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First build: my new Strat

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Johnfv

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I am a long time Fender player but finally decided to quit tweaking the factory stuff and try to build what I want. Here is my project just arrived, swamp ash body (lake placid blue) with contoured heel, and flame maple neck. Is there a good "Warmoth build 101" thread anywhere?  I'm pretty handy with the electronics but want to make sure I get the assembly right, so I already have my first noob question. I have the Schaller locking tuners and they are very snug (see picture). I can't get them to go in any further by hand, will they pull in when I tighten the nut?

Thanks guys, looking forward to being able to play this beauty...
 
I had the exact same issue with by schallers.  They will go in all the way when you tighten the nut.
 
First of all....holy crap that is an awesome color.   :icon_thumright:


crash said:
I had the exact same issue with by schallers.  They will go in all the way when you tighten the nut.
Click to expand...

Second, I used a socket and carefully tightened them and they pulled together.  You dont want to overtighten and have the washer start digging into the neck, so go SLOW.

Finally, ask any and all your noob questions BEFORE you screw something up.  That's what these guys are here for.

 
crash said:
I had the exact same issue with by schallers.  They will go in all the way when you tighten the nut.
Click to expand...
Third.  It's normal and it'll freak you out a little bit because it's so snug, but only slightly less than when it comes time to drill the screw holes.

Guessing that the neck details on your nice flame maple would be:
Vintage Gloss, 10-16 Compound Radius, 6150 Frets, Abalone dots, and 1 11/16" nut?
1.637 didn't look familiar to me for a width.
 
Hi, Johnfv
Welcome to the forum! :)

I had the same problem with my schaller tuners - and as mentioned before, they're going all the way in when you tighten the nut.

There's no such thread on the forum, but I made a website when I built my first warmoth. It describes the assembly process step by step.
I think this is useful when you drill the holes for the pickguard screws and so on.

Please have a look.

www.andreas-fm.com
Click on the "custom 1" banner to see the "step by step" guide.

I forgot to update the page on my latest builds, but the step by step guide are still there :)

Enjoy!
 
Thanks so much for the warm welcome guys!   The neck is compound radius and vintage size (1-5/8" width), standard thin, 6150 frets. You were all correct that the tuners pulled in nicely with a socket wrench and no I have not drilled them yet :)  Need to try and get them aligned with a straight edge first. Thanks again, you likely will hear from me again...
 
OK, making progress. Got my String Saver saddles mounted. Next noob question: on a vintage trem what is rule of thumb for how far to back out the screws holding the bridge to allow enough play?
 
You have to adjust that after you got the strings attatched.
Someone likes it flat with the body, and others (like me) prefer a bit float.

If I were you, I'd set it up so that you increase a whole note step when you pull it backwards :)
 
Good point. I am a flat on the body guy, I rest my hand on the bridge and will pull it out of tune otherwise. Thanks again for the replies, this is going great so far...
 
It Looks great too, I love that color. and again, welcome aboard, look forward to many posts from you
 
I am doing a white pearloid pickguard. I agree that dark wood necks look great with the blue but I really like the punchy tone of maple (and the flame neck look great, the abolone dots work nicely with the blue also).  Ebony might be a good choice for brighter tone but dark color wood. I will post pictures in the "work in progress" thread soon...
 
Moving along quickly... next noob issue:  I did not realize how much the fingerboard hangs over with the 22 frets.  I attached the neck to the body and then planned to fit the pickguard assembly but no way to fit it under the overhang. Am I really going to have to loosen the neck anytime I want to take the pickguard off???  Not sure I want that extra fret now... :)
 
It's a pain in the shorts, but it's true. And who plays the 22nd fret? Its presence is a political/marketing weenie move, which, as usual, does more harm than good.
 
Johnfv said:
Moving along quickly... next noob issue:  I did not realize how much the fingerboard hangs over with the 22 frets.  I attached the neck to the body and then planned to fit the pickguard assembly but no way to fit it under the overhang. Am I really going to have to loosen the neck anytime I want to take the pickguard off???  Not sure I want that extra fret now... :)
Click to expand...
Probably, unless you have a dremel or other convenient cutting tool that can trim the current pickguard.
Mine's snug as a bug, that's for sure.
 
I could try to dremel but without a template or something it will look like crap. So my suggestion to Warmoth is offer an option for a 22 fret neck cutout on the pickguard.
 
Heres a fix if you plan to remove the pickguard often, make sure your neck pup route is a humbucker route. then you can slide the pickguard out without screwing with the neck.

I need to credit TroubledTreble for this idea
 
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