Members zer0psi Posted September 24, 2011 Members Share Posted September 24, 2011 The way I see it, the Billy Corgan Strat is not a signature model in the sense that it replicates his guitar...at all. Rather, it's him designing the ideal version, with his changes. He originally played 70's Strats, then moved to '57 RI's. Around Siamese Dream/Mellon Collie, his 'Bat Strat' became very popular with him: It's an early 90's USA '57 RI, Hipshot D-Tuner, and Lace Sensors (Blue/Silver/Red, as visible). Compared to: The finish is still nitro lacquer, though satin this time, and the bridge changes to hardtail. Pickups go from Lace Sensors to DiMarzios (BC-1/Chopper/BC-2), and the neck changes a lot. It goes from a 7.25" radius, gloss finished, 21 fret V-profile to a 9.5", satin, 22 fret modern C with a '70s headstock to boot. So, how do I build my own? One of three ways: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members zer0psi Posted September 24, 2011 Author Members Share Posted September 24, 2011 First way is to copy newest one as close as possible. I won't be able to get Satin White, though Satin Black is attainable. I'm going to look @ the neck for this one...and the closest is the US Highway One. 22 frets, modern C, 9.5", satin, 70's headstock, all in common. Also comes with a satin nitro finish body...either Satin Black (like Billy's) or sunburst. Add the DiMarzio prewired Billy Corgan pickguard, deck the trem, and voila! Option A: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members zer0psi Posted September 24, 2011 Author Members Share Posted September 24, 2011 Next option is to go old school and replicate the 57RI. In this case, I think my best option for the money would be a 50's Road Worn Strat. Sunburst finish, v neck with the right radius and 21 frets, and affordable compared to the US one. Once again, I'd just add the pickguard and deck the trem for this: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members honeyiscool Posted September 24, 2011 Members Share Posted September 24, 2011 Do you want the sound, though? You're only going to get that tone with Lace Sensors. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members zer0psi Posted September 24, 2011 Author Members Share Posted September 24, 2011 OR, finally, I build a bastard of the two. For this one I'd start with Road Worn Player in Olympic White, as a tribute to the new. I like that it already has a black pickguard, as at one point the 'Bat Strat' had a black Sharpie'd pickguard and was painted silver. Plus, it further replicates the new one's look. The neck has the same profile and finish as the new, with 21 frets, and the small headstock of the old. It would look just like this, but with Billy's pickups: How to do it...? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members zer0psi Posted September 24, 2011 Author Members Share Posted September 24, 2011 True. I wonder why he chose to switch to DiMarzios though. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members kayd_mon Posted September 24, 2011 Members Share Posted September 24, 2011 You're missing the essential element. It has to come paired with a chick bassist. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members honeyiscool Posted September 24, 2011 Members Share Posted September 24, 2011 True. I wonder why he chose to switch to DiMarzios though. People's tastes change over time. Having had a combination of Red in the bridge and a Blue in the neck (but in a Telecaster), you can so easily get all the Smashing Pumpkins tones you can imagine. I was playing "Today" and it sounded like the record. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members sammyreynolds01 Posted September 24, 2011 Members Share Posted September 24, 2011 I would love a Corgan strat. the Smashing Pumpkins were one of the few 90's bands I actually liked. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members BillyCorgan Posted September 26, 2011 Members Share Posted September 26, 2011 I did one and it's pretty epic. I prefer the Hardtail 70s strat to the bat strat. Billy recently put his sig pickups in it. Here's mine. '74 neck/'76 body. Wish the paint woulda turned out a little darker but oh well. It sounds amazing through my Diezel. String Saver graphite saddles are a great addition. The signature Corgan pickguard has 250k pots. Kinda odd for humbuckers but they sound really good. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members BillyCorgan Posted September 26, 2011 Members Share Posted September 26, 2011 By the way i have 4 sheets left of the actual bats used on the bat strat. Caught them on Ebay a few years ago and used 4 sheets on my PRS Standard 24. Saving the rest in case i wanna go ultimate hero-worship mode and do a bat strat just because. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members notjonahbutnoah Posted September 26, 2011 Members Share Posted September 26, 2011 Get little poop stickers and make a scat strat. Srsly thoug, id do that third one but with lace sensors. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members BillyCorgan Posted September 26, 2011 Members Share Posted September 26, 2011 Get little poop stickers and make a scat strat.Srsly thoug, id do that third one but with lace sensors. Meh the laces sound so bland compared to the new dimarzios. I've had both in this strat. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members honeyiscool Posted September 26, 2011 Members Share Posted September 26, 2011 You can't really judge Laces by themselves in a room by yourself. You have to try them out in a full band setting, or in a recording. They are simply wonderful and sit in the mix extremely well. That "bland" quality translates to studio-quality tone right there on stage or in rehearsal. After much mucking around with tone, yesterday I took my Blue/Silver/Gold Strat into rehearsal yesterday. Everyone couldn't stop raving about the improvement in our sound. The Silver in the middle by itself can be used for 80% of lead guitar needs. Switch to bridge when you're doing solos. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members BillyCorgan Posted September 26, 2011 Members Share Posted September 26, 2011 You can't really judge Laces by themselves in a room by yourself. You have to try them out in a full band setting, or in a recording. They are simply wonderful and sit in the mix extremely well. That "bland" quality translates to studio-quality tone right there on stage or in rehearsal. After much mucking around with tone, yesterday I took my Blue/Silver/Gold Strat into rehearsal yesterday. Everyone couldn't stop raving about the improvement in our sound. The Silver in the middle by itself can be used for 80% of lead guitar needs. Switch to bridge when you're doing solos. I gave it plenty of trials and decided the Dimarzios were just better for this guitar. It shocked me when Billy did the same with his old blue one after i did mine. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Lemon Crush Posted September 26, 2011 Members Share Posted September 26, 2011 Here's mine. '74 neck/'76 body. Wish the paint woulda turned out a little darker but oh well. It sounds amazing through my Diezel. String Saver graphite saddles are a great addition. The signature Corgan pickguard has 250k pots. Kinda odd for humbuckers but they sound really good. Wow. What shade of blue is that? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members BillyCorgan Posted September 26, 2011 Members Share Posted September 26, 2011 Wow. What shade of blue is that? No idea. I had it mixed at an auto parts store and kept telling them to put more black in it as it was mixing. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Lemon Crush Posted September 26, 2011 Members Share Posted September 26, 2011 No idea. I had it mixed at an auto parts store and kept telling them to put more black in it as it was mixing. Well, it's really cool I tend to think a lot of darker blues look cheap, especially on strats, but that's a really good shade, man Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members BillyCorgan Posted September 26, 2011 Members Share Posted September 26, 2011 Well, it's really cool I tend to think a lot of darker blues look cheap, especially on strats, but that's a really good shade, man Thanx! I really wanted it darker like the one i was making a replica of but it looks great in person now. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Spike Li Posted September 27, 2011 Members Share Posted September 27, 2011 To the OP- I really dig those new MIM Roadworn Player Series strats, they are literally the best strats Ive ever played and I own a Billy Corgan sig! Seeing as how you dont seem too fussed about the hardtail, I highly recommend goin with the new Roadworns Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members zer0psi Posted September 27, 2011 Author Members Share Posted September 27, 2011 Nah, the only afforadble hardtail I really like is the Wayne Kramer, which is rosewood and a different story altogether. So make this: or for $50 more and one v-neck less (worth it?), this: Into this?: Or this: Into this? (minus headstock of course): Was just thinking that yesterday @ Sam Ash. Though now the Charvel So Cal's got me caught up: It's only a pickguard away and a great neck and quality Floyd. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Spike Li Posted September 27, 2011 Members Share Posted September 27, 2011 or for $50 more and one v-neck less (worth it?), this: I would personally go for this because I tried one and loved the shit out of it... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members zer0psi Posted September 27, 2011 Author Members Share Posted September 27, 2011 What was the neck like? Because I love the 50's neck and it's like what Billy had. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members zer0psi Posted September 27, 2011 Author Members Share Posted September 27, 2011 The high end MIM stuff, like my old Jim Root Tele, is phenomenal... Though I could always go all in and go with this: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Spike Li Posted September 27, 2011 Members Share Posted September 27, 2011 What was the neck like? Because I love the 50's neck and it's like what Billy had. Im not a fender guy so I cant really tell what it was exactly, but the worn finish on it just made it feel GREAT Was also nicely rounded and not too thin. Ive played the Dave Murray strat which has the V neck and hated it: In fact, that Dave Murray was the most disappointing guitar Ive ever played... I was blown away by the Roadworn player tho... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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