Hi, I have a Mid 90's Mexican Stratocaster that ...

Hi,
I have a Mid 90's Mexican Stratocaster that was upgraded with Seymour Duncan pickups and graphite bridge saddles, but otherwise is stock. A problem I have always had with this guitar is that it sounds great on the upper frets, but the sound loses its presence, depth, and clarity when playing lower down on the neck. The sound is especially weak below the 5th fret, where the low end has very little body to it. I am wondering if you think that replacing the neck with something of higher quality will solve this problem. If so, what type of neck would you recommend for a strat to achieve a deep presence all the way through the lowest frets of the neck, but still have bell like clarity and resonance above the 12th fret? Any comments will be greatly appreciated!

Best,
Webster

Hi Guest, This problem can be caused by several things, however I will cover the three most common first 1)Pick Up height. 2) action. 3)Tremelo

If you do not use the tremelo (If fitted) Its best to anchor it, I will advise you how to accomplish this if needed. Ref Action and Pick up height I have enclosed Fender specs for you

[img size=400][/img]


Start with these and if that fixes it that's fine if not continue with trying to find the answer.

Fenderphil

Thanks a lot for getting back to me. I have already locked down my tremelo, and I have tried setting the action and pick up height in many different ways, but nothing seems to solve this problem. Any more suggestions/thoughts would be greatly appreciated!

Thanks a lot.

Hi,
This may sound a little weird, but try putting a C-clamp on the headstock. Not too tight now, you don't want to put a dent in your guitar! Play the guitar and see if there is a difference in response.
What this does in effect is add more mass to the headstock end of the neck, and, hopefully, increase resonance.
Okay, I know what you're thinking, 'I can't go around playing my guitar with a C-clamp on it'.
So you get one of these...http://www.groovetubes.com/FATHEAD_P2130.cfm
Check it out.
I hope this helps! I love my Mexi-Strat!