Stratocaster Mods and Upgrades

Welcome to the Stratocaster Design

STRATOCASTER HOT ROD SHOP

Last Update: 2023.08.26

This is a Fender Stratocaster centric shop only and is not affiliated with Fender FMIC.

This is where you’ll find information about getting upgrades or a custom designed Fender Stratocaster.

CUSTOM LOADED PICKGUARDS

Check out the FAQ page on this. This is one of our most popular services.

Customized New or Existing Pickguards

New or Existing Pickguards – We can upgrade your existing pickguard is you sent it to us, we modify it to your specifications and return it. This can include anything, even changing pickups. We also can wire quick disconnects so you don’t have to solder at all.

EXAMPLES OF SOME OF THE CIRCUIT DESIGNS

• Strat Bucker (Single Series Arrangements)
• Dual Strat Bucker (2 series Arrangements)
• Spank Switch (Parallel Bridge/Neck)
• Blender (Spank Blender – Neck and Bridge using Blender Pot)
• Splitters (Splits humbuckers into single coil)
• New Pots Upgrades (CTS, Bourns, Seymour Duncan, etc)
• New Capacitors (Change Capacitor Types or Values)
• Dual Capacitor setups (Independent Caps for the Tone Pots)
• Tone Director (switchable tone pot targets. Example: pot can be assigned to Bridge or Middle pickup, useful especially with Bass Control circuits with ONE master Treble)
• Treble Bleed design and install
• QUADSTAR circuit
• POWER SHIFTER circuit
• MidBucker (Variation of creating a humbucker with the center pickup)
• TriBucker (a setting that makes a MONSTER Humbucker by the flick of a switch)
• VariTone – This complicated circuit has a rotary switch that allows multiple configurations
• BridgeMaker – This keeps the neck the same and allows combinations of bridge and middle with neck.
• CANDY TONE – A powerhouse of options
• SUGAR TONE – Another version of the CANDYTONE
• POWERSHIFTER – A Bread and Butter option arrangement (very popular) and POWERSHIFTER EX
• QUADSTAR – This sits in between a POWERSHIFTER and SUGARTONE in terms of power and complexity
• Some of these wiring scheme can be combined.
• Special Custom Wiring by order – Many many options.

Pickup Recharging

• Pickup Recharging – Give those weak or dead pickups a boost!
  • Alnico Pole Single Coil Pickups only
  • No Ceramic recharging

Pickup Swaps and Upgrades

• Pickup Swaps and Updates
  • Put in pickups of your choice (Fender, Seymour Duncan, Dimarzio, Lace Sensor)

Guitar Setup (Local Or Custom Builds Only)

• Intonation (Bridge)
• New Strings
• Bridge Floating adjustments (Includes Saddle Height, Springs, Truss Rod if needed)
• Action adjustments (Saddle Height, Truss Rod is needed)
• Pickup height balancing (set proper pickup heights)

OTHER (Local or existing customers only)

• Locking tuner installation
  • 2 Pin Standard (Fender or Schaller) – Very predictable
  • Locking Vintage (this are more difficult if the bushing size isn’t accurate)
  • MIM and US only (Squire requires drilling and costs more)
• New Body/Neck Upgrades and Swaps.
  • Selection from Fender Bodies and necks, combine with a custom pickguard!
• Neck Plate Updates and Misc Part updates
  • Install Logo neck plates – It holds the neck on (4 bolt styles)
  • Change from a Chrome Theme to a Gold Theme

Frets (Local or existing customers only)

• Roll the edges of those razor sharp frets, you’ll love it.
• Level Frets
• Fret Clean Up, Nut Work and replacement

Custom Fender Stratocaster Builds

• You pick the color, the neck, the pickups, the pickguard, the wiring…and we do all the work for you. Ask us about the process or select from our rare full build offerings.