...And Mods For All

Couldn't help the 1989 Metallica reference for the title of this post. Those things happen. In any case, I once again have gotten very hyped about some modifications I wish to do to my Made in Mexico(MIM for the forum lingo enabled) Fender Stratocaster guitar. I have in the past done a few things to beef the ol' axe up including the following:

1. Replacement of stock tuners with Sperzel Locking Tuners
2. Replacement of stock nut with LSR Roller Nut
3. Replacement of stock bridge sections with graphite bridge sections
4. Replacement of bridge position pickup with Blue Lace Sensor pickup
5. Replacement of middle position pickup with Gold Lace Sensor pickup

Next up is working on the primary tone of the guitar as a whole. This involves several very simple modifications that, with a few basic materials being handy, can be done at no cost whatsoever. Others not. First is removing the plastic plate from the back that covers the tremolo springs. Done. Next is:

1. Removing the neck to assure it is wood to wood contact on the heel of the neck as well as the neck cavity on the body. Sand off any paint, stickers, etc.
2. Removing the bridge piece and sanding off the paint underneath that for a nice clean connection to the wood. (I found this great article about all of this and it said that Eric Johnson has this done to all of his Strats. Interesting.)
3. Purchasing higher grade wiring cable for under the pickguard and replacing the cheaper stock stuff.
4. Purchasing adhesive copper shielding tape to install on the back of the pickguard and electronic cavity then running a ground wire to it.
5. Purchasing a 3 pin 4 amp toggle switch and wiring it appropriately to the neck pickup and 5-way selector as well as drilling a hole in the pickguard for said switch. This will make it possible to use the bridge and neck pickups at the same time as well as all 3 pickups at the same time if desired.
6. More down the road, I would also like to install an onboard effects pcb under the pickguard for fun. I found a site that builds compact electronics specifically for this application.
7. There are numerous other replacement components and things to do as well, but I already have a lot to focus on. Here's to hoping I get my ass in gear...