Cheap Guitars for modding recomendation part 2

I confess. I am a total geek and probably considered an addict when it comes to guitar customization. I find the utmost joy in customizing guitars, no matter the price tag. Customizations are not cheap. However, that should not stop us from getting guitars that doesn't come with a hefty price just for the sake of modification.

What if you are one of those who likes guitars to be of non-conventional shapes but yet a quality instrument? The first one that were to pop up in my head are the LTD F series. They don't cause a bomb and are a joy to play with. So far, among all the lower end LTDs that I have tried, they all seemed to have pretty good QC and are a joy to play with off the shop.

What makes this guitar a nice foundation for modifying is that it spots a tune-o-matic bridge which in my opinion is by itself a pretty solid bridge. However, if you aren't too happy with the stock bridge, it is always very easy to switch over to a Gotoh one, which is well known to be solidly build. At the same time, there is less hassle of having to drill bigger holes for the Gotoh stud anchors.

The Tuning pegs that comes with the guitar is pretty decent but I still would prefer a set of Gotohs to go along with it. The 42mm nut can be easily converted to one made of either bone or graphite. My personal preference however would be to go with Brass for that brighter bell like response for the open strings.

The only thing that are bad in the whole equation are the stock pickups that come along with the guitar. They are muddy and noisy, when clean or driven. However, in my opinion, pickups should be the least of your worries as they are easily changeable and usually does great wonders to your tone after swapping. My suggestion will always be Dimarzios or Seymour Duncans in this case. However, if you want to save some money, you can always head over to Guitar Fetish and get yourself a pair of their in house pickups which in my honest opinion fares pretty well, comparing to higher end pickups.

The neck of the guitar is somewhat a smaller and flatter version of a C shape neck but still fat by ESP thin U standards. However, the neck is well finish and is baby butt smooth. For players who aren't too fond of the fatness of C shape necks, the neck is of course can be easily sand down with a palm sander. That being said, the neck isn't Les-Paul fat but more of Squier Fat.

I was able to push the action to 1.5mm measuring at 12th fret without the need to further file down the frets. This to me is already an amazing for guitars of this price range. Usually, I have to settle for 2mm, which is already high by my standards. However, for players who prefer that sick 1mm action, it can be easily rectified by filing down the frets from the 13th fret onwards. This is also commonly known as compound radius.

The guitar also sports a basswood body, which is once again not common for brands such as ESP (LTDS) or Ibanez. Usually, guitars of this price range sports an Agathis body. I personally have nothing against Aghatis body but I do however prefer the neutral mid bass dominant tone of the Basswood.

Do take consideration of this guitar as your starting or project base guitar when you have something in mind. The quality of this guitar isn't one to disappoint.

Fender style Vintage Tremolo screw spacings

If you own an Asian made Strat copy, Fender Squier or Mexican Fender Stratocaster, your guitar probably is equipped with a Tremolo like the one at the top left. The problem with these tremolo is that it comes with a very thin tremolo block, made of mystery pot metal.

That isn't such a bit deal as the Tremolo is easily replaceable. However, if you go to a Guitar Parts shop and buy the Fender Vintage tremolo or it's copy, you will soon realize that it doesn't fit in the existing screw holes. This is because, the Asian made Strat usually comes with a Tremolo with screw holes measuring 10.5mm wide. The US Tremolo spacing is however 11.3mm wide. Sure enough, you can always dowel the existing holes and re-drill the new holes. However there are some of us who doesn't really want more holes on the guitar body or isn't that DIY inclined. For such, my solution to the problem is this.

Guitar fetish has already done all the measuring work for you. Just pop it in and you are ready to go. With a major improvement to your tone. I have written a review on a similar product made by Dragonfire Guitar parts. However, this article seeks to inform my readers out there to take note that not all vintage tremolo fits into all kinds of strat. There are actually 2 different measures to take note of before heading down to the shop for a Tremolo upgrade.

Cheap Guitars for modding recomendation part 1

Recently, I've written about how getting a cheaper guitar for the sake of modding can not only get you an instrument with quality but at the same time also a very rewarding experience. You can read about it here

If I were to presented with the question what guitars I will recommend for this, the first that will come to mind is the Fender Squier Stratocaster series. It doesn't matter which version of the Squier Stratocaster but most of them are generally decent for it's price. For example, the Squier Affinity series is a good platform to start with. Even though it may be a beginner's guitar, the QC of the instrument is generally decent (looking in terms of only the neck and the body). The parts are easy to replace and guarantees a very positive end product.

The neck has a C shape narrow neck, measuring 41mm at the nut with a radius of of 241mm. This sound radius although doesn't allow for low action, it however allows easier chord works (think Jazz Chords).

The body although Basswood is however deemed usually an "inferior" wood, I can assure to all my readers that Basswood in by no means inferior and in fact basswood is tonally similar between different pieces. Basswood has also been used by many well known artist such as Joe Satriani, Paul Gilbert, John Petrucci and Steve Vai.

The main problem with the guitar however is the inferior tremolo bridge that it comes installed with. This is usually one of the main things that kills off the tone of the guitar, considering the strings go through the Tremolo block, which is anchored on the body of the guitar. However, the good news is, the tremolo is easily replaceable and in fact, Guitar Fetish actually made a custom Brass Block Tremolo that is a direct drop into Asian or Mexican made Stratocaster.

The pickups however are below par which is expected of guitars of that price range. It is thin sounding and has too low an output for Rock lovers out there. However, as per majority of the guitars, all of the electronic hardware can be easily swapped out and in our age of the guitar parts that are available to us, we can easily replace the stock pickups with more than satisfying substitutions. Guitar Fetish once again has more than satisfying pickups in the price range that won't leave a hole in your pocket. For the tone purist, you can also consider Dimarzios or Seymour Duncans into the guitar. These branded pickups can definitely leave it's listener contemplating on the quality of the instrument.

Lastly, although the radius of the neck leaves the guitar unable to achieve that low and sick action, however that can be easily rectified by flattening the radius of the frets from 13 onwards. This is known as compound radius. It may seem daunting for first timers but I assure you it isn't as hard as it sounds.

For aspiring DIY-ers or just players who wants a hand in customizing and modifying guitars, do consider the Fender Squier Affinity Stratocaster as a starting platform and a gateway to a guitar you call your own.