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Post subject: Re: Somebody talk some sense into me... (Build Update)
Posted: Wed Oct 05, 2011 6:51 am
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Thanks for the update TGS! Glad to see that you are taking your time and getting exactly (or close to ) what you want in this build. That's the way to do it. I was beginning to wonder what happened to you and your build. Good luck and keep us informed. By all means keep on rocking!! :wink:


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Post subject: Re: Somebody talk some sense into me... (Build Update)
Posted: Wed Oct 05, 2011 10:33 am
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53magnatone wrote:
This quandary of yours is typical when creating something. there is always a point where it can be improved, but that becomes an albatross as the build process grinds to a halt, similar to a glacier moving to Florida... :lol:

I found myself in that familiar mode concerning my two Stratopartster build. ( Ironically I am having this scenario with a client on a design build of their back porch rails/steps as well as their front steps as they have changed the design 4 times and now a 5th after the contract was signed. )
So back to the simpler TGS hiccup.... You need to be objective in looking at this.
(1) Is Warmoth able to mill out your neck for less cost than USACG... :?:
(2) Is USCAG able to mill out to the same specs but with a faster turn around time... :?:
I would think they are pretty close in final result and if that is the case than cost and turn around time is the criteria.
" It has been almost a year so you need to get it done.. "

I'm saying this because your 1st paragraph is to the point and moving forward....The 2nd however seems to backtrack quite a bit in re-analysing your decisions.

Forget about the worst case scenario......
This is a build, there are going to be certain qualities in this guitar that you would like to change after playing it for a while.
So since that is an inevitable factor of a Strat-Build, get it built with the specs you have now.. :!: Then you can reassess and design another build with the features that you would like to be different.

This is How I finally got my two Stratopartster's I and II built, I went ahead with the designs once I had all the parts decided. It was a matter of going back to the initial simple plan of what each one was to be which was two completely different sounding Strats.
I am still ecstatic about the Black Strat as it is much more of a powerhouse than either my CS 56 NOS or my MIM with SCN's.
Unfortunately I loaned it out to a constantly gigging friend Mark Cutler, quite a few weeks ago and I have to get it back... :roll: Had it been atrocious I would have gotten it back immediately.
Stratopartster II is undergoing a rewiring as there was a glipch in the schematic I followed, otherwise it also was quite a different workhorse.

Consider this, instead of a normal Tone control, try a TBX but with a 220 resistor cap instead of the 82 cap...You may find it will give you the options you are seeking as far as tone parameters.
There was a 2 part article in < http://www.premierguitar.com > on this subject.

So just leave this one as a prototype, play it for a while and then decide which features to change on the next build.....Go As Is.....


Thanks for the advice, and the tone articles look interesting. :) I know I need to just get on with it and get it cranked out.

Major developments on the Warmoth front just now. I got a reply to my email. Prices for a custom body are:
Basic Strat style; alder = $175.00
+Contoured heel = $35.00
+Solid one piece = $80.00
+Extra light selection = $40.00

A grand total $330.00 (unfinished). :shock: Apparently I have expensive taste. :lol:

But I still have a way around it. ;) The two things I can't modify are the weight and the number of pieces it's constructed of. But the one thing I can modify fairly simply at the shop is that neck heel. It's something my tech has done before. If I rule that out my chances of finding something which works in the showcase is much greater, and I can save over $100 if I do so.

In fact, last night I found the perfect body which would work for that. One piece alder, under 4 pounds, right at $200. Unfortunately I was about to pull the trigger on purchasing it just now and I can't find it. I'm hoping someone didn't buy it less than 24 hours after I found it. And I'm really hoping it didn't have to do with the fact that I included the item number in the email. In any case, I still have that number and I'm going to fire off another email to see if it's still available. If not, there are a couple of bodies in the showcase which are fairly close, only a few ounces heavier (and how much difference really would three ounces make?). I don't know what the turnover is like with their showcase bodies either, how fast they sell or how fast they add new ones. I'm trying to get one as quickly as possible so I might have to settle for one which is already there (or is a two piece instead of one).

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Post subject: Re: Somebody talk some sense into me... (Build Update)
Posted: Wed Oct 05, 2011 10:44 am
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I'm also making headway on the neck. I sent both USACG and Warmoth an email about custom nut widths. I still love the feel of that Squier and I'd like to get the new neck fairly close to that. If neither can do it, or if it's just too expensive, than I'll go with USACG and the standard 1.650" nut width.

Warmoth had some additional options that USACG didn't have, but when it came down to the two most important things for me (thickness and fret height) USACG won. I compared prices and for what I wanted from each company they were both within $20 of each other and still within budget.

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Post subject: Re: Somebody talk some sense into me... (Build Update)
Posted: Wed Oct 05, 2011 10:46 am
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Glad to see this post. I was beginning to wonder if you were having second thoughts. I know the feeling as far as a body build. I have been looking at the Warmoth site myself. The body I want is about 450+ dollars. I want one with similar specs buy finished with a dragon burst. Total cost for the finished product will just over a Master-built Fender. I am going to wait before I build to see if the Myans were correct with their prediction before starting(lol).

Remember pics of the guitar when you completed it.

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Post subject: Re: Somebody talk some sense into me... (Build Update)
Posted: Wed Oct 05, 2011 10:55 am
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Still browsing the showcase and you would think Warmoth would have at least one alder Strat body with a contoured neck heel ready, but they don't. Maybe they sell too quickly to keep in stock.

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Post subject: Re: Somebody talk some sense into me... (Build Update)
Posted: Thu Oct 06, 2011 1:50 am
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texasguitarslinger wrote:
Just thought I'd give you guys another update. :) I just sent an email to Warmoth about the body. I've decided to stick with alder and I'm going to try to get one which is as light as it can be without being chambered, has that contoured neck heel and if possible is also one piece. I found a couple in their showcase that had everything going for it but the neck heel, so I'm going to see if I can order one of those and have them add the contoured neck heel. Or if not, see if they can choose a lighter than usual chunk of wood to make it from. I'm hoping for a reply soon, and as soon as I get one I'm going to go ahead and put in the order.

I'm still getting things sorted out with the neck. I'm torn between Warmoth and USACG. There are pros and cons with each. I really just need to sit down with a pen and paper and write my specs out to see which could fit the bill best.

I'm also leaning back towards stainless steel... I'm kind of concerned about the affects on tone but it might be worth it from the standpoint that this is going to be a workhorse of a guitar and that I'll be able to compensate somewhat which tone controls on the amp and guitar. Also, I can't help but remember how incredibly smooth the guitar I played with stainless steel frets felt. No grinding bends. And in the worst case scenario, I could live with them long enough to yank them out and replace them with regular frets once they start to wear.

EDIT: To be clear about the neck, it's not like I'm starting from square one now. I have an extremely clear picture of what I'd like, and in a way that's making it harder. :lol: I'm really close to ordering it, probably within the next week if I can.

Hello Texas. Cool update. I agree with all of your ideas:)

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Post subject: Re: Somebody talk some sense into me... (Build Update)
Posted: Thu Oct 06, 2011 5:23 am
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I would venture to say that for the extra cost of a one piece, a two piece body makes more sense, especially since it is going to be painted...?

As far as chambering, I'm not sold at all on that, it is after all a solid body and that is just another cost that to me is not warranted. Great pick-ups, hardware, strings and most importantly, a solid connection between neck and body work towards great resonance more than anyhting else.
Just my IMHO....

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Post subject: Re: Somebody talk some sense into me... (Build Update)
Posted: Thu Oct 06, 2011 11:51 pm
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I got emails back from both Warmoth and USACG. Neither can do custom nut widths, but that's fine. I thought it would be worth asking and honestly I've gotten more used to necks wider than the Squier over that last few months anyway. I sent one final barrage of questions to USACG regarding pricing for things like one piece bodies, and whether or not they can pick a light one for me.

I'm going to keep my eye on Warmoth's showcase until I get a reply. If nothing turns up and it USACG's price is as close to Warmoth's as it was for the neck I think I'll just get the body from them too. I'm definitely going with them for the neck. And as for the body, I'd rather give the smaller business the work. If I get a reply tomorrow I might place the order tomorrow if I can get back from running errands soon enough. If not, then I'll definitely call it in Monday.

53magnatone wrote:
I would venture to say that for the extra cost of a one piece, a two piece body makes more sense, especially since it is going to be painted...?


It's actually going to be a transparent finish, so I just thought a one piece would look extra cool. But given the price difference, I wouldn't think twice about getting a two piece unless there was an outstanding deal out there for a one piece. Like that one I nearly bought.
Quote:
As far as chambering, I'm not sold at all on that, it is after all a solid body and that is just another cost that to me is not warranted. Great pick-ups, hardware, strings and most importantly, a solid connection between neck and body work towards great resonance more than anyhting else.
Just my IMHO....


I think it'd be cool to try a chambered Strat body someday down the road, I have a Les Paul which is chambered and I like it well enough (I can lift it lol). But I'll experiment with stuff like that later.

The whole color scheme is going to look like this with the transparent white finish, tortoise pickguard and rosewood board. Just not as beat up. http://www.guitarguitar.co.uk/images.asp?image=105/11051016370029f.jpg&SKU=11051016370029

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Post subject: Re: Somebody talk some sense into me... (Build Update)
Posted: Tue Oct 11, 2011 12:46 am
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Thanks for posting the link Texas. Now I know that transparent white is a very cool finish for a Stratocaster.

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Post subject: Re: Somebody talk some sense into me... (Build Update)
Posted: Tue Oct 11, 2011 2:18 am
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Very nice colour scheme.... As beat up!? Are you going to road kill it? Sorry reading back though this encyclopedia is beyond I phone territory... :lol:

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Post subject: Re: Somebody talk some sense into me... (IT'S ORDERED!!! YAY
Posted: Fri Oct 14, 2011 11:32 pm
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No, no. I'm not going to road kill it. :lol: Maybe it'll look that way several decades down the road, but I wouldn't intentionally abuse a guitar.

OK, exciting news! The neck and body have been ordered! :D I've had an absolutely crazy week this week (again). This time I was subbing for various guitar instructors four out five weekdays this week, and over this weekend I have three gigs lined up with two different bands and another two gigs next week with another band which means I've had to practice music for three bands total. On on top of that I have my regular part time job at the guitar store. I was worried I wasn't going to get a chance to order it this week, but a couple of morning students cancelled today so I had an hours window of opportunity and took it!

Here are the final, complete, official specs! Both were ordered from USACG. The body from Warmoth would have actually ended up being about $50 more expensive for the exact same thing.

Body:
Alder, 2 Piece, Extra Light (One piece really wasn't worth the extra $$$)
Since I was buying the neck and the body from them they threw in the contoured neck heel for free.

Neck:
Smaller, vintage style Strat headstock shape
Thickness at the first fret, 0.830 with a +.70 at the twelfth
6105 Stainless Steel frets (I might as well, this is going to a workhorse of a guitar)
22nd Fret
1.650" nut width. I originally wanted narrower, but honestly I've become accustomed to my Highway One because the Squier is fretting out everywhere now and the MIM's have annoying vintage frets.
Clay Dots
12" Radius
Rosewood Fretboard

They said it would be ready and shipped anywhere between a couple of weeks or a couple of months from now. I think he said about a month is likely. The second I get it I'm going to try to take it down to get finished. Allowing for about a month to dry, and maybe a couple of weeks waiting to be finished I should have the assembled guitar in my hands within a couple of weeks of Christmas. Perfect timing! :lol:

Again guys, I can't begin to thank you enough. Most of my expenses have been covered and the blessing in disguise of this taking so long is that I've been able to save up enough to cover the finishing of the guitar and the fancy, frilly, extra stuff like stainless frets and clay dots. I can't wait to get it for real, in person. In the mean time, I can start thinking of decal ideas. ;) I definitely want to incorporate a Fender Lounge logo somewhere, and perhaps engrave the neck plate with the usernames of everyone who helped out. That way when people ask about it I'll tell them the awesome story behind it. :)

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Post subject: Re: Somebody talk some sense into me... (IT'S ORDERED!!! YAY
Posted: Sat Oct 15, 2011 4:00 am
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Nice Christmas present!

Congrats.

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Post subject: Re: Somebody talk some sense into me... (IT'S ORDERED!!! YAY
Posted: Sat Oct 15, 2011 2:19 pm
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Great news Texas! Looking forward to seeing the finished guitar. :D

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Post subject: Re: Somebody talk some sense into me... (IT'S ORDERED!!! YAY
Posted: Mon Oct 17, 2011 3:42 am
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It's a great feeling when something you've been stressing over finally starts moving...I've been watching this thread since it's inception, and I cant wait to see your finished axe.

Keep us in the loop!

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Post subject: Re: Somebody talk some sense into me... (IT'S ORDERED!!! YAY
Posted: Mon Oct 17, 2011 8:07 am
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I like your specs. Rebecca. I would definitely enjoy the stainless frets and the 12" radius. I love my Strats, but I do get frustrated when I fret out a bend on the dusty end as Ceri says ... :).

I picked up a St. Blues Bluesmaster II a couple of years ago at a ridiculous price brand new. It has similar specs to your custom but with vintage frets. It is about 1lb. lighter than my Strats and I enjoy playing it when my back starts complaining. Unfortunately, St Blues has struggled in this economy and discontinued that model. I think they only do custom work now.

Can't wait to see your baby when it's all together...


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