Partscaster / learning project (doesn't need to be strat)

bluefinllama

So I bought a Modern Player Jaguar a while ago, played it for a while and it got stashed etc, but the other day I listened to something, thought it sounded brilliant even though it seemed simple, picked up the Fender and figured out how to play it.

Needless to say, I have forgotten most of what I had learnt (which feels like eons ago), but enjoyed picking up the guitar again immensely, but I realised the Fender had a few issues, tried setting it up properly and failed - the last fret and headstock seemed to have bowed back unfortunately.

The guitar is now in for repairs etc, but I realised I would like to learn how to be able to do such things myself (as well as have a bit of a backup in case something happens and I get withdrawal symptoms).

I can't currently afford anything tbh, so was wondering if anyone in the Pretoria / Centurion area might have any parts etc they might be willing to give away or very close to, which I can possibly build a partscaster or so (both as backup and learning opportunity)?

V8

@Tuckstir has a thread on setup/maintenace: https://community.guitartalk.co.za/d/26611-guitar-set-up-101/31

All good stuff, it's a real useful skill to know what bits are what and how to can tweak into a ideal setup.

Personally, I'd get my own beater to work on - Strats are the most moddable guitar (followed fairly closely by the tele - which is slightly simpler).

One of these is a good option: https://community.guitartalk.co.za/d/27092-revolution-partscaster-x2-r1000-ea

I'd go for the Samick - not free, but make a offer - you never know.

Tuckstir

@bluefinllama

You will never Know if you don't ask, worst that can happen is been told No..
I have seen some super cheap guitars going for sale on FB, so keep A eye out if you don't come right.
As V8 said Strats are highly modifiable, they also the most copied guitar, so parts are easy to get,
as to the Diy setup thread, go browse that, I did it to help Myself and anybody else to learn how to setup there ow guitar..
a few tools you will need: the essential budget version
Allen key set
screwdriver set
capo
feller gauge, to help set string height,
radius gauge, you can download printable versions and cut-out of cardboard
diamond needle files,
notched straight edge.. steel ruler with notches to go over the frets..

bluefinllama

Awesome dude, thanks, made an offer (lowball, but all I'm able to afford atm, feel like a bit of a d!*k though).

V8

bluefinllama My man, a lowball sometimes is a kick in the nether regions - other times it's welcome. Right now there's quite a few things floating around - so there's options - keep[ an eye on our classifieds, I dig up stuff every tuesday and there's usually a R1k and under project going.

P.s. I'm occasionally a naughty lowballer - balanced out by being sincere, grateful and punctual - soft skills can help make it 'happy' transaction.

bluefinllama

Tuckstir Any idea of where in Pretoria I might be able to find a notched straight edge?

guidothepimmp

When you say uts in for repairs.. what do you mean?

Im by no means a pro... but have been setting my guitars up for the last 10yrs. Id be happy to check your guitar out and try get it playable. Im in pta east

bluefinllama

Thanks man, much appreciated, but it's already at a store, it seems over the years (humidity etc), the headstock and part of the neck before the truss rod starts (probably about the first fret), it bowed a bit, so it gives hectic fret buzz playing an open note (especially the low e - this was also with a high action, I was unable to lower the action really since it just became unbearable). I'm not completely sure whether a fret job would be enough, but should hopefully be sorted soon.

I do however want to get something else regardless which I can mess around with in various ways (preferably with a different sound as well, so partscaster could be perfect both from a learning and different sound to the P90's perspective).

I have actually made a few lowballs today (yes, after the first I started low-balling all over the place), will just keep watching classifieds etc, hopefully one of my lowballs will stick somewhere along the line.

V8

bluefinllama I have actually made a few lowballs today (yes, after the first I started low-balling all over the place), will just keep watching classifieds etc, hopefully one of my lowballs will stick somewhere along the line

...we've created a monster ? I was so tempted by the Aria Fullerton Strat - good thing it's in Durbs. I suspect that Samick has some upgrades under the pickguard - I'd be in it @around R700-800 ish.

Think about joining the Gauteng'ers at one of the jams - there's a good few DIY'ers (inc @guidothepimmp) - pick their brains and oogle their setups, it'll save ya a lot of headscratching.

bluefinllama

I actually offered R500, no reply yet, but I suspect people don't understand bargaining these days, haven't had a reply on any of the offers I've made, not that it's the final offer, but if you offer high you can't go down.

Actually also trying to trade out a paintball gun I own over at Carbonite, we'll see how that goes.

Yeti

My 2c. I've sold a few things second hand and although I've never ignored the super low offers outright, I haven't entered negotiation with them either, just thanked them for their interest and told them that my price was firm.
If I were desperate for the sale I might have made a counter offer but as it was, I had a good idea of what the items were worth and was happy to hold onto them so didn't really bother. I suppose that lowballing is often worth a shot, particularly if you aren't in a hurry to buy, but I wouldn't expect many sellers to bite.

bluefinllama

True, but the ad does state negotiable, so trying to see how negotiable xD

bluefinllama

So I almost bought the Samick, but then the shop let me know my guitar is done and I pulled out of the deal, I will still be looking around for a strat-type, but at least I don't have to be impulsive now.

I saw a cheapie at a pawnshop which looked horrible for R450 and then at another I saw a Cruiser by Crafter for R650.

V8

bluefinllama let me know my guitar is done

Did you find out why it wasn't playing nicely?

Tuckstir

If you are going to take your time, maybe save up a bit for a few months and get something decentish.. also will also open your options up quite a bit.

I'm always weary of cheap pawnshop guitars.. seen some firewood disguised as guitars there.. the time and effort to get them semi decent playable machine is just not worth it..

bluefinllama

My sentiments exactly, but I also do want to get something which is a bit of a beater at the same time, the R450 one had project alpha on the headstock and a pickup, they didn't want me to open her to check the pickups either, but she had speed knobs, seemed very out of place on a body which felt like polystyrene.

bluefinllama

Well, it was a combination of a the frets needing a level, fretboard, saddles and the action it seems, so all round almost everything, better now though which is all that matter, but if I had more experience I'd probably have been able to sort it out myself.

guidothepimmp

We need pics of course. This is the interweb.. there are rules bud

bluefinllama

Can't argue with such logic... It's actually quite difficult to get the colour of the guitar, but too lazy to get my camera, so took with the phone.

guidothepimmp

Thats bloody gorgeous.. nice one.

For future reference. I see it has an angled neck due to the bridge. Fyi.. if that angle is off even a bit.. it will cause choking on the strings.. kinda like what you described.

Great looker

bluefinllama

Wait, due to the bridge?

Tuckstir

Nice Stunner.. really cool Guitar..

bluefinllama Wait, due to the bridge?

Basically the bridge is set high, so the neck has been angled back, and shimmed to suit..

not an issue generally once set up.

guidothepimmp

bluefinllama yeh. Dont stress. thats how it is supposed to be. That bridge is high when you compare it to a hipshot or other hardtail bridge. So that bridge design together with a flat top means the neck must angle backward a bit to get good action. Ala.. gibsons and other guitars with this design. You will prob find the neck pocket is routed like that as opposed to a shim.
Was just pointing out that the angle is one more thing to check during a setup as it is a critical point for a setup. Shims help adjust angles when needed.