MIJ Squier Silver Series Stratocaster: Part Two

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In Part One, we saw just how badly this MIJ Squier Silver Series Stratocaster was in need of an overhaul; so to speak. I started off by dismantling all hardware and electronic components. The neck and headstock were cleaned with naphtha, rosewood fretboard reconditioned; and frets polished. Then, as the pickup covers were being removed for cleaning; I noticed that the fragile coil windings were totally exposed. This simply would not do, and so they were gingerly wrapped with black cloth pickup tape.

The body cavities were shielded with conductive shielding paint; and the whole underside of the pickguard with aluminium foil. As for the electronics, everything was replaced save for the pickups. Among the new components were Alpha A250K pots and a Neutrik/Rean NYS229 output jack.

There was also a rather large teardrop-shaped patch of wood exposed just below the "football" output jack plate. The nice part about this "injury" was that the wood showed a distinctive grain pattern. So, it definitely was not basswood. I'm guessing it's either alder; or even Japanese Ash (Sen). This was indeed an exciting discovery (for me, at least). The exposed wood was stained with ColorTone #5030 Vintage Amber and sealed with several coats of super glue.

Perhaps the most challenging part of this job was restoring the vibrato bridge. The saddles were corroded right down to metal as most of the plating had gone the way of the dodo. It took me more than 8 hours to remove the frozen saddle-height adjustment screws and derust the saddles to where they looked presentable enough. As it turned out, the saddle-height adjustment screws, as well as intonation screws and springs; had to be replaced.

Once all that needed to be done had been taken care of, this MIJ Squier Silver Series Stratocaster was reassembled, polished; and strung with Ernie Ball 009-042s. In Part Three, we'll look at a mini photo shoot of sorts; where this lovely guitar was kind enough to pose for a few pictures :)