So I've Decided to Build/Assemble a Partscaster

lomitus · **Joined:** Sat Aug 23, 2008 2:01 pm **Posts:** 1598

nicholsoni wrote:

So the partscaster is coming along well...in fact it's just about done. I am waiting on white pickup covers to come in to change out the grungey ones on it now.

I did have a couple issues with screw heads breaking off while putting them into the neck for the string tree and the machine heads. I did put it together on a budget so I guess even the screws were budget screws. Hey through I've got and ash body, maple necked strat for under $300 CDN in it sounds killer. Very classic which was what I was going for.

I will post some pictures once all the cosmetic stuff is perfect.

The biggest problem right now that I still have to trouble shoot is a wierd effect on the B string where it dies fast and buzzes a bit...but it's only when the string is played open. Is it likely a problem in the nut with the string catching?

Thanks for all the help so far folks.

Ok...I know I'm a little late getting in on this one but I'd like to share my $.02 worth and some of my own experiences...as always they are just my opinions so please take them as such.

Alrighty, first and foremost, you said "I did have a couple issues with screw heads breaking off while putting them into the neck for the string tree..."...you did drill pilot holes for those screws, right? We hope you didn't just try to drive the screws right in to the fresh wood as that of course could cause the wood to split. I have a tiny hand operated drill (old crank style) that I use specifically for drilling pilot holes for tiny screws. Don't get me wrong...I'm sure the screws probably were quite cheap but they don't exactly need to be case hardened either.

As other's have indicated do make sure you pay special attention to the nut. Ceri covered that really well so the only thing I would add is just make sure you pay as much attention to the bridge and the setup as well. The difference between a really great partscaster and a mediocre knock-off is often in the setup and the attention given the instrument by the person assembling it. After all, what's the difference between something like a mass produced American Standard and a Custom Shop instrument? The attention to detail. Anyone can slap a bunch of parts together (assuming they make sure they fit first) and call it a guitar but putting together a really good guitar comes down to how much effort you're willing to put in to it.

BTW...as far as the string T's go, that's actually been a debated topic around these forums from time to time...whether they really need them or not. Personally I think the correct answer is "if it needs them, use them". String T's are about having the correct break angle on the strings...since I don't really know anything about GFS necks or headstocks, I'd say you'll have to check that for yourself. If you have enough of a break angle then no, you don't really need them. On the other hand, I have them on all of my Strat style guitars...roller T's mostly...and I can't say I've really ever suffered for it either! LOL!

As a couple of others have already said, I to agree that all of this can be quite addictive. I've actually the 3 Strats in the works that I'll probably get started on once the weather warms up a bit more (so I can do my sanding outdoors and such). I'm going to build myself an MIJ "Contemporary" Strat (already have the body and bridge, still waiting on a neck), then I have a Strat "Art" project I'm going to do...not "real" Fender parts but I'm going to do this one in mother-of-pearl white and I'm going to do some Chinese graphics on the body and the headstock. No idea how it's going to sound or play but she should look sweet as hell when I'm finished, LOL!!! I also have another rebuild project going...it was my first serious refinish a few years back (blue burst) but I had made a lot of screw ups..had the clear coat -way- to thick and I didn't let it dry before assembling the guitar, etc). So I've stripped that body again...I'm going to stick with the blue burst when I refinish that one as it was really pretty but I'm really leaning towards rebuilding her as a 12 string. I think a 12 string Strat project would be -really- cool. And this is on top of the '03 MIM I picked up last month that I'm still tweaking (and the '85 MIJ Squier I got last fall). I think my biggest problem right now is just that I need to get everything organized...right now all my spare parts are all just piled up in boxes and/or laying around the hobby room couch, LOL!!!

Technically speaking I could go down there right now and just "build a guitar" from all of the parts I have...honestly I could probably build 2 or 3. I'm actually at the point now where I buy parts "just to have them, just in case", LOL!!! If I see a pickguard or pickups or a bridge or something for a -really- good price, I'll snag it/them and figure out what to put them in later! LOL!!! So yea...I have boxes and boxes of guitar junk. For me it's more of a matter of just waiting for the right parts to come together then I sit down and assemble them. In other words, again yes...it can be -very- addicting! LOL!!!

That said, since everyone else has been doing it, here's a shot of one of my Partscasters...

This one was the project that really turned out way better than I had planned...in fact I hadn't put a lot of planning in to this one really. The body is of unknown origin...got it off Craigslist for $25. I think it's some sort of mid 80's import but it is real alder...and the finish you see here was of course done by me. The neck is from an '04 Indo Squier Standard, the bridge is from a new MIM Standard...she really is my "International Strat", LOL!!! My original intent was NOT to create a relic looking guitar...I was just trying to put together something that had that old guitar "vibe" to it...aka the big headstock, the 2 tone sunburst, etc.. In fact I made some mistakes...some sand-thru's on the finish that ordinarily I would have gone back and fixed but I wasn't really worried about with this guitar. In other words, she turned out the way she did not by any design on my part. In fact originally all I was trying to do was figure out how to do a vintagy looking 2 tone sunburst! LOL!!! She ended up coming out so nice though that I just had to keep going with her and she really is a very wonderful playing instrument...although I'm still looking for the right pickups for her. She's got MIJ pickups in her at the moment and she sounds good enough but it's just not the sound I'm after...I really wanna put some EMG's in her or something. I even went so far as to order an "F" neck plate and I had a serial number engraved on it...the serial number is actually my birthday!

.

Now I will say that as haphazard as that sounds, I did do a little planning as I went. When I got the body I knew I wanted to stick with a vintage style trem, so I did measure the existing bridge holes very carefully and purchased a bridge I -knew- would fit. In fact before I even bought the body I had taken the neck I was planning on using with me to make sure that would fit...no sense buying the body if the neck wouldn't fit. So in a way, yes I did piece her together but I used some pretty good pieces that seem to work pretty well together :-)

.

BTW...I built this puppy last year -before- those new American Special's came out...almost makes ya wonder just who they got the idea from? LOL!!!

Anyways, to wrap this up I would just reiterate what other's have said...first and foremost, take your time! It's very easy to loose your patience and get to a point that you just want it "done" so you can play it, but the more time you put in to the details, the nicer she'll be when she's finished.

Good Luck and keep us updated!
Jim

nicholsoni · **Posted:** Sun Apr 18, 2010 9:49 am

lomitus wrote:

nicholsoni wrote:

So the partscaster is coming along well...in fact it's just about done. I am waiting on white pickup covers to come in to change out the grungey ones on it now.

I did have a couple issues with screw heads breaking off while putting them into the neck for the string tree and the machine heads. I did put it together on a budget so I guess even the screws were budget screws. Hey through I've got and ash body, maple necked strat for under $300 CDN in it sounds killer. Very classic which was what I was going for.

I will post some pictures once all the cosmetic stuff is perfect.

The biggest problem right now that I still have to trouble shoot is a wierd effect on the B string where it dies fast and buzzes a bit...but it's only when the string is played open. Is it likely a problem in the nut with the string catching?

Thanks for all the help so far folks.

Ok...I know I'm a little late getting in on this one but I'd like to share my $.02 worth and some of my own experiences...as always they are just my opinions so please take them as such.

Alrighty, first and foremost, you said "I did have a couple issues with screw heads breaking off while putting them into the neck for the string tree..."...you did drill pilot holes for those screws, right? We hope you didn't just try to drive the screws right in to the fresh wood as that of course could cause the wood to split. I have a tiny hand operated drill (old crank style) that I use specifically for drilling pilot holes for tiny screws. Don't get me wrong...I'm sure the screws probably were quite cheap but they don't exactly need to be case hardened either.

As other's have indicated do make sure you pay special attention to the nut. Ceri covered that really well so the only thing I would add is just make sure you pay as much attention to the bridge and the setup as well. The difference between a really great partscaster and a mediocre knock-off is often in the setup and the attention given the instrument by the person assembling it. After all, what's the difference between something like a mass produced American Standard and a Custom Shop instrument? The attention to detail. Anyone can slap a bunch of parts together (assuming they make sure they fit first) and call it a guitar but putting together a really good guitar comes down to how much effort you're willing to put in to it.

BTW...as far as the string T's go, that's actually been a debated topic around these forums from time to time...whether they really need them or not. Personally I think the correct answer is "if it needs them, use them". String T's are about having the correct break angle on the strings...since I don't really know anything about GFS necks or headstocks, I'd say you'll have to check that for yourself. If you have enough of a break angle then no, you don't really need them. On the other hand, I have them on all of my Strat style guitars...roller T's mostly...and I can't say I've really ever suffered for it either! LOL!

As a couple of others have already said, I to agree that all of this can be quite addictive. I've actually the 3 Strats in the works that I'll probably get started on once the weather warms up a bit more (so I can do my sanding outdoors and such). I'm going to build myself an MIJ "Contemporary" Strat (already have the body and bridge, still waiting on a neck), then I have a Strat "Art" project I'm going to do...not "real" Fender parts but I'm going to do this one in mother-of-pearl white and I'm going to do some Chinese graphics on the body and the headstock. No idea how it's going to sound or play but she should look sweet as hell when I'm finished, LOL!!! I also have another rebuild project going...it was my first serious refinish a few years back (blue burst) but I had made a lot of screw ups..had the clear coat -way- to thick and I didn't let it dry before assembling the guitar, etc). So I've stripped that body again...I'm going to stick with the blue burst when I refinish that one as it was really pretty but I'm really leaning towards rebuilding her as a 12 string. I think a 12 string Strat project would be -really- cool. And this is on top of the '03 MIM I picked up last month that I'm still tweaking (and the '85 MIJ Squier I got last fall). I think my biggest problem right now is just that I need to get everything organized...right now all my spare parts are all just piled up in boxes and/or laying around the hobby room couch, LOL!!!

Technically speaking I could go down there right now and just "build a guitar" from all of the parts I have...honestly I could probably build 2 or 3. I'm actually at the point now where I buy parts "just to have them, just in case", LOL!!! If I see a pickguard or pickups or a bridge or something for a -really- good price, I'll snag it/them and figure out what to put them in later! LOL!!! So yea...I have boxes and boxes of guitar junk. For me it's more of a matter of just waiting for the right parts to come together then I sit down and assemble them. In other words, again yes...it can be -very- addicting! LOL!!!

That said, since everyone else has been doing it, here's a shot of one of my Partscasters...

This one was the project that really turned out way better than I had planned...in fact I hadn't put a lot of planning in to this one really. The body is of unknown origin...got it off Craigslist for $25. I think it's some sort of mid 80's import but it is real alder...and the finish you see here was of course done by me. The neck is from an '04 Indo Squier Standard, the bridge is from a new MIM Standard...she really is my "International Strat", LOL!!! My original intent was NOT to create a relic looking guitar...I was just trying to put together something that had that old guitar "vibe" to it...aka the big headstock, the 2 tone sunburst, etc.. In fact I made some mistakes...some sand-thru's on the finish that ordinarily I would have gone back and fixed but I wasn't really worried about with this guitar. In other words, she turned out the way she did not by any design on my part. In fact originally all I was trying to do was figure out how to do a vintagy looking 2 tone sunburst! LOL!!! She ended up coming out so nice though that I just had to keep going with her and she really is a very wonderful playing instrument...although I'm still looking for the right pickups for her. She's got MIJ pickups in her at the moment and she sounds good enough but it's just not the sound I'm after...I really wanna put some EMG's in her or something. I even went so far as to order an "F" neck plate and I had a serial number engraved on it...the serial number is actually my birthday!

.

Now I will say that as haphazard as that sounds, I did do a little planning as I went. When I got the body I knew I wanted to stick with a vintage style trem, so I did measure the existing bridge holes very carefully and purchased a bridge I -knew- would fit. In fact before I even bought the body I had taken the neck I was planning on using with me to make sure that would fit...no sense buying the body if the neck wouldn't fit. So in a way, yes I did piece her together but I used some pretty good pieces that seem to work pretty well together :-)

.

BTW...I built this puppy last year -before- those new American Special's came out...almost makes ya wonder just who they got the idea from? LOL!!!

Anyways, to wrap this up I would just reiterate what other's have said...first and foremost, take your time! It's very easy to loose your patience and get to a point that you just want it "done" so you can play it, but the more time you put in to the details, the nicer she'll be when she's finished.

Good Luck and keep us updated!
Jim

As I said I managed to fumble my way through it and it's a player. It's my first crack and anything that would be remotely considered woodwork or being handy at all. It sounds great, looks pretty good(one little boo boo cosmetically) and I learned what not to do for the next one

All I have left is resolve this B String issue, swap out the pickup covers, and put the trem cover on. All set up it's spot on.

Thanks for the tips though. All good learning points.

nicholsoni · **Posted:** Sun Apr 25, 2010 4:22 pm

I can't believe that white pu covers are on back order from allparts...thats all I need for her to be complete! Right now I am getting buy with some aged ones, but she just doesn't look right yet

Looks like it'll be a few weeks.

nicholsoni · **Posted:** Sat May 08, 2010 3:51 pm

Finished...sorry I am not much of a photographer and I guess there is no good light in my house.

Thanks to everyone who provided advice. Maybe the next one will be a little easier now that I've learned a few new tricks.

mullyman · **Posted:** Sat May 08, 2010 4:08 pm

Ceri wrote:

mojoredfoot wrote:

nicholsoni wrote:

If so, any tips for getting them in there with doing no damage to the neck/bushing?

Very light shaving w/ a drill bit or ...i don't know the actual name of the piece but it's like a solid piece of sand paper (shaped like a cone). It comes in a dremel kit.

Hi guys: very respectfully and politely I so strongly advise against using either a drill or a Dremel to widen those tuner holes. I have seen folks - including pro luthiers - ruin pegholes by those methods.

The correct tool for this job is called a "cello peghole reamer". Here's mine:

And in use:

Hey, Ceri is doing a virtual build now. Should be fun.
MULLY

(Blue hands - a cold day when those pics were taken...)

With that tool you have superb control and can widen the hole evenly by virtually a thou at a time. It is the Rolls-Royce way to do the job.

Unfortunately it is a stupidly expensive tool in proportion to what it is. Stew-Mac are currently selling the size you need for $99.98:

http://www.stewmac.com/?PCR=1%3A100%3A1 ... rencyid=17

You can sometimes find them a bit cheaper on Ebay but not much. (Don't be lured into buying a cheaper violin peghole reamer: it is the wrong size for the job.)

So since you probably don't want to buy that tool a workaround is needed. Take a thin slightly graduated length of round wood - the handle of an artist's paintbrush is ideal. Then wrap some sandpaper of approximately P200 - 300 tightly around it. Then use that as your reamer. Go very gently and carefully with a turning motion, not in-out. Take your time - there is no easy way back if you go too far.

You want those bushings to fit nice and firm in their holes, but not quite so firm you can't get them out again.

Whatever you do don't force the bushings in if they don't want to go. That's how split headstocks happen.

I'll come back and do the neck screw holes if nobody else jumps in on it. Don't worry: it ain't too hard.

Cheers - C

Andybighair · **Joined:** Tue Dec 01, 2009 9:22 am **Posts:** 2175

Hello Nicholsoni!

Looks great! A very nice job. I like that neck kinda reminds of a Hammer Custom, very nice indeed!

So what are you planning for the next one? :wink:

Enjoy!

Andy

nicholsoni · **Posted:** Sun May 09, 2010 3:10 am

Andybighair wrote:

Hello Nicholsoni!

Looks great! A very nice job. I like that neck kinda reminds of a Hammer Custom, very nice indeed!

So what are you planning for the next one? :wink:

Enjoy!

Andy

Good question!

Maybe a telecaster...or maybe something with P90's!

I think I am hooked...need to work on my soldering a bit though

nikininja · **Posted:** Sun May 09, 2010 3:24 am

Nicholsoni

Sorry I'm late to the party. Looks good mate. :wink:

Jim
This guitar

Looks better and better to me every time I see it. Who'da thunk you'd turn that body into that beauty eh? (I remember that thread well)

Now what to do. A Teletailed strat, or a bass 6, or maybe a teletailed bass6????

Andybighair · **Joined:** Tue Dec 01, 2009 9:22 am **Posts:** 2175

nikininja wrote:

Now what to do. A Teletailed strat, or a bass 6, or maybe a teletailed bass6????

Intriguing!

I like the idea of a Teletailed Bass Six! Bet that would sound mighty meaty!

Enjoy!

Andy

Andybighair · **Joined:** Tue Dec 01, 2009 9:22 am **Posts:** 2175

nicholsoni wrote:

Andybighair wrote:

Hello Nicholsoni!

Looks great! A very nice job. I like that neck kinda reminds of a Hammer Custom, very nice indeed!

So what are you planning for the next one? :wink:

Enjoy!

Andy

Good question!

Maybe a telecaster...or maybe something with P90's!

I think I am hooked...need to work on my soldering a bit though

Hehehe!

Oooohh P90's! Like it, Like it alot! :wink:

I haven't bought a "new" guitar for over three years! After I built the first one I just couldn't stop! I'm working on my 4th build now!

Soldering, Practice makes perfect. I had an old Peavey Raptor (great headstock) that I bought off my little sister for £5! I cut my teeth on that. Must have taken it a part and put it back together at least 12 times! Its now the guitar I lend out to my mates and colleagues kids who want to start playing.

Looking forward to your next build mate!

Andy

nikininja · **Posted:** Sun May 09, 2010 3:47 am

Andybighair wrote:

nikininja wrote:

Now what to do. A Teletailed strat, or a bass 6, or maybe a teletailed bass6????

Intriguing!

I like the idea of a Teletailed Bass Six! Bet that would sound mighty meaty!

Enjoy!

Andy

Yeah with a bigsby too. :shock:

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