Anybody tried this Gilmour Black Stratocaster Mod kit?

[walterb]

I don't want to blow $4K on a Gilmour Custom Shop Black Strat, but I came across two different kits to modify a strat that might produce a similar sound.

The first is the Red Strat kit, and second is this black strat kit.

I was wondering if anybody had installed it and what sort of luck they had with it.

I don't know what the relationship is between GI surplus and Guitars, but these guys are selling both. Sort of like a violin and chain saw repair shop..

Item #4035 - Custom David Gilmour Style Fully Loaded Black Strat Pickguard Assembly

thanks

[garww]

I re-wired my Kramer many years ago so that neck is on or off and that I can change phase on each of the other two pick-ups. I had some mini switches left over from a '60s job, so I gave it a shot. The next step is to upgrade components, but that's not on my list right now. You might look around for schematics - it's seems like both Clapton and Stevie Ray had hot rodded like this.

[Strat-Cat]

Well, we're not quite a Violin and Chain Saw repair shop. We just have diversified interests. Right now the Stratcat.biz web site is under construction so we are utilizing our Military Gear HQ web site as an outlet for our custom Black Strat Project kits, accessories and parts. The Black Strat Pickguard Assembly you are interested in is custom made by myself, the owner of Military Gear HQ. I custom route the 1 ply black pickguard with the small slot for the recessed mini toggle switch lever to protrude through, just as David's is. I also custom manufactuer the bracket that is used to recess mount the mini toggle switch, I also manufacture the super short 4-1/4" stainless steel tremolo arms. The selection of pickups are exactly as you would find on a Fender Custom Shop model guitar, the pots and 5-way switch are all top quality CTS and CRL. I take pride in my work and present my valued customers with a fully loaded David Gilmour Style Black Strat pickguard assembly they would be proud to own. The pickups are authentic original Fender Custom shop (Fat 50s or Custom 69s) and Seymour Duncan's (SSL-1 or SSL-5). If you have any questions please feel free to drop by the site and take a look around and send me an email, I'm very accesssable and quick to respond to your questions. I build these pickguard assemblies on an as ordered basis since there are a a number of options that can make this pickguard assembly truely your own. There is only about a 1-2 day turnaround time for assembly. I also have my very own personal Black Strat Project guitar outlined in complete detail on the site at The Black Strat Project, 2008-2009.

The web site for the kits, parts and accessories are found at Guitar Equipment - Custom Guitar Parts, Equipment and Accessories For Sale.

Regards,
Craig Wells
Owner
Military Gear HQ
OverDrive Custom Guitar Works

[walterb]

Originally Posted by Strat-Cat

Well, we're not quite a Violin and Chain Saw repair shop. We just have diversified interests. Right now the Stratcat.biz web site is under construction so we are utilizing our Military Gear HQ web site as an outlet for our custom Black Strat Project kits, accessories and parts. The Black Strat Pickguard Assembly you are interested in is custom made by myself, the owner of Military Gear HQ. I custom route the 1 ply black pickguard with the small slot for the recessed mini toggle switch lever to protrude through, just as David's is. I also custom manufactuer the bracket that is used to recess mount the mini toggle switch, I also manufacture the super short 4-1/4" stainless steel tremolo arms. The selection of pickups are exactly as you would find on a Fender Custom Shop model guitar, the pots and 5-way switch are all top quality CTS and CRL. I take pride in my work and present my valued customers with a fully loaded David Gilmour Style Black Strat pickguard assembly they would be proud to own. The pickups are authentic original Fender Custom shop (Fat 50s or Custom 69s) and Seymour Duncan's (SSL-1 or SSL-5). If you have any questions please feel free to drop by the site and take a look around and send me an email, I'm very accesssable and quick to respond to your questions. I build these pickguard assemblies on an as ordered basis since there are a a number of options that can make this pickguard assembly truely your own. There is only about a 1-2 day turnaround time for assembly. I also have my very own personal Black Strat Project guitar outlined in complete detail on the site at The Black Strat Project, 2008-2009.

The web site for the kits, parts and accessories are found at Guitar Equipment - Custom Guitar Parts, Equipment and Accessories For Sale.

Regards,
Craig Wells
Owner
Military Gear HQ
OverDrive Custom Guitar Works

Craig,

I ordered one last week. Its at the post office, i haven't had a chance to pick it up yet. Saturday for sure.

thanks!

[garww]

For DIY people, I actually got my basic schematic from my local library back around '94. I'm not in that town anymore so I can't reference the title.

[mdfreitas]

I bought a David Gilmore complete pickguard and active EMG pickup package online, put it in my american strat, took it out the next day, it sounded like shit, didnt work as the seller indicated, it cost me $318.00. All I like about it was the Pearl white pickguard, the wiring can not be right, it sounds like a set up you would buy at bust buy for $99.00 with the amp. Going to bring it to
knoll guitars in my area and have them evaluate the setup. Dont recommend it. Just use a pod or similar affects to get the sound. Dont waste your money on any of this shit. Just a bunch of hype. Hope this aids you in saving money. Good luck!

[Strat-Cat]

Something definitely must be wrong, it should sound great. It will take a bit of getting used to the difference between active pickups and passive which you are probably already familiar with, but to sound like crap, somethings not connected right or faulty. I built my own similar to the DG-20 but in all black by simply purchasing the 3 SA pickups and the SPC and EXG controls and wiring it up in a B/W/B pickguard and it definitly took about 3 different installs to finally say "Hey, I really do like these things after all", but it did go through 2 other guitars before I finally love them.... Not to say that passive pickups don't also sound great, but EMG's have a different concept behind them. And I picked up everything for far less than the $300+ that EMG wants for aged white SA pickups and white pearl pickguard which is not to my liking at all. EMG does have a very nice circuit layout of all the controls which are integrated into the one circuit board, but that is simply cosmetic, sound and tone is what you are after and eye candy does not have sonic quality.

[walterb]

Originally Posted by mdfreitas

I bought a David Gilmore complete pickguard and active EMG pickup package online, put it in my american strat, took it out the next day, it sounded like shit, didnt work as the seller indicated, it cost me $318.00. All I like about it was the Pearl white pickguard, the wiring can not be right, it sounds like a set up you would buy at bust buy for $99.00 with the amp. Going to bring it to
knoll guitars in my area and have them evaluate the setup. Dont recommend it. Just use a pod or similar affects to get the sound. Dont waste your money on any of this shit. Just a bunch of hype. Hope this aids you in saving money. Good luck!

Sorry to hear its not working correctly. maybe a wiring problem? The one you have is for Gilmour's red strat and is made by a different company than this one. This is the strat-cat black strat gilmour setup. Mine is being fitted in my strat and should be finished any day now. I'll let everyone know how it turns out.

thanks