In the next few weeks (or months), I plan to hot rod a somewhat mediocre electric guitar and chronicle the entire journey in a blog. This will be a detailed step-by-step account of the modifications made to the guitar complete with photographs of the steps involved. It is my intention to turn this lackluster sounding guitar into something special. The "Stagemaster Project" blog will have a finite beginning and end, the beginning being now and the end when the project is complete.

The steps involved in the project are bound to change as I haven't settled certain issues floating around in my head yet. For example, I haven't yet decided if I want preserve the original 1 volume control and 1 tone control configuration or upgrade to a Strat style 1 volume control and 2 tone control set up. This will be the type of decisions I will make as I go along.

Why a Fender Squire Stagemaster? Because I happen to have one and I happen to love the way it plays. Several of my friends have played this guitar as well and have also remarked that it is very nice guitar to play. The fretboard, neck and action are wonderful to experience, but to be completely honest, the sound leaves a lot to be desired due to the inferior pickups and overall junky electronics. The noise, screeching and ear-piercing feedback this guitar produces at higher volume is really hard to describe. At lower levels, however, some really nice sounds can be achieved. But again, this guitar is a joy to play and I see a lot of potential for improvement in the sound, and the appearance.

Among other things, I plan to replace all of the factory pickups with DiMarzios, replace the junky volume and tone pots and capacitor, replace the 5-way pickup selector switch, replace all of the wiring and shield everything properly, replace all of the knobs and have a custom pickguard made. The project will not involve a new paintjob or any work to the neck, body or bridge. These are be best qualities of the guitar that I intend to preserve.

In my continuing blog entries, I will post photos of the project guitar and some of the history behind it, i.e, how I came to own it, etc. I will also post some general personal observations regarding the guitar.

I hope you will visit "The Stagemaster Project" periodically to see how the project is going.

Tom Goodson is an accomplished guitarist and lifelong guitar enthusiast. Please visit his "The Stagemaster Project" blog at: http://stagemaster.blogspot.com/