Building a Strat

[groovetuber]

I'm thinking of possibly building my own strat and I'd just like to know where to get quality parts and if you guys have any suggestions. I'm looking to spend around $1200. What have you guys learned from building strats (dos and donts)? I am going to start figuring out all the specs I want, so that will probably help you out a bit. One question though, how much flame on a neck is too much to the point where it can cause eventual damage? I like flame necks a ot, but I of course wouldn't want it to degrade over time. I'm also intersted in having a hollow body.

[carbz]

Hi,

I have pieced together a few guitars over the years. Not sure if its worth it these days being there are many nice off the wall strats that are even set up great from the factory. If you do decide to build I would make it somewhat unique to where you have a "one of a kind" The two things I would recommend is USA custom guitar necks though the headstocks are not authentic ( nothing a little sandpaper won't fix )Tommy is super cool and will make you pretty much what you want. Other then that I am fond of Dimarzio VV or the new Area noiseless strat pickups... Why have buzz if you don't have to...... Not sure about the flame neck thing. Good luck..

[stratzrus]

+1

http://www.usacustomguitars.com/

[clothwiring]

Also I've gotten a body by www.grguitars.com that was cool, they use All Parts stuff. I'd go with USA Custom Guitars and Warmoth are also good.

[groovetuber]

How consistent is warmoth with quality? I've been diggin some of their flame necks. Also what's the difference between a rosewood and brazillian rosewood fretboard? I know brazillian fretboards are sought after, but what are the tonal differences?

[JimH]

My main do is do it because you want to, not because it's cheap - it's a lot of effort, low resale and not necessarily better quality. You can get a lot of guitar for $1200 straight off the peg.

[SoCalSteve]

Have you seen this ebayer? I don't know the guy, but i came across his store as I was looking into building a Strat

http://stores.ebay.com/The-STRATosphere_Bodies_W0QQcolZ4QQdirZQ2d1QQfsubZ3QQf tidZ2QQtZkm

[MartinPiana]

My main do is do it because you want to, not because it's cheap - it's a lot of effort, low resale and not necessarily better quality. You can get a lot of guitar for $1200 straight off the peg.
+1 ... although it was definitely worth it for me (http://www.thegearpage.net/board/showthread.php?t=230960)

Can't speak to your particular neck interests. My Warmoth swamp ash body was fine. I'm now a convert to the much-touted Lollar pickups. I got most of my parts and supplies from Warmoth and Stew Mac, satisfied with everything except the cheap aersol spray bottles for finish (the ones you put your own color-mixed lacquer in) from Stew Mac. They were good about replacing malfunctioning ones, but it was a hassle. I'll probably shell out for a more professional spray gun next time around. I've come to TGP since I started that project, and I'd probably check a couple of the other popular supply sources here the next time around and might be a little more selective in my bridge -- although the ax I've got has zero issues. I'm delighted. I've just got to get over being afraid to scratch it! Looks pretty, but I made it to play.

[groovetuber]

Where do you guys think is the best place to get a flame maple neck with clear gloss? I would either get one with a rosewood or brazillian rosewood fretboard.

[braz board]

I have not been let down with my Warmoth necks and bodies. If you pay extra for super eastern maple flame you should have a neck that is up there visually with the best custom shop piece. Even a Jeff Beck strat will often have a 3 piece body, I've found that 99% of off the rack USA made guitars by big manufacturers are always "not right". Warmoth is not giving away necks and bodies, but most importantly they have never sent me 2nd grade junk.

[groovetuber]

Where can I find super eastern maple flame?

[bazooka47]

My current Strat project features a Warmoth SRV carve 60's style neck w/ Braz board. Beautiful, solid, top quality neck.

Body is from Guitar Mill. Awesome 2-piece light (3 lb. 10 oz.) body, ready to seal and grainfill from the box.

Everything fits and looks great together.

Those are my choices right now. There are other great suppliers.

[K-Line]

Guitar Mill, AllParts, USACG, Lollar, Callaham.......There are a lot out there, all good.

[bluesdoc]

Mine is a Warmoth chambered body, Wilky two post trem br (with Marcel's Tremconverter locking device), USACG maple neck/RW board with 6105 SS frets and compound radius, Planet Waves tuners (locking/string cutting), GraphTech nut, Anderson splittable dual/single coil sized N and M and a Lollar Imperial br pup. 7# Probably the best playing and sounding ax I've ever had, and I've had LOTS :jo :NUTS :worried :) :)

jon

[groovetuber]

Thanks for the suggestions guys, can anyone epxplain to me the difference between rosewood and brazilian rosewood?

[Trebor Renkluaf]

Also I've gotten a body by www.grguitars.com (http://www.grguitars.com) that was cool.
Man their relic jobs are some of the worst I've seen. Looks like a monkey with a blow torch, screwdriver and a belt sander went at it. :messedup

They did have some light wieght, unfinished bodies that look interesting though.

[Ed Reed]

:rotflmao :rotflmao