Meggy's Stratocaster project

[Meggy]

Just tried the guitar through my Yamaha G50 112 amp this morning - it sounds amazing - really gorgeous classic strat tones, plus the wiring allows it to go to places strats normally don't (although it never looses it's strat character). I think those pickups were one of my best decisions, I'm convinced they are helping to bring the best out of the instrument. I think I have bonded with the guitar now, I admit I was just a little concerned that we might not get on so well earlier, but now I'm really loving it.

Sorry to be tantalising, I'll will get soundclips up before long I promise.

[stevedenver]

Cleethorpes... well that explains it!! LOL

any way congrats on a great build-it looks superb
and its even better to know that it sounds wonderful


have to say im very impressed with the creme color of the knobs and plastic-subtle-but with the finish, pick guard and gold hardware, its really nice-

gives it a very refined, rich, warm look, important with the natural wood (which can look-do-it-yourself when not so beautifully executed)

the whole package makes for a refined look

and there IS that certain 'pride and joy" (to quote someone???) in having done this yourself

[Meggy]

Originally Posted by stevedenver

Cleethorpes... well that explains it!! LOL

any way congrats on a great build-it looks superb
and its even better to know that it sounds wonderful


have to say im very impressed with the creme color of the knobs and plastic-subtle-but with the finish, pick guard and gold hardware, its really nice-

gives it a very refined, rich, warm look, important with the natural wood (which can look-do-it-yourself when not so beautifully executed)

the whole package makes for a refined look

and there IS that certain 'pride and joy" (to quote someone???) in having done this yourself

Those comments on the choice of colours/finish are very much appreciated Steve - I did give the whole thing quite a bit of thought, resulting in touches like the creme pickups and knobs instead of the more usual white. I looked at images of quite a few similar strat builds, but none of them had this exact combination, and I have to say I am very pleased with how it has worked out, so thank you for noticing.

There is as you say a nice feeling about having done it myself, and knowing that I have something unique as a result. The Cleethorpes thing... not a lot you can say really is there!

[PTChristopher]

Meggs,

That looks fantastic, and if it sounds half as good as it should - then you have a great (and home-brew) guitar. Congratulations and thanks for posting the progress - looking forward to some sound.

Inspired by your results, I need to do a guitar in Tru-Oil now. That was three whole coats right??? That sounds like sooooo much??? Oh no wait, maybe that was three coats after lunch when halfway through the finishng?

Chris

[Meggy]

Cheers Chris, it really does sound fantastic - I don't think this is just the "I've got a new guitar" effect. I guess it's a combination of good quality woods in the neck and body, and those pickups which really are terrific I think - they have a wonderful crispness and definition to the attack, and overall a really lively sound, hard to describe, but I think I know something good when I hear it.

It was a reasonably modest 11 coats of Tru-Oil on this build, less than i thought (I was originally thinking about 20 or so) but it looked good to me, so I stopped there! If you think I'm crazy, there is a guy on another forum who went up to about 40 coats on his telecaster!

[PTChristopher]

Well 11 looks fine to me.

I first used Tru-Oil maybe 10 years ago when I built a dulcimer with my [then] 10 year old daughter. I was very surprised by the hardness of the finsh and very lively sound.

I have also used it on bamboo flyrods and for that application it is fantastic.

Anyway, I have a nylon string acoustic project that I think is calling for the T-O, and your pics show it looking just right.

Chris

[Meggy]

Originally Posted by PTChristopher

Well 11 looks fine to me.

I first used Tru-Oil maybe 10 years ago when I built a dulcimer with my [then] 10 year old daughter. I was very surprised by the hardness of the finsh and very lively sound.

I have also used it on bamboo flyrods and for that application it is fantastic.

Anyway, I have a nylon string acoustic project that I think is calling for the T-O, and your pics show it looking just right.

Chris

The dulcimer - what a nice instrument that is! For me they have a kind of "nostalgic" sound if that makes any sense (probably doesn't!). Like you I was surprised by the hard finish I could get - I used it after taking advice on a forum, I was originally considering Danish Oil, but have not regretted using Tru Oil instead.

Cheers for saying I got things right with the finish though - I don't have a lot of experience of using it, so that's great. Any chance you could put in a picture or 2 of the nylon string when done? - I'd like to see that.

[PTChristopher]

>>> a picture or 2 of the nylon string when done?

Yes, definitely. It may take me quite a while to get to it, but I'll post pics.