Vintage Reload
Read the full Wudtone Vintage Reload review in the OCT 17 issue of Guitar & Bass here.
2016 saw customers continue to be delighted with Wudtone’s hardware and also our first press coverage in Guitar and Bass magazine where the Wudtone CP Vintage tremolo scored a rare 10/10 excellence award.
2017 sees this acclaimed hardware combined with a unique service able to take the dynamic, tone and playability or their Strat into a different league.
In addition Wudtone have some ready modded guitars available in our online shop here.
What makes a truly great Strat?
- Great setup, playability and feel in use
- Gorgeous classic tones
- A safe investment
Guitars with great setup and playability, enable you to progress quickly and also give confidence to squeeze the most out of every note when performing. Strats have a very distinctive yet versatile sonic character, whether you are a fan of Buddy Holly, Hendrix, SRV, Clapton, Gilmour, Knopfler, Blackmore etc. you are sure to want to be able to tap into some of those authentic Strat tones. A combination of great playability, feel, tones all add up to a truly great Strat.
STRAT options that exist today?
The first Pre-cbs Stratocasters had a clear formula. A simple dynamic device (pre pickups) based on a set of known wood/metal ingredients. The contact between these wood/metal components drove the dynamics and this in turn determines how the whole guitar reacts, resonates and accordingly how the strings react/vibrate in response to the way it is being played.
In the early 80’s Fender introduced and still use, a two pivot post type bridge system. This type of bridge is lifted off the body of the guitar and so in terms of actual dynamics has a very different set of materials and contact. Discerning players know that these 2 post Strats, just don’t create the same sound. Of course not, a vintage style trem which is actually in touch with the body, with a big surface area, is critical to the dynamic of a vintage Strat and key to the creamy, complex tones produced.
The two pivot post approach has become strongly marketed as a strategic, tone delivering, USA made platform for Fender alongside lower cost Made in Mexico Strats. As a result the lower cost MIM Strats are fitted with different material metal parts so they do not, in terms of dynamic, tone and sustain out perform and undermine the value of the two pivot post USA made versions.
Current Stratocaster examples:
- Made in Mexico (new £500 – £1000, 2nd hand £250 – £450)
- Made in Japan (new £550 – £850, 2nd hand £600-700)
- Made is USA 2 post (new £1350 – £1500, 2nd hand £700- £1000)
- Made in USA , Vintage reissue AVRI (new £1500 – £1600, 2nd hand £1200 – £1600)
- Custom Shop (new £2500 – £5000)
- Pre-cbs £5000 upwards
Anyone looking for a new Strat based on the same kind of basic ingredients, body / neck wood, bridge metal type as an original, is going to have to find some £1500 + , AVRI ( American Vintage reissue) or Custom Shop money or more to get it.
Having said that, in terms of the basic wood ingredients, e.g. Alder/Ash bodies, Maple, Maple/Rosewood necks, Made in Mexico Strats offer a perfectly good platform on which to reload vintage equivalent hardware and so deliver the best bang for your buck Strats.
Testimonial
“I was hoping this reload program would enable me to get the same sounds, my original 61 & 63 Strats have, without the risk of getting my originals stolen! I was so blown away by the first Strat, I ordered a second Candy Apple one!”
“Both guitars have been in action at recent shows. I have to say as a Vintage Strat guy, these guitars are exceptional. Both guitars will be out on the road this year and will be used in the studio for the new album.”
Mark Boughton, lead guitarist with Lorise Eton & the Stealers.
What is the Wudtone Vintage Reload Programme
Every guitar is put through an eleven stage programme. This changes all of the critical, non wood materials and key contact points ( not including tuners) . It is these materials and the contact between them which determine the dynamic efficiency, sustain, tone character and also tuning stability of the guitar.
The eleven stages are outlined below :
1. Frets levelled whilst under tension
2. Fret polish after levelling
3. Fretboard re-oiling as required
4. Wudtone CP Vintage 50s – shim recess (finish removed)
5. Wudtone CP Vintage 50s trem fitted
6. Neck pocket holes re-drilled to suit Wudtone screws
7. Neck heel cleaned and correct pilot holes drilled
8. Neck fitted, Wudtone power plate (alignment check)
9. New strings fitted
10. Real bone nut fitted, final hand cut and shaping
11. Guitar relief, intonation, action, playability test
Watch the work being done step by step, in the gallery and listen to the results in the video below.
Benefits of the Vintage Reload Programme :
Each guitar is transformed with:
- Easy set up, great playability and feel due to
- design of CP Vintage Bridge and accurate levelling of frets under string tension
- Stiffer neck to body joint and with more compression
- Enhanced dynamic and sustain due to
- improved neck /body joint
- Wudtone’s “whacker plate shim” recessed for best body connection
- Genuine, real bone, hand cut nut
- Improved tuning stability due to
- Wudtone CP Vintage tremolo design, with top plate recesses
- Minimised String breaks due to
- curved plate exit string guides
- Sensitive (no slack) trem operation due to
- 5mm stainless trem arm with nylon bush fitted in the block.
- Classic Strat tones due to equivalent pre-cbs materials:
o 1018 cold steel block
o CP Vintage 50s bridge plate
o Steel Nickel bridge saddles
Each guitar that leaves our workshop comes with a numbered “Wudtone Vintage Reload” certificate as proof of the work that has been carried out.
To make arrangements to book your guitar in for this service, just email mail@wudtone.com or call 01291 671515.
Wudtone – Vintage Reload Service – Cost (excludes return postage)
£365 ( CP Vintage 50s hardware,)
£385 (CP Holy Grail hardware)
A small number of select ready to gig, Wudtone Vintage Reload Strats are available in our online shop here.