Ray, there is a very simple mod (1 jumper wire) on the 5 way selector switch that combines the middle pickup tone control & the bridge pickup. That way the back tone control controls the tone for both middle & bridge pickups. It is how virtually all strats are wired from the factory since the 90s. Firefly wired their strats like Fender did it in the 50s. Which makes the bridge pickup much too ice picky with no tone control. As far as tuning stability goes. 99% of the time it is due to the way the nut is cut. A decent set of nut files will correct that. Lube doesn't really fix the poorly cut nut slots. But in this case, changing the stock 10s to 9s will help a lot. I like 9 - 46s. I have a few Firefly guitars. Their ash body strats are all around 9 lbs. Crazy heavy. They are all real ash and that crazy grain on some of those models (black or white ones) is due to course sanding, then blobbing on some weird thick paint like finish. I had the white one and sanded it down, which took a lot of work and stained it with a natural stain & light clear poly. I did not like the black dot markers on the roasted maple fretboard, but learned to live with that cosmetic issue. You still can't beat these guitars for under $200.
Thanks for that tip Dave! ...that is valuable knowledge... I've actually taken this Firefly all apart and swapped the parts between two different guitars. One is done and it is a tremendous instrument that stays in perfect tune! The other one should be completed in the coming week. I'll make another video showing both of the creations soon. Thanks for watching!!!
Yes, I was thinking that this one could be more valuable as a source for parts to build another instrument. Out of the box, and as a stock-instrument, I am still really challenged with the overall weight of it. I'm looking for a poplar hardtail Strat body to transfer the neck and electronics to now... I'll probably have to notch out the neck pocket on any new body I get in order to fit the "tinker-toy" truss-rod adjustment wheel. But I've never done that before, so I'd like to try that out... Hope your Strat is doing well! Glad to hear it arrived in great shape! Stay blessed and as always, thanks for watching!
Yes, I realized that recently and thought I had it fixed, but each time I make a new video my system keeps resetting itself to that default mono one channel set up. Thank you so much for letting me know, I think that I can remedy that going forward... I know now to check it each time I start. I didn't catch it on some of the videos I uploaded because it's not as pronounced without headphones... It's really bad with a headset... SOOOO Sorry!!! Thanks for watching and I hope you continue to come back!
I can feel your concern... I've always been a purist in regard to guitars... But now that I'm in my 60's I've been able to accept different things that would have made me cringe before... Some of these strange trials are certainly not everyone's bag, but they are out there, and it's been fun to go there... Thanks for watching!
Ray, there is a very simple mod (1 jumper wire) on the 5 way selector switch that combines the middle pickup tone control & the bridge pickup. That way the back tone control controls the tone for both middle & bridge pickups. It is how virtually all strats are wired from the factory since the 90s.
Firefly wired their strats like Fender did it in the 50s. Which makes the bridge pickup much too ice picky with no tone control.
As far as tuning stability goes. 99% of the time it is due to the way the nut is cut. A decent set of nut files will correct that. Lube doesn't really fix the poorly cut nut slots. But in this case, changing the stock 10s to 9s will help a lot. I like 9 - 46s.
I have a few Firefly guitars. Their ash body strats are all around 9 lbs. Crazy heavy.
They are all real ash and that crazy grain on some of those models (black or white ones) is due to course sanding, then blobbing on some weird thick paint like finish. I had the white one and sanded it down, which took a lot of work and stained it with a natural stain & light clear poly. I did not like the black dot markers on the roasted maple fretboard, but learned to live with that cosmetic issue.
You still can't beat these guitars for under $200.
Thanks for that tip Dave! ...that is valuable knowledge... I've actually taken this Firefly all apart and swapped the parts between two different guitars. One is done and it is a tremendous instrument that stays in perfect tune! The other one should be completed in the coming week. I'll make another video showing both of the creations soon. Thanks for watching!!!
God bless you Brother
Hey Charlie, thanks for watching and I say, "Blessings back to you! In Jesus name!"
Ray…I looked into a refret in my area…they’re asking between $3-$400…but there is a whole guitar shipped to your door for 200 bucks…its crazy!!!!
Yes, I was thinking that this one could be more valuable as a source for parts to build another instrument. Out of the box, and as a stock-instrument, I am still really challenged with the overall weight of it. I'm looking for a poplar hardtail Strat body to transfer the neck and electronics to now... I'll probably have to notch out the neck pocket on any new body I get in order to fit the "tinker-toy" truss-rod adjustment wheel. But I've never done that before, so I'd like to try that out... Hope your Strat is doing well! Glad to hear it arrived in great shape! Stay blessed and as always, thanks for watching!
I love your channel but your audio is only coming through the left channel.
Yes, I realized that recently and thought I had it fixed, but each time I make a new video my system keeps resetting itself to that default mono one channel set up. Thank you so much for letting me know, I think that I can remedy that going forward... I know now to check it each time I start. I didn't catch it on some of the videos I uploaded because it's not as pronounced without headphones... It's really bad with a headset... SOOOO Sorry!!! Thanks for watching and I hope you continue to come back!
Jesus please save all Stratocasters from fret markers and pickguards like these. 🤮
I can feel your concern... I've always been a purist in regard to guitars... But now that I'm in my 60's I've been able to accept different things that would have made me cringe before... Some of these strange trials are certainly not everyone's bag, but they are out there, and it's been fun to go there... Thanks for watching!