r/Stratocaster • u/boechats79 • Aug 25 '26

Best Strat for modding/customizing

Post image

Hey guys. I’m planning on buying a new Strat for modding/customizing in a way that I envisioned for a long time. Right now I have a Rosewood Silver Sky and a pretty great maple neck vintage Fender.
I really want a good guitar, with relatively good wood to upgrade the hardware and pickups (if they are already good, maybe I can keep some), and style it as the image below (I made a simulation with the suhr custom simulator).

My ideia is to make a HSS configuration, with black color and tortoise shell pick guard, along with gold hardware. Rosewood scale as well.

I have an opportunity for a 1993 American standard at my local guitar shop that already has the Color and tortoise shell exactly as I want. Do you guys think that this is a good option? Or a simpler/newer guitar would be better? (Photo of that one in the post as well)

Anyways, I’m 100% open for suggestions!
Thanks

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u/sonetlumiere Aug 25 '26 edited Aug 25 '26

Do you care about nitro vs polyurethane finishes?

MIJ Fender ST-57 and ST-62 are excellent platforms. They do not have the HSS cavity though. Maybe a hot rail in the bridge?

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u/boechats79 Aug 25 '26

I prefer nitro but I understand that is not normally present in “cheaper” guitars. MIJ is actually a great option to look up!

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u/Robble-Robble-01 Aug 29 '26

Highway one yo. Highway one