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#289151 - 28/10/11 05:48 PM
Megi's Stratocaster Build project
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Megi
Old Timer
Registered: 08/07/11
Posts: 1271
Loc: Lincolnshire
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Well here it is folks, another build is underway, for a Stratocaster this time. I always wanted a Strat in a way - IMO the most iconic electric guitar design, and perhaps the prettiest also. And after 30-something years of playing, I will finally have one, having only recently finished my first Telecaster.
I feel a bit more confident about this build, having gained experience with the tele build. Also I have many of the supplies I will need already, left over from the last project: Tru-Oil for the finish, various grades of sandpaper, fine wire wool etc.
The neck has been ordered this morning: a 9.5" radius rosewood board, 22 fret (with overhang)from CH Guitars on Ebay. It has already been dispatched 24 hour delivery - well done them, very impressive service. As soon as I get it, I will carefully measure the heel end, and send the specs to www.guitarbuild.co.uk who are going to make the body from swamp ash - I have yet to decide if it is to be a 1 or 2 piece!
Currently I'm about to order some parts from Axesrus, including the trem unit (a Wilkinson WVC unit with narrower 54mm string spacing, steel block) and machine heads - I'm going to give the Wilkinson EZ Lok type a go, with staggered post heights - I like the simplicity of the design, and I may be able to get away without using any string trees, which also appeals. Has anyone else tried these by the way?
But there we are folks, thanks for the help I've already had from some of you - please chip in at any time, and let's see how this one goes! 
Edited by Megi (28/10/11 05:49 PM)
_________________________
Graham, jazz guitar nut!
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#289157 - 28/10/11 08:07 PM
Re: Megi's Stratocaster Build project
[Re: Megi]
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elkay
Professional Forumite!
Registered: 23/11/05
Posts: 386
Loc: Croydon
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I've got the popcorn ready, now all we need are lots of pictures. Let the show begin... 
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#289159 - 28/10/11 08:14 PM
Re: Megi's Stratocaster Build project
[Re: Megi]
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Mark P
Professional Forumite!
Registered: 21/10/09
Posts: 455
Loc: Scotland
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Good luck with this one! I look forward to seeing and hearing about your progress.
I ended up with Wilkinson Deluxe Kluson Style with E-Z Lock, but not staggered - I don't think Axesrus had the staggered ones when I did my 'Strat' project. The E-Z lock works great though - no slipping string problems at all. It was marginal whether I needed string trees without the staggered post heights so you must have a very good chance of not needing them.
If you do end up geting string trees and get the vintage style with the very thin screws don't make the mistake of overtightening the screw like I did. That was fun - a headless screw embedded in the headstock. 
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#289160 - 28/10/11 08:23 PM
Re: Megi's Stratocaster Build project
[Re: Mark P]
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Bry
Professional Forumite!
Registered: 21/10/11
Posts: 163
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Looking forward to seeing the pics!
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#289161 - 28/10/11 08:36 PM
Re: Megi's Stratocaster Build project
[Re: Bry]
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Megi
Old Timer
Registered: 08/07/11
Posts: 1271
Loc: Lincolnshire
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Chaps, thank you, as soon as bits start to arrive in the post I will be posting some nice piccies to look at I promise. With any luck, I may have the neck by tomorrow, we will see. Just put in an order to Axesrus (£76.60!) for all the bits I will need minus the electronics stuff, as I still have to do a bit of thinking about the circuit I want.
On the subject of the wiring, I'm kind of in 2 minds - I would like the guitar to look close to stock, certainly not covered with extra switches as some of my previous projects have been. I may allow one extra mini-switch, but don't want to go further than that. The classic 5 pickup combinations/5-way switch must be there also - I feel it is just too much part of the whole strat "thing" to depart from. Anyway, I have time to do a bit of research on this - maybe one of the tone replacing rotary mod switches suggested on the thread I started in the electric guitar section.
In case anyone is wondering, it's going to be gold hardware, and definitely a tortoiseshell scratchplate. Wish I could get going now, but will have to wait impatiently for the moment... 
Edited by Megi (28/10/11 08:36 PM)
_________________________
Graham, jazz guitar nut!
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#289162 - 28/10/11 08:42 PM
Re: Megi's Stratocaster Build project
[Re: Mark P]
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Megi
Old Timer
Registered: 08/07/11
Posts: 1271
Loc: Lincolnshire
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Good luck with this one! I look forward to seeing and hearing about your progress. I ended up with Wilkinson Deluxe Kluson Style with E-Z Lock, but not staggered - I don't think Axesrus had the staggered ones when I did my 'Strat' project. The E-Z lock works great though - no slipping string problems at all. It was marginal whether I needed string trees without the staggered post heights so you must have a very good chance of not needing them. If you do end up geting string trees and get the vintage style with the very thin screws don't make the mistake of overtightening the screw like I did. That was fun - a headless screw embedded in the headstock. 
_________________________
Graham, jazz guitar nut!
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#289181 - 29/10/11 06:33 PM
Re: Megi's Stratocaster Build project
[Re: Megi]
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Megi
Old Timer
Registered: 08/07/11
Posts: 1271
Loc: Lincolnshire
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While twiddling my fingers waiting, I'm contemplating the pickups - have been considering Ironstones: Ironstone pickups website mainly because they seem ridiculously cheap for Alnico pickups, plus some of the soundclips don't sound too bad. Although I think I may be able to detect something of an overall tone vibe which is just a little brittle to my ears, regardless of which type. Perhaps I'm being unfair - it is very difficult just working from limited information.
But I've just been checking out Mark P's soundclick website music page which includes quite a few recordings of his strat as fitted with Wilkinson WVS pickups (correct me if I'm wrong Mark) plus helpful notes as to other gear used etc. - apologies for the link Mark, I know your a modest chap: Mark P on Soundclick and I have to say the pickups sound quite close to what I have in mind, i.e. plenty of Strat "quackyness", but also not too harsh or brittle - the presence is there, but kind of a nice rounded quality to the sound also. So maybe I will give the guitar the "full Wilkinson" - it already will have Wilkinson tuning machines and tremolo unit.
Edited by Megi (29/10/11 06:34 PM)
_________________________
Graham, jazz guitar nut!
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#289185 - 30/10/11 07:57 AM
Re: Megi's Stratocaster Build project
[Re: Megi]
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Mark P
Professional Forumite!
Registered: 21/10/09
Posts: 455
Loc: Scotland
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Have made a firm decision to go for a one-piece ash body, after exchanging a few emails with Phil at http://www.guitarbuild.co.uk - I'm sure a 2-piece would be perfectly lovely, but since I'm going for a natural finish, I want the guitar to look as good as possible, worth the extra I feel.
Good call!
But I've just been checking out Mark P's soundclick website music page which includes quite a few recordings of his strat as fitted with Wilkinson WVS pickups (correct me if I'm wrong Mark)
No you're not wrong. They surprised me with their quality, particularly at their price level. I had thought they'd be a stopgap till I got a bit of funds for an upgrade, but I've not felt the need.
and I have to say the pickups sound quite close to what I have in mind, i.e. plenty of Strat "quackyness", but also not too harsh or brittle - the presence is there, but kind of a nice rounded quality to the sound also.
There is a mellowness to them that suited my tonal requirements. I did find they were good for what passes with my playing skills at the more jazzy inclined pieces.
But also bear in mind that for most of my recordings i won't have been using a pick which will give a mellower edge to the tone.
I will also admit to a bit of cheating - I opted for the assembly option. I have never listed soldering as a favourite part of my guitar building hobby. 
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#289189 - 30/10/11 08:00 PM
Re: Megi's Stratocaster Build project
[Re: Mark P]
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Megi
Old Timer
Registered: 08/07/11
Posts: 1271
Loc: Lincolnshire
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Cheers for replying Mark - I knew you would approve of the one-piece body, in a way I always wanted that too - I was trying to be economical/sensible with the budget, but I do have to live, happily I hope, with the guitar when it is made, and I don't want to be always looking at it wondering if it couldn't have been better...
Regarding the Wilkinson WVS, I think that the evidence is good enough for me - first thing I thought was that the soundclip on Axesrus's website was closest to what I envisage tone-wise. Then there is a lot of positive comment around on the web and Youtube etc. - some of it probably a bit OTT, but still... Your recordings helped a huge amount - I always think a good sound does not happen on it's own, regardless of the gear, some work is required which you have obviously done. But as examples showing that the pickups have very good potential, your soundclick page is extremely helpful - so I owe you a big thank you, cheers! Interestingly (or not... ) I don't use a pick either - for single lines I generally use my index finger nail in a pick-like manner, with both up and down strokes (I'm lucky to have pretty strong, straight nails so that helps). At other times I use all the right-hand fingers "fingerstyle", and sometimes use my thumb for softer sounding chord work. I get a softer than average sound as a result of not using a pick, like you, so I do feel I will be happy with the Wilks pickups.
Nothing wrong with the assembly option by the way, soldering can be a total pain in the b*M! but I have this fatal flaw in that I have a thing about making my Guitars "non-stock" in some way or other - usually this ends up being a more complicated circuit which I then have to solder and get working. Do I then use all the pickup switching options I have created? The answer is probably a no...
I've decided to go for a circuit designed by John H on the guitar nuts 2 forum for this build, called the "Strat SP" (though I may not bother with the phase switch) - see the link if interested though: Thread I started on Guitar Nuts 2
_________________________
Graham, jazz guitar nut!
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