NBD - Custom Walnut Strat

[nightfall]

Just finished cutting, routing, and beveling the outside body shape of my new build! I managed to get ahold of a really nice two piece Walnut body blank. It will be a rear-rout with one volume, one tone, a and maple neck and fretboard.

Of course I will be loading this baby with Duncans'. I'm trying out some new ones this time. I've got a Pearly Gates Bridge and I ordered an SSL-4, also known as the Quarter Pound. I'm using Hipshot tuners and a Schaller bridge I bought from Stewmac. It screws into the top of the guitar and is its own string retainer, excited to see how it sounds!

Sorry for the bad pics, no decent camera :/

Before:


After:

 

[daan]

Re: NBD - Custom Walnut Strat

I love Walnut. THis is gonna look beautiful when it's done.

 

[synzzzer]

Re: NBD - Custom Walnut Strat

Walnut is my favorite tone wood. I always wondered why they didn't use it more until I looked at the price of it. Then I found out real quick. I think that will be a perfect wood for a Strat. Good luck on your project.

 

[kramersteen]

Re: NBD - Custom Walnut Strat

good work,Its good seeing a few build threads around here.

Is that a 3d6 i see? The new version comes with both top loading and rear loading string in the one bridge, You can run 3 over the top and 3 from the back. woot!

 

[nightfall]

Re: NBD - Custom Walnut Strat

good work,Its good seeing a few build threads around here.

Is that a 3d6 i see? The new version comes with both top loading and rear loading string in the one bridge, You can run 3 over the top and 3 from the back. woot!

It is in fact! Thanks everyone! I'll keep the updates coming!

 

[nightfall]

Re: NBD - Custom Walnut Strat

UPDATE:

Routing out the neck cavity:



Clean and smooth



Mmm dat humbucker rout, smooth as a baby's a**



I will in fact be adding a neck pickup, it will be a Quarter Pounder like I said earlier. However, I had to order another routing template! More updates soon to come

 

[Ayrton]

Re: NBD - Custom Walnut Strat

Nice!

 

[DarkMatter]

Re: NBD - Custom Walnut Strat

Walnut is fantastic. Love it's color and grain.

 

[nightfall]

Re: NBD - Custom Walnut Strat

Walnut is fantastic. Love it's color and grain.

I concur! My first time building with it though, I'm very interested to hear what it sounds like with a maple neck!

 

[nightfall]

Re: NBD - Custom Walnut Strat

UPDATE:

Got the neck ordered. I wish I had the time, tools, and cash to build one myself but unfortunately I do not so it got ordered from Warmoth. I bought a showcase neck; Maple Neck and Fretboard with black side and dot inlays. I will be applying my own personal headshock shape to it so I can call some of it my own. Because I am using an American Standard neck joint and template it should fit like a beaut. Very excited! The pictures aren't the exact neck but are very similar:





Specs:

Style: Stratocaster®
Construction: Vintage Modern Construction
Scale: 25-1/2"
Orientation: Right Handed
Neck Wood: Maple (One Piece)
Fingerboard Wood: Maple
Nut Width: 1-11/16"
Back Shape: Standard thin
Fret Size: 6130
Tuner Ream: Sperzel (25/64")
Radius: 10-16" Compound
Fret #: 22
Mounting Holes: Standard 4 Bolt
Inlays: Black Face Dots
Side Dots: Black Side Dots
String Nut: Black Corian - Standard Nut $25.00
Finish: No Finish

 

[kramersteen]

Re: NBD - Custom Walnut Strat

EpiC!

 

[kramersteen]

Re: NBD - Custom Walnut Strat

A matching walnut veneer would be nice on the headstock.

 

[Jocelyn]

Re: NBD - Custom Walnut Strat

Nice... I love build threads.

 

[nightfall]

Re: NBD - Custom Walnut Strat

A matching walnut veneer would be nice on the headstock.

I would prefer to leave it with just the maple! I love the contrast set by the different wood tones

 

[kramersteen]

Re: NBD - Custom Walnut Strat

I would prefer to leave it with just the maple! I love the contrast set by the different wood tones

No mother ****er how dare you haha

So brota whats the plan for the tronics cav and jack? Did you make the body template?Are you direct mounting the humbucker?

 

[nightfall]

Re: NBD - Custom Walnut Strat

No mother ****er how dare you haha

So brota whats the plan for the tronics cav and jack? Did you make the body template?Are you direct mounting the humbucker?

Was going to do that originally but I'm going with chrome mounting rings for the humbucker and the single coil, which is not routed yet. I will also be top mounting the jack. If the weather is good I'll rout out the cavity tonight, with a single tone and volume and a Gibby-style three way switch. I did not make the template myself, I bought it from this guy: http://www.guitarbuildingtemplates.com/ - He makes some awesome stuff. Just copy the template onto something thicker and it makes a sweet tool!

 

[kramersteen]

Re: NBD - Custom Walnut Strat

Was going to do that originally but I'm going with chrome mounting rings for the humbucker and the single coil, which is not routed yet. I will also be top mounting the jack. If the weather is good I'll rout out the cavity tonight, with a single tone and volume and a Gibby-style three way switch. I did not make the template myself, I bought it from this guy: http://www.guitarbuildingtemplates.com/ - He makes some awesome stuff. Just copy the template onto something thicker and it makes a sweet tool!

Why did you change your mind on the direct mounting? That would look incredible.
I guess the contrast of chrome on the walnut will look cool.

 

[nightfall]

Re: NBD - Custom Walnut Strat

Why did you change your mind on the direct mounting? That would look incredible.
I guess the contrast of chrome on the walnut will look cool.

That was the exact thinking I had, the dark wood with the chrome will look great I think.

 

[KeeperOS]

Re: NBD - Custom Walnut Strat

It does:

 

[nightfall]

Re: NBD - Custom Walnut Strat

It does:

It does indeed. Did you build that?