First Build Black Strat

[drewski]

in OCD picky build news I found some strat knobs on ebay that were black WITHOUT the markings filled in white.

I thought a plain black knob would look really cool without any markings or numbers to go with the black parts and stuff.

I wanted some unmarked metal knobs I saw on allparts but they were 10 bucks a pop. Even I cant justify that. they're KNOBS. these were 5 bucks for two sets. coming from a slowboat from china apparently. but I think it will look pretty neat without the white VOLUME TONE and digits sticking out.

 

[drewski]

ASSEMBLY DAY!!!!!

so the first thing to complete was the grounding lug. Think this works a little better than grounding straight to the claw. And its reversible. Why you would want it to be reversible? I don't know, but it is.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/drucinski/11785560693/

then the next thing to do was the trem cover. We basically eyeballed it. No problems.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/drucinski/11786067446

the first moment of truth of the day. I read all the horror stories. I looked at the rescue tools from Stewmac. I said prayers.....and....and

http://www.flickr.com/photos/drucinski/11785718694/

no friggin sweat. I taped off because I was using a square to align the tuners. Everything went FANTASTIC. Tiny bit, wax on the screw, slow install, not a single problem.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/drucinski/11785719294

So with that being done. it was time for well....another moment of truth. Neck mated to body. No problem. Here she is, just born.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/drucinski/11785833084/in/photostream/

Ran the E strings to locate the control plate/pickguard/pickups. Didn't photograph this. Didn't photo the jack plate. Its two holes. Not a big deal.

So here she is with a real camera.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/drucinski/11785296055/

So.....

While the guitar is DONE its not finished. I did play with the bridge saddle heights. Need to intonate. I have a higher end tuner due in Monday or Tuesday so I can do that properly. Id like to leave it strung up and see if the neck settles at all.

I did not install the string trees. I don't know if I really need them or not. I didn't touch the nut. I had warmoth cut it. nothing is vibrating behind the headstock  :dontknow:

also I kind of located the strap button too low on the bridge side....ooops. but theres nothing wrong with it...seems fine.

anyway take the next day or two and set it up then I get to evaluate what I picked as far as electronics go  :icon_scratch:

 

[stratamania]

Congratulations, it's looking good.

 

[drewski]

thanks so far so good...taking the "setup" slowly but im pleased.

 

[drewski]

posted another completed pic and details here

guitar is awesome
http://unofficialwarmoth.com/index.php?topic=23051.0