Squier Deluxe Stratocaster

[glenc]

Dunno man, I had one of these and honestly - not a darn thing needed improvement other than just a quick setup and such. I deck my trems usually, but I kept the pups, the tuners, etc. They were bright - but that can be dealt with by using the volume and tone knobs on the guitar, and the tone stack on the amp.

Thanks for your thoughts on my situation. Sound ideas and the least expensive. But as noted the nut need work. Regarding the blocking of the tremolo, the only references have been to deck it, as you put it. Whereas on youtube there are several noted alternatives. I have no personal knowledge on what is correct and have been hoping for some ideas on the differences. Currently I have wooden dowels in front of the block, sized to hold the trem, level to the body.
I believe I just don't like the tuners rather than them having a real problem. Well diagnosed by the forum members!!
As to the brightness, the guitar really does muddy up with it's tone controls. Could be I just don't have the real knack, have generally never used them.

 

[Peltogyne]

Went to do the lubing the nut and found that each the wound strings were difficult to pull out of the nut slot and all the strings were well below the top of the nut.

I find since we can get files in exact sizes some people think you must use the exact size file as the string gauge. I think this is a mistake and think the sides of the slot should not contact the string. Also I trim a nut down so the slot depth is just a little more than half the string width but that's more of a craftsmanship thing than a tuning necessity.

 

[glenc]

I find since we can get files in exact sizes some people think you must use the exact size file as the string gauge. I think this is a mistake and think the sides of the slot should not contact the string. Also I trim a nut down so the slot depth is just a little more than half the string width but that's more of a craftsmanship thing than a tuning necessity.

So I will get this problem addressed and that should help. Having the sides large enough to allow me to go up to 10s, in case I can't get used to the 9's.
Thanks for the info!!

 

[Platefire]

Well self confession about set ups. One thing I stay away from it fretwork. On the nut I have replaced broken nuts but never had to file a nut slot because never had one clinging. Probably because I use .009's exclusively. If I ever need to, I would do just like I always do, do a google search on it, read up and tackle it.

Regarding have the string sitting half in and out of the slot, I would have to replace every nut on all my guitars because they all have the top of the string even of below the top of the nut with the exception of maybe the big E or A in some cases. I have read that several times regarding nut set up but haven't quite bought it yet, will need some more convincing:>) Platefire

 

[Platefire]

Well, there are a few- the Five Two is one of my favorite Strat pickups in an overtly bright guitar. It keeps A5 magnets on the low end for piano-like snap, and uses A2 magnets on the top 3 so they don't sound so plinky. The other option is the Alnico II Flats, which use A2 magnets for all poles for a darker Strat sound, or balance in an extremely bright guitar.

Thanks for the recommendations. I went to the site and checked them out.
I've learned to never say never regarding mods to my axes. Even though I'm pretty happy with it today, tomorrow I may be ready for a change and from past experience most well researched mods turns out to be an improvement. Platefire

 

[glenc]

Saw that someone was using 300 grit sandpaper to widen the slot, staying away from the bottom. Might give that a try!

 

[Platefire]

OK, let us know how things work out and if the Deluxe is a keeper. Platefire

 

[Brian Krashpad]

I bought one of those Deluxes, a Daphne, a couple years ago when I had been Stratless for a year or two. I was shocked at how nice it was, despite the country of origin and the unconventional body wood choice. Played it in church regularly, or at least as regularly as I play Strats. Kept it dead stock, had no problem with the DDs.

Fwiw, ymmv.

(image removed)

 

[gims]

I bought one, same color, a few years ago. I ended up giving it to my nephew as he wanted to learn. I regret it. It is possibly my favorite strat I have ever owned. I have an American Special now and don't find it as comfortable to play. I also loved the pickups. Underrated guitar.

 

[t guitar floyd]

Glenc . . . regarding 300 grit, start with 400 and then smooth w/ 600. Also. tone controls are the best way to cut thin tone. Roll it back just a bit. Some people wire the bridge pu to the bottom tone pot; I do on some Strats, but if not, I stay off the bridge pu alone as it can get piercing.

 

[glenc]

OK, let us know how things work out and if the Deluxe is a keeper. Platefire

I think I am going to try another tech, maybe at local GC. Not feeling really confident without the appropriate tools and they are not inexpensive.
Thanks!!

 

[glenc]

I bought one of those Deluxes, a Daphne, a couple years ago when I had been Stratless for a year or two. I was shocked at how nice it was, despite the country of origin and the unconventional body wood choice. Played it in church regularly, or at least as regularly as I play Strats. Kept it dead stock, had no problem with the DDs.

Fwiw, ymmv.

(image removed)

Sounds great. I find I like the guitar. So the nut on yours did not bind the wound strings, like mine? The rest would seem to be personal taste. On a Blues Jr. Amp, much better tones can be gotten IMHO, regarding the PUs.
Where was yours made?
Good luck!

 

[glenc]

I have to agree it seems a very nice guitar. I also still like the Squier Affinity though the neck is quite different. I must say I wouldn't an American Standard though!

 

[glenc]

Glenc . . . regarding 300 grit, start with 400 and then smooth w/ 600. Also. tone controls are the best way to cut thin tone. Roll it back just a bit. Some people wire the bridge pu to the bottom tone pot; I do on some Strats, but if not, I stay off the bridge pu alone as it can get piercing.

Howdy t quitar floyd,
I believe I am going to try a different tech. Not confident on the repair. It looks like a lot of the nut must be cut as the strings are well below the top as well as sticking and not breaking properly. My home use and allowable volumes limit my options but as mentioned it does sound better to me on a Blues Jr. Amp!
Thanks

 

[Brian Krashpad]

Sounds great. I find I like the guitar. So the nut on yours did not bind the wound strings, like mine? The rest would seem to be personal taste. On a Blues Jr. Amp, much better tones can be gotten IMHO, regarding the PUs.
Where was yours made?
Good luck!

I didn't have any problems with the nut binding, no. Iirc, mine was made in Indonesia.

I would've held onto it indefinitely, but a Fender Classic Series 50's Strat came up on local craigslist for a great price (the seller apparently thought is was a Standard MIM, which streets about $300 less than the Classics, which sell new for $800 USD). I always try to have one Strat, but since I'm not really a Strat guy, I sold the Squier Deluxe to a friend and former bandmate to recoup some of the already-low price I paid for the Fender Classic 50's. Win-win.

Here's my current one Strat:

I doubt I'll ever sell this'un.

 

[Platefire]

Brian

Like your 50's strat, reminds me of mine. I've got a 97 CIJ 50's RI that I had for about 15 years, definitely a keeper. I sold my original 50's type pickups/electronics and installed pickups and electronics from an American Special strat that are Texas Specials. Platefire

 

[Platefire]

I've got a question for all you Deluxe Squire Owners that have commented on this thread.
Where did you find out about this guitar and where did you get yours???

The reason I ask is I found out about them by stumbling across them quite by accident just surfing on the net. I went to my local GC(80 miles away). They not only didn't have any but never heard of them. Same situation in other music stores in the same city. Also none of the main music supply catalogs ever list them in their guitar lineup such as Musicians Friend or AMS. They do have them at their on line sites but if you were not already looking for them you probably wouldn't run across them.

Most people agree that these are outstanding deals for a very well made strat with some decent stock pickups at a very budget price!! Then why are they so low key, hidden and kept out of site and not promoted more by Fender?? The Affinitys and Bullets are our front in stores and catalogs. It's almost like they are ashamed of them. They describe them as a "Class Act" in their description but are not treated like a Class Act by Fender. Like a very well kept secret. Platefire

 

[Brian Krashpad]

I've got a question for all you Deluxe Squire Owners that have commented on this thread.
Where did you find out about this guitar and where did you get yours???

The reason I ask is I found out about them by stumbling across them quite by accident just surfing on the net. I went to my local GC(80 miles away). They not only didn't have any but never heard of them. Same situation in other music stores in the same city. Also none of the main music supply catalogs ever list them in their guitar lineup such as Musicians Friend or AMS. They do have them at their on line sites but if you were not already looking for them you probably wouldn't run across them.

Most people agree that these are outstanding deals for a very well made strat with some decent stock pickups at a very budget price!! Then why are they so low key, hidden and kept out of site and not promoted more by Fender?? The Affinitys and Bullets are our front in stores and catalogs. It's almost like they are ashamed of them. They describe them as a "Class Act" in their description but are not treated like a Class Act by Fender. Like a very well kept secret. Platefire

I found mine on local craigslist for some ridiculously low price, probably around a Benjamin. At the time there was also a Squier standard from a different seller, and I took the very unusual step (for me) of buying them both and holding onto them for a month or so doing a "shootout." The Deluxe won, hands down, both aesthetically and as a player.

The Squier Classic Vibe series gets a lot of accolades, but it seems to me that the Deluxes are just behind them price-wise, and are at least their equal on a bang-for-buck basis.

 

[Platefire]

I did the very same thing with Epi Les Pauls. I bought a LP Studio and also the Black Standard at very good prices on e-bay that came up at the same time with "Buy it now" prices and I snapped them up. I played both of them for several months and the studio won out. Platefire

 

[RobStevens]

Tuning issues

I started hearing about these about 5 years ago. Went to the GC in Roseville, CA, and took one down from the guitar wall only to discover that is was so poorly setup that is wasn't playable. A few months later I found one in a small music store in Bend, Oregon. The owner of the store had done a great job with the setup and I bought it. It was my first maple fretboard and I loved it, but I had some of the same tuning issues. I replaced the tuners with some lockers, replaced the string trees and blocked the tremelo. Now it stays in tune beautifully. I have several guitars that are more expensive, but this is my favorite. I like it so much, I bought a second one (both white) and am converting it to P-90s that I got from StewMac.

The only other issue that I have had is that the fretboard did not have a finish and it started looking dirty. I removed the strings and used one of those white poly erasers on it to clean it. Then I sealed it with Minwax wipe on polyurethane, let it sit for a few minutes then wiped off the excess. It has been clean ever since.