1st build In Stock Blue Burst Flame Maple Chambered Strat

[Knarz]

After spending a month or so scouring the web and this site especially, I took the chance during the Warmoth Sale to pick up a In Stock Blue Burst Flame Maple Chambered Strat.  Originally I set out to buy or build a Gilmore Strat, but really dug the look the the blue burst on the flame maple so decided to go for it.  I can say that I have no regrets going for something far more personalized at a 1/4 of the price.

Here's the specs:
Category Option
Headstock Stratocaster
Construction Vintage Modern
Orientation Right Handed
Shaft Wood Birdseye Maple
Fingerboard Wood Birdseye Maple
Nut Width 1 11/16"
Back Contour Standard thin
Fretwire 6150
Tuner ream Planet Waves(13/32")
Fret Number 22
Radius 10-16" Compound
Inlays Black Face Dots
Nut Install Black TUSQ XL
Neck Finish Vintage Tint Gloss
Scale 25-1/2 in.

Category Option
Model Standard Stratocaster
Hollow,Chambered Chambered
Orientation Right handed
Laminate Top Flame Maple
Core Wood Swamp Ash
Top/Rear Rout Top Rout
Bridge,Trem Wilkinson Tremolo
Output Jack Top
F-Hole Quantity 1
Finish Blue Burst
Finish Transparent Blue
Scale 25-1/2 in.
Pickup Rout, Top Strat, Strat, Strat

Planet Waves Tuners
Wilkinson VS100N Tremolo
Pickups - I was going to install Seymour Duncan SSL-5s but after hearing audio samples of Rio Grande Vintage Tall Boys, I purchased a Loaded Pickguard via eBay seller MetalShop Music.
w/PUSH/PULL POT THAT ADDS TWO NEW SWITCHING POSITIONS: TELE STYLE NECK AND BRIDGE TOGETHER AND ALL  THREE AT ONCE SELECTIONS.

I will add some pics in a follow-up.

 

[Mor Paul]

Didn't really check the specs, but I saw what you said about your push pull pot.

I think that can't be done like you want. That pot will cut on the middle pickup, but you'd have to have the neck/bridge combo on. I think the best bet is to have a push-pull pot that cuts on the neck pickup.
That lets you have
1- bridge
1+Pot- bridge/neck
2- bridge-middle
2+pot- bridge/middle/neck
3- middle
3+pot- middle/neck
4- middle/neck
4+pot- middle/neck
5- neck
5+pot- neck

 

[Knarz]

Sorry I didn't jot down the schematic since the pickguard was loaded and wired by Metalshop Music http://www.metalshopmusic.com/.  They did a great job wiring it up; very clean.  Their website does have schematics but not of this kind of wiring.

Since I already put the axe together over the weekend I can't draw up a schematic, but will pull the pickguard off at the next re-stringing to note how it was wired.  In the pulled up position the pickups are:
1 - Neck Bridge
2 - All 3
3 - Middle
4 - All 3
5 - Neck Bridge

ps: I am unable to post any pics at the moment as the server keeps blocking them even though they are typical small jpegs (~150k).  It would not even let me upload the original pics from the Warmoth site (12k). I tried 2 differnt PCs, 3 broswers and 2 different IPs, gif and png. Any suggestions on this would be helpful.

 

[blue313]

Try hosting the pics at photobucket or imageshack, and linking to them.  The forum's been having issues with pics lately.

What are the part numbers for the neck and body?  Warmoth never deletes their images.

 

[Knarz]

finally here are the pre-assembled pics.

 

[Knarz]

Here are some build photo's.  First step was to mount the Wilkinson VS100 studs by freezing them over night.  This was probably the most nerve racking as it takes time and patience to bang them in with a soft mallet.  Once they were close I switched to a wooden dowel to finish them off flush with the body. The entire process took about 40 minutes.

 

[Knarz]

Next step was to shield the body cavity under the pick-guard.  I found both these web sites useful for guidance.
http://www.guitarnuts.com/wiring/shielding/shield3.php
http://www.artandtechnology.com.au/guitar/shielding-strat.html

First I traced out the cavity with a sheet of paper, then used that to mark the copper shielding. I used an 8x12 Copper Shielding tape from Warmoth. One sheet was more than enough for the job.

 

[Knarz]

Completed Pics
If it was warmer outside I would take them outside, but this is the best light I could get indoors.
The guitar plays and sounds great. Even without an amp you can hear the ring of the chambered body.
I will try to post some sound files so one can hear the various pickup positions.

 

[-CB-]

Holy mother of God thats a sweet lookin Strat

 

[dudesweet157]

Looks great, and how are you liking the Rios?  I love mine.

 

[shanejw]

Sharp!!

 

[hannaugh]

That's a good looking guitar, congrats!  ccasion14:

 

[Soylent]

That is absolutely beautiful mate. I'm very jealous!  :icon_thumright:

 

[D-rock]

Nice!! love the blue flame!!  :icon_thumright:

 

[Superbeast520]

Nice Strat, Love all the detailed photos and tech stuff.....really Cool.  :icon_thumright:

 

[mullyman]

Good Lord, you have enough shielding tape in there? Expecting Martians to land? Hehe!!

Gorgeous guitar, man. I'm right there with you on getting a more personalized guitar at a fraction of the price and probably 3x the quality.
MULLY

 

[Knarz]

Thanks for all the compliments. I am trying to get some mp3 files recorded so you all can hear what it sounds like.  I think the Rio Grande pickups really make it.

As to the shielding - I followed the article to the letter as I didn't want to cut any corners. I tested the pickguard in place without shielding and had enough buzz that I thought it warranted it.

Compliments to Warmoth's finishing department they do a hell of a job. As good if not better than my PRS.

 

[mullyman]

Thanks for all the compliments. I am trying to get some mp3 files recorded so you all can hear what it sounds like.  I think the Rio Grande pickups really make it.

As to the shielding - I followed the article to the letter as I didn't want to cut any corners. I tested the pickguard in place without shielding and had enough buzz that I thought it warranted it.

Compliments to Warmoth's finishing department they do a hell of a job. As good if not better than my PRS.

Oddly enough I was playing my Clapton Strat last night and the buzz coming from it when I was facing my computer was unreal. Would the shielding help that out?
MULLY

 

[Knarz]

I tested that out last night.  With the Vox NightTrain on 1/2 Volume it was somewhat noisy, but not unbearable within 2ft or so of a pair of flat screen computer monitors as well as a bunch of midi controllers, etc. It's also great at picking up cell phone RF noise when it periodically checks in with the cell tower, so best not to keep one in your pocket. I like standing closer to the amp anyway.

To answer your question as to "would the shielding help out"; the answer is yes, but it won't be 100%.  But you will find that because it is quieter you may find yourself turning up more.

The cat in the artandtechnology link had a different take; "After using the shielded guitar for 10 months I decided to change just the bridge pick up to a hum bucker. Selected a DiMarzio DP117W, a white HS-3."

I think it's definitely worth the 4-5 hours worth of work it takes to put the shielding in.