Building a Strat

[zeegler]

I've never been a huge fan of Strats, but I believe everyone should have one, even if it's not necessarily 100% Fender. Therefore I've decided to build one. None of the stock Strats I have seen do anything for me, so this will be what I think a Strat should be.

Anyone here built a Strat? Any tips or warnings on bodies and necks?

Maybe we should have a parts Strat build-off. [img]/images/graemlins/grin.gif[/img]

[Shawn Lutz]

Re: Building a Strat

I've built a few of them. It is one way of getting exactly what you want out them. Look for parts on eBay. I usually try to stay with the same make so the parts fit together without any further mods [img]/images/graemlins/smile.gif[/img] I've pieced several Charvel model series strats and just used Charvel bodies and necks. If your going for the traditional strat look there are several parts dealers who sell licensed fender parts. Search eBay for Fender and you'll get all the parts as well as whole guitars, often times you see a used guitar that is 95% of what you want so it might be better to buy that and go from there.

The last strat I did consisted of:

New Mighty-Might body finished in seafoam green from Justin at jcguitars.com
97 USA Fender 22 fret maple/maple neck used from eBay.
Black OFR from *cough* cough Ed Roman has cheapest floys*cough* cough [img]/images/graemlins/smile.gif[/img]
Duncan Custom Custom and Jazz from mikes-music-shop.com
Pearloid H-H pickguard from eBay
Black Jackson tuners that I already had
Gibby 3-way toggle and 500k pots from WDmusic.com

The guitar turned out great, I love that Fender neck too. The guitar plays and sounds just as good as my GMW and better than some of my Jacksons. I did everything myself except for the Floyd install, although I installed many of them before, I never did the nut on a strat headstock and I didn't want to shave off too much and ruin a killer neck [img]/images/graemlins/smile.gif[/img] I need to take some pictures of that one...still [img]/images/graemlins/smile.gif[/img]

Here's some guitars I parted together or swapped stuff around and modded.

[zeegler]

Re: Building a Strat

I would love to see pics of the new one Shawn. I am pretty much set on a seafoam green Mighty Mite body myself. It's an awesome color. Here's a pic of my mockup:



So I assume a Mighty Mite body fits a Fender neck perfectly then. I was thinking of going with either a Fender neck, or a Mighty Mite neck which will obviously fit.

[siggy14]

Re: Building a Strat

Tell you the truth, if you are not set on that color, buy a mexican strat (about $300 new here in the states) change pickups and electronics (maybe Pickguard if you go H/H) and tuners and you are set, those MIM strats are almost as good as the americans and alot cheaper, not to mention you wont feel guilty customizing it.

[Shawn Lutz]

Re: Building a Strat

Zeegler.. mine looks a lot like your mock-up except it is black pickup H-H and a black OFR.

I agree Siggy...you can often find MIM's used on eBay for a steal and you can just modify them.

[slash]

Re: Building a Strat

My project [img]/images/graemlins/smile.gif[/img]
Warmoth Neck and Body, Original Floyd Rose, Dimarzio Tone Zone.

I'm going to paint it white with matching headstock.

[j2379]

Re: Building a Strat

the only warning i can give is tele neck heals dont fit in strats. G&L & a couple of other necks use the squared off heal but not many. also some aftermarket necks dont come completely dressed.

[siggy14]

Re: Building a Strat

[ QUOTE ]
My project [img]/images/graemlins/smile.gif[/img]
Warmoth Neck and Body, Original Floyd Rose, Dimarzio Tone Zone.

I'm going to paint it white with matching headstock.



[/ QUOTE ]

How much did that kit cost?

[shelby22]

Re: Building a Strat

Hey Slash-

That's a great looking neck, how wide is the nut? Also, did that body come with the volume knob hole already drilled? Like to see some pics as you build it.

[sully]

Re: Building a Strat

this one turned out okay.. [img]/images/graemlins/smile.gif[/img]

[Crankdaddy]

Re: Building a Strat

God, I love that guitar Sully. Always have, always will. I'd say it was "Rock as Fuck," but that tagline's already taken. Although I seriously believe this one's worthy of the phrase.

[slash]

Re: Building a Strat


[ QUOTE ]
Hey Slash-

That's a great looking neck, how wide is the nut? Also, did that body come with the volume knob hole already drilled? Like to see some pics as you build it.

How much did that kit cost?


[/ QUOTE ]

The nut width is 1-11/16. It came just like see in the pictures.

It is not a kit. I bought the neck and body from Warmoth and the other parts from other sources. I will probably have about $500 into it by the time it is compete. That's with all new parts.

[zeegler]

Re: Building a Strat

Well, not wanting to copy Shawn, I went with another option on the body color. It's going to look something like this:



Now I must begin my search for a neck, Floyd, pickup, etc.. FUN!!!!! [img]/images/graemlins/laugh.gif[/img]

[straycat]

Re: Building a Strat

My last project strat is in the guitars by other manufacturers under strat mutt project.Take your time finding parts that fit, it will make it a lot easier.
Its real easy to end up with a lot of money in a mutt so you need to realize you won't get get much out of it if you sell to a dealer.The upside is you end up with what YOU want.Mutts are very cool so have at it build on bro'

[Chrisb]

Re: Building a Strat

My personal suggestion is to go with Warmoth but if you want a basic no frills strat without any fancy wood or anything like that, there are cheaper places, thats for sure. Mighty Mite as you said is good. My warmoth has a MM neck and I have to say its very nice, I'm just not wild about maple/maple necks. But it has nice birdseye and it feels wonderful to play on.

I'm still trying to decide if I want to keep the guitar or not. Anyways so basically if you want something more customized beyond maple/alder/mahogany body with a simple flame or quilt top, I'd suggest Warmoth. Otherwise go with one of the other suggestions by some of the other guys here.