastic tuning machines with chrome Schallers. I'd like to have a tech replace the crap gold bridge with a chrome hardtail, but don't even know if Strats are routed in such a way to make this possible.

While they're setting it up/gutting it I'd also like to upgrade the pickups as the mexican HSS that are in there sound dull as all get out. Any suggestions for a nice set to swap in (I dig a true, clean strat tone!).

Sorry for being so long-winded, and thanks for your responses in advance!

A hardtail bridge won't work. Just get a MIM standard chrome bridge & block it (jam a hardwood block in between the tremolo block & the body). Then it's essentially a hardtail. As for the pickups, I'm a big fan of Bill Lawrence Keystones. They have a nice, clean strat tone & they won't break the bank.

Bob

Before I replaced the pickups, I'd change out the junk hardware. You're likely to find that that eliminates the dullness you're hearing.

Alright, what pickups would you suggest for a good, clean strat tone? I've looked at Bill Lawrence, Duncans, and the Fender '54s and '69s. Leaning toward either the Bill Lawrence (heard they're a good bang for the buck), or the Fender 54s. Thoughts?

Get the "Dover" pickups from David Allen. He's well known around here and makes great pups. The Dovers will give you an awesome EJ type clean and it's very addicting. Tell him I sent ya. :grin:

Also, plenty of video demos on the link as well.

http://www.dallenpickups.com/Dover_p/vp%20dovr.htm

I also have these. They are a more traditional strat pickup. Pretty hot, but not to much. They chime for days. Here's a video of a friend playing one of my strat builds with the Hot 54's in it. Barry is playing directly into a Budda amp. No pedals. It's his fingers and the oly white guitar.

http://www.dallenpickups.com/DAllenPickups_CS_Hot_Vintage_Pickups_p/vp-ht5459.htm

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