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 ?

Warren

Haven't commented yet...really amazing looking Strat, Mike. Like Deeftes, you have something pretty special there, but classic all at the same time.

That neck is amazing. 8)

MikeM

@ Norm, the build started almost a year before the select range was announced.

In finality, it still came out quite a bit cheaper than the select. I got to choose all the woods out of a decent selection including the , pickups and it has the magical callaham trem. Honestly, after this guitar, I probably won't ever buy a non custom (if I were to be spending that kind of money). Thankfully I do know what I want in a guitar, I was quite specific about most details, so I did get exactly what I want.

Warren, the neck is more comfortable than it is pretty. I find myself often bending 2 steps on 10s, without much difficulty and rarely fretting out. It does need a setup though. I am doing it gradually, tweaking the truss rod is a pain with the strings on ?

Norman86

Thanks Mike! pretty much answered my questions and thoughts!

Enjoy her thoroughly!!

ajileguitar

Hi, I am pretty new to this forum and I have just come across your Strat build. She turned out very nice indeed!!!!
I love the black Flame top. Beautiful !!! But I am a bit of a Flame aholic.
I also just finished a Tele build. I went with a tobacco burst finish but if I do another I will have to consider a black burst!!

Neon-Gecko

ajileguitar wrote Hi, I am pretty new to this forum and I have just come across your Strat build. She turned out very nice indeed!!!!
I love the black Flame top. Beautiful !!! But I am a bit of a Flame aholic.
I also just finished a Tele build. I went with a tobacco burst finish but if I do another I will have to consider a black burst!!

Yeah, I know what you mean. I took one look at this Strat and knew I had to build one like it, so I did... ?

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