Flights Posted September 5, 2011 Report Share Posted September 5, 2011 Is it really worthwhile building your own guitar? I've seen a fair amount of reasonable priced parts online but does it work out any cheaper in the long run? i.e delivery fee's, paint, pickups etc. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HateEvent Posted September 5, 2011 Report Share Posted September 5, 2011 The main appeal (for me personally) to taking that approach would be the uniqueness which can be facilitated. A very unusual specification could be configured that isn't available on standard production models. This would, obviously, then allow you to experiment with a combination of obscure materials and attain a sound which is unachievable otherwise.If not opting for an irregular spec, I don't think that it would be worthwhile when there are so many - already complete - examples available at very reasonable prices. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Flights Posted September 5, 2011 Author Report Share Posted September 5, 2011 I'm planning on modifying/experimenting quite a bit with my next guitar. I've just discovered that squire make a strat for less than a hundred buck though so I might just pick that up and mod the fuck out of it! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fatboy Posted September 5, 2011 Report Share Posted September 5, 2011 I like the sense of achievement when modifying guitars, I probably wouldn't build a guitar from scratch unless I had the space, equipment and the savy to do it properly I would give it a try. I have the idea with toying with a cheap strat, maybe putting humbuckers in it with a new scratchplate, new tuners, bridge and electrics. Basically change everything except the wood and frets.Take it you have seen those 'guitar kits' that you just assemble yourself Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Flights Posted September 5, 2011 Author Report Share Posted September 5, 2011 Yeah i've seen a few kits online. They are quite well priced as well. However,the cheap strat job seems like a good option considering the price you can pick one up a semi decent one for. Cheap Strat. It might be cheaper (and involve less effort) to buy one of those with the intention of modifying it.I've got a Fat Strat which has a humbucker in it the bridge and it sounds very good. Quite good for playing a wide range of different styles as you've still got the neck and middle single coils for that fender twang.I'm a bit of stratophile tbh. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fatboy Posted September 5, 2011 Report Share Posted September 5, 2011 I find that if anything below the 'standard' models are crap. I got an affinity one the other day and it weighs a lot less than my standard strat (made of agathis). the body is thinner also.bullet strats are made from basswood, affinitys are alder, standards are agathis.Most Fender Strats are made from Alder but the thinner body of the affinity looses a lot of the tone I think Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Flights Posted September 5, 2011 Author Report Share Posted September 5, 2011 hmm i never really thought about the wood that much to be honest. I just got excited when I seen it was £95. Basswood is pretty minging though. Would you reckon it's crapness would matter if I was planning on modifying it a heap? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fatboy Posted September 5, 2011 Report Share Posted September 5, 2011 the general lightness of the guitar makes me feel like its going to break, like a toy guitar Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Flights Posted September 5, 2011 Author Report Share Posted September 5, 2011 the general lightness of the guitar makes me feel like its going to break, like a toy guitarI agree with this, but there is a fine line between the right weight and far too heavy. I once played a Les Paul that would double up as an anchor. It put me off LP's for quite a long time. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bigsby Posted September 5, 2011 Report Share Posted September 5, 2011 I'm hooked on it after assembling a tele earlier this year. There are some posts on here but I can't be bothered working out how to search the new site. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Flights Posted September 5, 2011 Author Report Share Posted September 5, 2011 did you use a guitar kit or did you source all the parts seperate? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TR!ΔNGL€ T€€TH Posted September 5, 2011 Report Share Posted September 5, 2011 The main appeal (for me personally) to taking that approach would be the uniqueness which can be facilitated. A very unusual specification could be configured that isn't available on standard production models. This would, obviously, then allow you to experiment with a combination of obscure materials and attain a sound which is unachievable otherwise.If not opting for an irregular spec, I don't think that it would be worthwhile when there are so many - already complete - examples available at very reasonable prices. I think that this is a good point. Well, unless you are going for the enjoyment of building the guitar yourself. Something like a Strat can be done very easily as there are millions of different parts that are fairly interchangeable. If you go in for something a little more niche like a Jaguar/Jazzmaster/Mustang, you have to be careful, as Fender have this annoying habit on changing parts throughout each model and making them not swappable.What are you looking to build? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Flights Posted September 5, 2011 Author Report Share Posted September 5, 2011 either a strat or a tele. i would quite like a jag but im planning on keeping it simple for the first time Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TR!ΔNGL€ T€€TH Posted September 5, 2011 Report Share Posted September 5, 2011 Okay, but what kind of Strat are you looking to build? There are so many variables such as pickups, wood, fretboard radius, fingerboard material, vibrato etc... For example, I've found over time that I prefer light weight guitars with maple fingerboards, 7.25" radius necks and single coils. If you do a lot of research, you could end up with a guitar that is really special to you. 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Flights Posted September 6, 2011 Author Report Share Posted September 6, 2011 I'd be aiming to build a retro looking strat with 57/62 single coil pickups an aged maple neck with medium jumbo frets. Locking tuning machines and a decent tremelo. I've still nae made my mind up completely so that list is subject to change. I might not even make a strat! I'm quite liking a Jag at the moment but I just feel for my first build I should go for a more common guitar, purely for finding out stuff in case I get stuck. The whole special and unique aspect is really appealing to me as well. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TR!ΔNGL€ T€€TH Posted September 6, 2011 Report Share Posted September 6, 2011 Have a look on http://www.allparts.uk.com/ as they have a pretty comprehensive selection of guitar parts. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bigsby Posted September 6, 2011 Report Share Posted September 6, 2011 did you use a guitar kit or did you source all the parts seperate?Bought a modded Squier tele as a starting point, details here:http://www.aberdeen-music.com/threads/your-gear.35695/page-24#post-484135 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TelecasterSam Posted September 6, 2011 Report Share Posted September 6, 2011 Another good guitar parts company, I've used a few times is :http://www.axesrus.com/axecart.htm 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fatboy Posted September 6, 2011 Report Share Posted September 6, 2011 Another good guitar parts company, I've used a few times is :http://www.axesrus.com/axecart.htmyeah + 1 on axesrus, be sure to check the bargain bin for some good deals. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fatboy Posted September 6, 2011 Report Share Posted September 6, 2011 A bit off topic with modding existing guitars, but if you are keen for inspiration check out Ormsby guitars watched many of his build videos. Great if you have some free time to sit and watch. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pappawookee Posted September 30, 2011 Report Share Posted September 30, 2011 Building from scratch is a bit of a pain in the arse!!!! I much prefer modding howlers!!! As far as STrat copies go I can't see past the Westfields. They have a decent weight to them and need no realigning of screw holes or anything to just drop in proper Fender parts. THere are some cracking alternatives to the expensive brands as well. Mighty Mite stuff (fender licensed) can be picked up for buttons on e-bay and Catswhisker and Iron Gear are a couple of great pickup brands that are really reasonably priced.Geting a 'crappy' cheap guitar for about 50-100quid and then spending another couple of hundred on mods can make a piece of junk sing like an off the shelf beast!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Flights Posted October 12, 2011 Author Report Share Posted October 12, 2011 See a few folk naming them but has anyone bought a neck or pickup from axerus? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jocktheripper Posted October 12, 2011 Report Share Posted October 12, 2011 Yeah Ive bought both a strat neck & a lace sensor pup. The neck was a mighty mite neck, birdseye maple. Quite chunky but once you shave/sand/profile it to how you want its a good neck. Lace sensor red pup resides in the brigde position of my mex '70s strat. Does the biz. Ive bought a few things from axerus & their service & prices are excellent. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Flights Posted October 12, 2011 Author Report Share Posted October 12, 2011 Mighty Mite are licensed by fender aren't they? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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