2002 Fender Standard Stratocaster | Part 4

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Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4

Further Upgrades

Nice to see you again folks, and thanks for dropping by. We're still on the topic of the ageless beauty that is this 2002 Sunburst Fender Standard Stratocaster. If you would recall, Part 3 was dedicated to the refret job carried out on the guitar. Now, in this post, I'll briefly describe what else was done to revitalize this fine specimen of MIM-ness.

However, before going any further, I must point out the attractive checking that had developed naturally over the years on both the front and back of this guitar. The checking has a surreal almost 3D quality to it if viewed at a certain angle. It's one of those little things about a guitar that's been around the block many a time and been played by countless people over the years; that you'll not find on a brand-new instrument.

Alright then, let's talk about electronics. Those familiar with MIM Strats would know that the stock pots, five-way switch and output jack socket are similar to what you'd find on an American Standard Stratocaster. In this case it was CTS 250K pots, Oak Grigsby switch; and Switchcraft #11 jack.

The pots and switch needed to be replaced, but the output jack just required a little servicing. Thus said, new CTS 250K pots and an Oak Grigsby switch were installed with vintage-correct Gavitt cloth-covered wire. The owner really wanted Gavitt wire to be used; as the leads of the new pickups I'd be installing were also cloth covered. Aha, yes; we have new pickups :)

The new trio were in fact Fender Custom Shop Fat '50s Stratocaster® Pickups with pure white covers. However, as the owner was quick to point out; those pure white covers didn't quite fit in with the vintage vibe of the guitar. He was also not too fond of the pearloid pickguard, maybe it was a little too mother-of-toilet-seat for his tastes.

As luck would have it, a kind-hearted man on the wrong side of 59 was able to procure three pre-loved white US Strat pickup covers and matching pickguard; all of which had turned the perfect shade of yellow after numerous nights in smoky bars. Then, it was discovered that the stock knobs would not fit onto the shafts of the new CTS pots for some peculiar reason. I mean, the stock pots' shafts were CTS with 24 splines. The knobs seemed to fit okay before, but why not on these new pots? 

Cutting to the chase, new US-spec cream knobs, plus the aforementioned naturally-aged plastic parts; were eventually installed on this 2002 Sunburst Fender Standard Stratocaster. Needless to say, the owner was overcome with joy upon seeing these favorable cosmetic changes; and thanked his lucky stars that the mojo of his beloved instrument had now grown by leaps and bounds.

Once everything was in place, the guitar was strung with Ernie Ball Regular Slinkys, given a proper setup; and plugged into my trusty Fender Champion 40 amp for a sound check and pickup height fine-tuning. I must say that Fender isn't kidding when it says that these Custom Shop Fat '50s Stratocaster® Pickups "deliver the single-coil 1950s Stratocaster sound you know and love." Now, as hearing it with your own ears is believing; I've uploaded a short YouTube Video containing audio samples of all five pickup positions. Do give it a listen, folks.

With that, I bid you adieu. Until we next meet in cyberspace, take care; and always be excellent to one another :)