Stratonecaster
New member
Any body done this using warmoth or allparts neck-body???
Comments??? Compare to market strat 0r tele fender made?
Comments??? Compare to market strat 0r tele fender made?
Building ur own strat or tele
- Thread starter Stratonecaster
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theodie
Guest
Re: Building ur own strat or tele
That is not "building", it is "assembling". I have done both BTW.
In a nut shell, Warmoth can be good at times and some peices I have seen I have not been impressed. Mainly due to fret work and a mile think finishes. Fender is better quality across the board IMO.
USACG, about the BEST parts you can get bar none! Screw Fender in this case.
That is not "building", it is "assembling". I have done both BTW.
In a nut shell, Warmoth can be good at times and some peices I have seen I have not been impressed. Mainly due to fret work and a mile think finishes. Fender is better quality across the board IMO.
USACG, about the BEST parts you can get bar none! Screw Fender in this case.
ibanezrocks
HardtailPisser
Re: Building ur own strat or tele
I can't say I've tried Warmoth bodies (I have a neck from them though) but you can get either a Strat or Tele Fender Highway 1 body off e-bay for approx. $150 almost any day of the week. I went with one for my project because of the nitro finish, and that the e-bay seller (Stratosphere) listed the weight, which allowed me to choose a lighter body.
If you want to go all out then get USACG for body and neck, but if you want to tinker with something while still giving yourself every possibility of a good result go with a Fender Highway 1 body off e-bay and either a Warmoth showcase or USACG webspecial neck. Just wait for a piece to come up that you like and jump on it.
I assembled my telecaster in to what I believe to be superior to a Highway 1, for less money. Mine also has SD pickups, a Wilkinson bridge and the advantage of having chosen all the parts for it myself.
I can't say I've tried Warmoth bodies (I have a neck from them though) but you can get either a Strat or Tele Fender Highway 1 body off e-bay for approx. $150 almost any day of the week. I went with one for my project because of the nitro finish, and that the e-bay seller (Stratosphere) listed the weight, which allowed me to choose a lighter body.
If you want to go all out then get USACG for body and neck, but if you want to tinker with something while still giving yourself every possibility of a good result go with a Fender Highway 1 body off e-bay and either a Warmoth showcase or USACG webspecial neck. Just wait for a piece to come up that you like and jump on it.
I assembled my telecaster in to what I believe to be superior to a Highway 1, for less money. Mine also has SD pickups, a Wilkinson bridge and the advantage of having chosen all the parts for it myself.
Pete Galati
New member
Re: Building ur own strat or tele
I'm almost always in the middle of building or rebuilding a parts guitar. I don't recommend it. It's an expensive hobby, and you really never know what you're going to get until you're done. Then if you miss the mark, it's not always easy to know what to change to set things right. Sometimes it's very counter intuitive.
Then to top it off, even though you spend a lot of money putting them together, there's no real demand for parts guitar, while there's plenty of demand for Fenders, and they'll try to stop your ebay auctions if you try to sell them there.
But you can learn a lot about what element has what effect on your sound by putting a few parts guitars together.
All in all though, you're better off just going to a music store, and trying guitars till you find one you like, and buying it. If you mod it to suit needs, that's not a whole lot different than building one from scratch. Just less pesty work, and you'll have a better idea what you'll be getting.
I'm almost always in the middle of building or rebuilding a parts guitar. I don't recommend it. It's an expensive hobby, and you really never know what you're going to get until you're done. Then if you miss the mark, it's not always easy to know what to change to set things right. Sometimes it's very counter intuitive.
Then to top it off, even though you spend a lot of money putting them together, there's no real demand for parts guitar, while there's plenty of demand for Fenders, and they'll try to stop your ebay auctions if you try to sell them there.
But you can learn a lot about what element has what effect on your sound by putting a few parts guitars together.
All in all though, you're better off just going to a music store, and trying guitars till you find one you like, and buying it. If you mod it to suit needs, that's not a whole lot different than building one from scratch. Just less pesty work, and you'll have a better idea what you'll be getting.
Iron Horse
New member
Re: Building ur own strat or tele
Well, that is partly true, but if you want some more special options on the guitar, it's not very bad idea to build it from scratch or buy parts from Warmoth or USAGC and possibly make some parts of it yourself. And besides, it's totally different thing to play a guitar you've built than one you've bought. If everybody always thought that it's not wise to do it yourself, then everybody would have stock pups or perhaps DiMarzios or even Duncans, there would'nt be too many boutique amps or BKP or Lindy Fralin or Wolfetone or small guitar shops that build custom instruments.
Well, that is partly true, but if you want some more special options on the guitar, it's not very bad idea to build it from scratch or buy parts from Warmoth or USAGC and possibly make some parts of it yourself. And besides, it's totally different thing to play a guitar you've built than one you've bought. If everybody always thought that it's not wise to do it yourself, then everybody would have stock pups or perhaps DiMarzios or even Duncans, there would'nt be too many boutique amps or BKP or Lindy Fralin or Wolfetone or small guitar shops that build custom instruments.
Kostas
New member
Re: Building ur own strat or tele
If you know exactly what you want from your guitar, do it! Warmoth or USACG. Be extra careful on the neck specs, choose wisely what suits your hand. If you have no experience choose the parts and give 'em to an experienced luthier to do the job. I wouldn't buy a USA Fender when I can have my dream guitar with the same money. Custom guitars are cool.
If you know exactly what you want from your guitar, do it! Warmoth or USACG. Be extra careful on the neck specs, choose wisely what suits your hand. If you have no experience choose the parts and give 'em to an experienced luthier to do the job. I wouldn't buy a USA Fender when I can have my dream guitar with the same money. Custom guitars are cool.
MikeS
Bengalsologist
Re: Building ur own strat or tele
With any build you have to have a well thought out plan and know exactly what you want in a guitar. IMO that's why most of the projects deemed as failures by their owners didn't live up to expectations. Occasionally a dud of a piece of wood will mess up a project, but I'd say most often it's from piss poor planning. I don't embark on a project until I've mapped out every part, down to the most trivial hardware like pick guard screws.
If you are at all concerned with resale then nothing short of brand name, like Fender, will do. Then, expect that instrument's resale to decline if/when you make modifications... especially of the permanent variety.
If you've got your plan in order and know that what you want is easier put together as a parts guitar than modifying an off-the-wall Fender, then your best bet, IMO, are used Fender pieces, Warmoth, and USACG, in no particular order. I personally have not yet had the opportunity to work with Tommy at USACG, but based on his reputation here I'd say that's a great option. Warmoth gets a bad rap around here at times, but keep in mind we are a maniacally picky bunch. IMO their product is on par with MIA Fender. The only thing I do not like about them are their neck finishes, which are quite thick. They seem to have better control over their body finishes, which are the same material and about the same thickness that you'll find from Fender.
With any build you have to have a well thought out plan and know exactly what you want in a guitar. IMO that's why most of the projects deemed as failures by their owners didn't live up to expectations. Occasionally a dud of a piece of wood will mess up a project, but I'd say most often it's from piss poor planning. I don't embark on a project until I've mapped out every part, down to the most trivial hardware like pick guard screws.
If you are at all concerned with resale then nothing short of brand name, like Fender, will do. Then, expect that instrument's resale to decline if/when you make modifications... especially of the permanent variety.
If you've got your plan in order and know that what you want is easier put together as a parts guitar than modifying an off-the-wall Fender, then your best bet, IMO, are used Fender pieces, Warmoth, and USACG, in no particular order. I personally have not yet had the opportunity to work with Tommy at USACG, but based on his reputation here I'd say that's a great option. Warmoth gets a bad rap around here at times, but keep in mind we are a maniacally picky bunch. IMO their product is on par with MIA Fender. The only thing I do not like about them are their neck finishes, which are quite thick. They seem to have better control over their body finishes, which are the same material and about the same thickness that you'll find from Fender.
Re: Building ur own strat or tele
i like my Warmoth/Chandler Parts guitar a hell of a lot..... but the one down side to building a custom guitar is a low resale value... if you buy a Fender you can sell it for more because of the name on the headstock! My Warmoth is the finest axe i've owned for tone.... I spent a lot of money on it and had a guitar maker finnish the parts for me... The trick is getting a great guitar maker or tech to put the parts together with a quality fret dress and final set up as well... this makes a huge difference between having a great parts axe that plays killer, or having a bunch of parts monkeyed together with your dads tools in the garage... I now know more about guitar making so i'd be able to throw a parts strat or tele together and make a nut myself... but back then i had no clue what i was doing so i paid the bucks...
My Warmoth/Chandler Strat cost me a total of $1700 i think.. give or take... that was for the wooden parts, Fender Bridge, 3 Dimarzio Humbuckers, Locking tuners, various hardware, Nitro Spray Finnish Costs, and the Tech's Bench time.... and that was in 1995... today i maybe able to sell my parts strat for $400-$600 at the most
but the up side is it has every feature i wanted and it sounds great!
i like my Warmoth/Chandler Parts guitar a hell of a lot..... but the one down side to building a custom guitar is a low resale value... if you buy a Fender you can sell it for more because of the name on the headstock! My Warmoth is the finest axe i've owned for tone.... I spent a lot of money on it and had a guitar maker finnish the parts for me... The trick is getting a great guitar maker or tech to put the parts together with a quality fret dress and final set up as well... this makes a huge difference between having a great parts axe that plays killer, or having a bunch of parts monkeyed together with your dads tools in the garage... I now know more about guitar making so i'd be able to throw a parts strat or tele together and make a nut myself... but back then i had no clue what i was doing so i paid the bucks...
My Warmoth/Chandler Strat cost me a total of $1700 i think.. give or take... that was for the wooden parts, Fender Bridge, 3 Dimarzio Humbuckers, Locking tuners, various hardware, Nitro Spray Finnish Costs, and the Tech's Bench time.... and that was in 1995... today i maybe able to sell my parts strat for $400-$600 at the most
but the up side is it has every feature i wanted and it sounds great!
Stratonecaster
New member
Re: Building ur own strat or tele
Thanks 4 all the comments its really help open up my mind bout this.
The thing is, I own a Re'54 MIJ strat and i want it to be more brighter or reduce mid-lo frequency. So i have options whether i sell it and assembly a new guitar or pickup a replacement parts(neck/body). o ya, I already put a set of Fender CS54 pickups, CTS pots, and an orange drop cap in it.
It seems like the guitar it self tends not to open up and be abit compressed.
Thanks 4 all the comments its really help open up my mind bout this.
The thing is, I own a Re'54 MIJ strat and i want it to be more brighter or reduce mid-lo frequency. So i have options whether i sell it and assembly a new guitar or pickup a replacement parts(neck/body). o ya, I already put a set of Fender CS54 pickups, CTS pots, and an orange drop cap in it.
It seems like the guitar it self tends not to open up and be abit compressed.
Kostas
New member
Re: Building ur own strat or tele
I wouldn't go so far changing the body or neck, I would just change the pickups/pots. If the guitar has no sentimental value for you, sell it and design your custom guitar. A strat or tele with no top and solid color will not be more than $1000. Especially from Warmoth's showcase, you can buy a finished lightweight body for a really good price. Then you can order your neck with exactly the specs you want.
... The thing is, I own a Re'54 MIJ strat and i want it to be more brighter or reduce mid-lo frequency. So i have options whether i sell it and assembly a new guitar or pickup a replacement parts(neck/body). o ya, I already put a set of Fender CS54 pickups, CTS pots, and an orange drop cap in it.
It seems like the guitar it self tends not to open up and be abit compressed.
I wouldn't go so far changing the body or neck, I would just change the pickups/pots. If the guitar has no sentimental value for you, sell it and design your custom guitar. A strat or tele with no top and solid color will not be more than $1000. Especially from Warmoth's showcase, you can buy a finished lightweight body for a really good price. Then you can order your neck with exactly the specs you want.
Iron Horse
New member
Re: Building ur own strat or tele
I think you should just get some underwound pups for your axe, or SSL-1's could do it also, but I'm not experienced with the Fender '54's so I don't know how fat/hot they are.
E: but if the un-plugged sound feels too fat and compressed also, then you should perhaps sell it and get the custom axe. (perhaps ash with maple board, that should be enpugh bright).
Thanks 4 all the comments its really help open up my mind bout this.
The thing is, I own a Re'54 MIJ strat and i want it to be more brighter or reduce mid-lo frequency. So i have options whether i sell it and assembly a new guitar or pickup a replacement parts(neck/body). o ya, I already put a set of Fender CS54 pickups, CTS pots, and an orange drop cap in it.
It seems like the guitar it self tends not to open up and be abit compressed.
I think you should just get some underwound pups for your axe, or SSL-1's could do it also, but I'm not experienced with the Fender '54's so I don't know how fat/hot they are.
E: but if the un-plugged sound feels too fat and compressed also, then you should perhaps sell it and get the custom axe. (perhaps ash with maple board, that should be enpugh bright).
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Pete Galati
New member
Re: Building ur own strat or tele
Sounds like you're already well on your way into the parts guitar thing if you started replacing electronics Stratonecaster!
I'd try some Duncan Antiquity pickups. The one I put in my Esquire build is real nice! Jason Lollar seems to be winding some great single coil pickups too. Don Mare's doing some great Tele pickups, but I'm not sure if he's ventured into the Strat world yet. He probably has.
Sounds like you're already well on your way into the parts guitar thing if you started replacing electronics Stratonecaster!
I'd try some Duncan Antiquity pickups. The one I put in my Esquire build is real nice! Jason Lollar seems to be winding some great single coil pickups too. Don Mare's doing some great Tele pickups, but I'm not sure if he's ventured into the Strat world yet. He probably has.
Moonsorrow
New member
Re: Building ur own strat or tele
IMO project/parts/custom or whatever you want to call em guitars can be much better!!!! I am a big Fender fan but the custom/parts Strat type guitar that i`m getting is miles above any Fender i`ve ever had.....actually better then any guitar i`ve had!
IMO project/parts/custom or whatever you want to call em guitars can be much better!!!! I am a big Fender fan but the custom/parts Strat type guitar that i`m getting is miles above any Fender i`ve ever had.....actually better then any guitar i`ve had!
KeeperOS
New member
Re: Building ur own strat or tele
Man I'm guessing how satisfying it is when you hit the jackpot with one but I just dread at the idea of how easier it can be for sth to be off...
Still, unless someone can point me in a production basswood /w maple top guitar I'll probably have to go that route after all...
Man I'm guessing how satisfying it is when you hit the jackpot with one but I just dread at the idea of how easier it can be for sth to be off...
Still, unless someone can point me in a production basswood /w maple top guitar I'll probably have to go that route after all...
uOpt
Something Cool
Re: Building ur own strat or tele
If you want a pretty much standard Strat or Tele, then ebay a bunch of cheap parts that look decent and assemble the thing to the point where you can at least play unamplified.
Then you can go off and custom order replacement parts such as a neck with reverse Blackmore scallop on a B shaped profile with every second fret upside down or whatever beats your donkey. When you plug in the new neck you have a base for comparison as to whether it sounds decent. Same for body, you can order a flashy body or the wood you think you like and you can hear it right away. You can even listen to the unamplified body and have it painted only if it doesn't suck.
Don't forget that the tremolo makes a big difference for a Strat type guitar, too.
If you want a pretty much standard Strat or Tele, then ebay a bunch of cheap parts that look decent and assemble the thing to the point where you can at least play unamplified.
Then you can go off and custom order replacement parts such as a neck with reverse Blackmore scallop on a B shaped profile with every second fret upside down or whatever beats your donkey. When you plug in the new neck you have a base for comparison as to whether it sounds decent. Same for body, you can order a flashy body or the wood you think you like and you can hear it right away. You can even listen to the unamplified body and have it painted only if it doesn't suck.
Don't forget that the tremolo makes a big difference for a Strat type guitar, too.
