Fender Squier Bullet

[Rob DiStefano]

Geez, MF has'em for $99/shipped and they're touted as having a solid basswood body and a vintage Strat neck with 1.625" nut width. I'm hooked, I'm curious - ordered a brown sunburst for $89/shipped with an MF coupon ... could be fun!

[TELE_BLUES]

I put a new nut on one of those the other day for a kid down the street.He said he bashed it into a cymbal,oh to be a 15 year old rocker again.I thought it was a decent guitar.The thin body was kinda cool and it really needed no other work to play well.I was going to look into the cost of getting one then got sidetracked.Thanks for the heads up i order a daphne blue one.Post a small review of your when you get it and i'll do the same.If the one i recieve is as good as the one i fixed i'dbe pretty happy.

[whodatpat]

My first guitar is a Squire Bullet, and I am really happy with it, but I think I will upgrate the electronics on it. I love the neck, but now that I have my MIM standard Tele it gets little play.

[viking]

Whats the difference between these and a regular Strat ?
Never seen them overhere .....

[Rob DiStefano]

Originally Posted by viking

Whats the difference between these and a regular Strat ?
Never seen them overhere .....

Whose "regular Strat" ... Squier standard, Fender MIM?

The Bullet has a thin 1.625" thick basswood body (solid wood, and thin like the Affinity alder body), the single coil pups have ceramic underslung magnets, the nut width is purportedly 1.625" (hmmm, we'll 'bout dat ...), pot metal trem I'm sure, and I'll bet that the electronics will all need to be changed out.

[Jimo]

I got a daphne blue one in today---I am ordering another tomorrow---I am anxious to hear what you think-------------cheers!-----JIMO

[boris bubbanov]

What do you guys think about the effect the bridge assembly will have on playability?
I'm just doing the devil's advocate thing, but how do you get around this part?

Much obliged,

Bubbanov

[aunchaki]

A friend gave me a Squier Bullet neck last year. It has a rosewood board and truss rod adjustment at the heel. The heel wasn't quite Strat shaped. It was a little uneven and more square (like a Tele heel) I filed and sanded it to what I think is a proper Strat hape. It has the extra fret overhang (which I may remove).

With the heel-adjusted truss rod and the petite headstock (which I really like), I'm making a '62-style Strat out of it. I tinted and refinished the neck (gloss on headstock, satin everywhere else). Now, I'm waiting on some parts for the final build (I also have to plug and redrill the holes in the neck pocket of my Squier body, they're off-center.

I like the neck just fine, but would like to hear your reviews of complete Bullets!

I'm posting before and after pics:

[Rob DiStefano]

Originally Posted by aunchaki

...I'm posting before and after pics:

Don't get much better 'n that!

[aunchaki]

Originally Posted by Rob DiStefano

Don't get much better 'n that!

The petite Bullet headstock is great. I'm not a fan of the giant paddle headstocks of the 70s. I ran into some issues (some that you can see, others are hidden), but am happy so far. The neck had tiny holes for tuners--even smaller than vintage. I needed to ream them out, but didn't have the $$ to invest in a proper reamer. I used a drill with so-so results. If you look closely around some bushings, you'll see where the drill bit gouged and tore at the wood. I can probably find bushings with a larger flange to hide my shame...

I also had to come to grips with the decal issue. I'm proud of my non-Fender necks. Both my Teles (one Squier, one Fender) have Squier necks with Squier decals. For this project, however, I'm going for a "period-correct" 1962 look-and-feel, so I decided to compromise my ethics and use an aftermarket decal. Normally, I'd have some issues with it.

BTW, I didn't mean to hijack this thread. Go Bullets!!

[TELE_BLUES]

Wow nice job on that neck,as far as the defects don't sweat the small stuff.What it is compared to what is was is a big improvement.Igotta come down your way next week and stop at the HD shop

[Steve G]

Hey Rob, would be interested to see how that neck works out. Its just mix n match and whatevers in the parts box when they churn out these squiers sometimes!

[Jimo]

I have a "Fiesta Red" one winging its way to Oklahoma to keep its "Daphne Blue" sister company. There was a little green in the daphne blue by the way edging toward "seafoam green" but that may have been a trick of the light. I hope this next one is as good as the daphne blue one. cheers!----JIMO

[boris bubbanov]

Originally Posted by aunchaki

Looks really good, any problem around the tuner post is all but invisible, don't worry about it.

Yer right, that's a great headstock shape.


Bubbanov

[Bill]

A few months ago I bought a new, hardtail white one with rosewood neck at Guitar Center. Went in planning to buy a second Squire '51 they were blowing out for $70. Negotiated to buy the Bullet Squier Strat for the $70 instead. One thing in it's favor is that it's nice and light at 6 pounds, 2 ounces.

For what it's worth, I was comparing it next to Custom Shop '62 and '56 Strat reissues through a reissue Fender Bassman. I liked the Bullet better. Sounded warmer, more complex.

I know that's impossible. I know my ears are misleading me.

I also know I've owned original 50's and 60's Strats, and I liked the sound of that cheap little Squier.

[Rob DiStefano]

The brown sunburst Bullet arrived about 1/2 hour ago - wow, what a deal ... the neck is nice and "chunky" with a 1.657" nut width, it reminds me of those great S'51 necks, excellent! The basswood grain of the 3pc body is really nice, no concerns or issues there. The expected bad news - ceramic pups, mini pots, stamped junker 5-way, junker Asian jack, and the tuners are total crap - all of which are no big deal for me.

And now folks, on to the fun part - the mods, the mods!!!

[bek]

I won one of those in a raffle a few years back, but it was the hardtail version, which I prefer. A setup and a Deaf-Eddie Fat-O-Caster switch is all I've done so far. My tech was amazed, great sound. Going to replace the pickguard and go for an s-s-h setup. I'd really like to go the other way, putting either a Tele bridge on and putting the bucker in the neck or just leaving the original hardtail and using a Rio Stelly and some bucker in the neck, a la Robin Ranger. To me, that seems like it would be best -- Tele at the bridge, LP-ish at the neck (perhaps splittable to a passable Strat neck sound) and some quack in there. A good set of tuners will be necessary, but it's really good as-is; it's the Fat-O that does it. Love the lightness!

[Jimo]

Originally Posted by Rob DiStefano

The brown sunburst Bullet arrived about 1/2 hour ago - wow, what a deal ... the neck is nice and "chunky" with a 1.657" nut width, it reminds me of those great S'51 necks, excellent! The basswood grain of the 3pc body is really nice, no concerns or issues there. The expected bad news - ceramic pups, mini pots, stamped junker 5-way, junker Asian jack, and the tuners are total crap - all of which are no big deal for me.

And now folks, on to the fun part - the mods, the mods!!!

A Heck of a Deal! What tuners are you going to go with?

[TELE_BLUES]

I just checked the UPS site mine will be here MONDAY.I'll get all the parts out and when she gets here it's going right in the basement and under the knife. It's Good to hear the neck is not to narrow as that was my biggest concern. I expected to replace the p.u.'s and electronic components so that's no biggie.I've been gassin' for a cheapo daphne blue guitar for a long while ever since i saw a daphne blue relic strat on relicguitars.com so much so i was fixin' to get the rustoleum harbor blue out and go to town on somthin! i'm so happy it's a strat because i've got a big ol box of extra strat parts i have'nt had my greasy hands in for a long long time.I just finished redoing the p.u. and elctronics on my new tv yellow epi l.p. junior the other day and was looking for somthing to fool with so this came along at just the right time.If i like the the daphne blue one i might just order a shell pink one and make a cheapo tribute to my beloved old beat to death circa '80 first partscaster "STINKY PINK MALONE"

[Steve G]

Originally Posted by Rob DiStefano

The brown sunburst Bullet arrived about 1/2 hour ago - wow, what a deal ... the neck is nice and "chunky" with a 1.657" nut width, it reminds me of those great S'51 necks, excellent! The basswood grain of the 3pc body is really nice, no concerns or issues there. The expected bad news - ceramic pups, mini pots, stamped junker 5-way, junker Asian jack, and the tuners are total crap - all of which are no big deal for me.

And now folks, on to the fun part - the mods, the mods!!!

All good news
Go Rob Go!

[boris bubbanov]

Originally Posted by Rob DiStefano

The expected bad news - ceramic pups, mini pots, stamped junker 5-way, junker Asian jack, and the tuners are total crap -

Truth now, Rob. You were gonna replace this stuff with your own personal recipe, anyway. I guess it'd have been nice if the pups were sellable, but if the body and neck are right, I know you're excited.

Nice to hear that the neck is Squier 51 sized. I'm waitin' for the asian guys to start putting boatnecks and fatbacks on these, till then my 2 + 1/2 dozen indonesian Squiers will have to do.


Bubbanov

[Steve G]

Just got a beat up one of ebay, primarily for the neck as I can actually sell all the other bits to pay for it.



Its a 22 fret neck though, anyone have any tips for cleanly taking a fret off? Ive never had a use for a 22nd fret in my life.

One last thing, Boris, what do you do with all those squiers?

[boris bubbanov]

Originally Posted by Steve G

Its a 22 fret neck though, anyone have any tips for cleanly taking a fret off? Ive never had a use for a 22nd fret in my life.

One last thing, Boris, what do you do with all those squiers?

I don't think you can safely remove the fret; you're gonna disturb some wood, it will look funky.

I keep painting and modding on 'em, using them as test beds, and when one guitar is as far as it can go, I give 'em to my kin or to folks that have helped me get along in this lil mess we have going down here. Anything you can learn about modding on a $ 69 Squier 51 that will help prevent a $ 800 guitar mod from being buggered is good economy to me.

Bubbanov

[Rob DiStefano]

Originally Posted by Steve G

... Its a 22 fret neck though, anyone have any tips for cleanly taking a fret off? Ive never had a use for a 22nd fret in my life. ...

I remove the 22nd fret with fret pulling pliers, fill the fret slot with a CYA glued slat of wood stained as near to the fingerboard color as possible, run the neck heel back on stationary sanding wheel to remove most of the hang-over, then finish up with hand sanding and some clear coats.

[Steve G]

Originally Posted by boris bubbanov

I don't think you can safely remove the fret; you're gonna disturb some wood, it will look funky.

I keep painting and modding on 'em, using them as test beds, and when one guitar is as far as it can go, I give 'em to my kin or to folks that have helped me get along in this lil mess we have going down here. Anything you can learn about modding on a $ 69 Squier 51 that will help prevent a $ 800 guitar mod from being buggered is good economy to me.

Bubbanov

Makes sense to me Mr. B, they're great fun to mod and play with. I've tried pulling a fret a fret before and it certainly wound up looking 'funky', however -

Originally Posted by Rob DiStefano

I remove the 22nd fret with fret pulling pliers, fill the fret slot with a CYA glued slat of wood stained as near to the fingerboard color as possible, run the neck heel back on stationary sanding wheel to remove most of the hang-over, then finish up with hand sanding and some clear coats.

..maybe I'll give it a go with your method Rob. I was probably a little aggressive with the sander last time

I just dont like the look of a 22 fret neck more than anyhting.

Thanks for your help guys, look forward to seeing your guit modded Rob.

[Jimo]

The RED one came in and it is just a beautiful as the blue--maybe prettier---no fret sprout---perfect paint---light--even if I have to change everything but the neck and body-(as I intended) --still a great deal--best $100 you can spend as far as I am concerned. cheers!------JIMO

[TELE_BLUES]

O.K who has recieved one of these?Mine is lost somewhere in the UPS system,tried to order another in the meantime but they're backordered now.Who has what mods planned?

[Jimo]

and I am waiting to see what Rob is going to do---so I can copy him ------cheers!-----JIMO

[Steve G]

Originally Posted by Jimo

and I am waiting to see what Rob is going to do---so I can copy him ------cheers!-----JIMO

+1 ..with baited breath..

[Rob DiStefano]

Geez, the mods ain't that earth shattering, but I like 'em. I dressed the frets and polished 'em, oiled the board, ambered the neck with ReRanch butterscotch nitro then clear coated over that, Kluson tuners, vintage bone nut, Keystone pups, CTS pots w/neck blender, CRL 5-way, Switchcraft jack, creme knobs. Weighs 7lbs 2ozs, feels good in the hands, plays like a dream and the Keystones are cat's meow ... YMMV ... I have a white Bullet Strat en route now ... me likey!

[pango_twango]

Just curious.... I know it's hard to quantify such things, but how bad do the stock pickups sound? E.g., are they worthless, or is it more of a "not as good as the ones I have lying around" situation?

[Rob DiStefano]

Originally Posted by pango_twango

Just curious.... I know it's hard to quantify such things, but how bad do the stock pickups sound? E.g., are they worthless, or is it more of a "not as good as the ones I have lying around" situation?

Stock pickups use ceramic magnets. I never even played this guitar when it arrived, I immediately cut off the strings and took it all apart.

[Steve G]

Looks good Rob. One day I may ask you to make one for me!

[Steve G]

Probably an obvious question but what the hell, what do you oil the fretboard with? Lemon oil?

[Rob DiStefano]

Originally Posted by Steve G

Probably an obvious question but what the hell, what do you oil the fretboard with? Lemon oil?

Most any natural oil sans sillycones or polymers - I use either raw lemon oil ... or Scott's Liquid Gold furniture polish!

[Jimo]

Did you have to ream out the holes for the tuners or are there some that fit?----cheers!----JIMO

[Rob DiStefano]

Originally Posted by Jimo

Did you have to ream out the holes for the tuners or are there some that fit?----cheers!----JIMO

Yes - the Kluson shafts fit fine, but the holes were too small for the shaft ferrules and I drilled out each tuner hole top halfway.

[Mr Joad]

I really envy you guys..A squier bullet costs 140 Euros=204 dollars here in Finland

I´d like a sunburst like Rob´s. And the tinted neck is awsome. Nice work!

[Bill]

Originally Posted by Rob DiStefano

Stock pickups use ceramic magnets. I never even played this guitar when it arrived, I immediately cut off the strings and took it all apart.

Too bad you didn't give the stock pickups a listen first. The ones that came in my hardtail Bullet Squier sounded very warm, much warmer than the '56 and '62 Custom Shop models I tried them against, without being muddy. Maybe some of that sound is due to the model I got being a hardtail, but I really like the sound.

[boris bubbanov]

I think Rob was on a mission.

I think with something like a Bullet, some parts, including pickups, are way better on one guitar than another. I would never say 'all bullet pups are good' or 'all bullet pups are bad'. It is, more than almost any other Squier model, the luck of the draw.

We need to find a guru who can tell which contractor is making which batch, which batches are the ones to look for; but again that probably changed every month 3 years ago and changes every week now.


Bubbanov

This way Rob can sell the Bullet pups and as a vendor say: 'dunno, never tried 'em'.