Thank you for showing this. I had a hard time figuring out how to string this one by the saddle. I have the kind of guitars that string from the back. Thanks again.
@@joehansonguitar I built 2 homemade 23 scale electric guitars completely from scratch with my grandpa when I was 11 the one in my profile picture is my main guitar the other guitar is a homemade 23 scale Fender Esquire style Luther Perkins tribute guitar that's my backup guitar I'm 21 now and still use them both of them are left-handed I'm right-handed and have been playing left-handed since I first started when I was 6 oh yeah and I use Thomastik flatwounds and when we built these guitars we used hand tools no heavy machinery we did everything by hand and Luther Perkins is the reason why I play I'm 5'9 and I prefer short scale guitars
When I got my mini one of the saddles was missing. So I ordered a set that had rollers on them. Well they were on a slow boat 🛶 from China. So I found a single saddle on eBay and was able to restring the mini. I guess I’m in for an education on set up but I’ve got a bit of knowledge so I’m going to give it a try.
Thomastik JS110 Flatwounds would actually work great on this Stratocaster. Fender Guitars were originally designed for Flatwounds (even their Acoustic Guitars).
nice video! i have a mini strat too. changed the saddles with graphtech, changed nut with a bone nut, changed the tuners with fender locking tuners, restrung with .0105 (ernie ball) and now that's my main guitar. can't put it down. stays in tune, even if i bend the strings vigurously. i tried .010 and 0.011 as well, but .010 still flimsy. 0.011 too bulky.
I was gifted a Mini, and, having had some trouble setting the intonation due to the 23" scale, I decided to go with fat bottom 10 to 52 ga strings, as a luthier friend had suggested. While one can skip the through-body stringing on some Fender Strat tailpieces, I had only experienced through body stringing, and had no clue as to how to thread those slots, so kinked a couple of strings, in the effort. Shoulda checked this video, first. The intonation accuracy was much improved, however. I've also been told that if the first wrap goes OVER the free end of the string, and consequent ones under, as the string slides toward the center of the concave post, the over-under stringing will "pinch" the string and give added slip resistance, which seems to work, for me. Thoughts? I've been playing with different tunings, and found that Standard B tuning allows for serious finger pressure intonation and creates a sitar-like sound, tho' it's far too slack on the low B and E strings, but Standard D works and I get Baritone-esque tones. Guitars are wonderful things! ☺
That’s a great point about the intonation. As far as the string wraps, I always wind underneath the free end of the string and generally have 3 or more winds which eliminates any slipping. I’ve been doing it that way for 35 years. I’m not suggesting my way is better than anyone else’s it’s just what works for me. Thank you for watching!
It’s definitely not a good bridge. I’ve never needed tweezers but I’ve also gotten into the habit of bending the end of the string (about an inch) so it goes through the end and then up through the bottom of the saddles
Joseph Hanson Guitar Studio I know why these Guitars are designed specifically for very light gauge strings, they've increased the break angle behind the bridge.
I’ve not had a problem with string breakage on average as my kid plays this one and I change them once they start getting buildup on them. I’ve got 9’s on it.
Hey man! On mine they’re standard size but the thing you need to look for is the screw pattern that goes in the back of the headstock. I know on the newer ones they are using a mini tuner size. How old is yours?
The mini Strat tuners are whatever Fender installed at the factory and are sealed. I wqould like a simple upgrade with a better gear ratio and wonder if the vintage split head type would fit.
My mini is an early production that stilled used the strat style metal output jack on the top of the body. Newer version don’t have it and plug in under the body. Just looked at my tuners and it looks like a set of vintage style split tuners would fit
Depends on how old the strings are. If they’re clean and new you can get away with just the first string. If they’re old I’d just spend the $7 or so on a whole new set. ✌🏻
I have a Brian May Mini May Electric, I changed out the tuners to Grover and put on ernie ball super slinky 9 11 16 24 32 42, then tuned to A D G C E A and had to intonate the E. Man, what a difference.
Just restrung son’s same guitar - couldn’t have done it without you! Although you make it look v easy!
Awesome! It gets easier and faster with time. Thank you for watching the video!
This video just saved me from destroying my guitar! Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!
That’s awesome!!! Thank you for letting me know!
Thank you for showing this. I had a hard time figuring out how to string this one by the saddle. I have the kind of guitars that string from the back. Thanks again.
So glad it helped! Thanks for watching!
@@joehansonguitar
I built 2 homemade 23 scale electric guitars completely from scratch with my grandpa when I was 11 the one in my profile picture is my main guitar the other guitar is a homemade 23 scale Fender Esquire style Luther Perkins tribute guitar that's my backup guitar I'm 21 now and still use them both of them are left-handed I'm right-handed and have been playing left-handed since I first started when I was 6 oh yeah and I use Thomastik flatwounds and when we built these guitars we used hand tools no heavy machinery we did everything by hand and Luther Perkins is the reason why I play I'm 5'9 and I prefer short scale guitars
@southernpride2003 awesome!
When I got my mini one of the saddles was missing. So I ordered a set that had rollers on them. Well they were on a slow boat 🛶 from China. So I found a single saddle on eBay and was able to restring the mini. I guess I’m in for an education on set up but I’ve got a bit of knowledge so I’m going to give it a try.
If you’ve ever restrung any other fixed bridge guitar, you’ll have no problems but if you do don’t hesitate to ask me 🎸✌🏻
Thomastik JS110 Flatwounds would actually work great on this Stratocaster. Fender Guitars were originally designed for Flatwounds (even their Acoustic Guitars).
Thanks for the recommendation and for watching!
nice video! i have a mini strat too. changed the saddles with graphtech, changed nut with a bone nut, changed the tuners with fender locking tuners, restrung with .0105 (ernie ball) and now that's my main guitar. can't put it down. stays in tune, even if i bend the strings vigurously. i tried .010 and 0.011 as well, but .010 still flimsy. 0.011 too bulky.
That’s awesome! I might have to try this
I was gifted a Mini, and, having had some trouble setting the intonation due to the 23" scale, I decided to go with fat bottom 10 to 52 ga strings, as a luthier friend had suggested. While one can skip the through-body stringing on some Fender Strat tailpieces, I had only experienced through body stringing, and had no clue as to how to thread those slots, so kinked a couple of strings, in the effort. Shoulda checked this video, first. The intonation accuracy was much improved, however.
I've also been told that if the first wrap goes OVER the free end of the string, and consequent ones under, as the string slides toward the center of the concave post, the over-under stringing will "pinch" the string and give added slip resistance, which seems to work, for me. Thoughts?
I've been playing with different tunings, and found that Standard B tuning allows for serious finger pressure intonation and creates a sitar-like sound, tho' it's far too slack on the low B and E strings, but Standard D works and I get Baritone-esque tones.
Guitars are wonderful things! ☺
That’s a great point about the intonation. As far as the string wraps, I always wind underneath the free end of the string and generally have 3 or more winds which eliminates any slipping. I’ve been doing it that way for 35 years. I’m not suggesting my way is better than anyone else’s it’s just what works for me. Thank you for watching!
That bridge is the worst design ever...have to go with tweezers every time. Saves time in the end when changing strings on my son's axe.
It’s definitely not a good bridge. I’ve never needed tweezers but I’ve also gotten into the habit of bending the end of the string (about an inch) so it goes through the end and then up through the bottom of the saddles
Joseph Hanson Guitar Studio
I know why these Guitars are designed specifically for very light gauge strings, they've increased the break angle behind the bridge.
I’ve not had a problem with string breakage on average as my kid plays this one and I change them once they start getting buildup on them. I’ve got 9’s on it.
Got one o these for my grandson. How do I replace the tuners that refuse to stay in tune and which type should I look for?
Hey man! On mine they’re standard size but the thing you need to look for is the screw pattern that goes in the back of the headstock. I know on the newer ones they are using a mini tuner size. How old is yours?
I have the same guitar but in blue but my bridge diesnt have the little thingys just the screws and they go into a hole which goes into the guitar
Yeah, they’ve made some changes over the years. A couple of my younger students have them with variations different than mine. 🎸✌🏻
The mini Strat tuners are whatever Fender installed at the factory and are sealed. I wqould like a simple upgrade with a better gear ratio and wonder if the vintage split head type would fit.
My mini is an early production that stilled used the strat style metal output jack on the top of the body. Newer version don’t have it and plug in under the body. Just looked at my tuners and it looks like a set of vintage style split tuners would fit
Im missing the first string, should I restring them all or is it fine if I add the first string to it
Depends on how old the strings are. If they’re clean and new you can get away with just the first string. If they’re old I’d just spend the $7 or so on a whole new set. ✌🏻
How do you change the nut on the mini strat?
The same way as a full size Strat. There's plenty on info online about it. I haven't had to replace one yet
is 009 strings not way too loose? I thought you have to put a higher gauge strings on to compensate for the short scale..?
Depends. My daughter has a hard time with heavy strings and 9’s have been good for her. Before I gave it to her I had 11’s on it
Rock on Iz!!
Gotta get her focused on something other than goofing off!
Nice video bro
Thank you! I’m still new to RUclips but every bit of positive feedback helps!
You need to use heavier strings on a short scale guitar use 11's not nine if you do it will sound much better and have good sustain
This is a kids guitar for my daughter so no 11’s on it for her but I would have them if it was mine
@@joehansonguitar Oh & it'll protect her fingers.
Absolutely, theres no way this is gonna stay in tune like that. Need to replace the POS tuners and put at least 10’s on it.
can i use 10s??
Hi . Is an dg20 gilmour kit fit on it ? Or it’s too big for this mini strat ?
I think it’s got standard size pickups in it so the DG20 might fit
I have a Brian May Mini May Electric, I changed out the tuners to Grover and put on ernie ball super slinky 9 11 16 24 32 42, then tuned to A D G C E A and had to intonate the E. Man, what a difference.
Very cool! Thanks for watching!
I'm not sure how old the mini Strat is but know it is difficult to keep in tune because of the gear ratio.
Are they sealed gears or do they have a removable cover over them?
One does not outgrow a mini strat, you cherish it till you hit retirement and then play it a little more...
Absolutely!!
My mini Strat has the guitar chord jack on top of the body but is too small for a standard 1/4 inch jack plug. The tuners are poor quality.
👍🏻