Looking for a Superstrat type guitar.

[sumgai]

Adam,

Why not try the SN-120, viewable here: www.espguitars.co.jp/edwards/sn/E-SN-120.html? Pretty much the same thing with a Wilkinson bridge instead of the FR, though it does lose the middle pickup.

However, that part about "won't cost a fortune" is an eye-opener - have you done the yen-to-dollar conversion? Your linked unit goes for a cool 1,575 USD, and my linked axe is "only" 1,260 USD. That's not the price range I'd consider as a good base or foundation for modding, there are other guitars that can do the same job for signifcantly less cash outlay.

Let me suggest that you research the used market a bit more closely, or even eBay - some of the vendors thereon will offer a good product that might have blemishes or shipping dings, for a deep discount of the retail price. Craigslist and pawn shops are also good outlets to research.

In essence, my plan would be to buy cheap, even if it's only moderatly playable, and do your electronics work there. After you've got your mods all sorted out and you have a "keeper" in terms of tonal options, then buy a guitar that feels really good and plays like a dream. Transplant your wiring scheme into the new axe, and you're home free.   All that boils down to, if you make a mistake on the cheap guitar, no loss. And when you're done, you didn't have to worry about screwing up your main axe, you did the job right the first time because you've already worked out the bugs. No muss, no fuss, no stems you don't need......

HTH



sumgai

[Deleted]

www.ibanez.co.jp/products/eg_page13.php?area_id=3&data_id=93&color=CL01&year=2013&cat_id=1&series_id=147
??

but i can't see where is your problem with floyds. They are fantastic bridges. A little trouble to change strings, ok, but things have improved since the 80s. Ibanez has some very nice new designs.
My best sustaining guitar has a floyd rose II.

[Adam]

Sept 25, 2013 5:31:49 GMT -5 @pyrros said:

www.ibanez.co.jp/products/eg_page13.php?area_id=3&data_id=93&color=CL01&year=2013&cat_id=1&series_id=147
??

but i can't see where is your problem with floyds. They are fantastic bridges. A little trouble to change strings, ok, but things have improved since the 80s. Ibanez has some very nice new designs.
My best sustaining guitar has a floyd rose II.

I just really don't like floyds. I am more likely to use the 24th fret than ever use the floyd. I also play 0.013's, so that would kill the floyd up a bit and I really don't like the idea of having a locking nut there. Although you could use a tremolno to block the floyd, it's just too much of a hassle.

[Deleted]

Why would 13's kill the floyd more than they would kill a vintage trem? Also locking nuts are fine (believe me!!), once you get used to the idea of your guitar NOT losing tune, you will never go back.

Now, from a different angle you could consider an HSS fender strat as a super strat and move on from there. Absolutely nothing wrong with that. I think American standards are routed HSH. (not that a Air Norton S in the neck would sound less aewsome ...)

[Adam]

Would you say it hold tune better if I just block the floyd off with a block of wood or a tremolno? Will my intonation die? Is it more convenient to tune from the bridge instead of the tuners?

[Deleted]

Sept 25, 2013 8:17:40 GMT -5 Adam said:

Would you say it hold tune better if I just block the floyd off with a block of wood or a tremolno?

There is simply no comparison. On the floyd the locking is done right to the saddle. With a vintage trem, the string travels down to the bottom of the tremolo block. You will have no problems with the floyd, either working or blocked. Does not make any difference. I guess with the blocked version you could get away with not doing proper stretching, thus one might say that it holds tune better.

Sept 25, 2013 8:17:40 GMT -5 Adam said:

Will my intonation die?

Why? intonation works fine either way (vintage trem, floyd, fixed bridge, etc... why do you make a distinction ?

Sept 25, 2013 8:17:40 GMT -5 Adam said:

Is it more convenient to tune from the bridge instead of the tuners?

With the floyd, you dont tune from the bridge. You tune from the tuning machines as normal. Then you lock the nut, and you only do minor fine-tuning from the bridge.

[Adam]

I'll take your word for it then as you seem to justify having it there. That makes the only downside the hassle of changing strings. I'm guessing it's something you'll have to get used to? Then again it takes me a long time to restring with just a normal tremolo. I'll give it a try. Thanks!

[Deleted]

Its just that by eliminating the locking tremolo, automatically you exclude 95% of the superstrats out there!

[Adam]

Then I guess superstrat isn't the right word to describe the type of guitar I'm after. I think I should have said something along of modern strat. I always assumed a superstrat was a strat or similar guitar that has 24 frets and a HSH or HH configuration and some other bits and bobs.

[gitpiddler]

The worst part is the locking nut. I blocked my crappy FR copy, after lowering it flat to the top, and shaving the neck pocket to change the angle. The are no saddle height adjustments, and they're glud'n'screwd. Sounds great now, after 25 yrs. of piddling;)

ETA: SS brings to mind the Hamiltones, neck-thrus, Ibanez.

[Adam]

I've finally decided. I think I'm going to do a Warmoth build. For custom bodies, they require a full sized sketch of the body. I was wondering if anyone would be able to fix me up with a full sized sketch of a Suhr Modern body. I'll work out everything from there. Thanks in advanced!