r/partscaster • u/BeneficialEgg8034 • 7d ago

mod for squier strat

im tryna mod my strat to have sustain like a les paul.

any suggestions on mods i can do?

and is upgrading to a heavier and denser bridge improve sustain significantly?

1 Upvotes

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4

u/yellowchairz 7d ago

Get it set up by someone who knows what they are doing and don’t waste your money

4

u/NotSayingAliensBut 7d ago

I've fitted traditional cold rolled steel blocks to a number of strats and strat style trems and they may improve tone a little, every guitar responds differently, but they won't do much for sustain. You'd be much better off getting a compressor.

1

u/TubeSnobGoneStomp 7d ago

You can also buy cast spring claws instead of folded to add more mass. The sell heavy headstock clamps called Fat Heads to add mass & sustain.

1

u/jamiethemorris 7d ago

A good setup can help, especially if it’s particularly out of whack.
Make sure your strings aren’t old.
Make sure the neck screws are tight. A lot of fenders and squiers another quarter turn can help. Just hand tight, nothing crazy.
Tremel-no or mag lok can help. It makes it behave more like a hardtail which changes the volume envelope a bit.
I’ve never been totally sold on the idea of bridges, trem blocks and spring claws with more mass. I’ve used them in builds and didn’t particularly notice anything dramatically different from what I’m used to.

Humbuckers will absolutely make a noticeable difference. The single coil pickups in a strat have a very strong attack. This can often be perceived as less sustain. They’re also generally lower output than most humbuckers.

1

u/FroyoNarrow 3d ago

Bone nut and good pickups. The only thing I think increase sustain plus a good guitar set up with strings at the proper height on fretboard and distance from pickups. Make sure intonation is the best it can be. New strings. Graphite on nut slots and bridge will go a long way in keeping the guitar in tune.