building my own strat

[JJretroTONEGOD]

I'm thinking of building my own custom made fender strat style guitar in other words a partocaster mutant.

I'm wanting something of fender custom shop quality but for much less cost, if I end up doing it I'll be using BKP's as well, wiring and assembling it all myself, at the moment it's just an idea but I've found some good hand made strat bodies here, this necks also look extremely well made using brazilian rosewood....

http://www.hollandcustomguitars.com/

what do you think? where do I start? advice is appreciated.

[Toe-Knee]

If you want to go the whole hog and do the finishing yourself check out area51.

They're uk based and will do complete custom work for you also.

http://www.area51customs.co.uk/fsstrat.html

[xXNicFlairXx]

I recently just finished a Strat build, completed for less than £700. I got a body and neck from a USA Fender Highway One Strat (alder body nitro finish and one peice maple neck) Callaham S-Type bridge, Schaller locking tuners and finished off with IT's and a Crawler in the bridge. Couldn't be happier with the results, i've had many Strats in the past, some worth twice as much but this is right up there. I'll post some pics when i get the chance.

[MrBump]

Until I got my PRS, my main guitar for EVERYTHING was a homemade Tele - self assembly is pretty straightforward - but the best thing to to is keep back a few quid and make the last step a decent set up - makes the world of difference.

I spent money on a decent bridge and decent pickups (Joe Bardon and BKP BG Flat 50's). The wood was relatively cheap, bought from Axes R Us. But it's still the best tele I've ever heard.

[gwEm]

Its great fun building a parts-caster, and since you can choose all the options to suit you I see less and less point in buying an "off the peg" Fender.

Good luck with your project!

There are many options out there. I would start by thinking of the sound you want. For a "typical Fender" tone, you won't go wrong with an alder body. Then choose trem or hardtail bridge, and what type of pickups you want (humbucker/single coil) - these will affect the body routing.

For the neck fingerboard, maple for snap, and rosewood for a bit more warmth. Do you want a big 70s headstock?

And then stuff sort of comes together ;) We'll help you if you need it.

An unfinished body will be cheaper - as long as its decently sanded, you can attempt a dye+oil finish yourself.

MrBump is right on the setup, its worth doing that, especially if you have a completely new neck needing a fret dress.

[JJretroTONEGOD]

Its great fun building a parts-caster, and since you can choose all the options to suit you I see less and less point in buying an "off the peg" Fender.

Good luck with your project!

There are many options out there. I would start by thinking of the sound you want. For a "typical Fender" tone, you won't go wrong with an alder body. Then choose trem or hardtail bridge, and what type of pickups you want (humbucker/single coil) - these will affect the body routing.

For the neck fingerboard, maple for snap, and rosewood for a bit more warmth. Do you want a big 70s headstock?

And then stuff sort of comes together ;) We'll help you if you need it.

An unfinished body will be cheaper - as long as its decently sanded, you can attempt a dye+oil finish yourself.

MrBump is right on the setup, its worth doing that, especially if you have a completely new neck needing a fret dress.

I'm wanting a similar strat sound to nile rodgers

I already know I want a maple fretboard it has the snap I want, the body is hard to decide, it's between getting plain wood or white colour, I'd rather have the plain wood if it's a higher grade and quality wood even if it doesn't look amazing.

I'll get a traditional trem but hardtail it,

the other main thing that's very important to me is the freboard radius not being 9.5" as it's simply too curved for my liking, I prefer closer to 11-12"

the first thing I'll buy is the body once I've decided on everything, this is going to take months to build...

[gwEm]

Nile's "Hit Maker" is a hardtail:



Very cool strat to be inspired by :) Since you want a flatter radius, and have time, why not set an ebay search up to wait for a warmoth neck? Most of them are their very flat compound radius.

edit: inspired by the Daft Punk "Get Lucky" video, I want to do Nile Rodgers style acrylic strat at the moment ;)

[Philly Q]

Since you want a flatter radius, and have time, why not set an ebay search up to wait for a warmoth neck?

<Cough>

[MrBump]

Since you want a flatter radius, and have time, why not set an ebay search up to wait for a warmoth neck?

<Cough>

 :lol:

[Johnny Mac]

Its great fun building a parts-caster, and since you can choose all the options to suit you I see less and less point in buying an "off the peg" Fender.

Good luck with your project!

There are many options out there. I would start by thinking of the sound you want. For a "typical Fender" tone, you won't go wrong with an alder body. Then choose trem or hardtail bridge, and what type of pickups you want (humbucker/single coil) - these will affect the body routing.

For the neck fingerboard, maple for snap, and rosewood for a bit more warmth. Do you want a big 70s headstock?

And then stuff sort of comes together ;) We'll help you if you need it.

An unfinished body will be cheaper - as long as its decently sanded, you can attempt a dye+oil finish yourself.

MrBump is right on the setup, its worth doing that, especially if you have a completely new neck needing a fret dress.

I'm wanting a similar strat sound to nile rodgers

I already know I want a maple fretboard it has the snap I want, the body is hard to decide, it's between getting plain wood or white colour, I'd rather have the plain wood if it's a higher grade and quality wood even if it doesn't look amazing.

I'll get a traditional trem but hardtail it,

the other main thing that's very important to me is the freboard radius not being 9.5" as it's simply too curved for my liking, I prefer closer to 11-12"

the first thing I'll buy is the body once I've decided on everything, this is going to take months to build...

That's exactly the Strat I want to build too. I want a vintage white body, maple neck and fingerboard, white pick guard and p/ups. I can't make my mind up between Mothers Milks or Apaches. The MM have slightly less mids which may help obtain that percussive funky tone.   8)

[Philly Q]

That's exactly the Strat I want to build too. I want a vintage white body, maple neck and fingerboard, white pick guard and p/ups.   8)

'50s style = Nile Rodgers
'70s style = Walter Trout