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Post subject: Re: Stratopartster Rebuilds I and II
Posted: Sat Dec 10, 2011 9:29 pm
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After much searching and dead-ends concerning the Body Dilemna for this neck I have concluded that Extreme measures must be implemented...

So today I walked into a Custom Guitar Store where the owner, although nice enough, was quite insistent in my looking into ordering a body from either Warmoth or USA something.....

No.....instead I decided on another route. Because of the unusual back routed controls as well as different pup layout i went and bought.......

A slab of Tiger Maple.... 8) Split and bookmatched I will be able to get 2 separate guitar tops....
This of course means that this next build is going to be once again a Twin Build.
I am intending to build a Tele ( Donahue / Burton style configuration ) and a Strat.
Both the Strat and Tele will have bookmatched Tiger Maple tops from the same slab.
The Body will be....Walnut, 2 piece, also form the same slab.......

I will post a link to the new as yet uncreated thread in the next few days, have to go back on Moday and pick out the Walnut boards..... 8)
In keeping with the Tele theme the Strats Neck will also be a 70's style 3 screw micro-tilt set up.

Pics of the tiger maple top and the walnut body haves will be upcoming in the next few days...
It is also quite likely that I will be starting an entirely new thread concerning this twin build.
Since now the bodies will have to be cut in halves, bookmatched, glued and clamped, as well as routed to the various design specs of these two builds....

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Post subject: Re: Stratopartster Rebuilds I and II
Posted: Sun Apr 29, 2012 2:17 pm
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Stratopartster II update....

It has been a while since Iv'e been on the Forum.....But First...
Hi to everyone, especially to TGS/Becca, Great Job on that Strat, I'm impressed...!!!

So last I left off with a scratch plate blank which had planned on cutting up and shaping for the white Stratopartster II..
Today that was done, still have to align it with the old pickguard, mark the holes, router out for the Pups, tail piece, controls, neck pocket etc...etc...

The blank was cut on a Ryobi bandsaw, a $100.00 bench tool. You cannot go wrong for that small amount of money spent on a tool.Precise adjustments are not in the league of the $500.00 and up bandsaws but since much of the work has to be done by hand with files and Dremel router there was no need to spend a small fortune.

Yes...... There are Pics of the preliminary steps....LOL

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Post subject: Re: Stratopartster Rebuilds I and II
Posted: Sun Apr 29, 2012 2:30 pm
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So it took a few minutes but here are the latest pics.

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It was all cut with a 1/4 inch blade on the bandsaw, I have to warn anyone using this Ryobi that Patience and slow feeding of the material to the blade is critical.
Too fast and the blade will catch and rip the plastic or cut where it shouldn't.

Also leave the cut lines as those will be removed with a file when contouring and final shaping phase.
I was thinking of setting up the router table but because of the shape of the pickguard ,
more specifically on the horns and their respective curves, it is next to impossible to be able to feed the blank to a router tip without overcutting...

As can be seen from the last pic, the black pickguard was not an acceptable fit not to mention that there are extra holes at the HB...That Simply Will Not Do.

In case anyone is wondering what I have been up to lately,
Well the B6 1.8T is taking up much of the funds and freetime.
Hanging out on the Audizine Forum and of course work, ( my own contracting business is all consuming time wise. )
The plan in the works is a fairly extensive mod from a stock 1.8T A4 to a Stage III APR road Rocket.......I'll include a Pic...

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What could be more fun than going to gigs in a Quattro pushing 340+ HP'S ...????
I will update a fully modded pic when done in the future

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Post subject: Re: Stratopartster Rebuilds I and II
Posted: Tue May 01, 2012 10:50 am
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Pickguard update

Lining up the original pickguard (that was originally on the Squier's white body ) with the new blank is the easiest and most accurate way to get all the mounting holes correctly drilled out.
Match the drill bit size to the hole diameters and the drill press simplifies lining them up.
I have in the past hand-drilled these but a drill press gives you a platform and exact perpendicular drilling.
In the second pick I have also drilled out for the bridge HB only. Neck and Mid are still Single pups.
Next is to line up the current black pickguard to mark out the pup cavities and to scribe around the tailpiece ( tightly no gaps. )
Just something that bugs me is the gap around the tailpieces wether they are trem. or hardtail


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Once the pickguard is all cut out, then the last phase will be to bevel the edge but not on the neck pocket and the hardtail pocket, then bevel the top of the screw holes and check for fit, final sand and fit.
An additional note for anyone is that these rectangular pickguard blanks are covered over with a film of poly. over the top so scratching is prevented ( within reason ).

Final phase will be to resolder the electronics as I have a glipsch. I think i reversed one or two of the wires.

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Post subject: Re: Stratopartster Rebuilds I and II
Posted: Wed May 02, 2012 6:36 pm
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Getting ready to cut out the guard for the pups as well a s bevel the edges and scribe and cut the tail piece.

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Afterlooking at these pics I think once again I will change the knobs to black to match all the new screw heads which are black or actually pewter...

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edit...Strangely those are the chrome knobs as well as the chrome bridge, but the lighting gives off the effect of a gunmetal finish...Something to think about for future builds...

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Last edited by 53magnatone on Tue May 15, 2012 9:00 pm, edited 1 time in total.

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Post subject: Re: Stratopartster Rebuilds I and II
Posted: Fri May 04, 2012 11:27 am
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Quick update, pickguard has been cut shaped and now installed, a little bit of final edge sanding and screw hole reset adjustments and that will be it..

On the other hand I am still having issues with this set up, I have reversed the hot and ground leads on the Neck pickup, that took care of the first issue of nasal sound from Neck, Neck and Mid selection.
However I suspect this second 5 way switch is also faulty.
I will change this out and may completely rewire and solder the set-up.
If that finally doesn't give me the sound or selection I want then I have a set of real hot Carvin pickups, 2 HII's for Neck and Middle and an MS22 for the bridge with single to dual coil tap.
(edit...5/15/12...See below post for change update...)

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The new and hopefully last configuration ( at least for a While.. :lol: :lol: )

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Last edited by 53magnatone on Thu May 17, 2012 12:45 pm, edited 2 times in total.

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Post subject: Re: Stratopartster Rebuilds I and II
Posted: Tue May 15, 2012 8:55 pm
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As of today there once again has been a couple of changes...But First...

I just scored a Red Metalflake body with a Wilkinson trem and a rosewood fretboard neck....
Yes this is going to be a very easy rebuild as I have all the parts patiently awaiting a home.
Color Theme on this Strat will be Red and Black or I should will name this " The Red and The Black " .....Thank You Soft White Underbelly...( aka BOC )

Pups are going to be that set of Carvin SSH that I have been wanting to use for some time now, I think I will delete the separate DPDT switch for a Push/Pull single to dual coil.

I will post pics in a day or so when i get the battery/charger for the 35mm back from work..
The I-Phone just doesn't do it justice.....

Now on to the main topic of this which is the above White Stratopartster.
I will be changing the Seymour Duncan HB to a japanese HB with black coils, picked up black covers for the 2 singles, a new 5 way switch, Two TBX switches, One Push/Pull Volume switch, a new Jack.
If I have not mentioned it previously, the mid single pup is actually a Hot Single and therefore should be in either the Bridge or Neck position. Since the Bridge is the HB's Realm, this leaves the Neck slot. I believe this has been part of my output issues

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Post subject: Re: Stratopartster Rebuilds I and II and III
Posted: Wed May 16, 2012 9:15 am
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Here are the pics of the new additions or as it is known " The Red and The Black "

Yes....it's a Squier Neck but they are so well made that to dress them to a higher quality is quite simple...

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The nut will be replaced with a bone nut as I still have several blanks left over.. :wink:

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This neck will be completely refinished in a much darker stain which I believe will complement the Black and Red Theme.... Again... Blue Oyster Cult / Soft White Underbelly

On to the body, I would call this a candy apple red finish,( reminds me of my high school days when my Dad and I used to race D mod. Production 67 Camaro SS @ Colchester Dragway.)
There are several options as far as the pickguard, but I probably will have to buy a blank and router it out to the specs I like, for controls and pups...

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This body is in very good shape, a few relatively minor scratches, but a thorough buffing will bring it back to almost new status... 8)

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A bit of tortoise shell effect but I'm not feeling it as much as the other two options.

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All the pics were taken with the I-Phone and I may very well re-edit them to 35mm quality later today or tomorrow. Just a teaser for this next build.

BTW....the tuners are the Grover Rotomatics in black which I pictured on the Telepartster I thread .
Not quite sure but I really like a black hardware look, especially on a Red Strat.
Other details such as Logo's and what nots will be figured out in the following weeks.
Refinishing the neck will take about a month as I plan on allowing ample time for curing.

CAVEAT...I rushed on the 1st Stratopartster Build and have to set it aside and refinish both the neck and body, as the more I look at it, the less I like the result.....

At this point I'm counting 8 guitar projects undergoing more or less at the same time...
It is more than I had planned to work on simultaneously, but this latest came about ( once again ) due to other constraints and being at the right place at the right time.....

I think I will head out to GC this afternoon evening and check out a Texas Special equiped Strat for reference.... :idea: :?: 8)

So today May 17th, I'm editing this post and adding pics ( more focused with a 35mm ) and removing some of the other grainy resolutioned pics.

Grover Rotomatics for this one..... 8)

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Candy Apple Red is a color which I did not think I would like... :wink:

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Post subject: Re: Stratopartster Rebuilds I and II and III
Posted: Thu May 17, 2012 12:39 pm
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So now on to the good stuff.......

This would be the traditional method of securing the neck to the body.....

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But I decided to implement an idea I have been toying with for quite some time.
Using wood inserts to screw the neck down.
I believe this will benefit in Two ways.
(1) A more solid connection thus improving the transfer of string vibration from neck to body, thus note sustain.
(2) This will allow a very precise neck adjustment as far as tilt with only the need of shims rather than a set screw which requires additional drilling and plate routing.

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These are stainless steel machine screws in a 1/4 x 20 x 1"1/2 long. The heads are wrong and I will switch them for a tapered round head but the size is correct.

The inserts are 10-24 ( 15/64 drill )

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I will upload the drill press procedure of installing these.
If I'm right, this is a mod that I will do to all of my builds and current Strats, or for that matter any guitar that is a bolt/screw on neck set up.

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Post subject: Re: Stratopartster Rebuilds I and II and III
Posted: Tue May 22, 2012 5:22 pm
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Not such a great pic, but it works (sort of )...Anyway this is to highlight the pup layout on this Stratopartster III project... 3 Carvin pups, the bridge is an M22 HB with a single to dual coil switch.
The neck and mid are 2 HII single coils...One distinction with Carvin versus Fender is that these Carvin's feature 11 adjustable height poles... Yes ... 11... I would say to go to Carvin's Website to look into the designing reasons :?: . These were the pups I once had in the J.B. Player Strat clone years ago, they have been silent for well over 10 years, but were always carefully packed away.

The pickguard will be replaced with a Dark Pearl , the black is just too quiet. The blank will be ordered in a week or so, but in the meantime I'm awaiting the set of Texas Specials forthe Telepartster I project... 8)

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As for the neck and body being rejoined...I have a few steps before this can happen..

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As we look at the neck....a couple of glaring problem arises. (1) All the screw holes were not only drilled out of plumb ( perpendicular to the body ) but also misaligned.... :roll:
It's not a big deal since in order to install the inserts I need to plug the holes with maple plugs, then redrill with a 15/64 drill bit, then tap the threads and then insert the wood inserts.
( pardon the redundancy :lol: )
(2) The neck pocket needs to be shaved as it was sprayed with the finish, is uneven thus doesn't provide a flush surface. It will be scraped and sanded flush a sI prefer an unfinished surface for both the neck butt and neck pocket.

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Once the holes are plugged than the refinishing phase will be next....
This neck has some nice grain but it has a few deep scratches and dings, plus the color is uneven at body to neck joint and above the nut. An oak stain or perhaps a cherry red stain followed by a polycrylic clear finish will be the plan. I have to experiment as far as stain color.
Never does two separate pieces of maple react in a matching fashion.

Excuse Stratopartster II's Horn in the pic....

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These are some of the projects at the moment....Yes ... I added the 3/4 guit which only needs to be reassembled.

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Post subject: Re: Stratopartster Rebuilds I and II and III
Posted: Sun Jun 03, 2012 5:27 pm
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Ok back to Stratopartster II Rewiring 2nd Phase.....For a while.
Martian here it is or Mr. BIg Hair ??

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I have gone to Seymour Duncan's rewiring page and printed this....Is it correct however it is a stacked HB in the schematic

http://www.seymourduncan.com/support/wi ... v_2t_5w_pp

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Post subject: Re: Stratopartster Rebuilds I and II and III
Posted: Sun Jun 03, 2012 5:55 pm
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53magnatone wrote:
Ok back to Stratopartster II Rewiring 2nd Phase.....For a while.
Martian here it is or Mr. BIg Hair ??

I have gone to Seymour Duncan's rewiring page and printed this....Is it correct however it is a stacked HB in the schematic

http://www.seymourduncan.com/support/wi ... v_2t_5w_pp


In this particular situation, it is irrelevant whether it is a stacked HB or 'conventional' one as the color coding of the leads are the same for either.

The diagram is correct in terms of the DPDT and the pickup selections. It is not correct in terms of TBXs as it only shows for 'standard' tone pot wiring. Based on your photo(s), it appears you know how to wire TBX pots but have only wired one. What do you plan to use both TBX pots for?

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Post subject: Re: Stratopartster Rebuilds I and II and III
Posted: Sun Jun 03, 2012 7:17 pm
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Martian wrote:
53magnatone wrote:
Ok back to Stratopartster II Rewiring 2nd Phase.....For a while.
Martian here it is or Mr. BIg Hair ??

I have gone to Seymour Duncan's rewiring page and printed this....Is it correct however it is a stacked HB in the schematic

http://www.seymourduncan.com/support/wi ... v_2t_5w_pp


In this particular situation, it is irrelevant whether it is a stacked HB or 'conventional' one as the color coding of the leads are the same for either.

The diagram is correct in terms of the DPDT and the pickup selections. It is not correct in terms of TBXs as it only shows for 'standard' tone pot wiring. Based on your photo(s), it appears you know how to wire TBX pots but have only wired one. What do you plan to use both TBX pots for?


The one wired up except to 5 way is the one the was wired up in the previous set up....
1st TBX is for N+M...2nd TBX is for Bridge, I prefer to have a separate Bridge Tone Pot as it can be shrill as a bridge pup depending on the Tone wanted....
For instance, playing Tommy Bolin's " Savanah Woman" most of the tune is played in the N/M except the solo part is switched to M/B or B..depending on which Strat I would use....
But because this tune is very much in the Funk/Jazz Realm, it needs a mellow tone yet your pick attack plays a crucial role in emphasis. Not an easy song to pull off, especially with the tempo changes , but when played correctly ( and there is a lot of leeway as far as execution it rocks and still to this day sounds fresh....

Does that make sense... :?: :?

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Post subject: Re: Stratopartster Rebuilds I and II and III
Posted: Mon Jun 04, 2012 4:35 am
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[quote="53magnatone"
The one wired up except to 5 way is the one the was wired up in the previous set up....
1st TBX is for N+M...2nd TBX is for Bridge, I prefer to have a separate Bridge Tone Pot...[/quote]

Well then, seeing that you know how to wire the TBXs, let us refer to your diagram again. Specifically, look at the terminals on the right side of the pickup selector switch. Wire the lead from your upper TBX pot to the bottom right terminal, adding a bridging wire to the terminal directly above it on the same side. That takes care of the upper TBX to the middle and neck pickups. Once again, refer to the diagram. You'll see one unused terminal on the right side of the switch, second from the top. Solder the lead coming from the lower TBX pot to that terminal. This takes care of the bridge pickup.

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Post subject: Re: Stratopartster Rebuilds I and II and III
Posted: Thu Jun 07, 2012 5:51 pm
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Stratopartster III UpDate....

Stripping.....The Neck...Is the subject today..
This can be difficult or easy, completely dependent on choice of strippers and the correct procedures needed for a safe stripping of finish.

For that reason I use a Non Toxic, BioDegradable, Inert stripper made exclusively from organic materials......Soy Gel...Just as it sounds it is based from Soybeans. This stripper is distributed by FranMar ( Abatron )

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This liquid stripper is brushed on, does not emit odors other than a very faint soybean odor.
It clings vertically or upside down which makes it a breeze ( No puns intended ) to work with.
The 1st photo is of the neck as it was bought, I suspect someone stained it then refinished it once already, I don't believe this darker stain was standard from Squier/Fender.

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The next pic is stripper applied, 1st Coating, I left it for approximately 6-7 hours, it also does not dry out rapidly so it can be left to work by itself and thus not need recoating. ...
But this is indoors in the basement shop, two years ago I stripped an Oak front door outside and sunshine rapidly affects the stripper so that it dry's out in a couple of hours and needed attention..

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This is after the 1st stripper coating was removed including the finish, I used a dull metal scrapper, must scrape with the grain as well as at a steep enough angle so the scrapper blade does not dig into the wood of the neck, slowly and cautiously is really the only way to proceed.
You can see the imprint of the Squier Logo which leads me to believe this neck was refinished by a Previous owner..

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Now here is the 2nd coat of stripper which I will leave on until tomorrow morning

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Last edited by 53magnatone on Fri Aug 10, 2012 6:36 pm, edited 1 time in total.

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