Anyone ever gutted and customized a Squier Strat?

timbo · Sep 9, 2008

I got a steal on a black Squier strat from some kid in the neighborhood who gave up guitar for skateboarding. Bought it from him for 40 bucks!!! Bunch of newbie pick scratches all over the pickguard but otherwise the guitar is cherry. No dings or dents. I was thinking of gutting it and putting in some recommended scorching pickups, new pickguard, and have a friend who's a painter do a custom paint job on the body and headstock. What's funny is that this guitar plays great! Just thought it would be a fun fall project. Do you all think it might come out good tonewise with new pickups? Or would it sound crappy regardless. Just curious if anyone has modded up a cheap guitar to sound killer. I haven't so that's why I'm asking.

1big1 · Sep 9, 2008

if it's black and has a mirrored pick guard it's probably a standard series squire. i think they have shielding paint in the body cavity already. the body is probably agathis so do your pup selecting accordingly.. since agathis has similar properties when compared to mahogany. check the body cavity routing. you may have to route it out if you want to put a 'bucker in the bridge.
i just finished doing a setup on a friend of mines standard series tele and it came out just fine. sometimes some of the lower priced axes can sound pretty decent when you take the time to properly set them up.. etc.

FastRedPonyCar · Sep 9, 2008

Honestly, the low quality wood they use is a limiting factor.

My guitar teacher gave me this squire.

Pearly gates, cool rails, hotrails, scalloped fretboard, earvana nut, grover tuners, etc... still doesn't help it. Still plays like crap and sounds like crap.