custom strat bodies

[chewey]

Can anyone recommend a good builder of solid wood bodies.   I'm looking for some customized features on a mahogany strat body.   I'm in CA but I'll work with someone far away via phone and internet.
Thanks!

[newey]

chewey-

Hello and Welcome to G-Nutz2!

I've never dealt with a custom buider, so no recommendation for you, unfortunately. As I'm sure you have discovered, the major players- Warmoth, USA Guitars, etc.- don't really do custom bodies, they just offer certain options from a menu.

Which means finding someone who's small volume and can take the time to do just what you need. This may entail a hunt . . .

[haydukej]

If I was in this situation, this is maybe how I would start a search, with the main goal of getting a quality build for perhaps the cheapest I could.

I searched lumberjocks.com for guitar projects. Find a picture that looks like a custom build and of quality I might like, all while trying to find a member close to my location for practical purposes.

To get the ball rolling for you personally, check out one of Dan Lyke's projects. Key points in my mind.

1. This project looks to be good quality.
2. Dan is reportedly to live in Petaluma, California, based on his profile status. Plus California is a small area, so he's probably right in your back yard.

With that, I would try to approach one of these members (Dan) and propose a project to him for a nominal fee. Discuss with him if he would purchase the wood or if you already have a piece to send him (the rate should be a little cheaper)

My thinking is that some/perhaps a lot of these lumberjocks woodwork for a hobby and thus wouldn't mind doing a one-off project for on the cheap compared to the more well known outfits that are previously mentioned.

Best of luck.

*Disclaimer: I have no affiliations with Dan Lyke, he just happened to have the first project guitar I found to be in California.  

[chewey]

thanks for your comments newey and haydukej !

[geo]

We've got a guy in town who seems to know his stuff:
www.metropolisnj.com/about.html

[halfstack]

Guitarfetish.com they sell unfinished Mahogony strat bodies.you can do whatever you like after that.