IT WORKS !!!!!!
I just played my own Strat for the first time !!!
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There are plenty of errors & glitches ... but they are all
mine and just add to the character!
In a nutshell:
- homemade single piece Alder body
- maple neck from Gearhead
- Tonerider Pure Vintage pickups
- Wilkinson VS-100N bridge
- Graphtec Tusq XL nut
- Graphtec string tree
- CTS pots, orange drop 0.022uF cap, Fender 5 way switch
- the alternate "Alan wiring", with central earthing point
- no body shielding
When I came to attach the strings, I discovered the bridge was
way too low for the neck angle.
I've had to lift the bridge pretty high for the strings to clear the frets.
I've also set up the bridge in "floating" mode ... and with the height it is
really floating!
The only part of the bridge touching the body at all is at the two pivot points.
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At this stage I haven't adjusted the height of the pickups, so don't know what effect that will have.
The nut height seems fine - I just stuck it in & it worked.
I haven't adjusted the truss rod - think this may need some tweaking.
The neck is bending a little forwards towards the bridge.
I have one "dead" note - the D on the treble E string.
Not sure if this is a fret problem, a truss rod problem or a bit of both.
I was very eager to get finished, so didn't shield the body.
The pickguard has only got the small bit of shielding around the control cavity.
I have the earth wire going to the tremolo claw.
A bit of buzz, but not much at all.
Goes away when I touch the strings with my body acting as earth.
How does it sound & play?
I'd describe the sound as "bright & quacky" ... I love it !
YAY !!!
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