Strat partscaster build

[DimMak]

Got an itch to build one. Recieved the Fender player plus neck last night, 22 fret, 12" radius Pau Ferro board, MIM. still trying to decide if I should send it back and order a Warmoth with a darker fretboard. It seems nice though.

The fretboard is .020" wider from edge to edge than the regualr style strat neck on my Squier. I am now not so sure about the 12" radius either. I think I may want to go to a 10" or 9.5". I like the flat compound radius on my Jacksons but it seems weird on a strat. I thought I would like it.

Mjt Taos Turquoise Blue body came today. Got a deal on ebay, little heavier relicing than I would've ordered but I like it for 250 instead of 399.

Have a satin chrome Vega trem coming on the 25th. Still deciding on tuners, have some Fender satin chrome lockings coming but theyve been delayed. Hard to say if satin chrome tuners will look good or not. Don't really care about locking.

Have a pickguard almost ready
All Dimarzio
VV 54 pro in the neck
Area 67 in the middle
Virtual solo in the bridge.
Ordered those out of sheer curiosity.

Am thinking I may get some Suhr v70s and a Dimarzio FS1 for the bridge and put the Dimarzios I have in my Squier. I want some true single coils in one of the guitars.

Looking to try a Tusq XL black nut.

The neck fits but it is tight, which is good I suppose.

I will post as it comes together. Never put one together before.

Looks like the pickguard screw holes need drilled as well as the input jack, strap screws and trem claw screws. Never done the trem claw screws before, any tips?

 

[tedtan]

Personally, I’d go for wider and flatter fingerboards, but that’s me. The neck specs are personal preference, so only you can make the call here.

As for drilling the pickguard screw holes, get the pickguard in place and tape it down with painter’s tape, then drill the holes as straight as possible.

 

[DimMak]

Personally, I’d go for wider and flatter fingerboards, but that’s me. The neck specs are personal preference, so only you can make the call here.

As for drilling the pickguard screw holes, get the pickguard in place and tape it down with painter’s tape, then drill the holes as straight as possible.

Any suggestions of the spring claw screws? Should I drill the holes to exact depth of the screws?

 

[tedtan]

Unfortunately I don’t have anything for you regarding the claw screws.

@MaxOfMetal and @Randy can probably helps out.

 

[DimMak]

I am sending the Fender back and ordered a Warmoth with a ebony board. Well see. Finding the right neck has taken some effort. Many, many options none exactly what I want. Well see how the 10-16" radius feels.

 

[MaxOfMetal]

Any suggestions of the spring claw screws? Should I drill the holes to exact depth of the screws?

Pilot hole to depth.

 

[DimMak]

The Vega trem came. Nicely made piece of hardware.

 

[JimF]

That is a seriously nice looking trem!

 

[DimMak]

That is a seriously nice looking trem!

Not cheap but supposed to be pretty nice. When set up correctly with a properly lubed nut they seem to stay in tune and have great feel and range. This guys guitar kind of inspired this strat build for me.

 

[DimMak]

All Parts neck came 22 fret, ebony, standard C, 9.5 radius. I sent the Fender back a while ago. Got a deal on ebay, guy finishes and levels the frets. Looks pretty good. May still eventually order a custom Warmoth but this should hold me until then.

Also made the decision to go with differet pickups. Dimarzio FS1 in the bridge and 2 Suhr V70s in the neck and middle.

Tuners came today while I was at work.
I think I am ready to begin drilling and assembling.

May need a 12" drill bit to get the angle on the trem claw screws and a tapered router for the tuners holes. Other than that I should be good to go.

 

[DimMak]

Tuners came.

Tuners are 11/32nd which is what I was told the headstock holes are. I have a tapered reamer on the way but it still isn't totally clear why they don't slip right in, why aren't the holes drilled all the way out to begin with?

 

[lost_horizon]

Tuners came.

Tuners are 11/32nd which is what I was told the headstock holes are. I have a tapered reamer on the way but it still isn't totally clear why they don't slip right in, why aren't the holes drilled all the way out to begin with?

Some of the vintage tuners are 8mm which is slightly smaller than that and some are 6.32mm

 

[DimMak]

Its done. Took about 6 hours with all the drilling and soldering. I must've gotten lucky or something cause it plays and sounds good without even setting it up other than balancing the trem. It will need a setup for sure though.

It ain't a perfect but plays and sounds pretty good actually. (Still need to do the strap scews)