Upgrade my Strat

Schnozz

What do I need in order to get this guitar as close to a Dave Murray strat as possible? The spec is pretty much identical to a Squier 50s CV but with nicer pickups and a bigger neck, although I would switch the pickups for the Murray config (if his middle pickup wasn't original, otherwise it stays).

https://i.imgur.com/tt4w87t.jpg
Not bothered about how much the parts cost, so best quality possible.

All input appreciated.

HerrMetal

In order of importance something like

1 - Black pickup selector switch tip
2 - HSH 8 hole pickguard
3 - DiMarzio Super Distortion humbuckers

I might be wrong about the order ....

mudslide73

Do you mean a production Dave Murray? Hasn't it got a Floyd? 


edit: don't worry I can see you mean the US one.

Schnozz

HerrMetal said:

HSH 8 hole pickguard

This is where every project of mine falls down - The good ole custom pickguard. Is there anyone on TheFB that makes them?

Just reading around, I'd leave the Entwistle 57 in it and change the cover.

stickyfiddle

I would check whether it’s routed for HSH before buying anything...

Schnozz

stickyfiddle said:

I would check whether it’s routed for HSH before buying anything...

Yeah, I think I would start with the simple stuff like bridge, tuners and electronics (minus pickups), but I'm pretty sure it's HSH.

HerrMetal

Well the only place I can see an HSH 8 hole is Warmoth which means expensive shipping. To be honest I'd go with an 11 hole that you can find in lots of places and concentrate more on the pickups but it depends how authentic you want to be. According to DiMarzio site they would be DP100 and DP103. No idea if they would have been 'Fender spaced' on the original as I don't recall when that option became available ... presumably at some point later.  Not sure on pickup mounts, but you would want to make sure they don't interfere with the operation of the volume knob.  3 position or 5 position switch, pot and cap values etc .. I have not attempted to research but others on the web certainly have.

fretmeister

https://www.originalscratchplates.com/ will probably be able to make you the plate easily enough.

I've had a few of theirs.

fretmeister

Doesn't DM's strat also use pickup rings for mounting them?

Moleman

Dimarzio Super Distortion in bridge and PAF at neck with chrome pickup mounting rings. You could even try to find original 1970’s Dimarzio pickups or contact a UK pickup winder such as Ash at Oil City to wind you something super authentic to the period. I believe that Dimarzio have changed their specs for these pickups over the years and that the modern ones aren’t quite the same.

Schnozz

What bridge replacement do people buy for a squier CV strat?

Schnozz

Moleman said:

Dimarzio Super Distortion in bridge and PAF at neck with chrome pickup mounting rings. You could even try to find original 1970’s Dimarzio pickups or contact a UK pickup winder such as Ash at Oil City to wind you something super authentic to the period. I believe that Dimarzio have changed their specs for these pickups over the years and that the modern ones aren’t quite the same.

Thank you - That's helpful to know!

Joe123

https://www.guitarchalk.com/stratocaster-bridge-upgrade-build-guide/?unapproved=19252&moderation-hash=2fef2292a52238007319e825dc840b24#comment-19252

Joe123

I believe that article will help you to choose the bridges.

Schnozz

Joe123 said:

I believe that article will help you to choose the bridges.

It mentions a 52mm spaced bridge, which I think mine is, but I'm concerned about risking a 54/56mm purchase.

Unless I'm overlooking something in the article(??)