Preparing for first build

[kendog]

Hey, I'm new to the forum and preparing for my first build and wanted to get some opinions on my choices.
Since it is my first build I decided to build a strat, mainly because I don't have one and it seems like the easiest way to go.

So here's the plan

Body - Swamp Ash
Neck - Birds eye w/ roswood fretboard, SRV contour, compound radius, warmoth headstock (might get an exotic wood is priced right in the showcase)
Pickups - Lace holy grail S-S-S
Bridge - LR Baggs X-Bridge with the preamp

What do you guys think?
Any suggestions?
I plan to finish it myself, blue w/ enhanced grain and nitro. tung oil on the neck.
I really have no aspirations except to get through the build with a nice guitar that can produce "strat sounds"
Hopefully I'll be ordering the body for x-mas

 

[bbl4ck]

Hey Kendog

Sounds like a good build to me.  Those lace pickups with the preamp should crank out some tunes.
I highly, highly recommend going with an exotic wood for your neck.
For a couple reasons!  You won't have to finish it and it will be smooth as butta'
If you go with a naked exotic neck, I swear you will never want another finished neck in your life.

Anyway, welcome to the forum and best of luck on your build.  Also, pics are required...
:rock-on:

 

[kendog]

Any recommendations on which exotic wood for the neck?

 

[TroubledTreble]

Don't forget fret sizing, face dots if any, nut width on the neck. Front or rear route for the body, jack placement, contour heel...

A maple neck with rosewood will give you the "classic" tones. An exotic neck will slightly change that. I have a neck just like you described and it really puts out those sounds. I have an exotic neck and it did add it's own juju to it. Made it a little brighter, but that was a ziricote neck which is a rather hard wood. Look at the wood descriptions and notice where they fall on the tone scale to make a good decision about any exotic neck wood.

 

[bbl4ck]

Yes, I have a Maple neck with Rosewood fretboard on one of my strats also.  Sounds great, but does not have the feel of naked wood.
Feels sticky compared to the exotics.

I also have a Wenge with Jet Black Ebony fretboard on a Warmoth V, and a Canary with Malagasy fretboard on a strat. 
I love them both and would not trade them for anything...
I also just ordered a Canary with Zircote fretboard for a Firebird build.  Sure I will love it as well.
Gocalo Alves is also a really nice wood but you have to hunt and pick as all pieces are not equal.
Padouk is also nice.  It has a nice red color but turns to brown as you use it and the wood oxidizes. 

You owe it to yourself to try a naked exotic at least once.
Search the forum and the story will be told. 

What ever you choose; best of luck
:rock-on:

 

[kendog]

Thanks for all the info, I am totally sold on a a naked neck I have a Peavey Wolfgang which I believe is either a naked neck or just slightly oiled, compared to my gibson with a finished neck it is 100 times faster.

As for the other notes about fret size and stuff I'm really looking for something out of the showcase. like I said earlier this is my first build I don't want to go overboard on it, its going to be a learning experience. If I can't find a showcase exotic neck I want I'll play he birdseye naked, if it warps in 5 years "oh well"  I've had the peavey for 9 and its strait as an arrow.

The must haves will be

SVR contour (addicted to asymmetric necks)
Angled neck (I hate string trees)
nut size 1 - 11/16
Swamp ash body

As for the front and rear routing it will be whatever I like when I order in the SC.
fret size I would like either 6105 or 6150

 

[bbl4ck]

Sounds like a solid build...  :headbang1:
Two of my W necks are SRV and one is Clapton.
I really like the SRV feel.
You also might consider the stainless steel frets.
SS is a $20 upgrade, but will finish off that butta' feel for your neck.
Well worth it..

 

[Mor Paul]

Thanks for all the info, I am totally sold on a a naked neck I have a Peavey Wolfgang which I believe is either a naked neck or just slightly oiled, compared to my gibson with a finished neck it is 100 times faster.

I'm pretty sure the Wolfgang will be oiled.

 

[jlegnor]

Thanks for all the info, I am totally sold on a a naked neck I have a Peavey Wolfgang which I believe is either a naked neck or just slightly oiled, compared to my gibson with a finished neck it is 100 times faster.

I'm pretty sure the Wolfgang will be oiled.

I had the Wolfgang and the EBMM EVH. Both were sealed in some way because the fret board didn't stain from playing the way an unfinished neck would. Just remember that the neck won't be covered under warranty if not finished in at least satin. I'd hate for you to spend all that time and money only to have an unplayable guitar in one year.

 

[bbl4ck]

Thanks for all the info, I am totally sold on a a naked neck I have a Peavey Wolfgang which I believe is either a naked neck or just slightly oiled, compared to my gibson with a finished neck it is 100 times faster.

I'm pretty sure the Wolfgang will be oiled.

I had the Wolfgang and the EBMM EVH. Both were sealed in some way because the fret board didn't stain from playing the way an unfinished neck would. Just remember that the neck won't be covered under warranty if not finished in at least satin. I'd hate for you to spend all that time and money only to have an unplayable guitar in one year.

How many people on the forum have had an unfinished exotic neck go bad? 
I would be interested to know...  :dontknow:

 

[rockskate4x]

Thanks for all the info, I am totally sold on a a naked neck I have a Peavey Wolfgang which I believe is either a naked neck or just slightly oiled, compared to my gibson with a finished neck it is 100 times faster.

I'm pretty sure the Wolfgang will be oiled.

I had the Wolfgang and the EBMM EVH. Both were sealed in some way because the fret board didn't stain from playing the way an unfinished neck would. Just remember that the neck won't be covered under warranty if not finished in at least satin. I'd hate for you to spend all that time and money only to have an unplayable guitar in one year.

Exotics are plenty strong to go without a finish, and it WILL be covered under warranty just for that reason. The necks that aren't covered by warranty if unfinished are maple, mahogany, walnut, and maybe a few others.

 

[jlegnor]

Thanks for all the info, I am totally sold on a a naked neck I have a Peavey Wolfgang which I believe is either a naked neck or just slightly oiled, compared to my gibson with a finished neck it is 100 times faster.

I'm pretty sure the Wolfgang will be oiled.

I had the Wolfgang and the EBMM EVH. Both were sealed in some way because the fret board didn't stain from playing the way an unfinished neck would. Just remember that the neck won't be covered under warranty if not finished in at least satin. I'd hate for you to spend all that time and money only to have an unplayable guitar in one year.

Exotics are plenty strong to go without a finish, and it WILL be covered under warranty just for that reason. The necks that aren't covered by warranty if unfinished are maple, mahogany, walnut, and maybe a few others.

Right.  I was refering to the Birds Eye Maple he was talking about which it what the Wolfgang and EBMM necks are made of.

 

[rockskate4x]

right... be prepared to put a finish on it if you get maple, mahogany, walnut or koa (that was the one i forgot)... everything else is plenty strong to go finish free.