strat building advice

[MERRYKISSMASS2U]

Alright, I think you guys gave me the bug of wanting to build my own Strat.

Elvis gave me the idea for the color scheme. I want a deep purple body, gold hardware, and a pearloid pickguard.

Couple of questions:

1. How will the quality of this guitar stand up to a Fender-created Strat?

2. Is it hard for someone who has never done this sort of thing before?

3. Can someone please help me pick out good parts, with a list of all I need?

4. Maybe tips here and there?

[MERRYKISSMASS2U]

Correct me if I'm wrong, but I was going to go towards this (influenced by Cato on the pickups):

I am just hypothesizing right now... if you guys know of something better, or cheaper that will do the job the same, lemme know! Or remind me if I am forgetting something trivial.


Body - http://cgi.ebay.com/Strat-swampash-b...QQcmdZViewItem

$68

Neck - http://cgi.ebay.com/STRAT-NECK-MAPLE...QQcmdZViewItem

$114

Pickups - http://cgi.ebay.com/NEW-Fender-Strat...QQcmdZViewItem

$134.50

Bridge - http://cgi.ebay.com/GOLD-TREMOLO-BRI...QQcmdZViewItem

$31.35

Pickguard - http://cgi.ebay.com/New-Strat-S-S-H-...QQcmdZViewItem

$26

Tuners - http://cgi.ebay.com/MINI-PEARL-GOLD-...QQcmdZViewItem

$34


Back plate - http://cgi.ebay.com/Gold-Pearloid-St...QQcmdZViewItem

$12

Jack plate - http://cgi.ebay.com/Guitar-Parts-GOL...QQcmdZViewItem

$8

Neck plate - http://cgi.ebay.com/GOLD-STRAT-OR-TE...QQcmdZViewItem

$11

Strap buttons - http://cgi.ebay.com/Gold-Guitar-Stra...QQcmdZViewItem

$11

[MERRYKISSMASS2U]

Volume knobs.

http://i21.ebayimg.com/06/i/000/77/d6/2b83_2.JPG - 2 bucks

This all comes out to around 450.

[MERRYKISSMASS2U]

For finishes, I like that really high-shine look.

[MERRYKISSMASS2U]

And I know the pickguard is for fat strats, I was just putting a color idea up there.

[jhale667]

Get a body and neck from Warmoth or Musikraft , don't mess around with any no-name shite off Ebay.
At least you'll know the countours and routing tolerances are exact and all your parts are guaranteed to fit correctly.
If you do it right, it will rival any store-bought guitar out there, for waaaaay less money.

And I'm the guy with the purple strat with the pearloid pickguard, not Elvis.

[MERRYKISSMASS2U]

Originally posted by jhale667

And I'm the guy with the purple strat with the pearloid pickguard, not Elvis.

There is a post where Elvis is talking about how cool a gold and purple strat was.

I got the pearloid idea from you :D

I am freaking LOST, dude. What kind of paint?

HELP!

[jhale667]

Originally posted by MERRYKISSMASS2U
There is a post where Elvis is talking about how cool a gold and purple strat was.

I got the pearloid idea from you :D

I am freaking LOST, dude. What kind of paint?

HELP!

Really? I seem to recall a post where he said he didn't like my purple one because it wasn't a "traditional" color or something...

Actually, if you don't want to paint it yourself, check out Warmoth's showcase section - They probably have both painted and dyed ones up...:D
Mine's purple dye.

[indeedido]

reverse headstock, awesome. I love that. The purple dye is cool too. What kind of pickups did you put in it?

I agree about warmoth. Do not just buy some junk off of ebay. You can get an awesome new body from Warmoth for pretty cheap and get it the way you want it. Same with the neck. Just go over there and cost it out. They also have an area with stuff they are trying to move for cheaper too

[jhale667]

Originally posted by indeedido
reverse headstock, awesome. I love that. The purple dye is cool too. What kind of pickups did you put in it?

I agree about warmoth. Do not just buy some junk off of ebay. You can get an awesome new body from Warmoth for pretty cheap and get it the way you want it. Same with the neck. Just go over there and cost it out. They also have an area with stuff they are trying to move for cheaper too

Thanks. Both of my 'traditional' Strats have Dimarzio Virtual Vintage pickups in them...and I love them.
I have 2 guitars that are Warmoth parts entirely, and the neck on that one is by them as well. Great stuff.
My next one is going to be Musikraft parts though...

[nobodys home]

Just buy a kit from Carvin . it comes with everything you'll need http://www.carvin.com/products/group.php?CID=KBN

[MERRYKISSMASS2U]

nobody[']s home:

Thanks for the advice. I'll check it out.

I don't know if I am going to do this project right away.... I did just get a freakin' jackson soloist!

The kits are great there, but I really want it EXACTLY as I envision it. Purple body, gold hardware, gold pearloid pickguard, purple pickups.

[jhale667]

Originally posted by nobodys home
Just buy a kit from Carvin . it comes with everything you'll need http://www.carvin.com/products/group.php?CID=KBN

Where does "I want to build a STRAT" equate 'Carvin kit' to you, doofus? :D

[MERRYKISSMASS2U]

My heart really craves this:

http://cgi.ebay.com/NEW-JACKSON-RANDY-RHOADS-24-FRET-LIMITED-RUN_W0QQitemZ250146013433QQihZ015QQcategoryZ33044QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

God knows what the reserve is, though

[jhale667]

Originally posted by MERRYKISSMASS2U
My heart really craves this:

http://cgi.ebay.com/NEW-JACKSON-RANDY-RHOADS-24-FRET-LIMITED-RUN_W0QQitemZ250146013433QQihZ015QQcategoryZ33044QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

God knows what the reserve is, though

Probably around a G easily.
I don't know, a 24-fret Rhoads SOUNDS like a good idea, but looking at those pics,
the neck seems too long, or the body too small, or something...