Ross-Moffett All I can say is I'm trying to keep the build reasonably simple and not let myself get too zealous with the planning and end up having something come back and bite me later, as I'm usually wont to do!

No such thing as simple when building instruments

I dug up the list of builds attempted over the years : https://community.guitartalk.co.za/d/25403-buildmodrefurb-threads/11

Not many/any strats, but you'll get an idea of some headaches awaiting you =D Lapdawg & Manny's builds are particularly cool.

Lapdawg, Wizard and Francois Traut (work from Gear Junkie in Woodstock) are all in Cpt and sure can give you and idea of where to source materials, building gigs, etc.. The Dudes at Gear Junkie in general are quite supportive of builders and can help with parts, etc. Black Beards den and TerryD are also useful spots to checkout for local parts.

V8 No such thing as simple when building instruments

Yessir, noted!

I'll be sure to check them out, thank you!

Thank you very much for the advice, I have been struggling to find SA places that supply parts and such.

Thanks again!

for parts and tools, look at Blackbeardsden , they have a decent range and their service is very good, otherwise raru, and the one I cannot remember...

I have built a few tools mostly for setup, like a notched straight edge and fret end file, so not difficult,

Tuckstir

Thanks, I've been checking them out. Still working towards understanding all the different parts and brands.
The ToneRider pure vintage set looks good and I've heard good things about them but I want to really understand what differentiates them and what I'm getting at the different price points rather than just blindly buying something!

Pick-ups and electronics are one of the last items you need,
if you want to understand Pickups watch some videos from Dylan Tone talks on Youtube.. might not have a review of what you looking at but he does explain the build difference of different types of pickups and the magnet choices.

not knowing how far you are in the build, have you sorted your woods? then your truss rod, then your fretwire and nut material, your bridge and machine heads and lastly your electronics.

I'm assuming you have downloaded a strat build plan?

What a project.

Kuddos to you Ross-Moffett .

Two vids that was recently suggested:

Might prove an interesting watch for yourself.

Tuckstir

Noted, I'll check him out, thank you.

I'm still only in the planning stage.

Wood is somewhat sorted, depending on what I end up going for. I have some wenge that could work (I'd have to check the moisture content) for the fretboard. For the neck and body, I was thinking purpleheart. Alternatively either roasted flame birch or American cherry for the body and neck, which would probably be a better option workability-wise. I'm planning on getting the wood from Rarewoods.

Preferably I'd like to order everything to make absolutely sure it all fits together nicely before I start chopping.

I have found a Fender strat design but I'm wanting to modify it to more of a Macmull S-classic headstock.
whatever the design I'll probably end up sticking it in Fusion 360 to get a better grasp of things and to ensure everything matches up.

RCVN

Thank you!

I'll be sure to check them out, much obliged.

Ross-Moffett

if you are using F360 there is a plugin for quickly developing guitar necks..

Ross-Moffett No worries, I know the process of starting a build well - @Tuckstir kit build's were pretty much total builds in the end

Just remembered that the dudes from Tonetree Guitars (https://www.facebook.com/TonetreeGuitars/) were out your side of the mountain (Betty's Bay) - they might be useful to chat too.

All roads lead to StewMac though

Welcome. What an awesome intro. Scratch build eh? Very good.
I second what the fellers have said above re Blackbeards Den for parts. Are you building your own neck too? Important consideration for the neck is the scale length and number of frets. Just a note on the fret wire, one meter of fret wire does NOT get you 24 frets, so plan for a bit more.

Looking forward to this.