Green strat, my first build

[dkulmacz]

Hello all,

Got my bundle of packages from Warmoth just in time for the New Year!  I really had my heart set on a green Stratocaster (real green, not Seafoam), but they're few and far between, so building my own seemed like the best option. 

I got the whole kit except for PUPs from Warmoth . . . solid alder body with flamed maple top and transparent "dragonburst" finish. The neck is flame maple, vintage/modern with standard thin profile, matte finish, and jumbo 6150 stainless frets.  Both body and neck were out of the SCREAMIN' DEALS!!!! bin. I'm finishing it up with Schaller locking tuners and strap locks, and a Wilkinson tremolo bridge; all hardware is chrome with a white pearloid pickguard.  Pickups are Seymour Duncan SSL-5 Custom Strat single coils in the neck and middle (RW/RP), and a Duncan SSL-3 Hot Strat single coil at the bridge . . . all from Amazon (had a gift card).

I've got the pickguard assembled and wired, and I'm working on shielding the body cavity next. After that I can measure and mark, but will have to wait a bit to assemble . . . I had to buy a drill and it won't arrive until next week.  So far, it's gone without a hitch . . . but I have a local tech who can bail me out if necessary, or do a final setup if it's needed.

I also own a 90's Les Paul Studio and a Carvin DC127.  I've been wanting to swaps PUPs in both of these guitars for a while, but was hesitant to take on the job.  After this full build, it doesn't look that intimidating any more . . . so I've ordered a set of Motor City Pickups Detroiters for the Paul as my next project.

 

[DangerousR6]

Welcome, and nice project...Got plenty to keep you busy... :icon_thumright:

 

[stratamania]

Welcome, looks like that Jungle burst has some nice grain.

 

[DangerousR6]

Welcome, looks like that Jungle burst has some nice grain.

With the flame maple it does give it that grassy, leafy jungle vibe.... :dontknow:

 

[bagman67]

Welcome aboard, and congratulations.  Those are some handsome parts.  Should be a very satisfying complete axe when it's all assembled.

 

[dkulmacz]

Thanks everybody for your comments!  I checked, and the body is definitely dragon burst, not jungle burst . . . regardless, it's a beautiful green scheme, and really makes the maple pop.

I've been working on it yesterday and today, and I've made some good progress, I think.  I've finished assembling and wiring up the pickguard, though I haven't yet tested it.  I've also lined all the body cavities with copper tape . . . not only the control cavity but also the space for the jack and the full pickup route.  Not sure if this is normally the way to go, but I had the copper tape available and I figured it couldn't hurt. The pickguard fits like a champ, and covers all the extra copper tape on the top of the body.  I also hand-tightened the tuners, so they're ready to straighten and mark for when my drill arrives.

I think I could still install the tremolo system and the neck without a drill, but I may just wait until it gets here.

Oh . . . I also figured that I bought a dozen unnecessary PUP mounting screws (PUPs and 5-way switch all came with), six unnecessary tremolo mounting screws (just wrong . . . must be for a different style of trem, since mine came with different screws) and I failed to order enough pickguard screws to mount the rear tremolo cover (I should be able to pick those up at the local hardware store).  Net net I think I overspent by about $3.

Can't wait to plug her in and rock out!!

 

[Axkoa]

That copper shielding is actually beautiful...

 

[Gemcutter]

That copper shielding is actually beautiful...

Boy is it! Too bad it has to be covered up. It'll just be a run of the mill dragon in the jungle burst strat after that. I'll tell you what, to save you the embarrassment of being seen with it, I'd be happy to step up and take it off your hands. I'm willing to do that for you!

I'm on my first build also, and was informed that while Warmoth builds an excellent neck, doesn't do the finishing set-up work. After I slather mine in lacquer, I'm going to have a professional go over the frets and make sure I'm straight, square and ready. I'm going to consider it money well spent to keep me from having something like the good looking, yet difficult to play, mass-produced 70's guitars made by J.A.Pan.

 

[Cagey]

Oh . . . I also figured that I bought a dozen unnecessary PUP mounting screws (PUPs and 5-way switch all came with), six unnecessary tremolo mounting screws (just wrong . . . must be for a different style of trem, since mine came with different screws)

All that means is you'll have to build another guitar. Can't have spare parts just sitting around rotting...  :icon_biggrin:

 

[dkulmacz]

That copper shielding is actually beautiful...

I know, right?  I love copper.  My Les Paul is all black with copper hardware, most of it custom made by me.  It's got a copper plated tailpiece, copper toggle switch and switch plate, copper pickup rings, copper trim on the pickguard and truss rod cover, copper pickguard holder, copper washers on the tuners, and copper plug cover.  It's also got black and copper plastic speed knobs, and I've painted the tuning keys copper.  All I need now is a copper (or more likely black) bridge.  Not sure how much of this shows up in the picture, but aside from the bridge and the frets, all the hardware on this guitar is either black or copper.

I'm no fret expert, but the jumbo SS frets on my neck seem pretty awesome, and I don't think I'll be touching them!

 

[stratamania]

Jungle burst  :toothy12:  My typo...

The frets are generally pretty good out of the box, you can finesse them or have them done. I'm assuming you meant the SS on the Warmoth rather than the LP ?

 

[dkulmacz]

I'm assuming you meant the SS on the Warmoth rather than the LP ?

Yes, the jumbo SS on the Warmoth seem fine . . .

 

[BigSteve22]

That's one beautiful body, LOVE the way the color interacts with the flame! And +1 on the shielding, nice job!

 

[Gemcutter]

Just curious then, how does everyone feel about the necks as they're shipped from Warmoth? I'm putting together a Tele - should I just bolt the neck on and go, or do they typically need some attention beyond a good set-up?

 

[BigSteve22]

I'm certainly no pro player, but to me, all my Strat neck needed was to have the nut cut and the fret ends finished. Had a tech do the nut, and did the fret ends myself. I keep a pretty low action, .060" at the low E, and there's no buzz at all.

 

[Glimmer]

That's looking mighty nice! I really love pearl pickguards and think this one looks perfect on that body – good choice.  :icon_thumright:

 

[Cagey]

Just curious then, how does everyone feel about the necks as they're shipped from Warmoth? I'm putting together a Tele - should I just bolt the neck on and go, or do they typically need some attention beyond a good set-up?

It depends on how picky you are. Many folks just bolt them on and play them, and they're certainly good for that. Warmoth parts are very high quality. But, even they say:

Most Warmoth necks are playable as they are received and do not require additional fret leveling. If you desire extremely low action or some other specialized feel, you may wish to consider additional fret work. Because wood moves with changes in temperature and humidity, fine fret work is best done after the neck has adjusted to these changes, and been strung up to pitch for several days. For this reason, Warmoth leaves this fine tuning to the end user.

Basically, they install the frets, bevel the ends and call it a love story. There's no effort to level or dress them. A new neck will typically look something like this...

Leveling (and subsequent recrowning) isn't something you can really see as much as measure and feel, but once that's done, some prefer the ends to dressed and polished...

All that allows for a lower action and more comfortable playing.

Then, some like to have threaded inserts installed to make neck installation/removal easier with machine screws instead of wood screws and provide for a tighter coupling between the neck and body. It provides for slightly more sustain and articulation...

Finally, Warmoth cuts their nut slots a bit narrow and shallow because they don't know what kind of strings or action you're going to use. So, those often need work.

 

[DslDwg]

Gorgeous build - dragon burst has always been a favorite of mine. High marks for the cleanest shielding job ever.  :guitarplayer2: