Future vintage strat build. Normal vs Extra light body.

[Warheart87]

So while my current project is away to get painted I've started to plan my next build.

I'm gonna do a vintage strat with a fat neck, aged hardware and olympic white nitro laquer. (Drool)
Been checking some beautiful alder showcase vintage bodies so far and started to wonder if there is any big difference in sound between the normal wight body and an extra light one? To capture that vintage strat sound which one would be better?

 

[bagman67]

The vintage strats had as much variation in weight as the modern ones.  Whatever the next blank to come down the line was, is what the next body got built out of.  Nobody was weighing them and rejecting those that feel outside spec.


Go with what you want weight-wise and you'll still be in business.

 

[Tipperman]

That vintage strat sound will come from the wood combo, pickups (get buzzy single coils. mid 60s-based ones.), bridge/bridge block etc. Get a 6 point callaham trem. I'd say for accuracy go with a thin neck/whatever radius. I'd go with the Warmoth Pro construction because nobodies going to notice and its absolutely amazing, same with a compound radius. Everything can still look/sound vintage, but you have an amazing neck that can withstand basically anything.

 

[Patrick from Davis]

The pickups will be more responsible for the sound than the difference in weight on the body.  That being said, Retrospec makes bakelite pick up covers that are way cool for the vintage vibe.  Do they make it sound different?  Of course, they will be the key ingredient.  Not really, but I couldn't help saying that.  I got a set because they look cool, and make me smile when I grab my strat.  If you are after the vintage look, they are great for that.  If you have to keep it vintage, then the vintagy style neck that Warmoth makes has that look.  I'd still get a compound radius one, and stainless frets as well.  Looks are one thing, but I like my upgrades.  Sounds like a fun guitar to build, good luck.
Patrick

 

[Warheart87]

Thanks for the replies and tips!

 

[Tonar8352]

I like alder on the light side but the big factor is how the body and the neck resonate together.  Larger necks tend to produce a better sounding guitar in my experience but it is two pieces of wood that resonate harmonically, which make magic guitars. That seems to be the luck of the draw since we can't go tapping a bunch of bodies and necks to find pieces that are ringing in the sympathetic range. You are on a good path by starting with a fat neck. And I don't think lacquer can be beat for looks, and feel when it comes to reproducing a vintage vibe on a Strat.

 

[Tipperman]

Tonar is right on the money. The fat neck option, which is what my 63 Sunburst Warmoth has, is a great playing neck and made a noticeable difference in sound, moving up from a 59 Roundback.

The lacquer can't be beat. I'd talk to Tonar about a finish. If my Jaguar body is anything to go by (and it is), you will NOT be disappointed. I'd say check out the PAT Pend Slab Board pickups from Bare Knuckle, or the CS69s from Fender. Lollar singles are nice, too.

 

[Kostas]

I like alder on the light side but the big factor is how the body and the neck resonate together.  Larger necks tend to produce a better sounding guitar in my experience but it is two pieces of wood that resonate harmonically, which make magic guitars. That seems to be the luck of the draw since we can't go tapping a bunch of bodies and necks to find pieces that are ringing in the sympathetic range. You are on a good path by starting with a fat neck. And I don't think lacquer can be beat for looks, and feel when it comes to reproducing a vintage vibe on a Strat.

I agree. Unlike others I believe woods are the foundations of the instrument and a big part in how a guitar sounds. Choice of wood & weight will make a difference. I wouldn't go for a body under 3,5lbs, some builders believe extra light bodies do not sound right.

For a vintage strat the options are standard. Alder or ash (swamp or hard) body, maple neck, maple/rosewood fretboard, VM or TV construction, bone nut, vintage tremolo. Neck shape is personal (the thicker the better), nitro finish is recommended.