Good job! I bought what I thought was a Squier Partscaster but turned out to be an actual MIK Squier II Stratocaster made in 1989. I too opted for Seymour Duncan pickups (Twangbanger/Pro Alnico II revise wound/Five Two) and I am very happy with them. It turns out that the surprise pickup I really like is the Middle one which was the one pickup I wasn't too picky about. I do like the GFS "Shorty" brass blocks however the Trem arm hole was the only hole that did not line up. I replaced the pickguard with a set of black anodized aluminum plates and I used my Dremel to clean up the neck pocket. It turns out that aluminum pickguards actually add a little bit of spank to the pickups (it's small but noticeable, think about resonator guitars, they use an aluminum cone, these kinda do that but not as pronounced). I also copper taped the control cavity and pickup cavities. The guitar is Torino Red with white plastic parts and a maple neck.
Oh I bet that baby sounds GREAT! I recently experienced the twangbanger in a local guitar store. I want to do another strat or tele with a twangbanger in it. I agree on the block, not the best fit, but I made it work. Thanks for watching!
Nice project you have here, well done. I just found one of these in virtually perfect preserved condition for about $80, turns out its one of the laminated Koreans from '95 as well. If it wasn't so well preserved I'd have passed. I don't have to bother with the polishing but I'll put about $150 into it with all new: pups, nut, tuners, shielding, PG, Rr cover, 5 way sw. output jack, pots, caps, wire, Brass trem claw, Big block, rear cover and knobs. and if I get crazy ill replace the plastic dot inlays with some abalone or something interesting... it'll make a great platform to experiment with and test different pickups & wiring options etc. and probably end up being given to one of my nieces or nephews....
Thank you! They really are a great units to toy with. Ive been really impressed with this guitar since I did these upgrades. The steel trem block I installed really gave it a nice sound vs the original tiny block.
Nice vid....I modded my grandsons squire....tuners...string tree...fret job.....graph tech nut......plays much better and stays in tune!Now I want to build a kit....not as confident in my skills to build a 335 like you did.....but I would love to be able to stain a nice maple veneer.....but Im afraid of a set neck...and nervous about the wiring.......
I've read many stories of folks regretting selling their first guitar, so I had no choice but to do major upgrades to keep it! The set neck was definitely not hard. The wiring by was a complete pain in the rear!! But each time you do it, it gets easier! If I can do it with limited knowledge, you can do it too! 💪 Facebook group "New Guitar Kit Builders" helped a ton!
Dang you dropped some 💰 on that I'm impressed with your work . I have the same year 🎸 only mine is red. Was thinking about doing some aftermarket tuners but after watching this may do some more upgrades. Could I ask how much all that cost? I'm sure it was pricey but I can appreciate you doing this with your first guitar.
It guaranteed I'll never get rid of my first! The versatility is great! I think I have about 600 into it with new: Pickups Wiring/switch/potentiometers New tremolo block Tusq nut and one string tree Fender locking tuners Shielding.
Good job!
I bought what I thought was a Squier Partscaster but turned out to be an actual MIK Squier II Stratocaster made in 1989. I too opted for Seymour Duncan pickups (Twangbanger/Pro Alnico II revise wound/Five Two) and I am very happy with them. It turns out that the surprise pickup I really like is the Middle one which was the one pickup I wasn't too picky about. I do like the GFS "Shorty" brass blocks however the Trem arm hole was the only hole that did not line up.
I replaced the pickguard with a set of black anodized aluminum plates and I used my Dremel to clean up the neck pocket. It turns out that aluminum pickguards actually add a little bit of spank to the pickups (it's small but noticeable, think about resonator guitars, they use an aluminum cone, these kinda do that but not as pronounced). I also copper taped the control cavity and pickup cavities. The guitar is Torino Red with white plastic parts and a maple neck.
Oh I bet that baby sounds GREAT! I recently experienced the twangbanger in a local guitar store. I want to do another strat or tele with a twangbanger in it. I agree on the block, not the best fit, but I made it work. Thanks for watching!
Great video great strumming
I have 1995 squier strat too and would love to update it
Nice project you have here, well done. I just found one of these in virtually perfect preserved condition for about $80, turns out its one of the laminated Koreans from '95 as well. If it wasn't so well preserved I'd have passed.
I don't have to bother with the polishing but I'll put about $150 into it with all new: pups, nut, tuners, shielding, PG, Rr cover, 5 way sw. output jack, pots, caps, wire, Brass trem claw, Big block, rear cover and knobs. and if I get crazy ill replace the plastic dot inlays with some abalone or something interesting... it'll make a great platform to experiment with and test different pickups & wiring options etc. and probably end up being given to one of my nieces or nephews....
Thank you! They really are a great units to toy with. Ive been really impressed with this guitar since I did these upgrades. The steel trem block I installed really gave it a nice sound vs the original tiny block.
This sounds EXCELLENT, well done!
Well done!!
Nice vid....I modded my grandsons squire....tuners...string tree...fret job.....graph tech nut......plays much better and stays in tune!Now I want to build a kit....not as confident in my skills to build a 335 like you did.....but I would love to be able to stain a nice maple veneer.....but Im afraid of a set neck...and nervous about the wiring.......
I've read many stories of folks regretting selling their first guitar, so I had no choice but to do major upgrades to keep it!
The set neck was definitely not hard. The wiring by was a complete pain in the rear!! But each time you do it, it gets easier! If I can do it with limited knowledge, you can do it too! 💪
Facebook group "New Guitar Kit Builders" helped a ton!
Dang you dropped some 💰 on that I'm impressed with your work . I have the same year 🎸 only mine is red. Was thinking about doing some aftermarket tuners but after watching this may do some more upgrades. Could I ask how much all that cost? I'm sure it was pricey but I can appreciate you doing this with your first guitar.
It guaranteed I'll never get rid of my first! The versatility is great! I think I have about 600 into it with new:
Pickups
Wiring/switch/potentiometers
New tremolo block
Tusq nut and one string tree
Fender locking tuners
Shielding.
Body laminated or solid?
Plywood. All the changes really brought it new life