[claytushaywood]

I am back at another strat that id like to add at least the buffer- wondering if anyone is making the flat strat jack plates these days or knows where to get them. id love to do the obel but i'm a little worried about space in my guitar for a battery the preamp (though i do have a super compact version of it that i built).

anyone have any expereince fully jerrifying a strat- id appreciate it! i have no wood working skills so routing it seems daunting- would it be expensive to get further routing done?

[ac4468]

This is one of the few times I'd say use an Alembic Blaster vs a TPC #. It comes with a flat plate, jack and switch as a drop in solution for the Strat. If you want to add the OBEL it would take a bit more work.

[lovetoboogie]

I cut them from aluminum stock. Not very labor intensive. If you are stuck and can't find a flat plate I will cut one for you. PM me if you need it...

+1 on the Blaster preamp as oppossed to a Unity Gain Buffer. Garcia didn't start using a UGB until 1979. Wire up a Blaster with the OBEL on a Strat. It suits it really nicely!

[Bigfoot Co.]

I did a full Tiger wiring job on a G&L Legacy. I used the pics Brad Sarno posted (thanks Brad!) of Jeff Mattson’s strat as a general guide. If you search “Mattsoncaster” on this forum you can find them.

I put the Waldo buffer and 9v in the rear tremolo cavity. No issues at all with fit and easy access to change the battery when needed.

As for the jack plate, I made it out of tortoiseshell pickguard material, rough cut oval, then sand to shape. Added bevel as well, same technique. Fairly straight forward to add two jacks in the existing cavity / no routing required.

The only routing I did was elective. I removed some wood in the “swimming pool” pickup cavity on the bridge side. This was so I could attempt place the pickups the correct distance from the nut.

Go for it! Wiring up a full Obel with buffer was a huge learning experience for me. If you are at all adventurous and curious (and patient), it’s worth your time imo.