Build a Strat or Buy a Strat

[Stoneball Jack]

So i got the strat gas, but i can't decide if i should build one or buy one. so i was hoping you guys could help me out. I think it would be fun to build a guitar and awesome to play a guitar i built but i guess i'm worried cause i have never done it. Are there some things that i should be aware of that i wouldn't know since i haven't built one or is building one as straight forward as it seems (screw the neck to the body put in the pickups wire the electronic and i'm good). Also i'm wondering if my money will go as far or not as far or father by building one. If I spend roughly $900 on parts and build one will it be equivalent to a $400 strat or a $800 strat or a $2000 strat? If it helps this is what i'm thinking so far

 

Warmoth vintage modern neck, maple with rosewood fingerboard. (i'm not sure yet if i want the compound radius or a straight radius)-----aprox. $200

 

Preferably an alder fender body, either cream or sunburst. Maybe Warmoth if i can't find a fender one i like----aprox. $250-300

 

Bare Knuckles (not sure which set. I want something versatile but that leans towards blues/rock)---aprox $300

 

Miscellaneous hardware and electrical stuff from GFS or Warmoth---aprox $100

 

 

or should i just buy an fender american standard and be done with it? If the American Standard will be better than this then i'd rather just get the american standard. I don't want to waste my money. Any thoughts?

[D Carroll]

I say build. Get what you want.

[DaleH]

You have to locate the tremolo bidge pcorrectly. 1 so the strings don't fall off either side of the neck. 2 so the guitar can be intonated.

Once that's done the rest is pretty easy. I had the nut done by a tech.
Knowing how to do a good setup helps.Just have to take your time..

[DaleH]

Unless your really into building one I would say just buy an MIA strat that you like.

[the_gunslinger]

I say build. Get what you want.

 

 

+1

[Faber]

I say buy. 1) there are enough strats out there that one will get close enough to what you want, and you can mod the rest of the way there 2) a strat is only as good as the one assembling it, and if you haven't done so before even the best parts might end up as a less than stellar instrument

[wagdog]

When you build a guitar, unless you're a very experienced builder, it's hit or miss if it's going to play well and sound goodl...

 

But if you never start building, you'll never get that experience.

 

If you decide to build, read as much as possible before starting.

 

That said, if you want the experience of building a guitar, there is only one way to get it. If you really want a nice guitar, play a bunch of them and buy one.

[Ratae Corieltauvorum]

If I spend roughly $900 on parts and build one will it be equivalent to a $400 strat or a $800 strat or a $2000 strat? If it helps this is what i'm thinking so far Warmoth vintage modern neck, maple with rosewood fingerboard. (i'm not sure yet if i want the compound radius or a straight radius)-----aprox. $200 Preferably an alder fender body, either cream or sunburst. Maybe Warmoth if i can't find a fender one i like----aprox. $250-300 Bare Knuckles (not sure which set. I want something versatile but that leans towards blues/rock)---aprox $300 Miscellaneous hardware and electrical stuff from GFS or Warmoth---aprox $100

OK, if you spend $900 you should easily end up with a very very high spec Strat style guitar, and to be honest, if you build carefully it's difficult to NOT get it right.

For a first build I'd recommend you keep most of your shopping at Warmoth, as there are really no GFS bits that belong on a high spec build, and that's coming from a big GFS pickups fan.

The key places for parts should be Warmoth and then www.guitarpartsresource.com.

I'd recommend you get both your body and neck from Warmoth, as their tolerances are very high, higher even that Fender USA, who knock out the odd {censored} neck pocket, use a 2 point Wilkinson vibrato, preferably the VS100, as it's just about the best floating vibrato unit you can buy and then get a good US winder to supply your pickups, someone like Pete Biltoft at Vintage Vibe Guitars, his Strat sized P90s are nothing short of incredible, and also forumite Bryan Gunsher winds good Strat pickups, and give us discount if you mention the forum.
If you really want to puch out the boat, then look at Suhr's range of Strta pickups and noise cancellation system

Whatever you don't get right, make sure you DO have the neck specs 110% fixed in your mind as the left hand is 75% of the battle, if your left hand isn't happy it doesn't matter a {censored} what body, vibrato or pickups you have in there.

Now go build and enjoy, as it can be very very rewarding:thu:

[BoneNut]

After having both bought and built, I'd suggest you build your own. That way, you 'll have exactly the features you want and none that you don't.

Besides, you can assemble a Strat more than build it. What you'll be starting off with are a bunch of parts, The most most difficult things you'll be doing are finishing and installing electronics, both which aren't difficult at all. If you don't feel up to it, even those two steps can be avoided by buying a prewired pickguard and prefinished body.

Get the neck you like regarding shape and width. Buy the pups you prefer along with the bridge you like. Have the exact color, style and finish you want.

Assembling a guitar like a Strat is very easy and much different from an actual build where you would be carving a body at the very least.

[Brian May]

I say buy. IMO the USA Strats are all good enough...and if you ever do want to sell it then it will have better resale value.

[Les Paul Lover]

One thing to keep in mind - if you don't intend to keep your partscaster, buy a fender strat instead.

 

Partscaster don't keep their value so well, regardless of the parts quality, whereas something with fender on the headstock does resell easily.

[Ratae Corieltauvorum]

One thing to keep in mind - if you don't intend to keep your partscaster, buy a fender strat instead. Partscaster don't keep their value so well, regardless of the parts quality, whereas something with fender on the headstock does resell easily.

 

 

In Europe an all Warmoth partscaster will make nigh on the same as an American Std and if it has some exotic bits like ebony board, stainless frets, high end pickups, it will sometimes fetch a tad more.

 

Used Amer Series or Am Stds rarely fetch more than 650

[bluesnapper]

Get a cheapo strat kit and practice putting one together. Then see if you'd be willing to splash out on decent parts and do it again.

[Ratae Corieltauvorum]

Get a cheapo strat kit and practice putting one together. Then see if you'd be willing to splash out on decent parts and do it again.

 

 

Pointless, depending on the kit, the experience and pitfalls are completely different

[mutant_guitar]

I say build, only because that's the kind of guy I am.

If you do build, I highly recommend trying a compound radius neck. I absolutely love mine and many people share the same sentiment. One thing to keep in mind is Warmoth doesn't do fretwork on their necks. It's generally not a problem, as most Warmoth necks are put together so well the frets just don't need any work. But, you may be unfortunate enough to get one of the ones that do need work. If you get Warmoth to install and cut the nut, they tend to err on the high side, which is something else you may have to fix.

For a neck finish, you can't beat Tru-Oil. It's easy, cheap, fast, and feels good. Finishing the body is another matter entirely...

Another option definitely worth checking out is the Carvin bolt kit. At about $400, they have everything you need for the guitar, and the necks come with the fretwork done, which is a huge bonus.

[DaveAronow]

Here is the thing: alot of the "value" you get out of doing it yourself is the satisfaction gained when you step back and look at your accomplishment, AND, more importantly, the general knowlege you gain about all things dealing with guitars and how they work.

 

Sometimes it isnt even about the guitar you end up with, it is about the pure enjoyment of the work involved with building it. If you are one of those people that loves to tinker with things, and work with your hands, and likes to know technically how things work, then by all means, build the guitar. A huge part of it is the actual journey and not the destination. Dont overlook the value in that. You can always sell a guitar, but once you have those skills, no one can take them away from you.

The guitar is just the bonus you get at the end of the journey.

If all you are looking for is to have the best guitar you can for the least amount of time, money and effort, you MAY do better just buying one. Maybe not. But when considering building one, ask yourself if you are one of the people that loves to get your hands dirty and do this kind of stuff before you listen to ANYONE that tells you it is too much of a hassel, and that it is so much easier to just buy one. You may be hugely shortchanging yourself of something you may absolutely love doing because you never tried.

 

I say definitely give building a shot until you know that that is probably not your thing.

 

Also, there is NOTHING involved with assembling a parts O'caster, or even a complete build that even remotely approches the difficulty of brain surgery. There is nothing HARD about ANY of it. Just do research, alot of reading, alot of double checking before you cut anything, ask alot of questions from some of the great experts you can find right here, and remember there is NOTHING you can do to a project like this that cant be fixed if you screw something up.

 

Build it, take lots of pictures, keep us in the loop and have fun.

[Stoneball Jack]

OK, if you spend $900 you should easily end up with a very very high spec Strat style guitar, and to be honest, if you build carefully it's difficult to NOT get it right. For a first build I'd recommend you keep most of your shopping at Warmoth, as there are really no GFS bits that belong on a high spec build, and that's coming from a big GFS pickups fan. The key places for parts should be Warmoth and then www.guitarpartsresource.com . I'd recommend you get both your body and neck from Warmoth, as their tolerances are very high, higher even that Fender USA, who knock out the odd {censored} neck pocket, use a 2 point Wilkinson vibrato, preferably the VS100, as it's just about the best floating vibrato unit you can buy and then get a good US winder to supply your pickups, someone like Pete Biltoft at Vintage Vibe Guitars, his Strat sized P90s are nothing short of incredible, and also forumite Bryan Gunsher winds good Strat pickups, and give us discount if you mention the forum. If you really want to puch out the boat, then look at Suhr's range of Strta pickups and noise cancellation system Whatever you don't get right, make sure you DO have the neck specs 110% fixed in your mind as the left hand is 75% of the battle, if your left hand isn't happy it doesn't matter a {censored} what body, vibrato or pickups you have in there. Now go build and enjoy, as it can be very very rewarding:thu:

Thanks for the info. i wasn't sure on what vibrato to get so that helps. Also why would you reccomend a usa winder over BK. (I'm not saying i don't agree with you i'm just curious)

[Stoneball Jack]

I say build, only because that's the kind of guy I am. If you do build, I highly recommend trying a compound radius neck. I absolutely love mine and many people share the same sentiment. One thing to keep in mind is Warmoth doesn't do fretwork on their necks. It's generally not a problem, as most Warmoth necks are put together so well the frets just don't need any work. But, you may be unfortunate enough to get one of the ones that do need work. If you get Warmoth to install and cut the nut, they tend to err on the high side, which is something else you may have to fix. For a neck finish, you can't beat Tru-Oil. It's easy, cheap, fast, and feels good. Finishing the body is another matter entirely... Another option definitely worth checking out is the Carvin bolt kit. At about $400, they have everything you need for the guitar, and the necks come with the fretwork done, which is a huge bonus.

thanks i'll keep that in mind. This might be a stupid question but do the pickups need to be done differently with a compund radius neck. I've heard people say things about setting up the pickups differently because of a compound radius neck.

Also, definitely a stupid question but i'm learning.....what do you mean by fret work?

You would recommend tru oil of the warmoth finish on the neck?

[Stoneball Jack]

After having both bought and built, I'd suggest you build your own. That way, you 'll have exactly the features you want and none that you don't. Besides, you can assemble a Strat more than build it. What you'll be starting off with are a bunch of parts, The most most difficult things you'll be doing are finishing and installing electronics, both which aren't difficult at all. If you don't feel up to it, even those two steps can be avoided by buying a prewired pickguard and prefinished body. Get the neck you like regarding shape and width. Buy the pups you prefer along with the bridge you like. Have the exact color, style and finish you want. Assembling a guitar like a Strat is very easy and much different from an actual build where you would be carving a body at the very least.

 

 

 

I actually would be interested in finishing my own body and even cutting it out but i wouldn't even know where to start or even if i have the right tools for that

[Ratae Corieltauvorum]

Also why would you reccomend a usa winder over BK. (I'm not saying i don't agree with you i'm just curious)

 

 

Because you'll get as good in the US for a lot less cash, Tim's stuff is excellent but too expensive, I have one set in my 70s Strat (Trilogy Suites), but I bought used and got a great bargain as they were incorrectly listed.

 

I'd go Suhr I reckon

[Stoneball Jack]

Here is the thing: alot of the "value" you get out of doing it yourself is the satisfaction gained when you step back and look at your accomplishment, AND, more importantly, the general knowlege you gain about all things dealing with guitars and how they work. Sometimes it isnt even about the guitar you end up with, it is about the pure enjoyment of the work involved with building it. If you are one of those people that loves to tinker with things, and work with your hands, and likes to know technically how things work, then by all means, build the guitar. A huge part of it is the actual journey and not the destination. Dont overlook the value in that. You can always sell a guitar, but once you have those skills, no one can take them away from you. The guitar is just the bonus you get at the end of the journey. If all you are looking for is to have the best guitar you can for the least amount of time, money and effort, you MAY do better just buying one. Maybe not. But when considering building one, ask yourself if you are one of the people that loves to get your hands dirty and do this kind of stuff before you listen to ANYONE that tells you it is too much of a hassel, and that it is so much easier to just buy one. You may be hugely shortchanging yourself of something you may absolutely love doing because you never tried. I say definitely give building a shot until you know that that is probably not your thing. Also, there is NOTHING involved with assembling a parts O'caster, or even a complete build that even remotely approches the difficulty of brain surgery. There is nothing HARD about ANY of it. Just do research, alot of reading, alot of double checking before you cut anything, ask alot of questions from some of the great experts you can find right here, and remember there is NOTHING you can do to a project like this that cant be fixed if you screw something up. Build it, take lots of pictures, keep us in the loop and have fun.

 

 

 

Thanks....this is alot of the reason why i want to put together my own. I think it would be awesome to have a instrument i put together, also it would help me learn alot. Also i would like to do this again later on when i know more and can maybe build on from scratch so this would help me learn about what's involved and how to do it

[Bro Blue]

You need to buy two different things:

 

1. Pretty much the Strat you want. To start building a guitar with top-notch parts when you've never done it before is asking to waste money because some things can not be corrected once they are screwed up.

 

2. A kit from GFS. They are cheap. Make your first timer mistakes on it.

[BoneNut]

I actually would be interested in finishing my own body and even cutting it out but i wouldn't even know where to start or even if i have the right tools for that

 

 

Cutting out the body would require certain tools for sure. The finish on the other hand, is only a couple of rattle cans of paint and a few sheets of sandpaper.

 

I made my Part o Caster with the body from a Fender Classic 50 in Shoreline Gold, the neck from a Fender Deluxe V neck, all bridge parts, saddles, etc are from Callaham and topped it off with a set of Fender CS 69s.

 

I learned how to do the entire setup myself and couldn't be happier. I think that if I redo it, I could even get better results this time.

 

I finished it in Daphne blue and have had it like that for over a year. Lately though, I've been thinking of refinishing it in that classic black that everyone feels is so boring. I'll clear coat it this time too. With the warm weather and using acrylic lacquer, I could probably have it painted on one weekend and polish it out by the next.

[Orange Jackson]

I think the key to building one is knowing what you like.
What string spacing do you like,
What nut width (get a black tursq nut),
what type of neck profile (wolfgang is nice),
radius (compund is nice)
Finger board,
What Size frets do you like (get Stainless steal imo),
What pickups are you going to use to get the sound you want, etc.


Some money saving notes. You can get an unfinished neck from Warmoth and wipe $2 worth of tru oil (a bottle will cost you $12) on the neck, 2 to 3 coats. It's easy, and it looks and feels great. That will save you some on the neck, and warmoth will warrenty a tru oil finish now.

You can get a body from KNE guitars. They will route and drill all the holes you need for the trem, etc. This is another place you can save money, by putting a natural finish on the wood, like tru or tung oil verses a paint finish that will cost more.

gfs pots are up to speed, so are their 5 way switches, neck plates, and jack plates. They also sell harden steal two point trems that IMO are very nice, nothing shabby about them. I would stay away from their tuners though, and strap locks, get fender locking tuners and strap locks.

Paint and finsh is what will kill your cost.
You can do the whole thing for $750 to $800.

Then it is up to you to set it up right, time and trial and error should take care of this.

[Undertaker4]

Build it. Sounds like you have a good idea what parts you want.

 

If you mess up you can always go to someone who can fix it.