In Part One of this series, we saw just how badly this Strat needed help. Now, in this post; join me in a sloppy adventure of scrubbing, filing, oil-soaked rags, and solder.
We'll take a look at the bridge first, then. After dismantling everything, the saddles and related screws went through six multi-lube oil changes and scrubbing. Yes, much of the crud had come off by the last soaking, I'm happy to say. However, there remained a couple saddle-height screws that just refused to budge.
And so out came my trusty mini butane blowtorch. Alternately heating the screws until they were red hot and then plunging them in cold water finally broke them stubborn rust bonds. Eventually, I was able to get all the screws moving and reassemble the bridge.
And what of that rusted-out trem claw? Did I have to junk it and fit a new one? Nope. As you can see from the pics, lots of grinding, filing, sanding, steel-wooling; and polishing finally exposed clean metal. For added measure, the whole claw was coated with clear lacquer to delay rusting for as long as possible.
We were taught that way back during one of our Form One metalwork classes. I believe it was when we had to make a small metal hammer from scratch. Oh yes, we learned quite a lot about woodwork, metalwork, electricity and power mechanics while at Sultan Abdul Hamid College in the '70s.
On to the electronics, then. The pickup covers and polepieces were cleaned and polished gently but thoroughly; and then reinstalled into the much cleaner pickguard with new rubber tubing. Three spanking-new CTS 450G 250K pots, a CRL switch and Switchcraft #11 jack were subsequently wired in using Gavitt cloth push-back wire. You know, the kind Fender used to use in the old days.
Clean, scrub, polish. Repeat ad nauseam. I won't bore you with the details but that's basically that's what it took to get this Strat back into shape. Oh, yes, that pesky sticking-out skunk stripe end was also taken care of. Lots of careful paring with chisels and sanding through successively finer grits got the job done. Finally topped it off with a coat of Tru-Oil so it would blend in with the existing finish.
Finally, this 1996 Fender American Standard Stratocaster was set up with Ernie Ball Super Slinkys and I called it a day. I guess all that's left is to have a photoshoot and share the pictures with you good people. But that will have to wait until the next post on this American beauty. See you soon :)
Further Reading
Fender Guitar Catalog 1988 Vintage and Signature Series
American Standard Stratocaster - First Series
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