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#289205 - 31/10/11 10:14 AM
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 Mark! As to the circuit, I admit I have been tempted somewhat away from my initial thoughts of not too complex. But I don't think this one really compromises the strat quality of the guitar - the "normal" pickup selections are all easily available. There is a master volume and tone on all 3 pickups, which I prefer, plus a fade control in place of the second tone, which operates in series mode - without a long explanation (but see the guitar Nuts 2 thread if interested) - but this adds a lot - it is apparently possible to dial in subtle (or not so subtle...) amounts of "out-of-phase-ness" using it combined with the series mode. Plus (without the phase reversed) you can dial in just the amount you need of the second in-series pickup, giving a gradation from a normal single strat pickup, to a fuller-sounding series 2 pickup combination. Anyway, as you say, I'm behaving predictably...
Regard the right hand technique, I've been playing this way so long now (since my early 20's) that I've all but forgotten how to use a pick - I'm a lot quicker without one. I guess there is a tone variation between up and down strokes, though I tend to be fairly even sounding I think. All your other points ring true too, and easy to switch between pseudo-pick and fingerstyle - I usually do it without even thinking about it. Another thing I like is that there is no audible click on the strings which you get with a pick. And as you say, you can't drop your finger on the floor.
Downsides - well, if I damage the nail I'm somewhat stuffed until it's grown back (though I can get by using my middle finger nail instead just about). Also I find fast funk style chord strumming a little more awkward, though I can do it (index finger nail for the down strums, back of the thumb nail for the up strums).
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Graham, jazz guitar nut!
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#289208 - 31/10/11 02:38 PM
Re: Megi's Stratocaster Build project
[Re: Megi]
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Pete Buchan
Professional Forumite!
Registered: 22/03/02
Posts: 384
Loc: Aberdeen
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I made a partsocaster strat as my first venture into guitar building. After I had a few other Guitars, I started using the strat as an experimental guitar. I would try out things on it before committing to the idea on one of my newer home builds. At one point, I had 22 'different' pickup positions! I only ever used 7 of them in future builds.
I had an ON/OFF toggle switch connected to the neck pickup (you could do this with the bridge pickup instead, depending on which one you use the most) which allowed me to add the neck pickup to whatever the 5-way switch had selected. This means you can get two interesting new sounds - Neck + Bridge and Neck + Middle + Bridge. Both of these are very useable. If you fancy a second switch, you can put a phase switch on the neck pickup (or bridge). This, generally, makes things sound incredibly thin and tinny but it does allow you to have the 2 or 4 position sound over a larger distance ie bridge + out of phase neck. That's quite a useful sound so might be worth considering. The 'neck switch' option is definitely worth using. Here's how my guitar looked:
I chose to make a new jack socket mount plate in order to house the two extra switches as you can see in the picture. If I did that again, I'd put the socket at the bottom and the switches at the top as it was difficult to switch in a hurry with a cable plugged in. I also went for master tone and master volume as I really don't get the 'proper' strat tone arrangement, It makes no sense to me. The extra switch between the two pots controls the hummer - parallel, series and tap.
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#289211 - 31/10/11 03:22 PM
Re: Megi's Stratocaster Build project
[Re: Pete Buchan]
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Megi
Old Timer
Registered: 08/07/11
Posts: 1271
Loc: Lincolnshire
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Cheers for the picture Pete, it looks very nicely built - nice scheme in general, with the white body and black parts, very modern looking. And the extra plate for the switches is a good idea too. I'm pretty much decided on my Strat SP circuit: Strat SP - Guitar Nuts 2 forum so we'll see how that works out! I won't be able to get all 3 pickups in parallel, but it does offer a lot of other possibilities. I tend to agree with you about phase switches in that the only really usable combination is neck + bridge pickups, having tried it on another guitar - however the circuit design has a fade control allowing you to vary the output of one of the pickups, so I can tone down the out of phase effect somewhat.
My guitar will have 2 additional mini switches, I'm planning to find a space on the scratchplate somewhere - I'll have to have a think when I've got all the bit together!
_________________________
Graham, jazz guitar nut!
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#289223 - 01/11/11 12:26 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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Slight delay to the process, as CH Guitars sent the wrong spec neck - I got a 12" radius maple instead of a 9.5" radius rosewood (sort of understandable though, as I had sent them an earlier email enquiring about the 12" radius maple). They are sending out the correct item, next day delivery, today, and have been very efficient about dealing with the problem I have to say. Also it did allow me to have a look at one of their maple necks: actually pretty nice - good quality wood, straight and well made, a fairly slim contour with the flatter radius - would be good for a more modern type of strat build. The heel width was just about bang on 56mm by the way, not the 57mm listed on Ebay (which is a good thing IMO) - will see what the dimensions for the rosewood one are when it arrives. Almost felt like keeping the maple, but in the end I do want the 9.5" radius rosewood board one.
Should get the pickups and remaining electronics stuff from Axesrus today with a bit of luck!
Will get some pics up of the bits I've bought very soon - then just have to make a guitar from them! 
Edited by Megi (01/11/11 12:31 PM)
_________________________
Graham, jazz guitar nut!
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#289261 - 02/11/11 07:04 PM
Megi's Strat build - parts pics!
[Re: Megi]
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Megi
Old Timer
Registered: 08/07/11
Posts: 1271
Loc: Lincolnshire
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I have all the parts except for the body now, so thought I'd post a few pics.
The rosewood neck arrived today from CH Guitars - looking at it I'm happy with my decision, the rosewood board is a nice dark colour, which I always like and looks good quality, as does the maple for the neck. It is a C-profile, but a bit slimmer than the more vintage style neck I used on my tele build, it seems a nice shape to use to me. Overall, very good value at a mere £62 including delivery.
The frets are just a little roughly finished at the edges (you just feel a slight roughness) but this can be fixed with a little careful file work, and I intend to give it a fret level and dress anyhow. The nut supplied was a typical inexpensive plastic job, but I've removed this, and have some nice ivory Graph-Tech Tusq material nut blanks (bought on Ebay) so will make a new one from one of these. One other issue which will need a little work is to do with the thickness of the headstock - it's slightly more than average (checked against my telecaster) meaning that the shorter-peg length Wilkinson EZ lok tuners do not quite protrude enough - you can see this in one of the photos. I do think I will be able to get a workable string angle without string trees though, not unlike the Eric Johnson model strats - hopefully shown in the shot where I hold a ruler! I intend to (carefully!) sand the headstock face down by 1 or 2 mm which should do the trick, and will finish the neck with Tru Oil as well as the body (from researching on the net, Tru Oil works well for necks too). The neck is currently finished with what looks to be one very light coat of varnish. Anyway, some pics of the neck:
    
Edited by Megi (02/11/11 08:06 PM)
_________________________
Graham, jazz guitar nut!
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