Imiss85 Posted August 30, 2007 Posted August 30, 2007 I scored one of these today for a hundred bucks shipped and paypal'd- it was an ebay ad that the buyer backed out, I emailed the guya week ago asking if the buyer backed out to contact me. I really didn't have the funds but charged it, I figured what the heck I'll pay it off next month and I've heard good things about the early imports. I'm assuming I'll replace the bridge, tuners and pickups. Anyone know if a standard USA fender strat bridge will fit? I'm putting a small workbench in my utility room downstairs as I want to fart with some projects- and I figured this would be a good guitar to learn on. Anyone that has one of these let me know what you upgraded with.
Brooks Posted August 30, 2007 Posted August 30, 2007 I've heard good things about the early imports. I'm assuming I'll replace the bridge, tuners and pickups. the SS's are considered the best of the imports.my 1st hamer was a SS sunburst flattop, it kicked my LP studios arse.i've heard very good things about GFS strat pups (HHB has some in his partscaster, sounds great).this week i got a SS diablo in the mail from ebay, 80's metal floyd rose fun for $130 shipped (w/ nice fender gigbag and dimarzio bridge pup). i'll post pics when i get new GFS pups in it (and i'm contemplating an art project wacky paint job).
PastorPaul Posted August 30, 2007 Posted August 30, 2007 Anyone know if a standard USA fender strat bridge will fit? ... Anyone that has one of these let me know what you upgraded with. I've had a couple of these, and they were fun guitars to fool around with. I don't know if the Fender bridge will fit, but I do know that the stock bridge uses narrow saddles. It may take a 'vintage' style/size bridge.
CamptownShaker Posted August 30, 2007 Posted August 30, 2007 I have one each of the S.S. strat and tele copies. On the strat I replaced the bridge saddles only. The original ones were way too soft, I replaced them with stainless steel ones that dropped right in, no problem. I also replaced the tuners on the strat copy with some pretty cheap Wilkinson ones that were drilled twice to help lock the strings. With both of these copies I have had a lot of trouble with string binding. On both I took off the string hold-down bar behind the bridge and used a graphite string tree instead. So, with a change to the saddles, the string tree, new tuners, and a switch to .011 strings it has become a very playable guitar for not much cash at all really. Someday I'm planning on stripping the daphne blue finish and making some sort of art guitar out of it. Then it will be a player and a looker (and still worth only what I have in it!). I've had great results with the tele from a playability standpoint too. Here I replaced the six saddles on the string-thru bridge with three of those adjustable angle brass saddles, just drilling some extra holes in the already well perforated bridge plate. I didn't feel the six saddles that were on there had enough down pressure for optimal sound. I am also very satisfied with how this one turned out. Both of these were mint condition ebay deals for less than $150, with nice hardshell cases. One was a local pickup - no shipping. I may end up replacing a pickup here and there but I agree with the consensus here that these early Korean models are superior to any of the later imports. They do need some work I think, but are a great starting point for getting into setting up guitars. I have a later import "HAMER" branded SATF that I actually bought brand new in a fit of madness. I don't really like it.
Imiss85 Posted August 31, 2007 Author Posted August 31, 2007 Good Idea on just the saddles. The plate doesn't look half bad. Pups sound pretty good too, I need to take the PG off and see what they are, I'm pretty sure they were upgraded just by the sound of em.
Imiss85 Posted August 31, 2007 Author Posted August 31, 2007 Good Idea on just the saddles. The plate doesn't look half bad. Pups sound pretty good too, I need to take the PG off and see what they are, I'm pretty sure they were upgraded just by the sound of em.
Brooks Posted September 1, 2007 Posted September 1, 2007 got the GFS pups mounted in the SS diablo (phatcat & dimebucker clones). will post tone report when i get 'em wired in.
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