Worth the money ...

OilCityPickups

As a counterbalance to some of the negativity that's been floating around on here of late, here's some stuff that i think is definitely worth the money:
Electrosockets for Telecasters: simply the first upgrade I do to any Tele. That original cup design is truly horrible, and an Electrosocket just rights a  60+ year cock up.

Wilkinson Strat trems: simply the best bang per buck for upgrading a lower end Strat.

Switchcraft jack sockets: they just feel so much better than the far eastern ones.

Earvana nut: perhaps a contentious one, but after getting our Feline demo Strat that came fitted with one ... I'm convinced they are the way forward. It simply plays more in tune than any other guitar in our rack.

And a couple of more personal ones: those little Joyo 'American' and 'British' etc pedals ... way more fun for your money than their 'cost of a round at the pub' prices.

And finally ... any good, wide, comfortable strap :-)

Adam_MD

Totally agree with the earvana nut my strat has one fitted and my experience has been the same as yours.  My prs is the only other guitar which comes close.  

JerkMoans

Tell me more of this electrosocket sorcery. Genuine desire for enlightenment in my pitiful ignorance (Standard Tele jack sockets do my head in)

OilCityPickups

Sits in the hole for the cup and is secured by two screws ... simples

JerkMoans

TheGuitarWeasel said:

Sits in the hole for the cup and is secured by two screws ... simples

Zen Mastery

OilCityPickups

I fit em to all my Teles ... they just do the job. 

mrkb

TheGuitarWeasel said:

Sits in the hole for the cup and is secured by two screws ... simples

Agree. I’ve also just got a few of the dual contact jack sockets that balance the forces on the jack plug- think that will be a good improvement on the standard design.

https://www.homeoftone.co.uk/products/pure-tone-multi-contact-1-4-output-jack-socket?variant=5383178453021

OilCityPickups

Ooooo those look interesting ... 

GSPBASSES

Homeoftone  looks interesting. 

FelineGuitars

TheGuitarWeasel said:

Sits in the hole for the cup and is secured by two screws ... simples

You should fit a nut and washer BEHIND the electrosocket so the threaded part of the jack sits flush with the smooth surface of the electrosocket. Makes it much easier to glide the jack plug in .

Adam_MD

My offering is the humble Gotoh SD91 split post tuners.  Really well made feel great to use and only cost about £34 you can buy cheaper machineheads but I’m not sure why you’d bother.  

OilCityPickups

And easier to put the screws in!

Humbucked

Good to recognise some positives. A little creative design thinking can go a long way and make things easier.Given the the plethora of gear reviews that are available, it defeats me why the big brands keep getting away with the same old same old.

OilCityPickups

Adam_MD said:

My offering is the humble Gotoh SD91 split post tuners.  Really well made feel great to use and only cost about £34 you can buy cheaper machineheads but I’m not sure why you’d bother.  

Every time I stab myself with a cut string end on one of my non Fender style guitars I thank the lord for split post tuners on the majority of my Teles and Strats.

guitarfishbay

Evertune. It might not be for everyone but as far as I’m concerned I love it. 

TTBZ

Decent set of locking tuners. Makes life so much easier, I want them fitted to all my guitars!

OilCityPickups

guitarfishbay said:

Evertune. It might not be for everyone but as far as I’m concerned I love it. 

Never actually tried Evertune products ... but i'm always open to new ideas. 

Funkfingers

Freeway 3x3-03 six-way toggle pickup selector switch. 

OilCityPickups

Can I add this:

The little pickup polarity tester that StewMac do. It's a god send for anyone doing pickups swaps, magnet flips, or just sorting out which, out of a box full of Strat pickups, will work with each other. 
It's sub a tenner ... and my most used tool in the workshop.

Paul_C

FelineGuitars said:

TheGuitarWeasel said:

Sits in the hole for the cup and is secured by two screws ... simples

You should fit a nut and washer BEHIND the electrosocket so the threaded part of the jack sits flush with the smooth surface of the electrosocket. Makes it much easier to glide the jack plug in .

A good point, however if you use a right-angled jack then the above is perfect (for a Neutrik jack at least).

sgosden

do the earvana nuts need much experience to change out, and are they just for strats?