Im trying to fix up a cheap fender guitar?
Posted by jnstrom on 9th December 2008 in Blues
Ryan P asked:
I have a fender starcaster (no, not stratocaster), if you dont know about it, you can google it and you can find the details. I’ve been messing around with it for about a year or so, and I am thinking its seriously time for some upgrades. A new guitar is out of the question, at least for right now. What do you recomend that I do? What parts could I buy to make this guitar sound better and better to play? I know I should upgrade the pickups, but I have no idea what kind. Please tell me the all the upgrades I need to make it sound the best. Thank you so much for your help, I’ll owe you one!
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I have a fender starcaster (no, not stratocaster), if you dont know about it, you can google it and you can find the details. I’ve been messing around with it for about a year or so, and I am thinking its seriously time for some upgrades. A new guitar is out of the question, at least for right now. What do you recomend that I do? What parts could I buy to make this guitar sound better and better to play? I know I should upgrade the pickups, but I have no idea what kind. Please tell me the all the upgrades I need to make it sound the best. Thank you so much for your help, I’ll owe you one!
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December 11th, 2008 at 7:44 pm
go buy an epiphone SG,,,it will cost about the same as upgrading yours and sound a lot better
December 11th, 2008 at 9:31 pm
Check the yellow pages for a local music center. Some will buy your old guitar and sell you a reasonably priced reconditioned or a new one. Some places can do the work for you also. You might be better off just to keep playing what you have and start saving that cash. Keep an eye in the want ads. Ask the guys at the music store how to look for a good used guitar. Best thing I can tell you is to site down the neck to check for warping or twists. Look from the body towards the head along the edge of the neck. Shouldn’t be any curves or bows in it. Not even slight. Neck is supposed to be convex from side to side, so don’t let that throw you. Good Luck.
December 13th, 2008 at 2:17 am
The best pickups around are Dimarzio pickups. I use the D-Sonic 7s (for my seven-string; they also come in six-string) but those are pretty expensive, about $90 each plus installation which is about $75-80.
The Dimarzio evolutions are also a good pickup and are about $65 each.
December 13th, 2008 at 10:13 pm
seymor duncans are the best pick ups. I would judge how much money to put into your guitar by how strong the neck is. If it is bowig out just junk it if you have a little bit of money about 100$ you could get a new neck. you could also get a locking nut to keep it in tune longer. or a new tremelow. string are key a new set of strings can make any guitar sound better. elixers brand last longer more expensive but you wont have to change them as often
December 15th, 2008 at 12:47 am
A good setup makes a big difference. Get a good tech to do a setup, set the intonation and action, and make sure everything is good. That usually only costs about $30-40.
The single biggest thing you can do to change the sound of the guitar is to swap out the pickups. I recommend any of the Fender style pickups made by Seymour Duncan… they’re expensive, but they all sound amazing. eBay occasionally has some deals… You can buy a cheap soldering iron and do the work yourself, it’s really not that hard. You’re looking at around $25-80 depending on what you choose and if it’s new or used.
If you want to try a slighter cheaper pickup, Dimarzio and Rio Grande both make good pickups, though not in the same league (in my opinion) as Seymour Duncan. Don’t mess with the “Duncan Design” pickups… they’re not in the same league at all.
One thing some people like to do is install new tuners. Grover makes some good but fairly cheap tuners. Schaller are a little better, but more expensive. Expect to pay $30-50.
Another thing you can do is shield your electric guitar. Most stock guitars (especially the cheaper ones) are susceptible to noise and generally have issues with hum. Shielding makes a big change and can help out a lot. When done in conjunction with new pickups, it makes a real difference. This should only cost about $5-20 depending on the method you use. Check out the following link for info:
December 16th, 2008 at 7:48 pm
I think this question was already asked…
The Starcaster is really not meant to be upgraded, and any upgrades that you may want to do to make it sound better will exceed the value of the guitar.
Save your money and buy a new one next year.