Custom Strat? Yes please

MikeM · 2011-08-10T11:08:35+00:00

Hey guys Some of you might know that I have been planning a strat build /assembly. Ever since I got my current #1 I've been wanting to upgrade my little Squier, but as I planned it out, I realised a whole new build would be a better bet. I've always been fond of the plain, classy black Strat, perhaps influenced by Clapton or Hendrix? To give you guys a sneak of what's being planned - as this will take some time to come together as I overshot my whole budget with just the body and neck... It's going to be a traditional late 50's style strat, finished in REAL nitro (Not the stuff that's labeled as nitro locally), one piece flamed maple neck, Gotoh height adjustable locking tuners - Kluson style, Callaham hardware pretty much all round, Kinman Woodstocks. After much hunting, battling and waiting, I have found an AMAZING guy to do the body for me. Marc Rutters, some of you might know him from his handmade tele parts? I've yet to deal with someone who is this helpful or thorough. He picked me a cool 3.7lb one piece ash blank, and was very helpful with finding me numerous options of flame to go on top. Yep, flame top strat 8) It's going to be top routed, and have a white pickguard, so hopefully it will be relatively subtle AND sexy as anythign. Now, most guys would build it, and just send it off right? Marc is building me 2 bodies, and I will be picking whichever I prefer out of the 2. Seriously, how cool is that? He is charging me a little more (+- $50?) than USACG, but he sorted me out in 3 days, whereas I had to beg with USACG for 2 months+ to even get a photo of some maple. I'm not saying USACG is a bad company to deal with, they're just more of a mass production workshop instead of a 1 on 1 luthier. Anyway, cutting to the chase.. Enjoy the first installment of pics ?

MikeM

This is the completed #1. Turned out to be aaaalmost 4lb.

His site is HERE

singemonkey

It's going to be a quality instrument. But it seems a shame to cover that beautiful ash with maple. Why didn't you just have him make it out of Alder? Would probably be lighter too.

MikeM

I decided on swamp ash because of the tonality and weight. I think that's a very silly way of looking at this.

singemonkey

MikeM wrote I decided on swamp ash because of the tonality and weight. I think that's a very silly way of looking at this.

That's me mate... silly ?

racman

It's looking great Mike. I hope the Transparent Black Burst will not be too dark that we won't be able to see that wonderful figure on the Ash and Maple. I love the Maple Cap.

MikeM

@Singe, I really think it is. I mean this is an overindulgent custom build, I do think that going for alder just because it will be generally lighter is a very lame thing to do. Swamp ash can get down to around the 3.5lb mark, but 3.75lb is pretty much the sweet spot.

@Roy I found a nice example for him to work from..

http://www.prsguitars.com/privatestock/gallery/signature.php

I'm sure he'll be able to get the back and front relatively dark while keeping the grain detail with a stain.. Besides the burst, I want the rest of the finish clear, so it should look great.

Wizard

@Mike: It looks as if your bookmatched maple cap actually does bookmatch.
I'm amazed by the number of two-piece tops with very distinctive character that don't match in the middle (including the very expensive looking PRS in the link).
(But ... I do confess to having some OCD issues though).

So ... well done so far ?

P.S. It should be called CDO and not OCD ... coz then the letters are in proper alphabetical order.

nicovlogg

I have to say, that PRS is the nicest example I've seen of a blackburst yet.. The bookmatching doesn't bother me, especially because it changes with the light as well.

MikeM

Yea man! Decided to post that one cause it's the sexiest one yet.

The bookmatching does bother me. There can be a slight difference, but I like it to match up in the center.

Wizard

Maybe someone can enlighten me why bookmatching doesn't always match in the middle if you're bandsawing a single piece of wood down the middle.

MikeM

Bandsawing down the center already takes out 3mm of wood.. Then sanding down to smooth that out takes lets say another 1.5mm from either side? That's already 6mm of wood missing between the two pieces where the figure and grain can change slightly.

I think it's down to luck of the draw, and working efficiently.

MikeM

So the new body is finished. The number on this one is 3.6lbs - I'm shocked at how light it has turned out with no chambering, supposedly this is now near the limit of getting good tone from swamp ash.

Bob-Dubery

Wizard wrote Maybe someone can enlighten me why bookmatching doesn't always match in the middle if you're bandsawing a single piece of wood down the middle.

Presumably immediately after the cut the two pieces would match BUT also you'd have to plane them down a little to get a good, smooth surface, and when you do that you are effectively moving away from that cut at which the exact mirror image would be possible.

Gearhead

X-rated Bob wrote
Wizard wrote Maybe someone can enlighten me why bookmatching doesn't always match in the middle if you're bandsawing a single piece of wood down the middle.
Presumably immediately after the cut the two pieces would match BUT also you'd have to plane them down a little to get a good, smooth surface, and when you do that you are effectively moving away from that cut at which the exact mirror image would be possible.

BS Bob, sorry ?
You have, as Mike pointed out, the saw width coming in at about 2mm for a band saw up to 4 for a circular one. The planing will only take of half a mil per side providing the cut was straight.

MikeM

Need to have a chat with him, would like it a bit darker still ?

Kalcium

MikeM wrote

Need to have a chat with him, would like it a bit darker still ?

wow :O that looks soooo good! Can't wait to see more ?

Neon-Gecko

Oooh she's a lookin' mighty fine! ? I'm not too sure if I'd want to go any darker than that, but to each their own I guess...

racman

Looks Great Mike!! ?

blue42

That finish is SICK SICK SICK. Kinda resembles a widebeest skin in a weird, abstract art sorta way. Very very nice!

chris77

Yup. Can't wait for the final product pics!
You already have what is to me the most beautiful LP on the forum, now you might just take the strat honours as well. ?

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