Modified a Ritchie Blackmore Stratocaster Using Products from Sound House - Part 1

The recent surge in prices has also affected guitars. A Fender Masterbuilder guitar by the late John English, which seemed expensive at 500,000 yen ten years ago, now costs nearly 2 million yen.

However, even with a reasonably priced guitar, you can still achieve a great sound. Let me show you how.

The guitar I modified this time is a mid-1980s Fender Japan ST72-65SC, made by Fujigen. I purchased it used seven years ago for 59,000 yen. It had been well-played by the previous owner, with the paint yellowing nicely, giving it a natural relic feel and a sense of prestige. The nut and frets had been replaced, and the neck was in mint condition.

The body is made of basswood, a wood known for being neutral and responsive to changes from different parts. While it’s a relatively inexpensive material, it doesn’t lack quality. Even vintage Stratocasters were made with basswood during certain periods.。

Let’s dive into the modifications!

■ Tuning Pegs

Schaller / M6 mini CH 6L / M6L mini-C

Ritchie has been using these since around 1980. Fans know the signature look of wrapping the leftover string ends, which gives it a very ‘Ritchie-esque’ vibe. Due to the extra weight, it’s said to physically extend sustain. Although the string-winding method differs from the original Fender, it’s easy to get used to.

Since the string ends don’t fit into the pegs, you’ll need to cut them short for safety. Some guitarists leave long string ends while performing, but it’s risky; they could potentially poke your eyes during stage action, so be careful. This applies to Gibson-style guitars as well (as in the picture).

Headstock: Schaller M6 Mini gives a more mechanical impression.

Back of the Schaller M6 Mini pegs: The mounting screw holes differ from the original pegs, so they’ve been filled.

Ritchie switched back to Sperzel tuners around the time of Rainbow’s reunion, likely for better tuning precision.

■ Frets

When I purchased it used, it had already been refretted with Jim Dunlop 6105s. These days, Jescar frets are more common. Although Blackmore himself claimed to use Gibson-made frets, he often joked in interviews, so the details are unclear. I think Jescar narrow-jumbo frets, which are thin with a tall crown, would be optimal.

Some players prefer switching to stainless-steel frets to avoid fret wear, but stainless-steel frets noticeably alter the sound. It’s best to consult a luthier before making the switch. There are also products available that are somewhere between stainless steel and standard frets (The picture below shows the medium-jumbo frets that are clearly taller than the original Japanese ones that came with the guitar).

■ Nut

Since the ‘90s, Blackmore has favored carbon nuts, though this material is now rarely used and opinions about it vary. Generally, I think replacing it with a low-profile bone nut would be best.a

The precision in cutting the nut slots is where the skill of the luthier really shines. It’s not just about measuring with a ruler; there’s a ‘craftsman’s intuition’ involved. A shift of even 1mm can affect playability.

Be sure to convey your playing habits to the luthier when having it installed, as any misalignment, especially with the first or sixth string, can lead to problems with vibrato or even cause the string to slip off the fretboard. The installation cost varies depending on the repair shop, so be sure to check in advance.

■ Pickguard

1960s-style Mint Green Pickguard

Montreux / USA SC 62 Mint Green 3PLY *inch measurements

Montreux / JPN SC 62 Mint Green 3PLY *millimeter measurements

Although the pickguard doesn’t have much impact on the sound, there’s a famous story about Eric Johnson replacing an old pickguard and being so dissatisfied with the sound that he sold the guitar. Few players can detect that level of difference, but swapping to this mint green pickguard will give the guitar a distinct look and enhance its vintage feel.

Blackmore switched to a mint green pickguard during his 1982 Japan tour. It matched the white body perfectly, giving it a well-worn, seasoned look (See the full guitar picture. The pickguard color is slightly different from white).

Here is the full view of the modified Stratocaster. The strap is the same Reunion Blues brand used by Blackmore (though the color and length differ, the design and texture are the same). The tremolo arm is the 1984 version, which I will discuss in more detail next time.

■ Selector Switch

SCUD / CRL-5W

This is like the gear shift of a car. Stratocasters in the 50,000-60,000 yen range don’t come with durable parts. If you want to switch as frequently as Blackmore does in songs like “Child in Time,” which requires changing the switch dozens of times, a more robust selector like the US-made CRL is recommended. Though Blackmore gets by with a 3-way switch, upgrading to a 5-way won’t change the sound and can add convenience.

■ Volume and Tone Pots

CTS / Custom A250 Control Pot

Blackmore often adjusts his volume, and since Strat single-coil pickups tend to pick up noise, you’ll want to be able to reduce the volume when not playing. These pots are under 1,000 yen, so it’s best to avoid cheap ones and opt for a more reliable option like CTS.

While sticking with Japanese originals is understandable, the durability is vastly different. Replacing them from the start will save you from costly repairs later on.
*Be aware that you need to insert a spacer under the nut; otherwise, the knob won’t sit flush with the surface of the pickguard.

■ Strap Pins

Jim Dunlop Brass

Jim Dunlop / SLS1402BR Straplok Flush Mount Brass

Chrome would typically be the best option.

Since Blackmore’s stage moves are quite intense, it’s essential to have a locking strap system. Both Schaller and Jim Dunlop offer reliable strap locks, with Blackmore favoring the latter. For his main guitar that He’s used for many years, he had the type where the guitar body has the hardware embedded.

■ Scalloped Fretboard

This modification involves shaving the fretboard so it resembles the shape of a scallop shell. It’s become somewhat popular recently, but it was Blackmore who made it famous.

The benefit is that since only the contact points between the frets and the strings are used, there’s less friction, making it suitable for fast playing. Additionally, it allows for deeper vibrato (see the picture below).

Scalloped fretboard: You can see that the low-string side is shallow, while the high-string side is deeply carved.

The drawback is that pressing too hard can cause the pitch to go sharp. Also, scalloping the fretboard can affect the sound and will lower the resale value of the guitar, especially if it’s a valuable vintage instrument.

■ Pickups

Seymour Duncan / SSL-4 Quarter-Pound Flat

For guitarists, pickups are probably the most important part.
Blackmore’s sound changed significantly around the time of the Down to Earth album, becoming more treble-heavy.

While he initially used Schecter F-500 pickups, it’s possible he later switched to Seymour Duncan SSL-4s, as used on his signature model.

I personally recommend the SSL-7.

Seymour Duncan / SSL-7 Quarter-Pound Staggered

If you want more power overall, the SSL-4 is suitable. The SSL-7 has more definition and better expresses picking nuances, providing a classic Strat sound. Since it focuses more on the high frequencies, sound preferences may vary, but it’s worth trying. Visually, the only difference from the SSL-4 is that the pole pieces are staggered, but from the front, they look the same. During live performances, the audience probably won’t notice the difference, so it’s up to your own judgment (see the picture below).

Pickups: Seymour Duncan SSL-7. The center pickup is fitted with an American part called Adder (now unavailable), secured with double-sided tape.

- End of Part 1 -

⇒ Modified a Ritchie Blackmore Stratocaster Using Products from Sound House - Part 2

The “sound & person” column is made up of contributions from you.
For details about contributing, click here.