After 30 Years, I'm Back To A 1987 Stratocaster:

smitty_p said:
Have you ever tried a brass block?

Did you notice any improvement in the steel block over the cast block?
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A brass block wasn't available when I did this repair. It was over 20 years ago...I don't recall a significant tonal difference. I was playing one day and did a big bend, heard a pop and my 'G' string went flat. I tuned it back up and finished the show. Turns out, the cast block split open!!!!
 
Played the old Squire quite a bit this morning...wow, I really DO NOT like a 9.25" radius board. The Gibson, Schecther and Destroyer all have a 12" radius....That's got to be my favorite....
 
So, I made some modifications to the Squirecaster's old pickguard - the one with the Virtual Vintage Solo / HS3 / YJM configuration - I modified the wiring to give the lower tone pot control over the bridge and middle pickup and the upper knob exclusively for the neck pickup. It has some great tones in positions # 2 & #4, which allows both tone controls to be used simultaneously....

So we are back to this configuration.

1987 Tuxedo Squire.jpg

It's going to be the loaner this week while I fix some problems on the bandleader's 1979 USA Stratocaster....
 
Try a "no load" type pot for the middle/bridge pickup Robert. My all time favorite strat control configuration. The middle pickup with the tone pot unloaded is a tone I use a lot, & I agree on the 2 & 4 positions with both controls in use, some really nice tones there. Oh, the Fender branded (CTS) no load pot has a detent at "10" on the dial, where it unloads which is a nice feature. Cheers
 
ivan H said:
Try a "no load" type pot for the middle/bridge pickup Robert. My all time favorite strat control configuration. The middle pickup with the tone pot unloaded is a tone I use a lot, & I agree on the 2 & 4 positions with both controls in use, some really nice tones there. Oh, the Fender branded (CTS) no load pot has a detent at "10" on the dial, where it unloads which is a nice feature. Cheers
Click to expand...

Thanks for the tip, Ivan....I might try that!
 
ivan H said:
Try a "no load" type pot for the middle/bridge pickup Robert. My all time favorite strat control configuration. The middle pickup with the tone pot unloaded is a tone I use a lot, & I agree on the 2 & 4 positions with both controls in use, some really nice tones there. Oh, the Fender branded (CTS) no load pot has a detent at "10" on the dial, where it unloads which is a nice feature. Cheers
Click to expand...

here you can see the original 1987 squire pots and wiring. Sharp eyes will notice the 220kΩ trebel cut on the bridge. Note this photo was taken before the "tone jumpers" were added to the switch....

1987 Straocaster Pickguard Rear View.jpg
 
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