How I Made My Guitar Sound Like a Vintage Strat

[@colinmanson5346]

There’s a guy in the UK who operates under Toltec Pickups. Reasonably priced and he asked for sound samples and what setup I used to achieve the sound I was after. He wound them to exactly what I was after. I also run 4 single coils. Neck, Mid and two slanted at the Bridge. I have a neck on blender pot added and a switch to run either of the bridge pickups or both in parallel. One of the bridges is wound hotter and thicker than the other. This gives lots of variations in tone and caters all my needs. I play a strat with the 5 way switch a master vol and tone. I also block off the bridge as I never use the whammy bar!

[@Gtownblues555]

MJT bodies that I can bid on the bay, with a self imposed ceiling of ~$300, Wudtone CP bridge with non-vintage springs and Highwood saddles because of better engineering. Musikraft necks again off of the bay self imposed ~$250 ceiling and Fralins, Lollars, Duncan’s, and sometimes Tone Specific’s. Bone nut and a “Custom Shop” for under a grand or right about there. Will play better than any “vintage “ guitar out there, if you’ve put the time in.

[@TheGuitarShow]

Sounds like a plan! Those sound like great parts!

[@vayabroder729]

Second that! MJT and Musikraft necks!

[@frantisca]

Hi Ramon, I assembled a few Strats in the past. Can’t really say how much the metal parts play a role (screws in particular ;-) but the components that definitely matter are the pickups( including caps &wiring) and the body wood. The thickness of the neck also plays a role on the length of the notes. Regarding the springs, yes, they add to the resonance. Independently of the cost, I must admit the Dale Wilson masterbuilt instruments sound glorious. Not that I would pay that kind of price, but if I should stumble on a reasonably priced used one… Cheers Ramon: good to see you. I’ve also watched your Baker B3 vids with P90s, those guitars are great and way underestimated in my opinion.

[@TheGuitarShow]

Thanks Rene - yes the Bakers are great guitars!

[@TheGuitarShow]

Yes I should have talked about the woods etc. but I took that as a given - the ESPs use really great woods which are seasoned. The master builts from Fender may use newer woods - but I'm 100% certain about that.

[@atiostefony3760]

Stunning Sound, great job

[@TheGuitarShow]

Thanks bro

[@itsmikee1994]

Dingwall pickups are fantastic I've got a set of them in my Les Paul

[@TheGuitarShow]

Cool man

[@julianmetcalfe1070]

GREAT points you made ,having played vintage guitars yes they are nice a great feel to them somtimes,they can be very noisy ,also you will cry a lot with the price of them ,

[@TheGuitarShow]

Thanks bro

[@julianmetcalfe1070]

@@TheGuitarShow keep up the good work,also one guitar i have the trem is blocked off with wood but it seemed to sound beter with all the springs back in place,a topic for another day

[@Mr.Steve-O]

I spoke to Fender USA a while back about some replacement parts and they suggested Ping as well for bridges and tuners. I did toss in a brass block in my bridge for my 88 MIJ strat, paired up with 1/2 rounds and it sounds very vintagey now. Your guitar sounds fantastic, I need to check out Dingwall pickups, not sure they are available here in the USA, but will check. Cheers!

[@TheGuitarShow]

Pleasure bro thanks for the info

[@MBRMrblueroads]

Great information 👍👍

[@ToddTheJoker]

You should have A'B ed the strat with the softer metal bridge from Crazy Parts and without...just a thought.

[@TheGuitarShow]

Yes that’s true. I can easily hear a different tone as I have played this guitar for many years

[@dnields]

Fender USA makes all of their bridge parts in the corona, CA factory using some of the very same presses they used from day one. Any Fender factory tour video will show and explain that. Even Mexico has their own presses to make bridge parts. Squier is a different story. Cheers!

[@BoltRM]

Same presses, but different alloy?

[@TheGuitarShow]

Thanks for this - are the metals the same compositions as the 50/60s guitars?

[@dnields]

@@TheGuitarShow All I can tell you is that they are made from steel, according to the Fender factory tours. Whether it's the same composition of steel from the 50s/60s, I couldn't say.

[@suavejay3716]

Hi Ramon,I have Raw Vintage springs on my 80s Tokai strat I'm using original Tokai saddles and block and the guitar has developed that woody sound over years which is nearly 40 years now.

[@Atttuner]

We are literally living out that scene in spinal tap…..this one goes to ELEVEN…..it’s one more😂

[@DJPLAYNICE]

Enjoyed the vid. Metallurgy 👈🏽😎

[@TheGuitarShow]

Thank you

[@maloosecat123]

it sounds really good!

[@barkeater9606]

I agree, the price for the Masterbuilt Fenders are insane! You can build a guitar closer to the orginals for about $1600. The Masterbuilt Fenders used the same componets as the regular Custom Shop guitars. It's really a marketing scam! Even Gibson Custom Shop doesn't use the correct bridge metals that they used in the late 1950's. The Four Uncles Restorations ABR1 bridge is the only true correct bridge.

[@TheGuitarShow]

Thanks for this - great comment!

[@J.C...]

They aren't paying those guys peanuts to build guitars. If they get paid on a commission basis like an automotive tech then it explains exactly why they cost what they do. If a Master Builder puts 25 hours into a guitar at just 100 per hour, that's just $2500 in labor alone. Not even counting cost of materials and parts. They're on par with what, it costs to have a master craftsman build you a guitar in the US. But your reaction is the exact reason people send manufacturing overseas and why customers by those foreign made products. They think they're being ripped off and shouldn't be charged as much for product X so they go buy the cheaper product Y.

[@kingfisher7960]

So lesson: a guitar is wire and wood. Minus the wood, you have wire. Of that wire, single coils, the correct tone pot 500k, and the correct volume pot, should get you in the territory the amplifier needs to take the guitar to that vintage tone.

[@kingfisher7960]

I do believe in brass but not other alloys as far as guitar goes. All other alloys besides brass seem dull.

[@MichaelSheaAudio]

Do you happen to have recordings of the comparison with the other two guitars you mentioned? If you were just listening in the moment, the acoustic sound of the guitar would mix with the amplified sound coming from the amp, changing your perception of the guitar's tone. Plus, in the time it takes to unplug, put the guitar down, pick up the other guitar, plug it in and start playing, your brain has already forgotten what the last guitar sounded like. Without back to back recordings of a mic'd amp or direct signals into an amp sim to compare, it's hard to conclude how similar or different the amplified sound is. If I was looking to get a vintage sound, I'd use an amp and speaker that were used back in the day. Different speaker models can change the sound dramatically, so it would be wise to start with a vintage spec Jensen or Celestion speaker.

[@TheGuitarShow]

I will do a sound test in the near future - we did an acoustic test first and it was quite revealing in regards to the effect of changing the metal parts. Thanks

[@william7108]

Wow you got a blue boy Strat sounding good I'm liking this I use voice message unfortunately just to make a sentences like almost learning analytics of guitar

[@vinced5741]

What goes for the metal also counts for the lacquer. It's different from 60 + years ago. I personally see the custom shop work more as a detailed craftsmanship which can be personalized to your request. One thing is for sure ..... the custom shop guitars play very nicely which is not always the case with real vintage instruments

[@iagobroxado]

Maybe the difference in tone is being made by the weight not the material?? Just wondering.

[@BoltRM]

Maybe so. If you can get similar metal, the weight should be easy to get. Might as well try to match both.

[@TheGuitarShow]

Good point!

[@philleatham3670]

Your guitar sounds great! Love the white scratch plate too. I tried a new scratch plate and pickups on my SRV Strat but never got it to sound like I wanted. I think the body and neck have to be right before doing incremental tweaks. Buying a refin is a risky business, especially for a hobby guitarist like myself - you don't know which parts are original and which not. It could be a complete dog. On the other hand I would have no trouble trusting that a Dale Wilson is going to be a good guitar.

[@TheGuitarShow]

Many thanks for your comment bro

[@derekclacton]

From some new Fender parts I’ve obtained recently, I can say that the (Tele) bridge is made in the USA but the screws are made in Taiwan. I believe all Fender’s traditional bridges are made in the USA - using the original machinery and the modern ones are also American-made.

[@TheGuitarShow]

Thanks for this info

[@Atttuner]

Who’s the actual supplier in the USA if you know this?

[@cliffhanger8170]

Would have nice to hear an A/B test

[@TheGuitarShow]

Yes - I agree - Ill try to d something like that in the future

[@williampayne7678]

Nice Sart

[@TheGuitarShow]

Thanks

[@alohamark3025]

VegaTrem should send you their product just so you can try one of the most expensive trem systems on the planet. You may need to purchase noiseless springs from Floyd Rose to work with VT. Eventually, you may just give up and go all vintage with a pre-CBS Strat. Most guitar players should consider all the money they spent on MIM, MIJ, Edwards, Fender American Standard, AVRI, AV 2, Custom Shop and Masterbuilt. It adds up to a lot of experimentation expense and time, when the truth was staring them in the face.

[@Les537]

I notice the difference in metal with bridges parts on my gibsons. Hard steel parts brightens it up. Softer brass parts make it warmer. I tend to prefer the brass. I'm no metallurgist. Another example would be steel frets changing the sound.

[@TheGuitarShow]

Great comment - thanks!

[@1badhaircut]

This should be good !

[@william7108]

Yeah I like that Snappy crispy vintage sound d clear understandable when you're playing the guitar doesn't sound muddy doesn't sound over caramelized you know like a cake with too much chocolate that's all you're doing it tasting the chocolate yeah it has to be right there dead center back off on the tongue back off on the volume increase where you're playing in each different pickup position to get all those cool tones and sounds yep thanks appreciate the video there

[@balke7935]

Is that a poly finish?

[@TheGuitarShow]

Hi Blake, no it’s nitro

[@balke7935]

@@TheGuitarShow I love it mate, looks like placid, but it’s a bit brighter ❤️

[@pjincho]

Great vid! Very informative. Is the Crazy Parts trem system the pre-CBS repro, or the “new vintage” system? The price is pretty significantly different. Any idea if they’re immensely different?

[@vayabroder729]

I believe Fender is procuring and not manufacturing hardware offshore, not in the US.

[@TheGuitarShow]

Right

[@william7108]

Yeah I put a big block in my I think it's a 2000 5 American Stratocaster and it's sitting there I keep getting that high e-string in that harmonic range and that sucker snaps on me everytime almost every other time I play it maybe the saddle has a snare in it but it drives me crazy because I love playing that guitar but and I don't mind playing on five strings don't get me wrong but I really like to play with all six strings course hey way I just jump on something else and it sits there and stares at me but I know that sucker sounds fantastic but so do all my other guitars I'm sure you know where I'm coming from

[@ranman58635]

I put a vintage round cap in 2 guitar's. They sounded so unique. Now wishing i didnt sell them.

[@TheGuitarShow]

Nice mod

[@william7108]

I think I can write a song on Just the Springs on your guitar yes

[@missioncontrol6037]

Master built and all fender custom shop models have gotoh made in Japan hardware. They are different construction than ping. Not sure of the alloy, but there are many subtle differences in the gotoh Japan FCS hardware that are far more similar to the pre cbs I have played.

[@missioncontrol6037]

For example, the springs that come on the fcs models have 39 rings and are looser tension as opposed to most manufacturers who have 40-41 rings and tighter tension. So there is definitely an attention to detail at FCS. However I agree and wish they were made in USA!

[@saycefan]

100% agree on buying a real strat opposed to custom shop 🤔

[@TheGuitarShow]

Amen brother

[@derekclacton]

Strat looks great with the new scratch plate, Ramon :) Can’t tell if it’s parchment, or white? Here’s the thing, for me at least, with “Fender Masterbuilt” it does seem that you’re ‘paying for the name’ twice, to some extent … a masterclass in marketing perhaps - does the £$ charged guarantee a masterpiece? I don’t know … Having said that, I wouldn’t mind one - but it wouldn’t be relic’d and it wouldn’t have a spec you’d find on any other guitar Fender makes; so it would be unique and definitely not a replica. It would look great (natural finish) and for the money I’d expect it to sound and play great too. Value for money? The thing is, I think much of the Masterbuild element seems to be in the lengthy and highly skilled relic-ing process, which isn’t for me. The neck would obviously be the most crucial / costly component. If it didn’t turn out to be a dream guitar, I’d probably sell it and put together ten high quality partscasters for the same cost! I’m no luthier but putting together a Tele isn’t rocket surgery - I’ve left my Strat alone (for now) but it might not escape being modded!👍

[@TheGuitarShow]

That Makes Sense Derek

[@giulioluzzardi7632]

Nickel strings next and PV 65s enamel coated wire pickups will make it better than your mates! I am more OCD than anyone. I took the springs out of the Guitar ( AO 60s).put them on a flame for 5 mins then doused them in water like a blacksmith and put them back and don't know what happened but they Zing now?

[@terrytrapp6036]

Did you say vintage springs lol

[@TheGuitarShow]

Raw Vintage springs - sorry I should have been clearer. Its a company based in Japan I think

[@william7108]

Blackmore smokes

[@william7108]

Okay homeboy let me know actually I heard a couple cool looks and before I even made my statement I better slow down otherwise I'm going to put my my foot in my mouth which I've never been able to do!

[@william7108]

Just to let you know the 61 was a really bad a Stratocaster

[@keiranbradley3238]

You can buy an all original '66 Strat for just over £10 grand so to buy a "master-built" customshop Strat for the same price makes zero sense to me!. Some "master-built" Fenders are going for upwards of £20 grand!. It's certainly not players who are buying those guitars, it's for people with more money than sense.

[@TheGuitarShow]

Amen!

[@keiranbradley3238]

@TheGuitarShow It's crazy the nostalgia thing with guitars but I was just floored earlier today looking for some NOS valves for my old '64 AC10, there's people asking £680 for an NOS ECC83/12AX7!. Are their actual people who buy them?. Totally nuts!. Always love watching/listening to your playing and content Ramon, you've got a great perspective on all things guitar. All the best.

[@naka3339]

im sorry dude this is so stupid ... "my vintage springs, my vintage block, my vintage pickguard, my vintage bla bla bla" that's

[@TheGuitarShow]

The clue is in the title of the video bro

[@BoltRM]

Matching components as close as possible should get you close.

[@TheGuitarShow]

@@BoltRM I agree

[@J.C...]

"improve" a few things. There was no improvement. You just had to justify how much money you spent.

[@TheGuitarShow]

Actually there was a massive improvement

[@jupitermoongauge4055]

I think 10 grand for a strat is utterly ridiculous. However I believe it would easily be possible for a master built Strat to be way better than a vintage Strat because the quality control and attention to detail of woods, neck fitting, pickup winding etc. of the master built would be way more intensive than the way the vintage instruments were built. However, I believe if you know what you're doing, you can build an extremely high quality Strat from parts that will sound amazing for less than a grand