Mods on GRX20

[Warp]

Hi all!!

I'm the proud new owner of a GRX20 in black... I'm really happy with it. The playability is astonishing. Coming off a Yamaha Pacifica 120SD (great cheapo guitar too), I'm impressed with how this thing plays like.

I'm not going to be playing lots or other than for my personal pleasure, so I'm planning on upgrading a few things but I need some info.

1.- Tuners... No questions these are the cheapest around (the pricepoint Yamaha came with Gotoh sealed tuners) and it's a worthy investment to put new ones... in black, to boot. Question, which tuners do fit the GRX20?? What diameter are the holes?? Also the string trees on the headstock, which ones could I use that would give better tuning, Graph Techs? Any of these two make sense??

2.- Bridge. I think I have the 3+3 holes FAT6 tremolo. Neutered, all bolts are tightened down to the guitar's body... which I prefer as I don't use the whammy anyways. Which Grap Tech saddles should I buy? Are they worthy? I'm thinking the string savers for the Strat series, but I can't figure out if the normal size ones or the slim ones. Any specs on this tremolo unit??

3.- Any improvement in the electronics?? Grounding, shielding?? Also, anyone has wiring diagrams so I can know beforehand what I'll be up to when I open the thing?? I'm thinking on dropping in DiMarzios... still haven't made up my mind but I'm thinking a PAF Joe or Fred at neck and Tone Zone or Evolution at the bridge. I have had the Fred at the bridge paired with a PAF Pro at the neck in the Yamaha, but that was rather dark sounding and the Ibanez is brighter.

I know, all of that will be more than the guitar.... but I really like the body, sound and playability. The thing just rules for the price and the improvements I can make them one at a time to sneak them under my wife's radar.

I really wanted a RG321, but I would be changing pick ups anyway... and who knows, maybe string saddles too?! So, I'd end up spending some money on a more expensive guitar which is not worthy for the limited play time I will have.

Thanks for any help!!!
Warp
Mexico

[ryanb]

This won't be what you want to hear...

All of your changes are going to cost something like 4-5 times more than the guitar is worth new. It's also in the territory where you could just grab a used RG (maybe even an RG5xx) and have a much better result all around. You may think it sounds great, but you'll change your mind when you play a real RG.

But since you have your mind set to upgrade the GRX, i'd say upgrade the tuners, give it a really good set-up and call it a day. Invest as little as possible in it. By set-up, i'm not just talking about action and intonation, but fret dressing, trem setup, the works. Good luck.

[Warp]

Originally Posted by ryanb

This won't be what you want to hear...

All of your changes are going to cost something like 4-5 times more than the guitar is worth new. It's also in the territory where you could just grab a used RG (maybe even an RG5xx) and have a much better result all around. You may think it sounds great, but you'll change your mind when you play a real RG.

But since you have your mind set to upgrade the GRX, i'd say upgrade the tuners, give it a really good set-up and call it a day. Invest as little as possible in it. By set-up, i'm not just talking about action and intonation, but fret dressing, trem setup, the works. Good luck.

Thanks, man!!

Appreciated!

However, a couple caveats... I'm not in the US.

Buying a used instrument (in my country) is something I wouldn't so. Seller could call it perfect while it has some issues and I don't want to be stuck with a warped neck, for example.

I can think of a new RG... but that runs at about 2-3X here of what the GRX was. And no way just the upgrades will run for 4-5x the cost of the new GRX. Maybe same as the price I paid, but not 4-5 times.

However, your call is the voice of reason and you're right. I may be better not investing much in the guitar and getting a better one later or putting that money towards better equipment (pedals, amp, etc.)

I like the RG321... it does what I want and it ain't expensive really... though, I know I'll still want to drop Graph Techs (I could skip those ones) and DiMarzios. OH, well... GAS never ends I think.