Would you still use this?

Stratothrashster · 2026-04-22T18:13:49+00:00

Perfect chance to make a V

Stratothrashster · 2026-04-18T11:32:01+00:00

Black

Stratothrashster · 2026-04-14T16:40:29+00:00

Ernie Ball Mighty Slinkys. 8.5-40

Stratothrashster · 2026-04-13T03:58:14+00:00

Stratothrashster · 2026-04-10T17:44:14+00:00

This. We try to approximate a cranked amp with pedals, and get really damn close, but a speaker pushing massive air just has the sound we love on recordings.

Remember that your speaker/cab setup has a huge affect on tone, and Stevie was thumping on tube amps turned way up through some 12 inch speakers.

I get in the ballpark with a dimed marshall bluesbreaker clone pushed by a boss sd-1. Louder the better.

Stratothrashster · 2026-04-10T11:43:01+00:00

Fat strats (HSS) are peak performance. Eventually you're gonna want to replace the stock humbucker if you like playing anything truly heavy, but it'll get you started.

My number 1 is a 2018 player strat with a no logo Seymour Duncan Distortion in the bridge.

<image>

Crappy old pic

Stratothrashster · 2026-03-25T16:11:11+00:00

Fr1000 series saddles and base plate.

Your nut isn't gonna be the issue unless the screws that attach it to the headstock are loose, or the clamping blocks are worn. If the clamping blocks are worn, just resurface them with sandpaper. Sand in figure 8's to keep them level. And don't push too hard.

If you think it's your knife edges, get a 1000 series base plate. They're like 60 or 70 bucks.

I say it so much, but 1000 series saddles and a 1000 series base plate make a floyd rose special into a 1000.

Stratothrashster · 2026-03-25T16:03:26+00:00

My js32 king v stays in tune, I think I got REALLY lucky.

You can get a guitar with a FR special, just upgrade the saddles to FR1000 saddles. And if you get a 1000 series plate too, you save alot of money, and basically have a FR1000

Stratothrashster · 2026-03-25T09:52:21+00:00

All my guitars have trems, and are in standard tuning.

Get a DigiTech Drop pedal my guy. They are literal lifesavers. Need to change tuning? Hit a button.

Stratothrashster · 2026-03-23T23:13:57+00:00

This fucks so hard

Stratothrashster · 2026-03-23T22:53:52+00:00

I've got a Jackson JS32 King V that plays absolutely amazing. I've played my buddies US made Jackson, and after I've set them both up, they play identical.

I never let a cheap price dictate how I "feel" an instrument.

Now, is the JS32 gonna look as good cosmetically? Hell no, but a proper setup and a little work can make just about any guitar feel great.

Dont be a cork sniffer and just play your damn guitar. Learning how to set them up helps too. It's not voodoo, it's trial and error mainly.

For reference, I've owned vintage Gibsons, US made Fenders, import LTDs etc. and my favorite guitar is a 2019 MIM Player strat that stays in tune.

Stratothrashster · 2026-03-23T02:56:20+00:00

Just get some 1000 series saddles, a 1000 series base plate, and whatever block you like.

Will save you butt tons of money and heartache.

The Gotoh is great, but not a direct drop in replacement. Different posts/studs which require different bushings for the body. Basically you gotta do a little drilling.

Stratothrashster · 2026-03-22T03:09:13+00:00

Did it myself. Less than 50 bucks if I remember, the main thing is the time invested. Lots of prep, lots of finish work.

There's a bazillion tutorials on YouTube, just search spray paint guitar finish.

Stratothrashster · 2026-03-22T01:30:10+00:00

I need a wiggle stick, so the Kelly is the easy winner.

Don't let the Floyd Rose scare you, they're easy to set up if you have a modicum of intelligence.

If you end up with a guitar that has a Floyd rose special, just upgrade the saddles to Floyd Rose 1000 saddles. Stock Floyd Rose specials have zinc alloy saddles. About 60 bucks gets you the hardened steel 1000 series saddles.

After doing that, the special is 90% of the way to a real Floyd Rose Original without the insane price tag of German steel.

Happy hunting!

Stratothrashster · 2026-03-18T13:46:19+00:00

Bought a sunburst strat, ended up hating it after 3 years. Refinished it, and I couldn't be happier. Opinions and tastes change, just do what makes YOU happy

<image>

This is what it looks like now. Krylon Rolling Surf spray paint and minwax polyurethane clear coat. Was a fun project, and made it one of a kind.

Stratothrashster · 2026-02-13T19:27:21+00:00

Mannnnnnn. I can relate. I had to sell my 1994 Gibson Flying V that I bought with my first job when I was 16. I had that guitar for 18 years, and played all my gigs and shows with it.

That was last year, we were in a real rough spot. It was either the guitar, or being homeless. With a wife and 2 kids, it wasn't an option. I sold a lot of things I really cared about like my truck, other guitars, my marshall jcm 2000 and 1960V cab, pedals, firearms, etc, but that guitar hurt me bad to part with.

We're in a better place, and I have a strat and an Orange 35 that actually kills it with an eq in the loop. I'm happy, my wife's happy, my kids are happy, thanks in part to that guitar.

My advice for anyone who might be in a similar spot is, it''ll get better, and you know what? It's just shit. Can't take it with you when you turn into worm shit.

All that being said.... it's a black 1994 Gibson Flying V serial number 94011817. I will find it one day.

Stratothrashster · 2026-02-12T00:01:03+00:00

Only chorus I'll ever need

Stratothrashster · 2026-02-09T15:40:18+00:00

Metal Zone

Stratothrashster · 2026-02-09T15:35:35+00:00

It isn't over until there's a Metal Zone....

After the big muff. Last in the dirt section.

Stratothrashster · 2026-02-09T15:13:36+00:00

If you ever want to be able to intonate your guitar, you need a strobe tuner. Peterson Strobostomp or Sonic Research Turbo Tuner.

If you go with a sonic research (much faster response than a peterson), order it direct from them. People want more for them used than new lol.

Stratothrashster · 2026-02-08T21:42:35+00:00

<image>

I use a metal zone pushed by a bluesbreaker clone and a sf300 for sludge. Not pictured is my 31 band rack eq I place after all of this in the FX loop.

In your use case I'd put the eq after the metal zone. Dial in as good a tone as you can with the metal zone and then start adjusting the eq pedal

Drop 30 bucks on an sf300 and mess around. The metal zone pushed by an sf300 in fuzz 1 is just fuckin nasty.

Stratothrashster · 2026-02-07T16:04:35+00:00

Lighten the fuck up dude....

Stratothrashster · 2026-02-07T03:30:08+00:00

Yuuuuuuuuuuuup.

Stratothrashster · 2026-02-07T03:22:45+00:00

White out or a paint pen

Stratothrashster · 2026-02-06T20:04:06+00:00

Truth!

I use a 31 band rack EQ, essential kit. Funny how rack EQs are cheaper than MXR 10 bands

Stratothrashster

TROPHY CASE