As it shows in my last few posts, I've been very interested in modifying and other customization stuff.

My plan is to get a MIM, but someone told me to make one myself from parts bought individually. Either case, it will probably be a summer project.

Are "modding a complete guitar" and "building a partscaster" around at least somewhat of similar difficulty?

Right now I'm thinking that I should get a MIM and learn the basics...
Any ideas?

The MIM can be a good starting point, and may likely be less expensive than going piece by piece. Certainly cheaper than Warmoth for an example. Also, you have the benefit of knowing that it fit together in the beginning, and you can just swap things out one piece at a time.

I rule the the MIM because I like a 22 fret fingerboard instead of the 21, but that's just me. If I got the MIM, I'd be careful to get one with a clear finish. I would wonder what the body material was with a painted MIM, and how many pieces of wood are in it.

I would also seriously recommend the Carvin Bolt guitar kits. They're less than the MIM, and you can choose body material, fingerboard material, fingerboard radius, and fret material (stainless steel if you want). Also, they come with a Wilkinson/Gotoh tremolo, which IMHO beats the Fender Tremolo. The standard wiring is kind of nice, as they have an always on switch for the bridge pickup in addition to the 5 way switch. Allows you to run the neck and bridge together, or all pickups at once.

You'd have to check, but they may now be shipping with a contoured heel for better upper fret access.

I like your idea. I would love to find some random parts and build a killer little partscaster. I've gotten to like the 21 fret necks IMO.

I guess the best way to answer this is to break down what they each entail.

Modding means modifying, simple enough. You take an existing completed instrument and basically change any components you want. This could mean anything as simple as switching knobs or a pickguard, all the way to changing all components.

Building a partscaster is assembling a finished instrument from component parts.

Now unless your modifications are going to include changing the finish, or installing parts that require woodworking to install they are really the same difficulty. If you can assemble a dresser from Ikea you can do either. The only steps that will take any kind of special knowledge will be soldering when installing the electronics and then doing the full set up. but again there are ample resources to learn how to do that. And any mistakes can be corrected by simply making adjustments.

Really the only differences with these two kinds of project are the budget, and the amount of time you want to spend. Buying a completed guitar is probably the better option if you find one you really like, but only want to do a couple changes and also if you are on a tight budget.. If you want to take more control, and pick out every detail then you may want to assemble a partscaster instead, and hand pick each component yourself. This full customization can potentially get pricey, especially if you are impatient, or don't have time to scour for bargains.

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I'm not an expert, but I play one on the internet.

The best way to get into it is to start cheap.

Buy a $99 Sunburst Squier Bullet Strat. Some possible mods:

Upgrade to Schaller tuners. Buy a proper hole reamer.
Install a bone, Graptech or LSR nut if you want to go wild.
Install rolling string trees.
Install a replacement pick guard and back plate.
Put some second hand pickups from a better model in it.
Replace the pots and switches and wiring if you desire.
Shield the cavity with copper.
Roll (smooth) the fretboard edges and round the fret edges.
Condition the fretboard properly.
Try your hand a inlaying the fretboard.
Add a dark stained veneer to the headstock and inlay it.
(man that would look hot with a sunburst finish)
Stain the neck.
Give it a fret level and crown if it needs it.
Replace the tremolo, block and springs.
Strip it and paint it the color of your choice.

You will still come in under what a MIM strat costs and have some great parts and a lot of experience. At the end of the day you can revert the whole thing and sell the bullet for $70 and use the parts on a MIM, MIA or your own custom build if you like.

Thanks for all the advices!

Think I'll get a MIM (don't know when...) and mod one part at a time so I know what part is better than what to my ear.

This way I'll bond with the instrument better as well.

Not to forget possible compatibility issues between parts bought on the web for a partscaster without proper research.

Would MIM standard be a good starting place or should I get a higher end instrument to begin with...?

If I want vintage style tuners, should I buy a standard and replace or buy one with vintage tuners? Experience or money??

I think you need to read the last few posts again.

Your not going to learn anything on buying it already installed on the guitar. I thought you said you wanted to mod? The idea is to either make something exactly how you want it or improve on someones work.

Upgrading the tuners, pickups or replacing the pick guard is not much of a mod (if you could call it a mod at all). But beginners should start here.

Modding takes effort.

I bought my daugter a used Squire Affinity Strat for $60. It was complete with no scratches or flaws. I replaced the pickguard and the pickups. Guitar sounds great. Just remember MIM or MIA pickups are a little wider then Squire's. The pickup covers from the squire will not fit on anything other non-squire pickup.

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"Epitaph on a blues musician’s tombstone: “I didn’t wake up this morning”" Davy Knowles


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In that case I should buy a standard, as I was planning on switching every single hardware on it (one at a time, of course), right?