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Post subject: Strat Partsocaster Build
Posted: Thu Nov 14, 2013 1:22 pm
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I know I promised I was going to start on my 5E3 build first but I've decided to build my first project guitar before I build the amp. I have done a few rebuilds before. You know, disassemble, refinish and swap parts, etc. but I've never built one from scratch before so in a way this will be my first effort. I bought the body and scratch plates from Warmoth. The body is chambered, swamp ash and veneered with cocobolo. I went with cocobolo because it seems to me like almost every guitar out there with a veneered top is maple and I wanted something different. I bought the neck on eBay. It's a 2004 American Deluxe with Schaller locking tuners. The pickups are from a Canadian custom winder, Craig Vineham. They are fairly low output and brighter, more full range than typical humbuckers. I'm still waiting on a few electrical parts but they will be here soon. I'm going to take my time and try to do everything right the first time so I don't know how fast my progress will be.

Those who have done this before may feel free to make suggestions concerning the build process if they wish. I can't promise I will follow all advise I get to the letter but I can promise I will be appreciative. I think I am going to start by installing the bridge hardware into the body and then begin mounting what parts I have already to the guard.

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Post subject: Re: Strat Partsocaster Build
Posted: Thu Nov 14, 2013 9:10 pm
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That's going to be a nice looking partscaster right there, bit of an Aerodyne Strat look to it. If I was going to build another guitar then I'd go the same route of Warmoth body and Fender neck, that logo on the headstock means a lot to me (and to potential future buyers!)

Regarding the actual build the only advice I'd offer is to make sure you have a really good selection of tools before you even think about assembling anything. Feeler gauges, 9.5 inch radius gauge, steel rule and a full set of hex keys, good soldering iron, multimeter. And buy good components, cloth covered pushback wire, good quality bridge, really decent pots and switches. I've made mistakes in the past by putting cheap hardware on good quality wood and it's a false economy. Even a good piece of swamp ash and expensive pickups will sound bad if you fit a cheap cast zinc trem block!

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Post subject: Re: Strat Partsocaster Build
Posted: Thu Nov 14, 2013 10:03 pm
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Thanks, Frank. I have good tools and I bought the best parts I knew how to buy. It's possible there might be better parts out there but these are the best ones I know about. I'm going to use a Switchcraft jack, Bourns 82 pots, (I also have several CTS pots on hand) Oak Grigsby switch and a genuine Fender 2 point American Standard Tremolo. I don't have a radius gauge, though. I'm trying to think of why I would need one. Perhaps you're thinking about the saddle setup? If so, I have my own process for that which I employ when I am setting up my guitars. I have a slightly out of the ordinary preference in that regard. I do have some cloth covered wire I could use as well as standard PVC covered wire but the pups are wired with PVC covered. I admit I have been wondering which type I should use in light of the PVC on the pups and what difference if any it might make anyway.

Since this is my first build from parts I am also a little unsure about whether I should shield the control cavities. With the wiring scheme I'm going to use there will never be any switch positions in which any one coil is running by itself.

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Post subject: Re: Strat Partsocaster Build
Posted: Thu Nov 14, 2013 11:29 pm
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BMW-KTM wrote:
I'm going to use a Switchcraft jack, Bourns 82 pots, (I also have several CTS pots on hand) Oak Grigsby switch and a genuine Fender 2 point American Standard Tremolo.


Which type of American Standard bridge you plan installing?

The older American Series type with the block saddles or the current American Standard with the vintage-style bent steel ones?

Nice idea to build an Aerodyne-inspired partscaster with an HSH layout. :wink:


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Post subject: Re: Strat Partsocaster Build
Posted: Fri Nov 15, 2013 12:20 am
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Block saddles.

Pics coming very soon. Bridge installed. Resizing pics for forum publication.

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Post subject: Re: Strat Partsocaster Build
Posted: Fri Nov 15, 2013 12:31 am
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Are you also plan building a matching Telecaster to compliment this beauty to perfection? (just a thought! :roll: )


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Post subject: Re: Strat Partsocaster Build
Posted: Fri Nov 15, 2013 12:33 am
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I find radius gauges very useful for setting string height, just set the high and low E strings at around 1/6 inch then use the gauge above and below the strings to set the heights of the other strings. With practice you can hold the gauge so the E strings are just choked off then raise or lower the other strings til they just stop sounding. Works for me!

I find cloth covered wire really easy to use, no need to strip it, just cut to length and push back the cover. There's no high voltages inside a guitar that require PVC insulation.

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Last edited by GilgaFrank on Fri Nov 15, 2013 12:36 am, edited 2 times in total.

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Post subject: Re: Strat Partsocaster Build
Posted: Fri Nov 15, 2013 12:34 am
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OK, here we go. Let the fun and games begin.
Here's the body on the table ready to be worked on.

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As you can see Warmoth pre-drills the holes for the trem claw. On the one hand that's a time saver but on the other hand I set up my claws differently than most people so a little surgery might be required.

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So I do a quick trial fit of the claw and sure enough my suspicions were correct. I like to angle my claw. I've been doing it this way for more than 2 decades now and recently I discovered that there's a YouTube video explaining the process in much more detail than I ever knew before. Anyway, with the angle on the claw you can see how the side of the cavity presents an issue for spring clearance.

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Post subject: Re: Strat Partsocaster Build
Posted: Fri Nov 15, 2013 12:36 am
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chromeface wrote:
Are you also plan building a matching Telecaster to compliment this beauty to perfection? (just a thought! :roll: )

:lol: :lol:

GilgaFrank wrote:
I find radius gauges very useful for setting string height, just set the high and low E strings at around 1/6 inch then use the gauge above and below the strings to set the heights of the other strings. With practice you can holt the gauge so the E strings are just choked off then raise or lower the other strings til they just stop sounding. Works for me!

Interesting.
I guess StewMac would be the place to acquire such a tool, right?
I don't know that I will go to that effort at the moment but i will definitely think on it.

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Post subject: Re: Strat Partsocaster Build
Posted: Fri Nov 15, 2013 12:42 am
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I got these off ebay, the ones that reach under the strings are best for the string height setting. Some people just lay them on the saddles and adjust that way, I've never really liked that method as it's never clear which part of the saddle you should be measuring to.

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Post subject: Re: Strat Partsocaster Build
Posted: Fri Nov 15, 2013 12:45 am
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Not to worry. I have encountered this clearance issue every time I set up a new guitar and this is how I deal with it. I simply carve out a little pocket in the side of the cavity to make room for the spring.

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So it takes a little time to do it by trial and error. I remove a little at a time because I want to give ample clearance but I don't want to hack the thing up too badly.

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Finally I find the right amount of material removal to facilitate a freely moving spring and this is how it looks. I may still carve just a bit more in the ball part of the groove because I suspect that even though my screw sickout looks about the same as I've always used it does seem like there's not enough tension on the springs. I may have to run the screws in a bit deeper.

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Post subject: Re: Strat Partsocaster Build
Posted: Fri Nov 15, 2013 12:49 am
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GilgaFrank wrote:
I got these off ebay, the ones that reach under the strings are best for the string height setting. Some people just lay them on the saddles and adjust that way, I've never really liked that method as it's never clear which part of the saddle you should be measuring to.

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What did you pay for that set? I still have a little cash left in my Paypal account and it could be a week or more before i get to the setup stage. Maybe I will take a look for a set of those. I'm more than just a gear pig you know. I'm also a tool pig.
:lol:

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Post subject: Re: Strat Partsocaster Build
Posted: Fri Nov 15, 2013 12:54 am
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Over to the other side.

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And now it's almost 1:00 AM my time so I am off to bed.

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Post subject: Re: Strat Partsocaster Build
Posted: Fri Nov 15, 2013 12:59 am
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Those gauges were £8 from a guy in Portugal but I just checked and he seems to be no longer an ebay user.

EDIT: no wait, it's this guy

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Set-of-4-Stai ... 1240154334?

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Last edited by GilgaFrank on Fri Nov 15, 2013 10:52 am, edited 1 time in total.

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Post subject: Re: Strat Partsocaster Build
Posted: Fri Nov 15, 2013 1:00 am
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One thing I would do at this point in the assembly is burn my zip code/post code/house number into the wood with a soldering iron under the springs.

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