NSTD x New StraTele day

paulnb57

This one has been on the cards for a few weeks and over those few weeks while the body was away being painted, the plans changed a little and parts were sourced.
Ive wanted a Hardtail Strat for ages and ummed and aahed about MIM Robert Cray model, but the premium charged by Fender over the price of a more standard MIM Strat always stopped me, Sods Law, there are very few used ones about and the colours are a bit pants too.....
So I decided to make my own, not a no expense spared, but with quality parts that I wouldn’t end up changing down the road...
The body came from Guitarbuild and is one piece of select Swamp Ash, routed for a Tele neck (just to be a bit different) which got delivered straight to @lamf68 to be painted Mary Kay White Blonde and what a superb job he did!
TheTele neck came from The Stratosphere in the US, solid Rosewood, which, if I could afford it I would have on all my guitars...
Tuners are Steinberger gearless and as above if I could afford it they would also go on all my guitars
Gold hardware gives a bit of luxury
Electrics are all quality parts CTS etc, second tone wired to the bridge pickup
Pickups are Fender Vintage 65’s
This ones a keeper, my first partcaster I have been happy with straight away
Anyroadup, photos....

Tex Mexico

New STD....?

Just kidding. She's a beaut.

PC_Dave

Look amazing!

Dontgiveupyourdayjob

Wow, that neck looks great; so dark it looks more like ebony than rosewood! Interesting choice of tuner too!

Happy NGD!

paulnb57

Tex Mexico said:

New STD....?

Just kidding. She's a beaut.

I noticed as I was typing and had a smile....

earwighoney

paulnb57 said:

This one has been on the cards for a few weeks and over those few weeks while the body was away being painted, the plans changed a little and parts were sourced.
Ive wanted a Hardtail Strat for ages and ummed and aahed about MIM Robert Cray model, but the premium charged by Fender over the price of a more standard MIM Strat always stopped me, Sods Law, there are very few used ones about and the colours are a bit pants too.....

Ooh. Suits you sir, suits you. One of the nicest partscasters I've seen here.  Fine work.

I'm surprised hardtail strats seem so thin on the ground.

Did you get the pickguard from GB as well?

What model bridge did you go for?

paulnb57

earwighoney said:

paulnb57 said:

This one has been on the cards for a few weeks and over those few weeks while the body was away being painted, the plans changed a little and parts were sourced.
Ive wanted a Hardtail Strat for ages and ummed and aahed about MIM Robert Cray model, but the premium charged by Fender over the price of a more standard MIM Strat always stopped me, Sods Law, there are very few used ones about and the colours are a bit pants too.....

Ooh. Suits you sir, suits you. One of the nicest partscasters I've seen here.  Fine work.

I'm surprised hardtail strats seem so thin on the ground.

Did you get the pickguard from GB as well?

What model bridge did you go for?

Scratchplate came from ebay, bridge is Kluson and took a while to find one in gold with the right footprint....if you buy the body from Guitarbuild they recommend the Fender part number for the bridge, but it is Chrome, so it took a bit of searching to find one. With the exception of the tuners and strap locks its all Kluson....
Heres a link to the bridge....they are available this side of the pond...

https://www.kluson.com/kluson-replacement-hardtail-bridge-for-vintage-fender-stratocaster-details.html

Strangefan

Love it I had the steinberger tuners and like you would have them on every guitar if I could, amazing, 

earwighoney

paulnb57 said:

Scratchplate came from ebay, bridge is Kluson and took a while to find one in gold with the right footprint....if you buy the body from Guitarbuild they recommend the Fender part number for the bridge, but it is Chrome, so it took a bit of searching to find one. With the exception of the tuners and strap locks its all Kluson....
Heres a link to the bridge....they are available this side of the pond...

https://www.kluson.com/kluson-replacement-hardtail-bridge-for-vintage-fender-stratocaster-details.htm

Cheers for the info Paul.

I was planning on making a hardtail Strat at some point this year and I'll bookmark this thread for the great info.