Rebuilds, Repairs, & Upgrades

[CandidPicker]

Hi, folks, it's been a while since I've posted, but I thought I'd ask a thought-provoking question to determine your read on trending guitar building.

I recently let go of a PRS, realizing that I already owned a similar function build guitar, in hopes of looking beyond and perhaps seeing a more futuristic-style guitar that would be ergonomic, lightweight and low-priced enough that I wouldn't hesitate to repair or upgrade the guitar if any QC issues (pups, mostly) were to occur.

So, I did a little research, and discovered Boden Strandberg guitars. Now before the wolf-whistles and cat-calls fill the lecture hall, the reason I'm even mentioning something other than a PRS is to ask a question. Notably, the Boden Strandberg website posts an extensive list of hardware and electronic parts that Ola Strandberg uses in his guitars. Am I wrong to guess that the reason for this extensive list of parts is so whenever parts wear out or fail, they can be replaced or upgraded, yes?

Does it make sense that if someone started out with a low-cost entry level imported model, said guitarist could effectively utilize the parts page to upgrade his electronics, tuning bridge, and locking nut configuration? Ignore the fact that the import model pups are inexpensive OEMs (new pups on the way!)

Could an entry level import be transformed into a comparable USA made Strandberg costing twice as much? (No, a FR locking tremolo is not being added, my nimble fingers will just about navigate the Strandberg locking nut and tuning bridge).

What I'm asking is, could it be possible for PRS to consider a similar flight trajectory given his imported models of guitars as being base-point models that could be upgraded with Imperial or metric parts if the design allows?

It seems that Ola Strandberg provides numerous parts from his websites accessories page. The question is, why? Does Ola expect that his guitars, both import and USA will eventually require repair or upgrade? If yes, could it be possible to upgrade an imported entry level model to USA grade?

Then conversely, would it benefit Paul's imported models to be upgradeable as well?

 

[Birdsofprey]

This is the same debate that’s gone on about SE vs Core. Some will feel that you can throw parts at an Import and come out quite a few $$$ less than a Core and have a similar guitar both sound and playability wise. Like a house you have to have a good foundation and for the most part a Core (of any brand) will have a good foundation now on an Import I would say at least in my experience every two out of ten are worth a chance. However putting all core parts in an Import doesn’t guarantee success just as putting a V8 in a Pinto doesn’t make it a Mach 1. There’s more variables like frets (costly) and other things. Even on Core guitars people will change out parts to make them more to there taste. I have many Import guitars of various brands and like you stated most have changed electronics to include pickups some have change tuners also. I think the two major variables are Economics and Playability that drives us to mod guitars. I wouldn’t hesitate to mod a Korean or Japanese guitar with a high expectation of success not so much lately with what I have seen and played on the shelves and this is constitutes any brand. All Paul’s models can be upgraded and there are tons of parts for SE,S2 and Core not unlike any other brand.

 

[Bogner]

I Have Always Found It Easier And Less Frustrating To Simply Buy The Guitar You Want Instead Of Trying To Buy "A" And Make It "B". For Me, The Time Spent Laboring Over Parts, Choices, Actually Getting Around To Changing The Parts, Etc Just Isn't Worth It.

 

[DISTORT6]

My dad would say “You can paint a garbage can gold, but it’s still a garbage can”.
NOT that SE’s or any lower priced guitars are bad, it’s never going to be what it’s not.

 

[László]

Guitar makers buy switches, pots, tuning machines, and other parts from other manufacturers, like CTS, Switchcraft, Schaller, Gotoh, etc.

Pots are electromechanical devices, as are switches and jacks. They're subject to wear and tear and occasionally need replacement.

So guitar makers offer parts. So do amp makers, microphone stand makers, zipper manufacturers; heck, some shoemakers offer replacement shoelaces. I'm going to guess that Strandberg offers replacement parts to make it easier for customers to find the appropriate parts, and to make a buck or two on the side.

And some folks just plain want the higher priced parts, or to install a shiny new part.

Why wouldn't a guitar maker offer parts? It'd be foolish not to.

I'm with Distort6 and Bogner on the other question, though some people enjoy modding, and others feel the improvement is worth the time and trouble. I'd rather just buy what I really want in the first place. If that means waiting and saving, fine.

 

[CandidPicker]

I Have Always Found It Easier And Less Frustrating To Simply Buy The Guitar You Want Instead Of Trying To Buy "A" And Make It "B". For Me, The Time Spent Laboring Over Parts, Choices, Actually Getting Around To Changing The Parts, Etc Just Isn't Worth It.

Most times, I'd tend to agree with you here. As @Birdsofprey stated, it's important to begin with a good foundation on a house before building upwards.

Yet, based on my budget, I discovered that for the price tag of the imported model, it would be possible to swap out the pups and electronics, and still come in under the cost of the next step up Strandberg core model. The imported hardware is where the potential QC issues might arise, though the Strandberg website has plenty of core parts in stock. (I've not checked regards metric, but will do so soon.)

This guitar will be one of my first "parts" guitar projects, which will be built with USA made pups and electronics. My concern is most one of a tone POV, and my hope is that with pup and electronics replacements, the resultant sound and tone quality will improve.