Modding an MIM Fender Stratocaster into an SRV Look Alike

I have a new project.  Like all of my guitar related pursuits, I sold some gear that I had and didn't need and used the money to buy a 1994 Fender Standard Stratocaster.  These were built in Mexico in the early 90's and are to this day.  Mine is a nice, but slightly banged up one in appearance.  Plays wonderfully, though!  The pickups have great output-- I agree with the fellow who sold it to me-- SRV-like tone.  I decided to buy this guitar with some signs of wear because I want to have a guitar to hot rod into a Stevie Ray Vaughan looking version.  The Sunburst was necessary to achieve that.  I am going for this, or a close proximity:




Mine at the start of this project looks like:

There are a few chips in the paint, which adds to its authentic, slightly worn appearance.  Otherwise, a nice looking guitar!  The plan is to: a) change the pick guard and back cover to matching 3 ply black/white/black (black surface) leaving the white pickups, knobs and switch tip, b) change all of the nickle/chrome hardware to new versions that fit that are finished in Gold, including: tuners, tremolo bridge, jack plate, string tree, pickguard screws, neck plate and strap buttons (assuming everything fits, we will be very close to completion at this point), c) add the SRV stickers to the pickguard and "Custom" sticker found on the original WIFE #1 guitar.

Making these changes does not mean I will have a custom Signature Model SRV Stratocaster, but it will be a nice guitar, with a great neck and wonderfully warm, full sounding pickups, with an SRV vibe.  SRV's guitar was a 1963 body, with a '62 neck and '59 pickups.  The hardware was gold and the tuners were vintage style.  It started out as a sunburst American Strat that looked somewhat like what I have here. I could go further and relic the finish by causing some damage to make it look very worn as the original does above, but for now I will stick with these changes.  As I said, this guitar sounds great and the neck is very comfortable and fast to play.  I will post more picks as progress is made.  In the meantime, more views of this '94 Standard before I start the project below:

This is a photo of the tuners I am replacing with a similar set of Fender tuners that are gold.

Best of all, I am going to learn so much through this process.  I am looking forward to figuring it all out and making it fit.  Thanks for stopping by to read and see my progress.  -- Guitar Man

Blues I am Listening to These Days

I have really been enjoying the guitar and vocals of Joe Bonamassa's album, Blues Deluxe, of late.  This is an album in which versions of Bonamassa's traditional blues are recorded with the intent of paying homage to some of the greatest blues singers/guitarists of all time, and he did it right.  His vocals are outstanding; his guitar work is amazing! Through this album I got to know the music of Bonamassa and it made me want to hear more.  The title song, Blues Deluxe, is incredible and is a cover of the song by the same name that was actually composed by Rod Stewart (yes, that Rod Stewart).

I will write more about this album when I can get back to my blog, but in the meantime, give it a listen.  What I find incredible is that the album version (cover is pictured) is a product of music recorded by a man who was about 26 at the time!  I have posted a video of a live version played four years later, after the album release. Note the soulfulness of Joe's voice, complementing his unbelievable guitar chops! When you hear it, I think you will be truly amazed.  -- Guitar Man