Why is it so hard to find cheap basswood Strat bodies these days?

GilmourD

GilmourD

Burritotoneologist
Sure, there's plenty on eBay around $60, but they don't even have the neck holes drilled. Properly drilled (minus trem studs, of course) Strat bodies in basswood for cheap used to be really plentiful, but not anymore.

Yeah, I'd rather go Warmoth, USACG, Musikraft, or KnE, too, but this is going to be a budget build, if I can even get it together. LOL
 
Re: Why is it so hard to find cheap basswood Strat bodies these days?

Probably because people have realized it's not the "cheap" wood they thought it was.
 
Re: Why is it so hard to find cheap basswood Strat bodies these days?

SnakeAces said:
Probably because people have realized it's not the "cheap" wood they thought it was.
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I was thinking of blaming John Suhr and Ernie Ball. LOL

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Re: Why is it so hard to find cheap basswood Strat bodies these days?

If you go Warmoth, it won't be inexpensive but you will probably never regret the quality. I've built many Warmoth models and have many friends and band members using my guitars now and they can hold their own with the best. It doesn't hurt that I always use Seymour Duncan pickups - I can't think of a greater combination than Warmoth and Seymour Duncan. Of course, just my opinion and experience.....but as I suggested earlier, you can't go wrong with these two companies!
 
Re: Why is it so hard to find cheap basswood Strat bodies these days?

Diminished Triad said:
If you go Warmoth, it won't be inexpensive but you will probably never regret the quality. I've built many Warmoth models and have many friends and band members using my guitars now and they can hold their own with the best. It doesn't hurt that I always use Seymour Duncan pickups - I can't think of a greater combination than Warmoth and Seymour Duncan. Of course, just my opinion and experience.....but as I suggested earlier, you can't go wrong with these two companies!
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Well, I certainly can't disagree, owning several products from both companies. [emoji12]

The problem is budget for the foreseeable future and I need a particular setup as a backup.

I have a body I stripped a black finish from, but I was just thinking about backup ideas in case this body doesn't work out.



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Re: Why is it so hard to find cheap basswood Strat bodies these days?

You could get an older Ibanez Roadstar II body. They fit Fender necks. Bridge is more problematic, the way I like it is buy a hardtail and then route for a standard 6-point but I am not sure they had a basswood hardtail.

In any case, I highly second the sentiment. I have multiple basswood bodied guitars that sound great.
 
Re: Why is it so hard to find cheap basswood Strat bodies these days?

uOpt said:
You could get an older Ibanez Roadstar II body. They fit Fender necks. Bridge is more problematic, the way I like it is buy a hardtail and then route for a standard 6-point but I am not sure they had a basswood hardtail.

In any case, I highly second the sentiment. I have multiple basswood bodied guitars that sound great.
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I guess, I should probably clarify.

I'm basically looking for something like this

http://www.ebay.com/itm/STRAT-GUITA...610?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item1c4eaaa18a

but with the neck holes drilled. For some reason that seems to more than double the price.

I want to do my own paint job on it, so an older prepainted paint job leaves me with pretty much what I already have now.

d800dfe2e0abe4dd4fd437d85fe14422.jpg


I've got all the black off this, but I'm working on smoothing it out and I'm going to have to bondo up some of the chips I caused. I don't expect it to be perfect, but I'd like it to not look like a hatchet job. :p
 
Re: Why is it so hard to find cheap basswood Strat bodies these days?

I've bought bodies from cheap ebay sellers in the past with neck holes drilled where the holes did not line up at all with Fenders. Eventually I began buying bodies without the neck holes drilled unless I am buying from Warmoth who makes them perfect every time.
 
Re: Why is it so hard to find cheap basswood Strat bodies these days?

SnakeAces said:
I've bought bodies from cheap ebay sellers in the past with neck holes drilled where the holes did not line up at all with Fenders. Eventually I began buying bodies without the neck holes drilled unless I am buying from Warmoth who makes them perfect every time.
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My problem, I guess, is that I don't trust myself to drill the holes in the right spot, even with a drill press (which I don't currently have access to one right now). How do you make sure the holes are in the right spot when you drill yours?
 
Re: Why is it so hard to find cheap basswood Strat bodies these days?

I can't say that I like that ebay linked body much.
 
Re: Why is it so hard to find cheap basswood Strat bodies these days?

GilmourD said:
My problem, I guess, is that I don't trust myself to drill the holes in the right spot, even with a drill press (which I don't currently have access to one right now). How do you make sure the holes are in the right spot when you drill yours?
Click to expand...

At the time when I was ordering these necks I did have access to a drill press. I had tried a few methods on some cheaper guitars/necks. On one I just ordered an undrilled Mighty Mite neck and drilled the body first then marked the neck and drilled it. That works pretty slick. When you have to drill the body to match up with an already drilled neck though it becomes tougher. You can try to measure and then drill but it's easier said than done (although you can get close).

The easiest way, in my opinion, is to use the method of measuring and checking with a neck plate (explained better here: http://www.stewmac.com/How-To/Online_Resources/Building_Instruments/Bolt-On_Necks.html)

That being said, having access to a drill press is really helpful.
 
Re: Why is it so hard to find cheap basswood Strat bodies these days?

four short lottery pencils
insert into holes in neck

or you can dampen the neck with some colored liquid
once placed in neck pocket
the pencils will leave marks where the holes are

the liquid will leave marks everywhere but the holes


piece of cardboard
cut to size of the neck pocket
transfer the holes to the cardboard then cardboard to neck
 
Re: Why is it so hard to find cheap basswood Strat bodies these days?

Have you heard of Richard Saylor up in Oregon? He's done some great work for me--I've used three of his Jodie's. They do require sanding and finish but the routing and holes are already done.
 
Re: Why is it so hard to find cheap basswood Strat bodies these days?

treyhaislip said:
Have you heard of Richard Saylor up in Oregon? He's done some great work for me--I've used three of his Jodie's. They do require sanding and finish but the routing and holes are already done.
Click to expand...
I'm not actually familiar with him. Does he have a website? A quick google isn't turning up anything specific.
 
Re: Why is it so hard to find cheap basswood Strat bodies these days?

Why are you so married to Basswood? I might be out of the loop on this. I thought it was used to lower the price on beginner guitars.
 
Re: Why is it so hard to find cheap basswood Strat bodies these days?

Texas Kurt said:
Why are you so married to Basswood? I might be out of the loop on this. I thought it was used to lower the price on beginner guitars.
Click to expand...
And by Suhr, on some very expensive Ibanez JEMs, Peavey and EVH Wolfgangs, some very prized MIJ Fenders, and lots more.

Plus, it's a very smooth wood once sanded, so it's easy to finish.

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Re: Why is it so hard to find cheap basswood Strat bodies these days?

Texas Kurt said:
Why are you so married to Basswood? I might be out of the loop on this. I thought it was used to lower the price on beginner guitars.
Click to expand...

Basswood blanks typically cost a little more than poplar and just a little less than swamp ash and alder. I am not sure where it got it's "cheap" reputation from. It's not like it's plywood.
 
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