MIM Strats very close to USA Strats...(imo)

[DarrellV]

Yes, we have the same Strat tuning behavior, and I would like to add to this is, ...really stretching new strings. I don't get very wild with the trem and the little I use it I get a feel for how far I can go with it. The wild stuff I use the trem for, I have a Kramer with Old 80s type Floyd that has proven bulletproof.

Yup! This is about the extent of it. Love playing this oldie!

With Hank's style its not a large amount of bend, but its almost constant waggling (his words)...

 

[I Break Things]

Yes, unless you have a locking bridge like a Floyd we have learned to live with this issue. We have gotten spoiled by our Les Paul's

True... My Epi LPC stays in tune great. It even arrived in tune when I ordered it new from GC.

 

[I Break Things]

I took all the string trees off mine. The Ping tuners are staggered so that's all I use.

It helps, but I find the screw binding friction on the bridge to be more troublesome. I always have to give the bar a couple good wangs before I try to tune to get it settled.... Just the nature of the beast.

I tried taking off the strings trees since I have the staggered locking tuners. Nope. Can't do it. I play too hard and knock the E string out of the nut.

 

[I Break Things]

Yup! This is about the extent of it. Love playing this oldie!

With Hank's style its not a large amount of bend, but its almost constant waggling (his words)...

I keep mine floating high enough that the G string pulls up a minor third when I pull it back flush to the body. I like having them pull up so I can (attempt to) do some lead stuff, like hitting a pinch harmonic and yanking that note up with the whammy bar.

 

[I Break Things]

This is my 4th post in a row. Bring it on @DarrellV!

 

[DarrellV]

This is my 4th post in a row. Bring it on @DarrellV!

You have learned well, grasshopper!

I tend to do the same thing when catching up on posts and replying to each...

 

[scozz]

I deck, but don't block, the trem on my Strats. If I want warble on the chords, I'll give 'er a shake with my left hand.

Me too...exactly.

 

[scozz]

I had a super-sweet Jimmie Vaughan MiM Strat.
It was a lot closer to its USA counterpart than an Epi Les Paul is to a Gibson.

Absolutely...

...that's one of the secondary points of this thread as I said in the original post!

 

[scozz]

This is my 4th post in a row. Bring it on @DarrellV!

Well done IBT!!!

 

[LDS714]

Picked up a '94 MIM Squier about a month ago. It had belonged to a local tech and has an incredibly nice fret job along with Texas Special pickups and upgraded pots, tuners and trem block. Feel like I stole it for the price. Best playing and sounding Strat I've ever owned, including the Jeff Beck model. I can't believe how good of a guitar it is.

 

[DarrellV]

Picked up a '94 MIM Squier about a month ago. It had belonged to a local tech and has an incredibly nice fret job along with Texas Special pickups and upgraded pots, tuners and trem block. Feel like I stole it for the price. Best playing and sounding Strat I've ever owned, including the Jeff Beck model. I can't believe how good of a guitar it is.

That's what I felt like when I picked up and played that MIM at the music store. Total mongrel looking project guitar... But what a player!

I carried it around the store with me on a strap because I didn't want to put it down till I left! LOL!

 

[lakeburst]

Speaking of which... Anyone here have recommendations for noiseless single coil Strat pups and a guide on how to change them?

Lil pricey, but very good: Kinman Blues set