Author Topic: A Noobs first build (Read 4583 times)

Modular1 · « **on:** April 01, 2008, 12:16:09 AM »

im looking for parts to build my own EVH style strat. (debut album cover style)

Where is the best UK site for cheap but good quality parts? Can anyone give me any pointers on the best place to get started?

Pickup-wise I fancy sticking a VHII Humbucker in it but am tempted by the Holy Diver. I want a pickup that does not rely on the player too much to make it sound great. hehe.

Mr Ed · « **Reply #1 on:** April 01, 2008, 08:49:48 AM »

www.axesrus.co.uk are pretty good

I got a Tele neck and body from www.dancingdragonguitars.com in America and it's pretty good. Never got round to actually using it though.

Jonny · « **Reply #2 on:** April 01, 2008, 01:26:29 PM »

http://www.mightymite.com/

gwEm · « **Reply #3 on:** April 01, 2008, 01:29:00 PM »

axesrus do have good stuff, and they are efficient - but i must say the gear they sell isn't always top notch quality.

obviously wdmusic and allparts are options

ToneMonkey · « **Reply #4 on:** April 01, 2008, 04:11:29 PM »

David Dyke - fairly expensive but you get what you pay for and it's bloody good stuff.

Axesrus - Cheap and cheerful - I've ordered a fair bit from them.

Touchstone Tonewoods

Craft Supplies near Buxton

You after building the whole lot or making it out of parts? If building then get yourself a book by Melvin Hisc--k called "Make your own electric guitar" and check out www.projectguitar.com for tutorials and forums.

Modular1 · « **Reply #5 on:** April 01, 2008, 04:51:13 PM »

Quote from: ToneMonkey

You after building the whole lot or making it out of parts?

The only major effort i want to make is in the paint job.

Touchstone tonewoods is one site ive already found. anyone know if the parts there are quality? They have kits available, but the kits only appear with a rosewood fingerboard. they have not replied to my enquiries yet.

ToneMonkey · « **Reply #6 on:** April 01, 2008, 04:58:59 PM »

I bought a pre slotted fret board from touchstone and it was absolutely top notch. Helpful guy on the end of the phone too which usually seals the deal for me.

Give Warmoth a look if your after a body.

Modular1 · « **Reply #7 on:** April 01, 2008, 05:35:20 PM »

anybody from the uk know if you will get stung with import duty if you buy from the usa?

anyone bought any bodies from touchstone tonewoods?

Jonny · « **Reply #8 on:** April 01, 2008, 06:21:12 PM »

Quote from: Modular1

anybody from the uk know if you will get stung with import duty if you buy from the usa?

Yes, but 'blue' I think wasn't charged a penny.

Modular1 · « **Reply #9 on:** April 01, 2008, 06:51:06 PM »

Quote from: ToneMonkey

I bought a pre slotted fret board from touchstone and it was absolutely top notch. Helpful guy on the end of the phone too which usually seals the deal for me.

by that do you mean you added your own frets?

i have my eyes on the 8202 neck shown here.http://www.touchstonetonewoods.co.uk/GIFS/guitarnecks_eps.gif

and the 8343 body shown here http://www.touchstonetonewoods.co.uk/GIFS/guitarbodies_eps.gif

will these give me a pretty good quality guitar as a base?

i want the guitar to have a finish like the fender highway one guitars (not the exact same finish, but i like the way you can feel the wood on them).

i dont want the thick gloss like on my usa strat.

Will this kind of finish affect the tone of the guitar?

Jonny · « **Reply #10 on:** April 01, 2008, 07:13:20 PM »

Quote from: Modular1

Quote from: ToneMonkey
I bought a pre slotted fret board from touchstone and it was absolutely top notch. Helpful guy on the end of the phone too which usually seals the deal for me.

by that do you mean you added your own frets?

I think he means he didn't get a blank fretboard, i.e. un-cut

So he got it with frets installed.

Modular1 · « **Reply #11 on:** April 01, 2008, 09:22:07 PM »

Quote from: Jonny

http://www.mightymite.com/

seen what i need on here.

any idea what the shipping would be on a body and neck from the USA? it doesnt realy give any idea on the site... ive emailed but thought someone might have an idea on here :)

ToneMonkey · « **Reply #12 on:** April 02, 2008, 10:03:22 AM »

The fret board I got was just a slab of rosewood, thicknessed to the right size (well nearly) with the slots to install the frets already cut out. The board still had to be cut to size, radiussed, inlayed and fretted.

Oli · « **Reply #13 on:** April 02, 2008, 11:48:40 AM »

If you're willing to wait a couple of months, another company called Luthier Tonewood Supplies would be able to supply a body, and slotted/radiused fretboards too, at very reasonable prices :) Wayne has a few fretboards and some hardware available at the moment, but in the next couple of months there will be a good selection of stuff. The site is http://www.luthiertonewoodsupplies.com/ but at the moment, there are only the contact details on there. Get in contact with him, and he can probably email/call you when he has what you're after in stock :)

Modular1 · « **Reply #14 on:** April 24, 2008, 08:47:14 PM »

right. ive got my sources on the parts i want, but the build can wait for now.

Ive managed to pickup a frankenstrat 3-colour alder body that somebody else has made on ebay. hes done a pretty good job of the battered look :)

im gonna change the lead socket on it and im gonna fine sand the neck so it ill pick up more dirt on the fingerboard. maybe burn some cigs on the headstock hehe.
my first port of call will be ordering a VHII humbucker for it tho and id like to get it ordered soon.

my questions for today are:

how will i mount the humbucker in it? it would normally attach to the scratchpate no?
will i be able to get it the correct distance from the strings ok?
what legsize will it need?

in the famous and expensive reissues, the humbucker is on the slant. why is this and am i best to keep my new BKP straight?

i will be considering fitting a floyd rose to the body too. does this impact on anything ive brought up so far?