Gotta agree with Max and dbw on all counts
If you're into rock, then you're best off going HSS. This will give you more options 'down the road'. Once you've developed your tastes and your ear a bit more, then you can start getting clever with your electronics like coil splitting humbuckers (which would give you SSS anyway) etc.
For now, I'd keep it simple. HSS will get you a great rock sound if you choose your pickup brands carefully.
Definitely get Warmoth to do the finish for you. I wouldnt normally tell anyone not to do something if it's what they want, but in your case, you say yourself that you have little experience with guitars. If it were me...... I'd have a go at bolting the (finished) parts together and get a taste for what I want, then start to get adventurous later. In fact that's exactly what I did, except that I haven't actually got round to build number 2.......YET :icon_tongue:
Also.............and I mean no disrespect here......... Seeing as you are a total beginner, I'd avoid any of the 'complicated' neck contours for now. I'd go for standard thin (unless you have massive hands). I would'nt want you to put together dream guitar and than never be able to play it cos the neck is so fat you can get around the thing. I put a fatback on my strat having never played one or even seen a neck so big before, however, I've played tons of guitars, big and small and I thought I could handle it. However it took me ages to work out what I liked.
There are a lot of factors in building guitars which could put someone off playing altogether. and that would be a waste of time, money, effort and most importantly......fun.
It's almost worth dbw's suggestion
dbw said:
If you're not sure if you're going to stick with it you can get a cheapie guitar for like $150 at Guitar Center, play it for a while, and sell it on Craigslist for $100.
Give it 6 months and work out what you think you like and then come back and hit the ground running.
With all that said, hang around here on the board and have a look (and in some cases listen) at some of things that others are coming up with and get a feel for what you think you can acheive. We'll be here and help you all the way with whatever choices you make.