Rodney (Non-Warmoth partscaster build)

[erogenousjones17]

Hey all! Here's my second build, a surf green partscaster. I christened it Rodney because it got no respect while I was building it; everyone kept telling me it was going to be hideous. But I digress. Although neither the neck nor the body are Warmoth, I'm posting it here because I got some of the hardware from the big W and because it was assembled with a great deal of help from the fine folks here on the forum. Wish I had a pictorial of the construction, but I had no camera during most of it.

Here are the specs:

Surf green Strat replacement body scored off ebay
Mighty Mite "C" contour maple neck
GFS Staggered '64 Grey-Bottom pickups
Callaham Mexican trem bridge
Gotoh vintage locking tuners
Pots, switches, jacks, etc. from CTS and Switchcraft
One gigantic Russian army-surplus capacitor (sadly, no pics)

Overall, I'm incredibly pleased with this guitar, especially since I built it mostly for practice and for fun. Nevertheless, it plays and sounds great. Obviously, the MM neck is no Warmoth, and it needed some work to get it just right (namely filing down the razor-sharp fret ends), but I was still impressed with the feel and quality. The satin finish is smooth, the contour is the right kind of chunky, and the whole thing seems to be of good quality.  Guess I got one of the good ones. The GFS pickups were a real bargain (under $70), but they sound great; lots of shimmer and sparkle when clean, and they growl nicely under distortion. The Callaham bridge feels rock solid, and I can actually use the trem and not go wildly out of tune, I suspect in part due to the locking tuners.

On with the pics!

A lot of people doubted me on the combination of  surf green and tortoise shell, but I think it ended up looking rather sharp. It's different, if nothing else.

Matching tortoise trem cover. You can also see the neck plate emblazoned with a surf van that my dad engraved himself for my birthday. It's not a Dangerous plate, but it's got sentimental value!

 

[-CB-]

There is something to be said about that color scheme that just oozes Fender all over it....nice job

 

[Super Turbo Deluxe Custom]

The Tortoise with the Surf Green is a ballsy choice, but it works for me.  However, Tortoise on Lake Placid Blue or Inca Silver....ouch.

 

[weldfish]

Looks great, and I really like the torti pick guard with green.

 

[AprioriMark]

That's a sweet looking Strat.  Great color combination.  How's it sound?

-Mark

 

[Nando Vallart]

Not really 100% matching to my eyes, but looks much better than I would expect by listening the project's list...

 

[erogenousjones17]

Thanks everyone! I'm really super pleased with this build. Just got back from the first band practice with the new guitar (where I finally got to turn it up and see how it really sounds), and the best description I can come up with is that it sounds very Strat-like. Sparkly, spanky, trebly, but not at all harsh. No ice pick to the brain! For cheap pickups, the GFS grey-bottoms are surprisingly articulate; power chords are bright and brash, full chords (even distorted) are clear and resonant with nice harmonic overtones, and cleans have a nice shimmer to them. Like I said, very Strat-like. There's also a lot more sustain than I expected, which is always a plus.

What's really interesting is how a new guitar affects your playing style. My other main guitar is very Gibson, and with the Strat I found myself playing fewer power chords, trying out new voicings, and using more double-stops and chord soloing techniques. This guitar is making me funky! 

 

[mullyman]

I like it. I don't know why it wouldn't get any respect, it looks kick ass.
MULLY

 

[1jimbo]

Looks classy to me. I love it.

 

[Unwound G]

Usually Surf Green bodies work more with Rosewood necks but this one seem to look correct with the Tort pickguard.  Good work.

 

[erogenousjones17]

Thanks for the kind words!

Three week update (and gripe):

First off, let me just say that I'm still very pleased with the way this guitar looks, plays, and sounds. However, recently I've had a lot of trouble keeping it in tune. The slightest use of the trem sends it way sharp, but I'm sure that's due in large part to the cheap, unshaped plastic nut (fret files and bone blanks are on their way). A bigger mystery is the fact that it goes sharp from being hung on a guitar stand. I really have no idea what would cause that. Any ideas?

Also, any suggestions for fine-tuning a Strat trem so that it's usable are appreciated. I long ago dismissed all such contraptions as gimmicky and useless, and I'd really like to prove myself wrong!

 

[DangerousR6]

Thanks for the kind words!

Three week update (and gripe):

First off, let me just say that I'm still very pleased with the way this guitar looks, plays, and sounds. However, recently I've had a lot of trouble keeping it in tune. The slightest use of the trem sends it way sharp, but I'm sure that's due in large part to the cheap, unshaped plastic nut (fret files and bone blanks are on their way). A bigger mystery is the fact that it goes sharp from being hung on a guitar stand. I really have no idea what would cause that. Any ideas?

Also, any suggestions for fine-tuning a Strat trem so that it's usable are appreciated. I long ago dismissed all such contraptions as gimmicky and useless, and I'd really like to prove myself wrong!

How many springs do you have on it for one, and two the intonation may need to be checked, or it could be the nut? As far as hanging it on the wall issue, that to me sounds like it's not bolted down in the pocket tight and moving around... :dontknow:

 

[Unwound G]

You definitely need a new nut that is well cut and tolerated to suit your regular string gauge.  The reason why it goes sharp is because when you bend the strings or wobble the trem, the strings travel along the string slots.  Some strings will get caught between the two sides of the slots.  The string tension is just not strong enough to pull it back to pitch.

To remedy this, the string slots can be widened slightly and minutely "funnel out" at the tuner side.  Applying some nut sauce (http://www.stewmac.com/shop/Nuts,_saddles/Special_tools_for:_Nuts_and_saddles/Guitar_Grease.html?actn=100101&xst=3&xsr=7401) in the slots will also help. 

 

[erogenousjones17]

Yeah the nut definitely needs work. At the moment, it's just a cheap, plastic number. But I've ordered a blank and will soon get to work shaping it. There are three springs on the claw right now. I suppose I could add another one, though past experience on another guitar has me thinking I don't much care for the feel of that. Too stiff. But IIRC, the claw on that guitar is backed in really deep, so maybe there,s some leeway there. But I guess the nut is number one, eh?

Never thought about the neck being loose...It really shouldn't be, but it's worth a look.