I need a new body!

[Lewguitar]

I really do. I need a new body for myself :lmao: and also for this Strat:



I like the neck, I like the Antiquity Surfer pickups, I like the Callaham vibrato that's on the way...don't love the StewMac alder body. Don't like the way the vibrato springs stick out the back, don't like the way the neck fits and I think it could sound better too.

So I'm looking to replace it with a nice light weight swamp ash body. And it needs to be prefinished. I can't spray lacquers - doctor's orders.

USA Custom Guitars seems highly thought of here. Any other recommendations? It'd be nice to get it cheap. Isn't it always?

 

[Lewguitar]

Re: I need a new body!

Looking at some good deals on the USA Custom Guitars website. But all are unfinished.

Looks like Tommy charges another $200 for a finish and that's a little to steep for me.

Not saying it's not worth it, but $400 for a finished body is more than I want to spend.

 

[metlking]

Re: I need a new body!

http://mjtagedfinishes.com/

Mark Jenny does some real nice relic finishes if thats your thing. There is a "closet clean" option, not reliced to death if you prefer............

I have a relic Tele I built with one of his bodies, got it a little cheaper thru his eBay store.

 

[CTN]

Re: I need a new body!

I believe the StewMac bodies are actually from MightyMite.

Next step up from them or Allparts is gonna be USACG/Warmoth/Musikraft, none of which are particularly cheap for pre-finished bodies, but the wood selection is better, the fit is better, and the specs are more vintage-correct.

Have a looksie: http://www.warmoth.com/Pages/Classi...atocaster,Standard,Finished&core=2&sort=price

 

[Lewguitar]

Re: I need a new body!

I believe the StewMac bodies are actually from MightyMite.

Next step up from them or Allparts is gonna be USACG/Warmoth/Musikraft, none of which are particularly cheap for pre-finished bodies, but the wood selection is better, the fit is better, and the specs are more vintage-correct.

Have a looksie: http://www.warmoth.com/Pages/Classi...atocaster,Standard,Finished&core=2&sort=price

Mine's an old StewMac from the days when Godin was making them. Looks good. But nothing fits quite perfectly.

Those Warmoth prices do look a little better. Thanks!

 

[crusty philtrum]

Re: I need a new body!

Buy raw body, apply a couple of thin coats of Tru-Oil (wipes on with a cloth). Assemble guitar, play, be happy. Quick, cheap and easy, and possibly the best sonic option.

simples.

 

[jtougas]

Re: I need a new body!

*nods* A good ash body doesn't need to be lacquered or nitro. Also, check through Warmoth's Screamin' Deals and In Stock bodies... might find something a little cheaper than usual.

 

[ratherdashing]

Re: I need a new body!

I'd just get a web special ash body from Warmoth and do an oil finish on it.

I can't spray myself either - crappy lungs + nowhere good to do it.

 

[PFDarkside]

Re: I need a new body!

Another option is one of the eBay sellers like Stratosphere that part out new guitars. A MIM body can be had finished and cheap. (Callaham has a bridge for this MIM spacing as well) The wood is a touch more suspect, but there are certainly good ones.

Other than that I agree with the Musikraft and USACG options. Perhaps buy the raw body then look for a painter locally?

 

[uOpt]

Re: I need a new body!

Do you need Strat looks?

An old Roadstar body will be good, sound-wise. Should have regular thickness, too.

 

[jimijames]

Re: I need a new body!

Body #6 from here: $175 + shipping

Dye from here (for sunburst effect) - Black, brown or amber, yellow - $3.80 x 3 = $11.40 + shipping

Birchwood-Casey Tru Oil (8 oz from amazon.com) - $15.95 shipped

So with a little time, you have a 3-tone sunburst 1-piece swamp (lightweight to boot) ash body finished in oil (IMO > lacquer) for 202.35 + shipping.

IMO it doesn't get any better than that.

 

[bluesbend]

Re: I need a new body!

Have you tried B.HeffnerCompany? They make Fender authorized bodies and necks. I saw swamp ash bodies going for $140.00 there.

 

[Lewguitar]

Re: I need a new body!

Wow! After looking at all of the options I think I'm going to order a Strat body routed for two humbuckers.

Totally different than what I had in mind but I have four Strats and making one of them a dual humbucker makes more sense.

OK: Swamp Ash or Alder or ??? for a dual humbucker Strat?

Don't seem to see many (any?) swamp ash dual humbucker Strats.

Wonder why?

 

[ratherdashing]

Re: I need a new body!

Wow! After looking at all of the options I think I'm going to order a Strat body routed for two humbuckers.

Totally different than what I had in mind but I have four Strats and making one of them a dual humbucker makes more sense.

OK: Swamp Ash or Alder or ??? for a dual humbucker Strat?

Don't seem to see many (any?) swamp ash dual humbucker Strats.

Wonder why?

How about mine? Not strictly a Strat, I know, but ...

Lockwire Rosa, built for me by pinto79. Swamp ash body, nice and light.

It's HSH, but the way I have it wired is this:

1: neck HB
2: neck split + middle
3: neck HB + bridge HB
4: middle + bridge split
5: bridge HB

So, in every position except 2 and 4 it behaves like a two humbucker guitar.

It's currently my #1 guitar.

 

[Farkus]

Re: I need a new body!

Wow! After looking at all of the options I think I'm going to order a Strat body routed for two humbuckers.

Totally different than what I had in mind but I have four Strats and making one of them a dual humbucker makes more sense.

OK: Swamp Ash or Alder or ??? for a dual humbucker Strat?

I love humbuckers in my swamp ash Strat. This piece is a bit bright, yet still sounds full...it gives just a bit more presence. As a result the humbuckers sound a little more lively than they do in the other guitars they've been parked in. I like that.

Don't seem to see many (any?) swamp ash dual humbucker Strats.

Wonder why?

Maybe b/c there are fewer swamp ash Strats in general?

 

[LReese]

Re: I need a new body!

I've got a guy local to me who can CNC a body or even a neck. PM me for contact info if you want to talk to him.

I can vouch for his restore work - I've thrown him several curveballs and they came out great. Played one of his guitars before I pulled the trigger on the restore work and it was really nice.

 

[uOpt]

Re: I need a new body!

OK: Swamp Ash or Alder or ??? for a dual humbucker Strat?

Don't seem to see many (any?) swamp ash dual humbucker Strats.

Wonder why?

Too boomy on a neck humbucker? Dunno, the trem lightens it up.

 

[Lewguitar]

Re: I need a new body!

How about mine? Not strictly a Strat, I know, but ...

Lockwire Rosa, built for me by pinto79. Swamp ash body, nice and light.

It's HSH, but the way I have it wired is this:

1: neck HB
2: neck split + middle
3: neck HB + bridge HB
4: middle + bridge split
5: bridge HB

So, in every position except 2 and 4 it behaves like a two humbucker guitar.

It's currently my #1 guitar.

I'd have to play it upside down! :lmao: Wouldn't want to take your #1 guitar. Besides, I just need a body. I have everything else.

 

[DarkMatter]

Re: I need a new body!

I support the idea of defying tradition and expectations by putting humbuckers in an ash strat. I've had great results with fat, mid heavy PAF types.

 

[phred]

Re: I need a new body!

How about this? MIA strat deluxe. It has HSH route.