NGD - 2000 MIM Standard Strat

[brett304]

Picked up a new project the other day. 2000 MIM Standard Strat. Pulled it apart immediately…

 

[brett304]

I had already bought and tried out on another guitar a loaded pickguard from a 2002 MIM Classic Series 70’s strat. These pickups had a lot of interference and hum in my other guitar so I immediately set to work shielding the new pickguard. The MIM bodies in 2000 were not shielded from the factory so I also used shielding paint on the body cavities. The sustain blocks on these were somewhere between the density of a squier and a more modern Mim , so I swapped that out for a GFS unit. I also installed Raw Vintage Tremolo springs hoping to improve the feel of that as I plan to float the bridge a tad.

 

[brett304]

I finished up some soldering this evening and got it strung up. Spent a few mins getting the trem claw where I needed it to slightly float the bridge. Still needs some fine tuning on the setup and pickup height. Also set the second tone knob to control the bridge instead of the middle. Here’s what she looks like. Definitely doesn’t look 22 does she?

 

[wooders]

Good job sir

 

[brett304]

Good job sir

Thanks so much. Started off with a Squier project, but ended up wanting the thicker body, some better tuners, and parts to fit more easily. I’m a bit particular about things being straight, filled in unused holes, and finish problems. Replacing the “trap” tuners on my squier neck was gonna leave me a bit perturbed despite probably working just fine. Currently have two squier projects and have had a bunch of others before. Actually I guess this is my first Fender electric. Pretty happy. This thing was pretty clean for its age too.. Gonna consider a few finishing touches and then send it for a pro setup. I really want an American Original 60’s in Shell Pink, but this Roger Waters kind of thing is cool too. I actually did this theme on a MIK squier many years ago, but with black pickup covers and knobs! Thanks for checking it out!

 

[Lonn]

Looks like a winner.

 

[HazyPurple]

Love the 'pulled it apart immediately', you know how you want it. Well done...

 

[Murdog]

Nice! HNGD!

 

[hops]

Love the 'pulled it apart immediately', you know how you want it. Well done...

I guess there are two crowds here. One is play it immediately. The other (including myself) is take it apart and see what's inside.

 

[brett304]

Thanks for the comments all. I did plug it in just to check to see if the electronics worked. When I got it, it was not playable. It seemed like my 3 year old put it back together previously. I also wanted to verify authenticity and see if someone left me any goodies inside. To be fair, I got it all back together within a day because I was excited to play it. Gonna get the graphtech string tree and nut as next string change it’s going to the tech. Still haven’t started fine tuning intonation, saddle height, truss rod, or pickup height yet, but playability seems pretty good so far, so thinking the neck/frets might be okay. Still gonna get a pro for final stage of the process to make it play its best. I got a great deal on those MiM Classic 70’s pickups but they aren’t my final choice. Was debating between pure vintage 65 and custom shop ‘69 for the next step. I don’t like anything with writing on them, and was gonna go Fender for my first step and venture into third party afterwards when I have some experience to compare to. Definitely want a vintage voicing as that’s what I want when I pick up a strat. I’m a believer in letting an instrument be what It is and play to its strengths. That’s also why I have different guitars for different things. Any pickup suggestions that I might have missed? Thanks all!

 

[Ebidis]

HNGD