New Showcase Body Build Underway

[fdesalvo]

Haha that's what I'm taking about

 

[fdesalvo]

Can anyone validate that Schaller and Floyd Rose locking nut screw/bolt mount spacing is different?  I'm being told that a Schaller locking nut won't drop into a floyd-prepped shelf with pre-drilled mounting holes. 

 

[bagman67]

If you're getting that info from Musikraft, I suspect they are ducking responsibility.  The variations are on the order of a tenth of a millimeter here and there, and the holes are universally ~7mm from the centerline.  The photos so obviously depict a hash-job on the nut mounting screw holes that I cannot for the life of me figure why they would fight this.


Floyd Rose's website says their Original nuts are made in Germany, which suggests a strong likelihood they are to Schaller spec:


http://www.floydrose.com/catalog/parts/original-series/locking-nut
Here's the Schaller R3:

Here's the Schaller R4 diagram:

And Schaller R10:

And gotoh:

 

[fdesalvo]

If you're getting that info from Musikraft, I suspect they are ducking responsibility.  The variations are on the order of a tenth of a millimeter here and there, and the holes are universally ~7mm from the centerline.  The photos so obviously depict a hash-job on the nut mounting screw holes that I cannot for the life of me figure why they would fight this.

Exactly.  Not only are they off center, but the hole spacing themselves (from c-c) is off.  Thanks, man.

 

[Cagey]

Right. If they've seen this picture, there's no way on earth somebody is wondering if there's a mounting difference between Gotoh/Schaller/Floyd Rose that puts those holes so far off...

I mean, in what universe would Schaller OR Floyd Rose drill a mounting hole through the side of the truss rod adjustment relief channel? Besides, you can see without measuring that they're off center, so spacing doesn't even enter into the discussion. Then, the shelf itself doesn't slope away from the nut evenly. Even if the nut mounting holes were in the right locations, you've still got that angled edge running from the nut to the headstock.

 

[fdesalvo]

:dontknow: ccasion14:

 

[fdesalvo]

Update: Refund processed.  Ordered a neck from a different source to complete this build.  The refund more than covered the new neck purchase, so updates when it arrives.  Also sold one of my custom, hand-built amps to a badass local blues guy, which not only covered the complete cost of this build ,but also allowed me to buy this little hidden gem:

I was looking for a cheap beater around town and came across this little cutie (Fender 60s reissue Special Edition 2015 in Cerulean Blue) from a special run of top end Strats built in MX - very, very high end fit and finish!  I cannot believe that Fender Mexico has produced a guitar with such incredible attention to detail and workmanship.  They have come such a long way.  What was supposed to be a knockaround guitar that I could just throw into the trunk for jams and basic plucking has become one of the most beloved instruments I've ever owned, superseding my old G&L, Am Deluxe, and even the Seafoam Green W I recently put together.  I'd love to get another in Canary Diamond finish!

It's incredibly lively unplugged and while the pickups are very low in output, they have the classic tones in spades.  I have a set of SD Antiquity Texas Hots waiting in the wings for my W floyd strat, but I'm going to throw them in here, upgrade the tuners, and call it a day on this one.  Completely and utterly floored that Fender MX could put something together that would speak to me.

What a wake-up call.  I've become so mired in assembling from the most expensive and sought after components that I forgot about the ingredients that made the most elusive, early strats what they were - cheap engineering.  Color me shocked.

 

[rgand]

Nice find Frank. Next time I want a beater, I'll just follow you around. :icon_thumright:

Glad to hear you got a refund on that neck and a replacement coming.

 

[fdesalvo]

Nice find Frank. Next time I want a beater, I'll just follow you around. :icon_thumright:

Glad to hear you got a refund on that neck and a replacement coming.

Thanks, my man.  It's funny - I haven't been to a brick and mortar music store in ages.  Went in and played everything.  Kept coming back to this one.

 

[rgand]

Nice find Frank. Next time I want a beater, I'll just follow you around. :icon_thumright:

Glad to hear you got a refund on that neck and a replacement coming.

Thanks, my man.  It's funny - I haven't been to a brick and mortar music store in ages.  Went in and played everything.  Kept coming back to this one.

I can believe that. Love the color, too.

 

[stratamania]

Good news.

One of my favorite Strats is Mexican built.  Once I had set it up a little and replaced the tremolo it works well.

 

[Axkoa]

Damn! That's an awesome looking Strat. Is that pickguard sort of parchment coloured?

 

[Verne Bunsen]

Glad to hear the neck drama resolved itself agreeably, I do hope the new one is perfect!

That's a fine looking Strat, nice find. I've always liked the Mexican stuff; all three of my Fender Teles are MIM.

 

[fdesalvo]

Thanks, guys!  Again, this thing really blew my hair back.  I didn't know that Fender Mexico has an "upper line" of production.  Whatever - the QA is tight.  I may end up refretting this to 6150's at some point, but it's so refreshing to have an instrument that has it's own distinct characteristics/limitations.  I'm going to keep it all single coils and see where that takes my writing.  I've been meaning to start experimenting with gainier tele/strat bridge tones for the longest time.

The color is Cerulean blue.  On this limited run, Fender used 60's era auto paint and I think they really chose a great selection.  The plastics are noted as "aged", but I believe it's parchment or mint.

 

[Verne Bunsen]

The color is Cerulean blue.  On this limited run, Fender used 60's era auto paint and I think they really chose a great selection.  The plastics are noted as "aged", but I believe it's parchment or mint.

My first thought when I saw it was Sonic Blue with Mint, which is divine combo. Whatever you call it, it's sharp!

 

[BigSteve22]

Damned fine looking Strat, Frank. Congrats on a great find!

 

[fdesalvo]

Damned fine looking Strat, Frank. Congrats on a great find!

Thanks, Big Steve!  Forgot how fun it is to just walk into a &M store and physically look around and touch with my own hands.  The eyeballs can only do so much online.

The color is Cerulean blue.  On this limited run, Fender used 60's era auto paint and I think they really chose a great selection.  The plastics are noted as "aged", but I believe it's parchment or mint.

My first thought when I saw it was Sonic Blue with Mint, which is divine combo. Whatever you call it, it's sharp!

Has that look!

 

[bagman67]

Gorgeous axe, Frank.  I once had a black Japanese '57 reissue Strat with a maple fingerboard from the late 1980's or so, and it was the same way.  At that time, the Japanese Strats were just plain used guitars.  I think it was $350 in 1991-era dollars with a hard case.  The moment I got my hand around the neck and started playing, it was all over.  That was The One.  Regrettably, that Strat and my other two electrics went the way of all flesh when I had to sell off my gear to make tuition at Berkeley one desperate semester.  So it goes.


Now, to my discerning eye, that blue is not one I would call "cerulean," but I know the guys who name paint shades don't necessarily have accuracy in mind.  Nevertheless - lovely axe.  I might experiment with a tortoise-shell pickguard, but I'm a rebel that way.  Congrats on the grab.


peace


Bagman

 

[fdesalvo]

Gorgeous axe, Frank.  I once had a black Japanese '57 reissue Strat with a maple fingerboard from the late 1980's or so, and it was the same way.  At that time, the Japanese Strats were just plain used guitars.  I think it was $350 in 1991-era dollars with a hard case.  The moment I got my hand around the neck and started playing, it was all over.  That was The One.  Regrettably, that Strat and my other two electrics went the way of all flesh when I had to sell off my gear to make tuition at Berkeley one desperate semester.  So it goes.


Now, to my discerning eye, that blue is not one I would call "cerulean," but I know the guys who name paint shades don't necessarily have accuracy in mind.  Nevertheless - lovely axe.  I might experiment with a tortoise-shell pickguard, but I'm a rebel that way.  Congrats on the grab.


peace


Bagman

Thanks, Ian. 

Funny you should mention tortoise - I'm on a kick with that pattern and it would look amazing against any blue/green background.

Oh, man.  To have back all the gear I foolishly let go of.  At least you had a legit reason!

 

[rgand]

Funny you should mention tortoise - I'm on a kick with that pattern and it would look amazing against any blue/green background.

I've been leaning toward that myself. Didn't like it for years but now on the right instrument it's amazing. Perhaps on my next build. Provided I can decide what that should be.  :laughing11: