New Strat copy

[Mid Life Crisis]

Hi, just thought I'd show you a picture of my new cheapo Strat. Its a Richwood whcih I got off ebay for £75. The seller seems to have put a different neck on for some reason.

I bought it so I could learn the ropes on upgrading. Ultimately I would like it to be like a 62 RI. As you can see it is already a nice CAR colour with a green guard. I plan on installing new pickups, a decent bridge, nut, knobs and tuners. First off though I'm going to sort out the neck - there's some bad buzzing at the 6th fret so I'm going to have a go at fret levelling, and the fret ends are sharp so they're gonna get filed smooth. At the same time I'll smooth off the fretboard edge. I'm also going to refinish the neck to get a slightly more amber tone.

I'll keep you posted on progress (unless I make a complete pig's ear of it!).

[Mid Life Crisis]

Here's how it looks now.

I've installed a better, vintage bridge with Wilkinson vintage saddles, GFS 60s Repro staggered pickups and last night a MIJ 62 neck with tuners, scored off ebay. I was planning on improving the existing neck, but discovered a few problems - the headstock was oversized, preventing normal Kluson-style tuners from fitting, there was a split in the wood around one of the screw holes in the heel, and to make matters worse the truss rod did not work. Luckily I got the new neck for a really good price, and it fits fine, only needing a shim on one side to keep it straight.

What does it sound like - amazing! It is my favourite guitar, and I much prefer it over my MIA standard. The tonal range is very full, the pickups responsive, the trem works a treat, and the new neck is a joy to play - I had learned with my 62 Tele that my hands prefer a chunkier neck than the modern one on the MIA Strat.

In total it has cost me about £200, not bad for a guitar that is so good I can't stop playing it.

Hope you like the pics.

[Axis29]

Fun, these cheap strats, huh?

Congrats on the budget build.

[c.ray.jones]

I like it. Ive never been a big fan of red guitars but that red/white looks great!

[F1rocco]

One day Im gonna build me one.........Nice Build

[cradlehall]

Originally Posted by Mid Life Crisis

...........It is my favourite guitar, and I much prefer it over my MIA standard..........

That's a real compliment to your new reconditioned geetar. Good job, well done. It looks good.

[Mid Life Crisis]

Originally Posted by cradlehall

That's a real compliment to your new reconditioned geetar. Good job, well done. It looks good.

Cheers. It really does play and sound like a dream. I can't recommend those GFS pickups highly enough.

I'm thinking of selling the MIA Std now that I realise after owning it for 15years that I'm just not comfortable with the thin neck, and getting an alternative Strat. I don't know whether to go for a CIJ 68 or maybe the MIM Classic 60's or Classic Player 60's.

[guitarzan13]

Well Done!