Custom Guitar Project, Help Wanted

[PushedCrayon]

I'm looking into getting/making a new guitar. I just don't know which of these two methods would be more beneficial.

I want to either buy a fender squire strat/tele and take the pups out of it and change a little of the hardware, or buying a MIM version and doing the same. I'm looking to make a good guitar to play a mix of heavy punk/alternative, and some lighter metal or hard rock. Any suggestions on guitar types, pup configurations, or even just any input on the subject would be much appreciated!

 

[epi]

Re: Custom Guitar Project, Help Wanted

what I am doing right now is, I went to a pawnshop and bought a cheap guitar... like $50... and I took the paint off of it and I am repainting it, I am putting my Seymour Duncan Actives from my RG into this cheap guitar. I am doing some fretwork and one day if I see fit, buy a new neck on ebay or if I really want to go all out, Warmoth. and I have something amazing for like $300? tops lol neck not included... but yeah totally a squire or MIM fender would work, look around your local area used and find a killer deal. where I am there are lots of good deals on stuff. I could get a decent squire for $100-$150. so look used first.

 

[PushedCrayon]

Re: Custom Guitar Project, Help Wanted

There's a few squires I've seen used around where I am for about 90$ and I just dont know if I should jump and get them, or try and snag a MIM for a little more. Will the difference between squire and MIM be worth it? or will a squire do just fine for the job?

 

[PushedCrayon]

Re: Custom Guitar Project, Help Wanted

Your guitar sounds great! I hope everything goes as planned for you!

 

[That90'sGuy]

Re: Custom Guitar Project, Help Wanted

There's something to be said for making a guitar your own, but sometimes it pays to get the next model up so you don't have to worry about changing things. The costs of hardware, pickups, etc. adds up and the value of the instrument doesn't go up with it. I know some guys will hold onto the old stuff and put it back in for selling, but it seems like a hassle when you could have just bought something worth buying first and missed all the months of endless tweaking trying to make it something it isn't.

 

[PushedCrayon]

Re: Custom Guitar Project, Help Wanted

I have a 96 MIM strat now that I love to death, but money is a little tight on this end so I didn't know if it would be worth making a little longer of a project to pick up another old beat up Mexican strat and work with it as I get money, or if I could get a squire cheap now and be able to make it sound as good for a little cheaper

 

[That90'sGuy]

Re: Custom Guitar Project, Help Wanted

I have a 96 MIM strat now that I love to death, but money is a little tight on this end so I didn't know if it would be worth making a little longer of a project to pick up another old beat up Mexican strat and work with it as I get money, or if I could get a squire cheap now and be able to make it sound as good for a little cheaper

The MIM stuff really is quite good. You could probably find a decent Squier if you tried a ton of them and found one that resonated right, but I think in terms of getting a quality instrument without too much fuss, the MIM is the right starting point and since they're relatively affordable, you could do some light modding (pickups, etc.) to tweak it to be your thing.

 

[PushedCrayon]

Re: Custom Guitar Project, Help Wanted

What would be a good price to pay for a MIM, I see them on guitar centers website used for about 250-300, I just didn't know if I could find one any cheaper

 

[epi]

Re: Custom Guitar Project, Help Wanted

get one on like craigslist or whatever you use for cheap. and in decent condition since I doubt you want to re finish it XD

 

[PushedCrayon]

Re: Custom Guitar Project, Help Wanted

I've thought about refinishing the one I have! She's a bit beat up but I love it to death. How tough is refinishing a guitar? Sorry, I'm new to working on my own stuff

 

[epi]

Re: Custom Guitar Project, Help Wanted

I would say it's kind of hard if you don't know what you are doing for sure! My dad knows a lot so he is showing me what's up and I get to learn it all for myself.

 

[epi]

Re: Custom Guitar Project, Help Wanted

People here should be able to help you out if you ask the right questions. If you want to refinish a guitar. They will run steps if you ask and they will give you more tips then they know what to do with. But a MIM fender in decent condition is probably your best bet. A squire I wouldn't really touch unless it was perfect! Like I said pawnshops are beautiful. I got a $50 Washburn and I am tearing it to nothing. You can find some cool stuff at pawnshops.

 

[PushedCrayon]

Re: Custom Guitar Project, Help Wanted

Thank you so much for all the help! I'd love to see your guitar if you have any photos to post. :headbang:

 

[Kais]

Re: Custom Guitar Project, Help Wanted

ebay! You can buy a stripped MIM Fender strat body in a wide range of colors for around $150. Or even a loaded body for around $300. And if you want to go generic, mighty mite or whatever other brand, you'll save even more.

 

[PushedCrayon]

Re: Custom Guitar Project, Help Wanted

If I would buy just a stripped body, how much would I be in after I get a neck, pups, electronics and all that jazz?

 

[treyhaislip]

Re: Custom Guitar Project, Help Wanted

I would say depends on how much money you are willing to fork over. I've played a few Japanese Squires that were easier to play than some MIM Fenders...I personally would say if you are going through all of the trouble of a project like that why not save up and get it custom built, but that's just me...many on this forum would probably disagree.

 

[Kais]

Re: Custom Guitar Project, Help Wanted

If I would buy just a stripped body, how much would I be in after I get a neck, pups, electronics and all that jazz?

Depends how nice you would want it. The pups are really up to you price wise. Pots and other electronics aren't that expensive. The expensive part is the neck. And if you go with a used one or mighty mite it'll cost you roughly $100. There's a few members on this forum selling genuine fender necks for $100. The best part of building a strat is the market, so many options and choices.

 

[PushedCrayon]

Re: Custom Guitar Project, Help Wanted

Thanks for all of your input guys. I've kept my eyes peeled on both craigslist and ebay for a nice maple neck. Maybe I'll keep checking the trading post here. 100$ for a neck is a great deal! And if i could find a painted, stripped body for around 150, that leaves me some good room for hardware and pups. Any thoughts on a good HSH lineup for some good rock?

 

[epi]

Re: Custom Guitar Project, Help Wanted

Thanks for all of your input guys. I've kept my eyes peeled on both craigslist and ebay for a nice maple neck. Maybe I'll keep checking the trading post here. 100$ for a neck is a great deal! And if i could find a painted, stripped body for around 150, that leaves me some good room for hardware and pups. Any thoughts on a good HSH lineup for some good rock?

Steve Vai Dimarzio set? I haven't used them but I would think they would be good for that description.

 

[PushedCrayon]

Re: Custom Guitar Project, Help Wanted

Just like you said, I found a 100$ neck here on the forum, I'm excited to get this all moving! Thank you once again for all of your help