2nd build done, thanks everyone.

[KaiserSoze]

Thank you all for answers to my dumb questions.  I know my new guitar doesn't exist without pictures to prove it, rather like a Yeti or our friend from Loch Ness, but I can tell you I'm over-the-top pleased.  I'll post some proud daddy shots shortly.

To me we can talk about the small details and debate the sound of ebony versus rosewood ad-nauseum, but if its not an instrument that I want to pick up every chance I get, then its average.

Between the lessons I learned on my first build and the help of y'all, I've been able to assemble a guitar that I can't put down.  I've bought and sold a lot of guitars, and this is the finest playing and sounding one I've ever had.  My first build was pretty good, but the second rocks.

Note to Warmoth:  Thanks again for the awesome build quality and detail in the neck.  Neck is awesome and frets are perfect, however.....i bought an installed nut this time and you guys cut them way too high.  Action of 1.5 mm at the first fret is silly.  A bit if sanding remedied it and now its fantastic, but it could be a bit better for the extra charge.

I'll post pics shortly, but in the meantime: 24 3/4 scale with 6130 frets....better than sex, almost

 

[ORCRiST]

Thank you all for answers to my dumb questions.  I know my new guitar doesn't exist without pictures to prove it, rather like a Yeti or our friend from Loch Ness, but I can tell you I'm over-the-top pleased.  I'll post some proud daddy shots shortly.

To me we can talk about the small details and debate the sound of ebony versus rosewood ad-nauseum, but if its not an instrument that I want to pick up every chance I get, then its average.

Between the lessons I learned on my first build and the help of y'all, I've been able to assemble a guitar that I can't put down.  I've bought and sold a lot of guitars, and this is the finest playing and sounding one I've ever had.  My first build was pretty good, but the second rocks.

Note to Warmoth:  Thanks again for the awesome build quality and detail in the neck.  Neck is awesome and frets are perfect, however.....i bought an installed nut this time and you guys cut them way too high.  Action of 1.5 mm at the first fret is silly.  A bit if sanding remedied it and now its fantastic, but it could be a bit better for the extra charge.

I'll post pics shortly, but in the meantime: 24 3/4 scale with 6130 frets....better than sex, almost

FYI: Warmoth purposely leaves the nuts high, so once the customer has the neck in hand then they can cut the slots to the their preferred height. If Warmoth pre-cut them, the customer might still not be happy with the slots out of the box.  At that point, there might not be enough material left on the nut for whatever the customers personal preferences might be, making the nut completely useless and needing to be replaced right off the bat. Make sense?

And... PICS! ...or it doesn't exist!

 

[KaiserSoze]

I started with a showcase impulse buy when they had the sale..remember that?

Two-piece mahogany strat body.
I experimented with some body scuplturing just for fun.  Gotta love a Dremel
Many coats of Tung oil finished her off.  No pore filling and I love the look
Completed weight is about 9 lbs

Pickups are SD '59 in the neck and a DiMarzio AT-1 in the bridge.
Electronics are from RS guitarworks and I coil split the bridge pickup.
Wilkinson trem and Sperzel locking tuners.
Strung with 10s

Neck is a new road for me.  I did a 24 3/4 scale with 6130 frets and I'll never go back.  I had an "okay this is it" moment when I played it.
Maple neck with ebony, standard thin.  Smooth as glass.

I know sound is subjective but it is snappy and warm and responsive.  This piece of mahogany has some great acoustic qualities and it sounds nice unplugged.  The pickups both have great personality and I can hit a wide range of tones.  I can't say enough about the RS guitarworks components and the AT-1 pickup is an ass kicker and responds to the volume control very well.  I was concerned about a '59 with the AT-1 but they are fine together and I can use either one and never get muddy or too trebly. 

All told, its well rounded and warm.  I think I lucked out on the wood and pickup combinations, moreso than my first build, which was okay but not inspiring.  I can't put this one down.  Thank you again Warmoth and I'm already planning my next...tele with P90s maybe? 

 

[KaiserSoze]

More shots, reasonable size

 

[bagman67]

I really like how you sculpted the body.  Very nice!

 

[Cagey]

That is one fine-looking guitar! Good job! I like the sculpting as well. Don't think I've seen that done to a Strat.

 

[Stew]

I agree ... she's got NICE curves  :icon_thumright:

 

[swarfrat]

Nice job, and I agree on the sculpting. Ifn I ever do a solist, it's getting some sculpting on the lower cutaway. Also - I'd have never  seen the degree to which that grain pops on the finished body from the unfinished one. Wow just wow.

 

[KaiserSoze]

Thanks guys.  The sculpting was a result of not being able to afford to finish it this last summer and wanting to do something.  Not sure about other woods, but the mahogany wasn't hard to carve or sand so it was fun.