Haynes Fender Strat Manual

[BarryH]

I had an early christmas present yesterday, the Haynes Fender Stratocaster Manual.

Having only had time for a quick scan through the pages it seems to be a very useful book, that's if you've got a strat of course.

I'll get back once I've had chance for a deeper look into the hardbacked covers.

Cheers
Barry

[BarryH]

The more I read this book, the better it gets.

There's even mention of Charlie Hall and the excellent EFTP programmes.

Cheers
Barry

[Charlie Hall]

Hi Barry,
I haven't yet seen the Haynes book so I don't know what I'm missing. I had heard that I was mentioned in it but had forgotten so thanks for reminding me.
Regards,
Charlie

[BarryH]

Hi Charlie,

There's a section specially about big names strats. Hank gets a good mention. I'd hoped this section was more about their guitars but it's more about their equipment and how they use it.

You get a mention in Hank's section.

I asked for the book thinking it would help with the strip downs I'm doing and basically, it's everything I'd hoped for. Better still, it's basically British. I had expected the book to be American based but most of the guitars used for the setups came from Peter Cooks. Good old John Diggins helps all the way through, as do a few other top British guitar techies.

Cheers
Barry

[asimmd]

Hi Barry

As stated,the book is excellent.

I bought it as soon as it was available,anything Fender,and I'm hooked.

The only thing it dosen't provide is the courage to tackle some of the jobs
it mentions.I reckon if you got really stuck,it would be extremely useful,but for now
I just like looking at the pictures.

Things I am wary of touching are the truss rod and the nut,I would also
think taking the neck off would be a bit daunting?

Alan

[Charlie Hall]

Hi Alan,
Removing and refitting a neck is straightforward enough but you need to make sure that if there is any side play in the pocket that the strings are equally distant from the fingerboard edges on both sides before finally tightening the screws. The position of any paper or other material packing between the neck and the neck pocket also needs to be noted so it goes back exactly as it was before.
When I remove a neck to adjust a truss rod, I usually just slacken the strings enough to release all tension, then undo the screws, sharing the load by undoing them evenly like a cylinder head, carry out the adjustment and then refit the neck with the screws almost tightened and tune up to a low pitch, force the neck to be at the correct angle if necessary for string alignment, then tighten the neck screws fully and tune up to pitch. This also allows the instant alignment of the strings relative to the neck edges.
I did once read that the neck screws are weakened every time they are removed so maybe that needs to be considered, but I never replaced any of mine and I've removed necks dozens of times.

[BarryH]

Adjusting the truss rod was one of the things I was interested in.

I've always been able to adjust the later strats and done so quite often. Getting the new 57 reissue guitars where the adjuster is at the front of the neck was something new to me.

It's all in there though. More or less as Charlie describes.

Cheers
BArry

[5tratocaster]

I've had this manual since it was first published and have used it to good effect in stripping down and setting up 3 strats and a strat copy.
My only criticism of the book is that the sections don't follow a logical order if you're trying to set up a guitar from scratch. For example, Neck Adjustment is on p37, close to Bridge Adjustment and Tremolo Alignment, but Truss Rod Adjustment is on p98 and Pickup Height Setting is on p84.
Perhaps it would have been useful to put all the parameters like string height, pickup height, and neck relief measurements on the same page.
Geoff

[twang46]

Just seen that Amazon UK are selling the Haynes, Strat (& Gibson) manuals from £12.59 with free postage.

Dick

[BarryH]

Hi Dick,

I believe that's where mine came from, it worked out cheaper than the well known auction site and without the hassle.

Cheers
Barry

[kipper]

havent heard anyone say undo like a cylinder head in donkeys years. that was the first thing my dad taught me about when working on motor cars/ bikes. its something that has stayed with me and every time i bolt or unbolt something thats the first thought in my mind. took me right back to my younger days.we must be giving our age away here charlie. thanks for the memory. peter

[Charlie Hall]

I thought that would be the easiest way to describe what I meant. Glad to have brought back happy memories!
Regards,
Charlie

[UK Brian]

Ouch, not really happy memries LOL, yeah , the instant I read the words " like a cylinder head" I thought OMG , at the time i'm thinking of we ( brother Mike and myself ) were involved in motor racing and we had this complicated mini built from a 1275 block and bored out then stroked down to 850cc, hell it could rev, but cylinder head gaskets only lasted about 1/2 hour max and had to be replaced after qualifying ready for the race, what a cigarette !!!,
They were good times tho' and as it was part of our business a very necessary part of our work.
More on the Haynes manuals, we did at one time refer to a Haynes book and at one point it read, tighten to 4 ft lbs, when it should have read .4 ft lbs, a simple misplaced decimal point that could easily lead to broken/stripped threads, needless to say we never used them again, and used the much more expensive genuine workshop manuals.
Charlie if this doewsnt belonga here, you have my per' to move it,
cheers
Brian

[Charlie Hall]

Hi Brian,
I was never too sure whether to trust the Haynes manuals either. As far as I know they are based on someone completely stripping a car down. Autobooks seemed better, but I don't see those around these days.
I'll leave your message here as it will spoil the continuity of the thread if moved.
Regards,
Charlie