Custom Strat Bodies

[jtougas]

Re: Custom Strat Bodies

I'll tell you later, or via PM if you keep it on the down low :drive:

Mum's the word...


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[uOpt]

Re: Custom Strat Bodies

I am really not convinced that sound from wood pieces is as random as it sometimes seems.

With Gibson in particular you have fewer great sounding lower priced guitars than expensive ones. Need to look longer for a good studio. Faded can be hard. Turd historics are rare. I think some manufacturers have the ability to predict well sounding wood pieces to a certain extent.

 

[Ayrton]

Re: Custom Strat Bodies

Yes, I meant to say MIA Fender Strat. So if I'm understanding correctly, there's only a few sources for guitar bodies, and it's pretty much luck if you get a great one or a meh one?

I want to order a swamp ash body instead of an alder, as I already have a mim alder, would be nice to have an ash strat as well. A heavy ash would be ideal!

Basically...

Fender is not getting their wood from any special place, so don't over think it.

Swamp Ash has a nice tone, and is not so dense. Hard Ash is heavy and bright by comparison, but that is not necessarily a bad thing.

You can score an even better deal on an MJT relic body if you are flexable on the body and color. Check out the ebay store...

http://www.ebay.com/sch/m.html?_nkw=&_armrs=1&_ipg=&_from=&_ssn=mjtele&_sop=1

 

[Kais]

Re: Custom Strat Bodies

I am really not convinced that sound from wood pieces is as random as it sometimes seems.

With Gibson in particular you have fewer great sounding lower priced guitars than expensive ones. Need to look longer for a good studio. Faded can be hard. Turd historics are rare. I think some manufacturers have the ability to predict well sounding wood pieces to a certain extent.

From all the reviews I've read, Fender seems to have the most inconsistencies. But I think you're right, they should be able to predict and determine good wood.

Basically...

Fender is not getting their wood from any special place, so don't over think it.

Swamp Ash has a nice tone, and is not so dense. Hard Ash is heavy and bright by comparison, but that is not necessarily a bad thing.

You can score an even better deal on an MJT relic body if you are flexable on the body and color. Check out the ebay store...

http://www.ebay.com/sch/m.html?_nkw=&_armrs=1&_ipg=&_from=&_ssn=mjtele&_sop=1

Glad I'm not getting hard ash then, I already have a bright rig, and a really bright wood would just be overkill.

Yes, their ebay store has some really good deals, but unfortunately I'm very picky about the color and other details on the body.

I was going to ask you all, I have a Fender MIA neck that came off a newer strat, that would fit the MJT body right? I heard some of the vintage Strat's have different pattern for necks, just want to make sure.

 

[Ayrton]

Re: Custom Strat Bodies

The neck should bolt right up.

Gibson like many manufactures pick thru wood stock and select the best pieces for premium guitars. I know there are weight requirements for each Les Paul reissue, with the lightest mahogany being used for the R9s.

With Fender, the custom shop gets first pick of wood, and then on down the line. The MIM stuff has multi piece blanks sent to them already glued up.

That is why I was saying any body you get from say Warmoth (of Wildwood) is comparable to anything Fender is using for a normal MIA body.

 

[Kais]

Re: Custom Strat Bodies

The neck should bolt right up.

Thank you for all the help. One more question if you don't mind. Matt Jenny said the body would be routed for a USA Vintage style tremolo system. Would this bridge fit without any modifications? http://www.musiciansfriend.com/accessories/fender-62-reissue-stratocaster-tremolo-bridge

 

[uOpt]

Re: Custom Strat Bodies

From all the reviews I've read, Fender seems to have the most inconsistencies. But I think you're right, they should be able to predict and determine good wood.

To clarify, I don't say that the big manufacturers pick the wood they buy. They buy the bulk stuff as cheap as it gets.

What I am saying is that they seem to have the ability to then statistically direct better sounding wood to more expensive guitars.

I am also not convinced that MIA and MIM share as much woof and production as people say they do. Too often I have noticed that when screwing MIM necks on and off that the wood just feels different than in MIA, especially AVRI. The squeal that you sometimes get is never on the MIM pieces. One speculative explanation would be how long the woof was dried, with the MIM wood having shorter dry times, or no special drying or whatever.

 

[Ayrton]

Re: Custom Strat Bodies

Thank you for all the help. One more question if you don't mind. Matt Jenny said the body would be routed for a USA Vintage style tremolo system. Would this bridge fit without any modifications? http://www.musiciansfriend.com/accessories/fender-62-reissue-stratocaster-tremolo-bridge

MJT bodies use 2 3/16" mounting holes, and I would recommend the Gotoh or Callaham trem that uses vintage mount spacing but the narrower 2 1/16" string spacing. That way you do not have the E strings sliding off the edges of the neck, especially if you plan to use a wider spacing at the nut (1 11/16")

 

[Kais]

Re: Custom Strat Bodies

To clarify, I don't say that the big manufacturers pick the wood they buy. They buy the bulk stuff as cheap as it gets.

What I am saying is that they seem to have the ability to then statistically direct better sounding wood to more expensive guitars.

I am also not convinced that MIA and MIM share as much woof and production as people say they do. Too often I have noticed that when screwing MIM necks on and off that the wood just feels different than in MIA, especially AVRI. The squeal that you sometimes get is never on the MIM pieces. One speculative explanation would be how long the woof was dried, with the MIM wood having shorter dry times, or no special drying or whatever.

I'd like to believe they share as much as people say they do, makes me feel better. Haha, no but seriously, some of the mim are put together very well. I don't have too much experience with mia so I can't comment there.

MJT bodies use 2 3/16" mounting holes, and I would recommend the Gotoh or Callaham trem that uses vintage mount spacing but the narrower 2 1/16" string spacing. That way you do not have the E strings sliding off the edges of the neck, especially if you plan to use a wider spacing at the nut (1 11/16")

Yeah but the callaham is more than double the price. For some reason I'm really drawn by this 62 reissue trem. The one I linked should be vintage spaced right? It is a reissue. I'm not sure about my neck's nut measurement, I'll have to check.


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[Ayrton]

Re: Custom Strat Bodies

Yeah but the callaham is more than double the price.

Because it is twice the tremolo...

However, the Gotoh is still nicer than the Fender, comes with a steel block, has the narrower string spacing, and can be had for about the same price as the Fender.

 

[Kais]

Re: Custom Strat Bodies

Because it is twice the tremolo...

However, the Gotoh is still nicer than the Fender, comes with a steel block, has the narrower string spacing, and can be had for about the same price as the Fender.

I just looked into the gotoh, and there's a bunch to pick from, do you have a specific link or model number to the one you are referring to? Thanks.

 

[Ayrton]

Re: Custom Strat Bodies

You can save even more and get the 2006+ Hwy 1 Fender bridge.

Features
Color: Chrome
High Mass Steel Block
Block Depth: 1-5/8"
String Spacing: 2 1/16"
Mounting Spacing: 2 7/32"
Fender Part Number: 007-2290-000

http://www.ebay.com/itm/2012-Fender...150?pt=Guitar_Accessories&hash=item20e5d584fe

 

[Kais]

Re: Custom Strat Bodies

Thanks for the info, I understand what you are saying now. The callaham is probably the best, but the price is ridiculous to me.

I'll be pulling the trigger on the hwy1 or the 62, both have steel blocks. The hwy1 has narrower spacing, which is good. But I think the 62 might be better overall. Both should be drop in fits on the mjt body. I can probably find the 62 for the same price, ~$50 used.

 

[Ayrton]

Re: Custom Strat Bodies

I can't say I have compared the two, but they are most likely of the same quality.

 

[Kais]

Re: Custom Strat Bodies

I can't say I have compared the two, but they are most likely of the same quality.

Hopefully. The only other obvious difference is the string spacing like you mentioned. The 62 is somehow aesthetically pleasing to me. :sword:

 

[AlexR]

Re: Custom Strat Bodies

I'm a bit late in, but my most lush sounding strat is a MJT body with a MIJ 62RI neck on it. For whatever reason, its obvious these two parts really work well together.

On one of the points mentioned - Its actually hard to predetermine whether any bit of wood will sound good. There are plenty of examples of dull acoustic sounding guitars that are great once plugged in. I've had great acoustic sounding electrics be absolute dogs.

And the key to a good trem is a decent block. I shoehorned a KGC block into a squier trem and it seems to sound similar to better ones.

 

[Kais]

Re: Custom Strat Bodies

I'm a bit late in, but my most lush sounding strat is a MJT body with a MIJ 62RI neck on it. For whatever reason, its obvious these two parts really work well together.

On one of the points mentioned - Its actually hard to predetermine whether any bit of wood will sound good. There are plenty of examples of dull acoustic sounding guitars that are great once plugged in. I've had great acoustic sounding electrics be absolute dogs.

And the key to a good trem is a decent block. I shoehorned a KGC block into a squier trem and it seems to sound similar to better ones.

Sounds great to me, you have a pic of that MJT body?

I will be using a MIA 70sRI maple neck with this body. I also have a MIM body that is for sale first, nothing wrong with it, just wasn't the exact color I wanted.

I will definitely be getting a trem with a full size steel block, I heard too many good things.

 

[AlexR]

Re: Custom Strat Bodies

Here it is in all of its glory.

Its a light aging effect....more yellowing than relic.

 

[darthphineas]

Re: Custom Strat Bodies

I just received a Strat body from warmoth and it is much more resonant than the original Fender body. 1990 American standard in alder. I like poplar a little more than alder, so went with that, as I thought maple would risk being too bright with the original maple neck/board.

I wanted to keep it the original pewter color, which they offer. The color isn't a 100% match! but you don't notice unless the bodies are side by side.

Warmoth does good work. Because they were painting it, it took about 2 months. They don't really have any options as far as a custom graphic, but they have a fair amount of options.

You can also look up noted guitar painters like Dennis Kline. He's on FB.


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[Kais]

Re: Custom Strat Bodies

Here it is in all of its glory.

Its a light aging effect....more yellowing than relic.

That's a beauty. That relic work looks good. Their relics look amazing, but I'd still want the closet clean option

I just received a Strat body from warmoth and it is much more resonant than the original Fender body. 1990 American standard in alder. I like poplar a little more than alder, so went with that, as I thought maple would risk being too bright with the original maple neck/board.

I wanted to keep it the original pewter color, which they offer. The color isn't a 100% match! but you don't notice unless the bodies are side by side.

Warmoth does good work. Because they were painting it, it took about 2 months. They don't really have any options as far as a custom graphic, but they have a fair amount of options.

You can also look up noted guitar painters like Dennis Kline. He's on FB.


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Warmoth wouldn't do the color I wanted, I tried to email them, and they directed me to the catalog. MJT is really the 1 stop shop, and they give a pretty good discount when you buy the body and paint thru them. Same time frame, about 2 months. I'm going to go with swamp ash body and a maple neck, hope it not overly bright!