Post by bowyn on Sept 14, 2012 12:49:53 GMT -5
I love Strats. It's actually a fairly recent thing. In the past I actually avoided both Fender and Gibson because I feel they are incredibly over-priced and over-hyped.
A little bit back, I ended up with a Mexican strat and was really impressed with it. I've since sold it in the interest of making my own guitars (and because my Yamaha SC300 does everything I'd want from a standard Strat while having a fairly unique look to it).
Still, as easy as they are to get parts for and build yourself, I've ended up with several "home built" Strat-type guitars. I posted one here (the Blue Special).
I *really* like the 24 3/4 scale, though, and have had the desire for a Fender with a shorter scale for a while. Squier makes a Vintage Modified Thinline Tele with this scale neck, but I like what I like, and it ain't Shoreline Gold.
So, here's what I've done to satisfy that urge:
Gold Wilkinson Tremolo/Vibrato unit with a full size steel block. I've got this installed a bit closer to the Trem route than typical, but not so much that it interferes with the movement.. as a matter of fact it actually gives the full size block more clearance which works remarkably well. It also helps close the small gap between 24 3/4" scale the neck was made for and the 25 1/2" scale the body was designed for.
Just a stock pic of the trem since I neglected to take a shot before putting it in.
.
Installed in my GFS transparent Cherry Burst Strat body
I lucked out on finding a 24 3/4" scale neck in a color that really complements the body. I installed Gold tuners. I decided to go with gold to compliment the warm colors of the body.
Front view with Gibson logo, decoration, and Les Paul Custom truss rod cover.
Angle shot with all of the electronics installed in a aged white pearloid pickguard.
You can see here what I've got it loaded with:
Bridge Pickup: DiMarzio Fast Track 2 SC-sized rail HB
Middle Pickup: DiMarzio Cruiser SC-sized rail HB
Neck Pickup: GFS Lil Killer SC-sized rail HB
These pickups pack some serious balls. I've always loved the Cruiser. It's got punch, but it's also got a little something extra that seems to smooth things out without backing down. The Fast Track 2 is just a plain out rockin machine, very straight forward. The GFS Lil Killer is the real shocker to me... I love GFS stuff, but at half the price I'm still surprised at how damn good it sounds. Split or Series, it's fantastic in the neck. No mud, just tone and power. Sooo happy with it.
3 way switch for each pickup, Up=Single-coil, Middle=Off, Down=Humbucker (series wiring)
Arcade-style momentary Kill Switch (button next to the bridge pickup).
Standard volume control (500k)
Fender TBX for the Tone control
Gold input jack and plate
Full shot, front. I'm in love.
Full shot, back. Matching aged white pearloid trem cover. I'm using 4 trem springs. It feels very nice... enough tension to resist you a bit, but just right for a soft push without being mushy feeling. So far it's stayed very well in tune. I'm not a whammy-abuser, though.
Custom gold neckplate What can I say? I like boobies on my guitars.
I'll try and get some sound samples of it this weekend and post them. I get a wonderful and overdriven sound from it. VERY versatile. I've got a few guitars that do what they do SO well that I love them regardless of their short-comings in other areas (ie. my Esquire with active humbucker), but this one seems like it's eager to play the crap out of whatever's thrown at it.
I gotta quite falling in love with the guitars I build :/ Makes it very hard to sell them. I think I've already put this one firmly in the "keeper" category.
A little bit back, I ended up with a Mexican strat and was really impressed with it. I've since sold it in the interest of making my own guitars (and because my Yamaha SC300 does everything I'd want from a standard Strat while having a fairly unique look to it).
Still, as easy as they are to get parts for and build yourself, I've ended up with several "home built" Strat-type guitars. I posted one here (the Blue Special).
I *really* like the 24 3/4 scale, though, and have had the desire for a Fender with a shorter scale for a while. Squier makes a Vintage Modified Thinline Tele with this scale neck, but I like what I like, and it ain't Shoreline Gold.
So, here's what I've done to satisfy that urge:
Gold Wilkinson Tremolo/Vibrato unit with a full size steel block. I've got this installed a bit closer to the Trem route than typical, but not so much that it interferes with the movement.. as a matter of fact it actually gives the full size block more clearance which works remarkably well. It also helps close the small gap between 24 3/4" scale the neck was made for and the 25 1/2" scale the body was designed for.
Just a stock pic of the trem since I neglected to take a shot before putting it in.
.
Installed in my GFS transparent Cherry Burst Strat body
I lucked out on finding a 24 3/4" scale neck in a color that really complements the body. I installed Gold tuners. I decided to go with gold to compliment the warm colors of the body.
Front view with Gibson logo, decoration, and Les Paul Custom truss rod cover.
Angle shot with all of the electronics installed in a aged white pearloid pickguard.
You can see here what I've got it loaded with:
Bridge Pickup: DiMarzio Fast Track 2 SC-sized rail HB
Middle Pickup: DiMarzio Cruiser SC-sized rail HB
Neck Pickup: GFS Lil Killer SC-sized rail HB
These pickups pack some serious balls. I've always loved the Cruiser. It's got punch, but it's also got a little something extra that seems to smooth things out without backing down. The Fast Track 2 is just a plain out rockin machine, very straight forward. The GFS Lil Killer is the real shocker to me... I love GFS stuff, but at half the price I'm still surprised at how damn good it sounds. Split or Series, it's fantastic in the neck. No mud, just tone and power. Sooo happy with it.
3 way switch for each pickup, Up=Single-coil, Middle=Off, Down=Humbucker (series wiring)
Arcade-style momentary Kill Switch (button next to the bridge pickup).
Standard volume control (500k)
Fender TBX for the Tone control
Gold input jack and plate
Full shot, front. I'm in love.
Full shot, back. Matching aged white pearloid trem cover. I'm using 4 trem springs. It feels very nice... enough tension to resist you a bit, but just right for a soft push without being mushy feeling. So far it's stayed very well in tune. I'm not a whammy-abuser, though.
Custom gold neckplate What can I say? I like boobies on my guitars.
I'll try and get some sound samples of it this weekend and post them. I get a wonderful and overdriven sound from it. VERY versatile. I've got a few guitars that do what they do SO well that I love them regardless of their short-comings in other areas (ie. my Esquire with active humbucker), but this one seems like it's eager to play the crap out of whatever's thrown at it.
I gotta quite falling in love with the guitars I build :/ Makes it very hard to sell them. I think I've already put this one firmly in the "keeper" category.