Guitar Kit List

Wizard

I'm sure the answer to this question exists on the site somewhere ... and for this I apologise in advance.

What would be a comprehensive list of items one would need to buy in order to assemble a Strat-like guitar from scratch?
Including everything from the guitar body to the tuners to the capacitors ...

DonovanB

1. Buy Strat
2. Disassemble strat
3. Re-assemle strat.

Problem solved. ?

You could compile it by startin gat the headstock and writing down everything you can think of.

btw I love the (stolen Squier) in your sig.

Wizard

DonovanB wrote 1. Buy Strat
2. Disassemble strat
3. Re-assemle strat.

Requires a Strat !! ?

AlanRatcliffe

I think this covers it:

Parts
Body
Neck

Hardware
Tremolo (with all mounting hardware)
Tuners
String tree
2 x Strap buttons & screws
3 x Knobs (1 volume, 2 tone)
Switch Cap
Nut
Neck plate
Jack plate
Pick guard
Trem cover
6 x Pickup mounting springs
20 x Pickguard Screws
4 x Neck screws
6 x Pickup screws
2 x Switch screws

Electronics
3 x Single-coil pickups
5-Way lever Switch
3 x 250K pots
Jack socket
Roll 3" copper screening tape
12" x 10" Sheet copper screening
Wiring - cloth covered 22ga stranded

Finishing
Grain filler
Nitrocellulose Sanding Sealer
Nitrocellulose Lacquer
Analine Stains
Lacquer thinners
Methyl Alcohol
Acetone
Wet or dry papers, various grits
Polishing compounds

AlanRatcliffe

[Added 6 x pickup springs to the hardware above]

BTW - make sure the parts that need it come with all the fixing hardware:
Trem - claw, springs, 2 claw screws, 6 bridge screws
Pots - nut, washer, lock washer and if it's medium or long shaft a second nut
Jack socket - nut, washer, lock washer

Also depending on the hardware you buy, it's sometimes best to upgrade the quality of certain included screws - tuners, bridge especially. I use stainless where possible. I also use countersunk screws for pickups and switch.

Wizard

Magic.
Thanks Alan - exactly what I needed.
Now I'm going to have fun seeing what it would cost me to create my dream Strat in kit form ... and compare to the price of an off-the-shelf American Standard.

The analysis may well influence my Stratocaster future ...

AlanRatcliffe

BTW - the parts list for my StraTele is here:
http://ratcliffe.co.za/gear/partscaster.shtml
Slightly different, having a Tele bridge, rear rout controls, but has more detail as to suppliers.

Wizard

Wizard just ordered the StewMac catalogue ... and a whole new sport has just begun to keep him entertained.
Now this is fun!

MikeM

The really cool parts aren't even on that list :?

AlanRatcliffe

MikeM wrote The really cool parts aren't even on that list :?

+1. Stewmac are great for tools and a few bits and pieces like tuners here and there, but I don't use them for much else. Their bodies and necks are the generic Allparts stuff, their electronic bits are pretty dismal. Hardware you have to know what's good and what's not (e.g. their neck plates are not nice).

MikeM

Yep, I'd suggest check out USACG or Musikraft(Sp?) for necks.. They will fret them as well..

Gearhead

A while back Wizard traded my Hondo Strat neck for some fret boards, so I presume USACG will not be selling any necks to the man.
The part I don't get is ordering the catalogue - the StewMac web site has everything the catalogue has and vice versa.
BTW what bridge will the Wizard use now that he has sold his Wilkinson?

AlanRatcliffe

MikeM wrote Yep, I'd suggest check out USACG or Musikraft(Sp?) for necks.. They will fret them as well..

+1. The single most important part of any guitar for both tone (IMO) and feel is the neck. +1 on USACG, but while Musikraft can and do make great parts, but tend to be a bit inconsistent quality-wise. When you live halfway around the world from the manufacturer, you want to know it is going to be perfect first time.

Wizard

Gearhead wrote BTW what bridge will the Wizard use now that he has sold his Wilkinson?

Wizard is a bit all over the show at the moment ... and has been selling anything not bolted down to finance a new guitar.
It's a very new idea to think of a partscaster

If I do go this route, there's a strong chance I'll end up buying that exact bridge again ?
These things happen ... but I'm having great fun on the journey.

BTW I will have a problem using that neck since it seems to be missing a truss rod nut ?

Gearhead

Yeah yeah, any more parts I can send to Wizard? I'll PM ye.

Jack-Flash-Jr

Duct tape.

Wizard

I see Stewmac sells templates for routing holes for neck pockets, pickups and bridges for reasonable prices.
Is it recommended I buy these?

AlanRatcliffe

They are worth having. A lot quicker/neater than doing it freehand. Ideally you use them to make yourself some wooden templates which will last longer.