I've been following the build threads on the site and I am thinking about building a Gilmour style red strat (with the DG-20 pups) My main concern is the neck. I have a 57 VHR and the neck is the best I've ever played.
My ?'s are:
1) Should I try to find another one of these necks?
2)Go with something like a Wormoth neck?
or
3) Just buy another 57 VHR in CAR and change out the pups? (last resort)

This is not a huge hurry to do, cause right now is my busyer time for work
(construction) but I would like some input so i can start hunting down what I need.
Also some input on the DG-20 loaded pickguard.

Tools and doing the work are not a concern due to over 25 yrs of construction and wood working experience.

Also anyone done anything similar to the S-1 switching w/ the DG-20?

Thanks for any input.-------newwt aka Dave

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Well it seems you already know what you like. But not to take anything away from Warmoth, they make nice stuff.

When I do a build it is for 3 reasons...one..so it is built to my specs, two, to save money, and 3..for the shear enjoyment and pride.

So I would suggest to go with whatever will save you the most money and if money is no object then use what you know you like and you can't go wrong. That said, it would kinda suck if you were trying to save money and bought something you didn't like..so just make sure before you spend as no one can really know what you are going to like in the end...but you.

If money is no object and you don't really have the time and/or desire for a build, then do option 3...buy a whole guitar and change out pups or whatever suits your fancy.

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I'm almost out of stuff to sell.

Hi Dave!

Sounds like a cool project

Thats pretty much why I build/ put together my own. Can't add much to the above post either.

I've used Mighty Mite necks from Stewmac, ebay, etc and have heard lots of good things about Warmoth though I blatantly can't afford one

Regarding the S-1 with the DG-20's, So far I can't find a set that aren't part of a complete EMG pickguard assembly If this is the case then I don't think you'll be able be able to mod the switching. But you could try e-mailing EMG and see what the offical line is.

Hope this helps and let us know how you get on!

Andy

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Pending Greatness

I haven't been able to find anything to suggest being able to mod the switching, but right now not giving up either

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I can't anymore either. But years ago I had a vendors license was able to get dealer pricing..that was nice. The Warmoth bodies and necks (at least at the time when I purchased) were grade A, and I could have it built to specs..any type of route etc, and type of neck to fit. I would imagine they are still top quality, but the prices are probably way up..especially retail.

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I'm almost out of stuff to sell.

Hi Dave,

If you don't have any luck with the DG-20's, I recommend the S-1 with Lace Hot Golds and the Clapton mid boost kit. See the link below for how to do it (diagram on the bottom of page 2)

http://www.fender.com/community/forums/ ... hp?t=30730

Andy

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Pending Greatness

Hi newwt: why is option 3) the last resort? Sounds like the ideal far as I can see - that's essentially what was done to create Gilmour's guitar, after all. By this route you get the color you want, the neck you want, and you can do whatever wiring mods you feel like.

I'm sure you know already, but an alternative to buying the DG loaded pickguard is just to purchase EMG's SA pickup set. That's the same Gilmour powerplant, less the 'guard. Here's one I bought earlier this year - as you see, it arrives with much of the soldering already in place:



Also, as per Forum user Martian's post in the thread Andy linked to, I don't see why you can't use the S1 switch in conjunction with the SA pickup set, provided you swap in a volume pot of the right value:



Sounds like a plan to me. And a very nice guitar at the end of it - I've been somewhat sceptical about active electronics in the past but I'm here to tell you that Gilmour/SA set sounds fabulous!

Good luck - C

Looks like a good alternative

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Ceri,

I think you may be on to something here, I looked at Andy's thread,and it could be a option. But then again I love the sound of Gilmour's Red Strat.
I was just thinking option 3 of getting another 57 VHR as a last resort because I really wanted to do all the paint and such myself to keep me busy through the long winter months where I live. Than again....................
LESS WORK=MORE PLAY

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HA - well then I like your mind!

Howzabout one of these, then?

http://cgi.ebay.com/Vintage-57-RI-USA-F ... 2eaef8aa76

Good Lord, that's expensive. But...

The seller is well-known to Forum users. There's mixed feelings here about his parting-out operation, but at any rate you can apparently be certain that you are getting what you are paying for from this fella. That neck will be the real deal.

By the way, here's the S1 switch on my 2005 Am Strat. Just the sight of this spaghetti nightmare makes me want to run whimpering to the nearest lake and throw my soldering iron in - but I'm sure you're made of sterner stuff:


Be fascinated to hear which way you decide to go on this one. Please keep us posted!

Good luck - C

Ceri,
HOLY WIRING......I got dizzy just looking at it!!!!!!!


Looking at the prices of real deal made in America parts, price wise I could buy a new 57VHR, sell the complete pickguard, and buy the EMG pups and put them in my other white one(which i took off my Black 57 VHR) OR.........
Go with the Wormoth body/neck made to order, painted body/ vintage tinted neck, do all the assembley and have a aftermarket Strat(yet even
great quality) for around the same price. Sooooooooooo...............

I think I must do alittle more looking around to check my options, but this will be getting done one way or another. After all you can't put a price tag on happyness...

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It gets even more fun when you put the mid boost kit with it

Andy

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Pending Greatness

I kind of checked Warmoths web site, and talked to one of there fine reps today, and it looks like I can do the whole project for under 1K US $

Now the great debate starts, aftermarket or the real deal?????
Time to crunch numbers, and see which 1 I want to go with more. But right about now I'm leaning toward another 57 VHR in CAR and changing out for the EMG-SAs

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Probably a good call. You can buy a ton of guitar plus custom parts for a grand. And you do just about anything you like for that money.

And man! Those parted out US Fender neck cost-wise are getting out way out of hand...

Edit: After writing this I got online to check the cost of the 57 Hot Rod... Dang, they're not giving those away at $1,700. I dunno, I'd have some heart palpitations about doing any rework to that guitar. But that's just me...

If it's the Gilmour I wanted (w/o paying the big $$s) I'd probably build from ground up for a thou'...

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'78 Fender Stratocaster
Epi USA Texan '64 RI signed by Paul McCartney
'73 Fender Mustang
Gibson LP Deluxe RI '69
Fender Active Jazz Bass
Guild GADm20e Acoustic Guitar
Epi Casino RI
Gretsch Pro Jet w/Bigsby
And My Frankenstein-O-Caster

Probably a good call. You can buy a ton of guitar plus custom parts for a grand. And you do just about anything you like for that money.

And man! Those parted out US Fender neck cost-wise are getting out way out of hand...

kozy,
To buy the ebay neck at $700+, and even a aftermarket body i'm over $1000. Not to mention needing everything else pups,trem, etc........

The 57 VHR and then the EMGs is sounding better & better

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