I have started my first PartsCaster project!!

[kimwr11]

Hello!
I see there is a great board here where I can share the progress of the PartsCaster.

First off, I have placed an order for the body at Warmoth and am waiting for it to arrive.

Funnily enough, I haven't ordered the neck, hardware, or anything else at all.
(Of course, I have almost finished planning the specs and have organized them in a document.)

The general theme is a Super Strat with 80s and 90s hair and glam metal leanings.

I will share updates with you as I make progress little by little.

(I am still confused about whether to go with chrome or gold hardware, and which pickups to choose.)

 

[stratamania]

(I am still confused about whether to go with chrome or gold hardware, and which pickups to choose.)

Difficult to say without knowing other specs such as the neck types of wood, body colour etc.

I would suggest adding to you order at least a pickguard and a set of Floyd mounting studs and ask Warmoth to install them.

https://warmoth.com/sfs

It does not matter which colour studs you get as the bushings are black regardless and when you order your Floyd you can use the corresponding parts that come with the bridge in the prefitted inserts.

 

[kimwr11]

The Warmoth body I ordered has arrived.

We have finally taken the first step in the Parts Caster project.

The process ahead will be difficult, but we will proceed slowly and carefully.

 

[rockandroller]

Nice!!

 

[teleme01]

3.13lbs nice

 

[kimwr11]

I am very pleased that the neck plate I purchased for the neck joint contour cut fits perfectly. (This neck plate matches the genuine Fender Ultra Stratocaster neck plate with almost no discrepancies.)

I bought this neck plate with mixed feelings about whether it would fit accurately. (If it hadn't, it would have been thrown away...)

The problem is the screws.

I plan to decorate it with gold-plated metal parts, like a Mary Kay Strat, but

the screws included with the neck plate are not the size I want.

I need two 1-1/4" screws and two 1-1/2" screws.

I can find standard chrome/nickel screws, but I cannot find gold-plated screws.

I will either have to ask a repair shop to cut the screws, or, unfortunately, use nickel screws.

If there is a place that sells screws of the length I want in small quantities, I would be very grateful if you could let me know.

 

[MackDaddy1962]

Did you opt for the contoured neck heel area? If not, the Std 1.70" screws will work. If you did indeed opt for said contour, you'll need 2 1.5" screws, and 2 1.70" screws from what Info I've found. Someone correct me if I'm wrong here..

 

[stratamania]

Did you opt for the contoured neck heel area? If not, the Std 1.70" screws will work. If you did indeed opt for said contour, you'll need 2 1.5" screws, and 2 1.70" screws from what Info I've found. Someone correct me if I'm wrong here..

You can see the neck heel is not contoured. I believe he/she intends to reshape it similar to a Fender Ultra heel, hence the need for the different size screws.

 

[MackDaddy1962]

Agreed, the neck heel does indeed look Std. But, if you want to use the "Ultra" shaped neck plate without making a contour on the wood (like Fender does) you can use standard screw length. I'd imagine trying to do the wood contour on your own would be a tedious task to say the least. If you're just wanting to follow the radius edge of the Ultra plate that's not such a big deal. I don't know what he / she wants to do at this point. @kimwr11 what are your plans? That would help..

 

[kimwr11]

Agreed, the neck heel does indeed look Std. But, if you want to use the "Ultra" shaped neck plate without making a contour on the wood (like Fender does) you can use standard screw length. I'd imagine trying to do the wood contour on your own would be a tedious task to say the least. If you're just wanting to follow the radius edge of the Ultra plate that's not such a big deal. I don't know what he / she wants to do at this point. @kimwr11 what are your plans? That would help..

Oh! It seems I didn't explain it in detail.

I want to replicate the contours of a Fender Ultra Strat.

I actually own a Fender Ultra Strat and enjoy playing it.

So, I want to apply the same contour heel to this Partscaster as well.

That is one of the reasons I really love the Ultra Strat.

I have found a craftsman who can do the contouring work, and I plan to visit him with the body soon.

 

[kimwr11]

You can see the neck heel is not contoured. I believe he intends to reshape it similar to a Fender Ultra heel, hence the need for the different size screws.

That is correct.

I want to machine the joint area just like the Ultra Strat.

 

[MackDaddy1962]

Then I guess you are indeed on the shorter gold screw quest. Maybe reach out to Fender and see if they can help. Sorry, that’s the best idea I’ve got right now.

 

[Tretgeraet]

I have found a craftsman who can do the contouring work, and I plan to visit him with the body soon.

Ask him if he can also shorten the screws, too.

Shouldn't be a big deal and since he's doing the contouring, he should be the best to know, what screw length is needed.

 

[Strat Avenger]

Just cut 1/4 inch off of two of the screws.

 

[Strangs]

That's gonna make a nice guitar!

Worth noting that if you plan to use a Warmoth neck make sure to order one without the 'modern' construction that uses a neck heel adjustment since it will interfere with the position of the screws using that style of neck plate.

 

[kimwr11]

I just placed an order for a custom neck.
The specifications are as follows:

• Construction Type: 1 Piece Constructed
• Orientation: Right for Right Handed Players
• Scale Length: 25.5" Standard Fender
• Number of Frets: 22
• Nut Width: 1-11/16" (42.8mm)
• Nut Slot Style: Floyd Nut Shelf Only (R3)
• Heel Width and Type: 2-3/16" (55.55mm) Rounded Strat
• Truss Rod Type: Wheel Adjust @ Heel (Single Acting)
• Shaft Wood: Maple
• Fingerboard Radius: Compound 10" to 14"
• Fingerboard Edge Style: Semi Rolled Fingerboard Edges
• Tuner Hole Size: 10mm
• Top Dot Inlay: CUSTOM INLAYS
• Side Markers: Luminlay 3/32 (Green)
• 12th Dot Spacing: Narrow (Modern Style Post 1964)
• Fret Size and Type: 7100 Stainless .110 X .055 (Jumbo)
• Skunk Stripe Option 1pc: Roasted Flame w/ Roasted Plug
• Back Profile Shape and Size: MK Custom EVH 81 91
• Finish: Oil (Light Tinted)
• Neck Mounting Holes: Ultra Style Holes with Contour Heel (Leave Undrilled)

This is a neck specification that I spent a very long time thinking about, researching, and planning.

The final price ended up being just slightly below the cost of a Fender Player Strat made in Mexico.
(My poor wallet...)

Now it’s time to choose the pickups.
There’s no need to rush, so I’ll continue the project slowly and carefully.

 

[stratamania]

That's gonna make a nice guitar!

Worth noting that if you plan to use a Warmoth neck make sure to order one without the 'modern' construction that uses a neck heel adjustment since it will interfere with the position of the screws using that style of neck plate.

To clarify, it is the modern construction neck with side adjust mechanism which would be incompatible. A modern construction with a tilt back headstock doesn't have the side adjust.

Though in this case it matters not as @kimwr11 is using a Musikraft neck.