Practical Issues with a Self Build Strat

jaymenon · November 2018

I wonder if I may ask some of you experts a few questions / solicit a few expert opinions please re: a Project Strat...?

Rear Routed vs Traditional Front Rout
A traditional front rout of course allows one to change pickguards and also pickup configurations (if HSH or swimming pool routed underneath)
But does the presence of a pick guard allow more practical range of adjustment of pickup heights for instance?

And does wood-mounting the pickups reduce the practical range of height adjustments for the pickups?

Output Jack
Barrel output jacks look so cool - but are they unreliable / more trouble than they are worth?

Expert opinions deeply appreciated.

[Imgur](https://i.imgur.com/Fqaoy5u.jpg)
[Imgur](https://i.imgur.com/EUkCchP.jpg)

Jay

Roland · November 2018

jaymenon said: ... does wood-mounting the pickups reduce the practical range of height adjustments for the pickups?

Not really. The maximum useful range of movement for a pickup is about 1/4”. A standard thickness body is plenty deep enough for a screw to penetrate this far below the surface.

jaymenon said: Barrel output jacks look so cool - but are they unreliable / more trouble than they are worth?

That’s one for @ICBM ;

Danny1969 · November 2018

The trouble with barrel sockets is you can't get at the main contacts to clean or bend them when they play up .... so if they do go wrong (and in my experience they do) then you gotta change the whole thing. As you can imagine the actual contact area of the metal which mates to the jack plug is much smaller and weaker than a normal open plan socket

My step sons squire bass one has packed up after 2 years, got another one on order

jaymenon · November 2018

Yes you can on a rear routed Strat - you just take the back plate off

Danny1969 · November 2018

jaymenon said:

Yes you can on a rear routed Strat - you just take the back plate off

No I mean you can't get at the contacts inside the barrel .... not unless you saw it in half

axisus · November 2018

Hate barrel jacks. I've had nothing but trouble with them. I avoid at all costs

jaymenon · November 2018

Somehow I thought that might be case with many guitar techs (i.e. hating barrel jacks)

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Practical Issues with a Self Build Strat

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