Humms on a Strat

[mindtool]

Hey all,

I'm planning out a guitar that I want to build this summer (body from scratch, neck/headstock order from warmoth) based on a strat body, however, i want hummbucker pickups (emgs to be precise).  Does anyone know where I can get blueprints for a strat with humms???  I don't want to mess up the placement.  Any advice for the project would be helpful as well.

Thanks in advance to all who post.

 

[DocNrock]

1. Welcome

2.  Your EMGs will come with a wiring diagram.

 

[dbw]

That's not even close to what he asked, Doc.  :icon_scratch:

mindtool, I think you might be biting off more then you can chew here.

 

[tfcreative]

If you've never built before, you should NOT build from scratch.

 

[ZGOZZ]

Hey all,

I'm planning out a guitar that I want to build this summer (body from scratch, neck/headstock order from warmoth) based on a strat body, however, i want hummbucker pickups (emgs to be precise).  Does anyone know where I can get blueprints for a strat with humms???  I don't want to mess up the placement.  Any advice for the project would be helpful as well.

Thanks in advance to all who post.

Welcome to the forums...

 

[DocNrock]

That's not even close to what he asked, Doc.   :icon_scratch:

mindtool, I think you might be biting off more then you can chew here.

You're right.  Damn.  :doh:

Nevermind....

 

[Justinginn]

Just making sure you realize... Warmoth can build you a strat body routed for almost anything (humbuckers are easy). So if you're trying to make your own just for the humbucker routing, Warmoth can do it for you.

 

[tfarny]

I think the easiest option, if you want a unique body shape but want to make sure you get all the dimensions and routing correct, is to get a pre-routed body blank from Warmth. They route whatever pickups, bridge you want and then you shape the body. I imagine that the neck pocket is the hardest and most crucial aspect of all of that. If it were my first ever build, I would NOT start from a big old log, as others have also said.

 

[mindtool]

Well money is a huge reason as to why I'm attempting to build my own body.  I'm fairly convinced that I could do it for WAY less than $300 even with a few screw-ups.  I've ordered many books on the topic and after reading them, I'm pretty confident on how to do everything except for the neck route, tremelo, and the pickups.  I figure given a little bit of help, I could save myself $250. 

 

[DocNrock]

I think tfarny has the best idea so far.  $132.50 at most for a pre-routed body blank.

 

[dbw]

Yeah it sounds like a body blank would be perfect for you.  What is this body going to look like?

 

[guitlouie]

If determined to do this yourself, I would look into the routing templates from Stew-Mac.

 

[mindtool]

Actually, the body blank does sound like a great idea.  Now, of the listed Alder and Mahogany, why is the mahogany more money?  does it have a better sound?  or is it just more rare?  I heard that Fenders are usually built with Alder, so the tone can't be BAD...
Does anyone know more about this?

 

[JamesL]

Okay well.... Mahogany is just a more exotic wood... It has a warmer sound than alder... Alder is brighter than mahogany... But since you want to put humbuckers in this guitar I would go with Mahogany (just my preference). But alder works too.  :rock-on: Yea, you probably shouldn't be doing your own body yet  :redflag: ccasion14:

 

[mindtool]

Problem: I think Warmoth only routes body blanks for fender single-coils.  Does anyone know of a place that will route blanks for any style of pickups?  i.e. USA Custom Guitars?

 

[JamesL]

No, Warmoth can route your pickups/bridge/tone controls just about ANY way you want it....

 

[tfarny]

Why would they route only for single coils? Did you call and ask them? That doesn't make sense to me.
Mahogany isn't 'better' it's just different, warmer and usually heavier. Honestly, if you're really strapped for cash you'll be better off hunting down a used epiphone on craigs list - building your own is great but it is only a good value when you compare them to high-end custom guitars. You'll spend more on the tools to shape the body and route the neck than you will on a pre-made body.

And I don't know why $300 is the figure you quoted - this body http://www.warmoth.com/showcase/sc_guitar_bodies.cfm?itemNumber=S3022&type=guitar is $130, and this one is alder and only $145 - http://www.warmoth.com/showcase/sc_guitar_bodies.cfm?itemNumber=S2872&type=guitar
Warmoth will route any body for humbuckers at no additional charge.

Short version, it's cheaper to work a day of overtime at your job than it is to make your own body from scratch, and also WAY easier and faster.

 

[mindtool]

No, Warmoth can route your pickups/bridge/tone controls just about ANY way you want it....

i must have misread the site.  But knowing this makes me feel a lot better.

 

[Super Turbo Deluxe Custom]

Something to consider, some foreign made Strats, regardless of what is mounted in them, may be routed for something different.  Case in point.  An MIJ Strat I aquired in a trade was routed for H-S-H, although it was fitted H-S-S.  A few EMGs later and a little help from Warmoth in the pgickguard dept., it turned out fine.  So comb the pawnshops if you want to go the cheap route.  But for my $.02, don't skimp on the cost.  Any money you think you're saving, you'll spend on something else, especially if you don't already own the tools or the knowhow to use them.

 

[ZGOZZ]