Building a parts-o-caster - a few questions

[jakeowen]

I am kicking around the idea of building a part-o-caster. I was wondering about a few things,

I am considering the purchase of a strat body from 1983, it is from a '62 reissue. Providing it will fit in the neck pocket, I want to use the neck from one of the other 1983 strats, the infamous two knob model, that has that wide thin neck that I happen to love. The biggest concern is that the neck has a 1 3/4 inch nut width, and I was wondering if this will cause problems anywhere on the guitar for me.
Do I have to find a special bridge and pups to go with this size nut?
Anyone with building experience able to help?

Thanks

[testing1two]

I think you'll run into a couple of potential issues, but if the neck fits in the neck pocket, you can work around most of them. Since this is a '62 reissue body, you will have to order the correct 6 screw vintage style tremolo. You'll want to order it with 2 7/32" string spacing as opposed to the vintage 2 1/16" spec . If the string spacing is narrow at the bridge, you'll find the strings will be too close together towards the end of the fingerboard. For bridges, I recommend Gotoh if you're on a budget and Callaham if you want top quality.

Once you have the bridge and the neck fitted to the body, you'll want to see if the string spacing of your existing nut will work. Then you should absolutely, positively have a new nut cut by the best tech in your area. A poorly cut nut will affect the overall setup of the guitar resulting in higher action, intonation problems, and tuning stability problems.

Pickups will not be an issue at all if you're sticking with single coils. Should you want to switch to a humbucker in the bridge position at any point (although this would require routing on a '62 reissue body), be sure to get a trem-spaced (also called f-spaced) humbucker, which is usually 53mm as opposed to 50mm.

[daddyo]

Originally Posted by testing1two

I think you'll run into a couple of potential issues, but if the neck fits in the neck pocket, you can work around most of them. Since this is a '62 reissue body, you will have to order the correct 6 screw vintage style tremolo. You'll want to order it with 2 7/32" string spacing as opposed to the vintage 2 1/16" spec . If the string spacing is narrow at the bridge, you'll find the strings will be too close together towards the end of the fingerboard. For bridges, I recommend Gotoh if you're on a budget and Callaham if you want top quality.

Once you have the bridge and the neck fitted to the body, you'll want to see if the string spacing of your existing nut will work. Then you should absolutely, positively have a new nut cut by the best tech in your area. A poorly cut nut will affect the overall setup of the guitar resulting in higher action, intonation problems, and tuning stability problems.

Pickups will not be an issue at all if you're sticking with single coils. Should you want to switch to a humbucker in the bridge position at any point (although this would require routing on a '62 reissue body), be sure to get a trem-spaced (also called f-spaced) humbucker, which is usually 53mm as opposed to 50mm.

Actually, vintage is 2 7/32". And it's a wide bridge that caues the strings to be too close to the sides of the fingerboards for the two E strings. This is especially noticeable with an 1 3/4 nut. I predict you'll have problems with the two E strings slipping off. I have a tele project with a trad 2 1/16 bridge and a 1 3/4 nut and even that placed the E strings a wee bit to close to the edges so I cut a notch on the barrels to move the stings inward. Can't do that with a strat.

[jakeowen]

The neck is from the '83 strat, which were set up with the 1/34 nut. I guess the Freeflyte bridge was made for the wider nut.
I guess if the wood of the neck is actually wider, not just the cut of the nut, then it should be ok right?

[JUSTJOB]

Originally Posted by jakeowen

The neck is from the '83 strat, which were set up with the 1/34 nut. I guess the Freeflyte bridge was made for the wider nut.
I guess if the wood of the neck is actually wider, not just the cut of the nut, then it should be ok right?

Don't worry, a luthier can cut the nut for a string spacing that will work, keeping those "E" strings off of the edge of the fretboard. Also, before you order your bridge if you have any concerns you also can check to see what string spacing would suit you best. Don't sweat it, take your time, don't be hasty, and everything can be worked out. The "worst" case scenerio would be having to put the modern 2 1/16" spacing bridge. Myself, I prefer that in my bridge as well, because it matches my Jackson and Gibbys.
Best Regards!

[daddyo]

Wouldn't cutting the nut on a 1 3/4" guitar so the strings are inboard pretty much negate the reason for having an 1 3/4 nut?

[jakeowen]

Thanks guys,
I have the body, it is actually the '57 reissue, from 1983 and the neck fits. Screw holes line up.
Time to get the bridge. I will look into the Callaham, and I'd like to find some info on Fender bridges as well. I want to use the Fender Custom Shop '69's.
Hopefully they will fit. I have seen/heard a few stories of people routing out the pickup cavities on the '57 reissues. I don't want to have to route anything.
I'll have pics soon.
Thanks again