Been eying a EC sig strat, and while it's a gorgeous guitar, I have this little voice in the back of my head (no not the wife) It's got me wondering what are the down sides (outside of it not having Eric's signature on the head stock and not holding it's value as well as an EC sig) Of just getting all the parts together and building it myself? The parts can be had for quite a bit less than the asking price of the real deal. Thanks for the input folks I appreciate it.

_________________
Live Well Play Hard
2010 American Special Strat<~~My Baby
2001 Squire Strat
2001 DG11
2004 Pro Junior
Digitech RP255
Digitech Hot rod
Digitech Digiverb
Ibanez TS9

I build my own guitars all the time. "Value" is of no concern to me and I end up with precisely what I want at about one-third of the "store-bought" price.

YMMV

Arjay

_________________
"Here's why reliability is job one: A great sounding amp that breaks down goes from being a favorite piece of gear to a useless piece of crap in less time than it takes to read this sentence." -- BRUCE ZINKY

+1000

I'll take my strat any day over anything the Custom Shop could make me...

_________________

While it's not an EC spec one, my favorite Strat is my modded MIM black strat.

Jeff

If you're looking at Warmoth that can get quite expensive, but it will be exactly what you're looking for. And it might be cheaper than an EC sig strat actually, considering the price on those things.

_________________
[08 MIM Standard Arctic White] > [Danelectro Fish n Chips EQ > Radial Texas Bones OD > Tonerider British Distortion > Electroharmonix Russian Big Muff Pi > Vox V847 Wah] > FM65R

I think it depends. Why do you want an EC sig Strat? Is it for the sound or because of the EC mystique?
Performance-wise, I believe you can build your own version. The biggest advantage being that when you tire of the mid-range boost, you can change it to anything you want without destroying the value.

Yeah I looked at their site, using their body builder and neck builder you can easily blow past the $700 range for both, but outside of Ebay (i'm hesitant on buying parts there) I haven't found anyone that does that level of work on the body and neck for less.

Most definitely it is the sound, While I'm a fan of EC (who isn't?) I don't need his signature on the guitar to make my ears happy.

_________________
Live Well Play Hard
2010 American Special Strat<~~My Baby
2001 Squire Strat
2001 DG11
2004 Pro Junior
Digitech RP255
Digitech Hot rod
Digitech Digiverb
Ibanez TS9

I think you have your answer then.
Looking forward to seeing and hearing the finished product!
While you're at it, just go ahead and make a "how to" video as you go.

Like I've been saying for decades, if an individual player wants a 'custom' Strat, it should be created to said individual player's exact specs, period. This is unless of course, there's one out there already (which is highly improbable) or said player has a 'thing' for emulating and/or having a trophy of someone else.

As always, this is merely IMO where YMMV.

_________________
You dig?

This "Parts-o-caster" was assembled using genuine Fender pieces purchased exclusively on Ebay......



One-hundred percent content, in fact. Every part -- every screw, nut, and bolt, the tuners, the electronics, even the period-correct G&G case. Total outlay: less than $800 in all.

As long as you stick with reputable vendors (check their feedback, ask them questions, discuss with your buddies) and plan the build out beforehand to minimize "surprises", you'll do fine. And you'll end up with the exact guitar you want, save some $$$ in the process, and own the bragging rights on a job well done.

Arjay

_________________
"Here's why reliability is job one: A great sounding amp that breaks down goes from being a favorite piece of gear to a useless piece of crap in less time than it takes to read this sentence." -- BRUCE ZINKY

Love the ashtray! You just don't see that very often...

Thanks for the feedback guys i'm going to start looking around for the parts for my first guitar build! lol I can feel my Am special getting jealous already I'll keep you all posted thanks again!

_________________
Live Well Play Hard
2010 American Special Strat<~~My Baby
2001 Squire Strat
2001 DG11
2004 Pro Junior
Digitech RP255
Digitech Hot rod
Digitech Digiverb
Ibanez TS9

My EC Strat was the best investment I ever made on a guitar. I've also built guitars and I agree that you can certainly buy all the parts and make a EC Strat.

The nice thing about making your own EC Strat is that you can make any changes which are special to you. Then it's your signature Strat.

_________________
1975 Sunburst Stratocaster rosewood finger board
1979 Stratocaster with roseowood finder board
2001 Candy Green Clapton Stratocaster
2007 Andy Summers Inspired Telecaster
2007 '51 P-Bass
2012 Taylor 110
2015 Mystic Ice Blue Deluxe Stratocaster Plus

I put this together with Fender parts, mostly from ebay. It was a good learning experience and a great result. You can hand pick every part and get just what you want.



..............Mark.

If your ulterior motive is value, be aware that it is extremely difficult to sell a Strat assembled from various parts for a high price which will not only recoup your parts expenditure but also net you a viable profit.
Even if the parts say Fender, it will come down to a perfectly assembled guitar, one that is as good or better than a stock or custom ordered Strat.

That should not deter you from going forward, but for my own take, I build or rebuild a strat strictly on the musical needs and what I want in details and particulars.
Value is irrelevant since it is often not quantifiable in these instances.

If it is value you are after than seek out a sig strat for less than market value, hold on to it for a while in the hope that demand will increase and values will rise ( a gamble with the odds not on your side unless it is a spectacularly unique model... )

As far as Warmoth is concerned, they are pricey, one can find less expensive alternatives which will give you the same result ( wholly dependent on your skills on reassembling a guitar as well as finish application and complete set-up.)
As a 1st build I would not be shooting for the moon, buy MIM used parts, neck and bodies and experiment with that. I say MIM because they will be less expensive than MIA's but not in need of extensive setup such as a Squier neck would, on a Squier neck, fret dressing is required, the fingerboard edges will need to be contoured and the neck will have to be refinished once you are done. ON the other hand, they are an inexpensive alternative for experimentation.

Post pics and a log as you proceed so we can all see progress from start to completion.
Have Fun.

_________________
"C'est parti mon Kiki "