Upgrades for Fender MIM Squier Series strat?

[Ansantoro32]

Hey all,
I have one of those notorious 1995 MIM "squier series" strats with the black Fender logo on the headstock, and I'm looking to upgrade the hardware. The thing plays like an absolute dream, I just need it to stay in tune better for some Jeff Beck licks and the occasional Hendrix noise fest. Any recommendations as far as tuners or other adjustments I should make? Thanks!

 

[oramac7891]

I like the fender vintage tuners in nickel

 

[Matthias]

For heavy trem use, locking tuners wouldn't go amiss (not used them myself, mind) but you could also get the nut professionally looked at and possibly replaced.

 

[charliebrown]

Coincidence...

Hey all,
I have one of those notorious 1995 MIM "squier series" strats with the black Fender logo on the headstock, and I'm looking to upgrade the hardware. The thing plays like an absolute dream, I just need it to stay in tune better for some Jeff Beck licks and the occasional Hendrix noise fest. Any recommendations as far as tuners or other adjustments I should make? Thanks!

There's a few threads and internet articles on these Strats: Bodies and necks made in Corona, shippped to Mexico for electronics, some finish work and assembly...nice stuff to know, but they're really a good, solid foundation to build on and, if everything works properly on yours, it's good to play as - is until you feel the need or have to replace parts. That being said, I can tell you my experience with two of these instruments:

I "rebuilt" one of those Fender "Squier Series" Black label guitars for my brother about 5 years ago. I played it recently and decided to look for one and found one for myself. Having gone through 2 of these, my recommendations are:

Tuners: I used Grover Classic "slot head" on both guitars. IMHO, they are the best "vintage replacement" tuners available.

Saddles: Pick up a set of Fender vintage steel saddles to replace the pot metal saddles. I like them. I hate pot-metal saddles...just a pet peeve of mine.

Pickups, switch and potentiometers. Get some CTS pots, a good 5 way switch and wire them in (or have it done if you're inexperienced).

Pickups are your choice. The pickups in those guitars are MIM Standard pickups. Lots of people like them. Ceramic magnets are not all that bad unless you're into "vintage" stuff. I hate 60 cycle hum, so Dimarzio Area pickups went into both guitars.

I changed the pickguard on both guitars. If you go to a 3-ply guard, bear in mind you will have to drill extra holes to mount it. That may or may not bother you. If it does, use the original pickguard.
My brother's Strat is Olympic White, so he put a nice tortoise shell guard on his. Mine is Dakota red and I had a Fender Parchment White 3-ply guard in a drawer here, so that went on mine.

Both guitars are wonderfully playing instruments. Bought each one at a "crazy price". We have well under $350 into each one counting the price of the guitar and all upgrades. I love mne and my brother plays his over his American Ultra. Wierd. It is what it is. They just both turned out to be great guitars.

Of course I have no idea how comfortable or knowledgable you are setting up and working on guitars. Take the time to save up if need be to have someone do it for you if you're not confinent. Don't take chances. Patience is always key.

As for the Trem? Make sure the trem is set up to float according to Fender Specs. Lube the saddles and nut with Vaseline. Lube the string tree with Chapstick (a little under the saddle with a toothpick will do ya). I've had zero problems with my trem or my brother's.

 

[Ansantoro32]

Wow, thanks for all the info! This is some great stuff, I'm hopefully getting started soon once I can raise some funds. The bit about the origin of the parts is great too, I heard the body and neck were American made somewhere before but I had no idea about the other stuff. Thanks a lot, can't wait to get started!

 

[charliebrown]

Awesome!

Wow, thanks for all the info! This is some great stuff, I'm hopefully getting started soon once I can raise some funds. The bit about the origin of the parts is great too, I heard the body and neck were American made somewhere before but I had no idea about the other stuff. Thanks a lot, can't wait to get started!

Take your time with it and don't go overboard on upgrades. Most everyone here will verify that these Strats were finished/painted in polyurethane/polyester paint. Don't lose any sleep over that. Some great American insteuments have no or little "lacquer" in the finish and sound great.
The pots, switch and pickup replacement alone will make an "ok" guitar into a very nice one. Once that's done, tuners and bridge saddles are easy to do at a later date. Prioritize your upgrades according to your budget. Play it as is for awhile and see if you like the neck, the sustain, etc. I played the first one for several months before I swapped any parts. If money is tight, I suggest you do the same and have fun! Do what YOU feel needs to be upgraded first. You're the player, so let your instincts lead you.

 

[gypsyseven]

I like the fender vintage tuners in nickel

+1 on those Fender or get some Klusons...

 

[charliebrown]

+1 on those Fender or get some Klusons...

I'd suggest Grover vintage instead. Takes awhile to order and get them, but well worth the time and effort and they look as nice as Kluson and perform better, imho.

 

[rangercaster]

even the lowest grade tuners will work fine ... if the guitar won't stay in tune, it's more likely the nut or the trem is the issue ...

 

[Jack FFR1846]

As much as people hate the trapazoidal tuners, with proper lube on the nut, I never had a problem. Pickups and pots and you'll sound like you have a new guitar. Oh, and block when you get a chance later.

 

[John.DOTA]

I have one of those too. Mines also a 95.

It plays excellently and I don't think the tuners are a problem.
Mine was repainted gold but I was gonna paint it white. I butchered it so badly that I sanded down to this color. I like its nasty, beat up look so I left it.



The previous owner also rewired it and it's a total mess. The tone controls are backwards and it cuts out alot.

Aside for the wiring issues that I plan on fixing, it's a pretty solid guitar.

I'm interested in some upgrades too so I'll keep an eye on this

 

[Ansantoro32]

They really are great guitars for the money. The neck is one of the nicest I've ever played, nice and thin, with super easy bending. For a little over $100 bucks they're awesome

 

[braderrick]

Awesome guitars indeed. My first real electric guitar, and I still have it. I got a black strat. I was young and dumb and removed the "squier series" part of the decal long ago. It plays as good or better than any I've owned since then including 3 american deluxe strats. The tuners were terrible so I replaced them first. Do you use the tremolo? If not, either deck it or block it which I did to mine. Perfect tuning stability. I went a little crazy with mine, its had several different pickguards, pickups, and electronics in it and I put graph tech saddles on it a long time ago too. Let me see if I can find a pic... yep, its the black one on the top right

 

[LindsayX]

A Porsche with Volkswagen parts

I'm in Japan and picked one up in unplayed condition. It was owned by a keyboardist and sat in the closet in a case for twenty years! I'm stoked!

I replaced the pick ups with Texas specials. Replaced the bridge with Fender a japan bridge. Replaced the tuners with Grovers. And, I replaced the sctracth plate with a 3-ply white and white knobs. I have ended up with an awesome Clapton Blacky replica. If you get a chance to buy of these and have the means to upgrade it I'd highly recommend you do so. The necks and body are US made and very high quality. The hardware is all crap, but once upgraded they are awesome guitars. Mine cost me less than 200 bucks in total and it's as good as an American standard Strat.

 

[Michael A.]

I have a 95 Squier Series Strat too. Has one of my favorite necks. I also love the stock pups, but I think they will find a good home in a cheap Palmer Strat that is a future project. Had been reading about upgrades and was leaning to either a set of Rose pickups, maybe Robustas, or a set of Buddhas, since they are made locally. However, a local guy had a set of Eric Johnson pickups for sale on CL for only $50, so I jumped on those. So I'll be doing pretty much the same mods as you did.

I only paid $100 for my guitar, the seller had it listed as a "Squire", and that included a Peavey Backstage Plus 35W amp! So I'll end up with an "Almost EJ" Strat plus amp for about $200!

 

[LindsayX]

I have a 95 Squier Series Strat too. Has one of my favorite necks. I also love the stock pups, but I think they will find a good home in a cheap Palmer Strat that is a future project. Had been reading about upgrades and was leaning to either a set of Rose pickups, maybe Robustas, or a set of Buddhas, since they are made locally. However, a local guy had a set of Eric Johnson pickups for sale on CL for only $50, so I jumped on those. So I'll be doing pretty much the same mods as you did.

I only paid $100 for my guitar, the seller had it listed as a "Squire", and that included a Peavey Backstage Plus 35W amp! So I'll end up with an "Almost EJ" Strat plus amp for about $200!

That's awesome! Similarly, the one I bought was also listed as a Squier. These are a lucky pick up for those in the know and the means to turn them into something. I've had a few Japanese strats over the years and had always wanted a vintage US Strat, but could never justify the two grand to buy one cos I am only a home player these days and do the occasional live house sessions. Now, I have one for less than 200 bucks! Ya gotta be happy with that!

Break a string!

 

[LindsayX]

For some reason I could only upload one photo, so here is a photo of the headstock. The black hardware really sets it off! I painted the nut black too, just because I could.

 

[Michael A.]

LindsayX,
Nice guitar! I'm liking that blacked out look. My Squier Series is black too. I'll probably go to parchment/antique white guard and knobs when I do the pup swap.

 

[LindsayX]

LindsayX,
Nice guitar! I'm liking that blacked out look. My Squier Series is black too. I'll probably go to parchment/antique white guard and knobs when I do the pup swap.

Thanks Michael. It plays awesomely too! You need to get rid of the Squier machine heads too. I've never liked vintage tuners of any brand because you can't adjust them and the Squier ones are just garbage. I was considering going all out and putting a roller nut on it as well because the Squier nut is quite soft and will probably wear out in a year or three of playing. The roller nut requires a bit of sawing to get it to fit, but it's not too difficult. I'm taking delivery of my new MIJ TL62 ice blue Telecaster this weekend, so there is gonna be a bit of a dilemma in the ranks.

 

[LindsayX]

Damn! I just bought anew Telecaster and found this add on Yahoo auctions in Tokyo. It's a Squier series Telecaster in great condition for around $250 U.S. It would need all the hardware replacing (and paint it black), but the neck and body are high quality US made. The seller doesn't want to ship internationally, but if someone is very interested drop me a PM and maybe we can work something out.

Here's the link to the ad (use Google Chrome browser to translate it)

(link removed)