Monoprice Indio Classic "Strat"

[RedLesPaul]

Hey Guys,

Been a LONG time, but thought I'd pop in and say hey.

I recently bought an Indio Classic Strat copy off Amazon for less than $100. This one is Teal which is not awful, but I would've preferred the white one truth be told, but it is what it is.

This one right here: https://www.monoprice.com/product?p_id=610037

I grabbed an HSS as I have a SSS Strat already. I also wanted this because it has a maple neck - which I haven't had in a very long time. I'd seen some YT vids of guys modding these and the general consensus was that the bones of these were very good.

So what do I think?

Well, just that. The body and neck are great actually. The rest of it is as good as most Squiers - I'll elaborate.

First, it came with a really nice gig bag which was a bonus.

The paint job is nice enough, poly is thin and I've already dinged it up quite a bit, but that's OK. I think it's Basswood, but don't quote me on that. It's feels to be the same weight as my other Strat. It's full thickness.

The neck was just about perfect other than some slightly sharp fret ends. I quickly filed those and rounded the corners of the fretboard in like five minutes - feels like perfection now. The fret job is perfect, polished and all. The neck is straight - it needs nothing else. I did remove it from the body and quickly sanded the rough drill hole ends and then put it back on. It wasn't shimmed at the factory and doesn't need to be.

The tuners worked and stayed in tune, but they're shit. I replaced those with some super nice Guyker locking tuners for very short money. 1000% upgrade in 5 minutes.

The stock bridge is a typical Chinese Strat bridge like we see on SX and every other cheap Strat. The action was fine and it was intonated well at the factory. It stays in tune and is good enough as a hard tail, but that's getting swapped for a Guyker big block trem so that I can actually use the bar and have it stay in tune. The Guyker has the nice bent steel saddles like vintage Fender and a pretty massive block. The springs are stainless and the claw is brass. Stupid nice bridge for the money.

The stock ceramic pickups are actually pretty good, but they're a bit microphonic. Typical dimed sized pots and cheap 5-way switch.
All of that is getting replaced with a new pre-wired pickguard with Alnico V pups, full-sized pots, good switch, caps, etc.

The nut is typical cheap plastic, though it's cut well and hasn't given me any trouble. Nonetheless, a bone nut will get ordered for it.

So in short, about all that will be left stock will be the body, neck, strap posts, and input jack. But, for about $200 I'll have a fantastic Strat that you'd have to go maybe used MIM Fender to be comparable.

Important to note that I could have left it completely stock and it would've worked, stayed in tune, etc., but would've felt like a cheap Strat. The little bit of work made a HUGE difference though. I suck at this modding stuff, but thus far at least I haven't messed this one up.

So yeah, if you want a nice cheap modding platform you can't go wrong with these. I've seen them on Amazon for like $70 at times. IIRC I paid $89 for this one.

Hope all is well with y'all.
Cheers,
RLP

[tobijohn]

Well, it's about time you showed up as there was some serious talk about contacting the local authorities for a wellness check.

I hope all has been well and that we'll see a little more of you....

[toomanycats]

It’s good to have you back in the fold.

Is that Guyker trem you’re installing 6 point or 2 point?

[RedLesPaul]

It’s good to have you back in the fold.

Is that Guyker trem you’re installing 6 point or 2 point?

6 screws

[RedLesPaul]

Oh, I also dug my "good" amp out of storage since Root 150 broke up - which is my 1x12 Blackstar ID:30 TVP. Yeah, I still love it. Seems there's a software update to it though that I should do. Apparently they've added a compressor and gate, so I wanna get that in there as well.

[Floridian FX]

Jeepers, from out of nowhere. Good to see you back RLP

[Tonray's Ghost]

Well, it's about time you showed up as there was some serious talk about contacting the local authorities for a wellness check.

I hope all has been well and that we'll see a little more of you....

Are we really supposed to check to see if the local authorities are well ?

[Spike]

That's a good looking Strat. Welcome back!

[tonebender]

Well, happy new guitar day and great to see you drop in. A welcome blast from the past.

[andrewsrea]

HNGD! Looks great and sounds like you know what it takes to get it to 'pro level'.

Welcome back!

[Rollin Hand]

Holy smokes! I did not have a drop in from RLP on my bingo card.

Glad to hear from you and hope all is well.

[Tiga]

Welcome back - I have that model but in black and with the rosewood fretboard. Picked mine up on MacBid for like $45 I think. Mine is exactly as you describe yours. I started messing with mine - did a fret level and rounded the fingerboard edges - and that's as far as I got LOL. Got sidetracked into other projects and I'm kind of loaded up with black Strats at the moment. Curious to see what else you do with yours - interested to hear more about the Guyker trem as I'm looking to do a 6-screw trem upgrade on another project.

[RedLesPaul]

Welcome back - I have that model but in black and with the rosewood fretboard. Picked mine up on MacBid for like $45 I think. Mine is exactly as you describe yours. I started messing with mine - did a fret level and rounded the fingerboard edges - and that's as far as I got LOL. Got sidetracked into other projects and I'm kind of loaded up with black Strats at the moment. Curious to see what else you do with yours - interested to hear more about the Guyker trem as I'm looking to do a 6-screw trem upgrade on another project.

I have the Guyker trem sitting right next to me, I just have to actually do the install. I need a new tip for my soldering iron, so I need to go get one of those first. I'll let you know how it goes, but comparing it side by side to the Fender trem in my white Strat, it's pretty much identical other than the block being black, and the bar not being threaded.

[peskypesky1]

Good to see you again, stranger!

I bought an Indio OS-30 a couple of years ago when they were on sale for $85.
It is insanely good. Haven't needed to change a single thing on it. Plays great and sounds great.

Monoprice Indio OS30 003.jpg