Semi-hollow GSP Koa Strat build

uksaint7

So it is three years now since I took delivery of a custom ordered GSP Basses body and neck, I was very happy with the workmanship and how they came out. I am pleased to report that much progress has been made lately so I thought I'd start a build thread whilst the build is still actually in progress.

One day I would really like to design my own body & headstock shape but in the meantime the idea behind this build was to stick to the basic template of a Strat. I wanted a semi-hollow guitar, mainly as I really enjoy the interaction you get with an amp at lower volumes. I think a Strat with an f-hole works really well as long as there isn't a pickguard, those EJ Fenders don't look right to me. I went with a black korina back and koa top because, well just look at them! So I am expecting a comparatively fatter tone than most Strats due to the construction and woods.

The pickup configuration is HS- I would actually use the middle pickup a fair bit on a regular Strat but it does physically get in the way of my playing style so I've left it out on this guitar. I also wanted a fully floating bridge so I asked for it to be routed to allow pulling up on the trem. Also I had seen Graham’s very nice contoured neck heel on some of his other guitars so I went with that, he also installed the Grainger neck ferrules as I wanted to use threaded bolts to attach the neck as opposed to wood screws. Here’s the body before I received it (the masking tape denoting my request to move the 5-way switch as again I find the regular position gets in the way of my playing style):

  

And then me doing some sanding in the sunshine:

paulnb57

Nice!

Roland

and a side jack too! Sensible improvements

DrBob

Roland said:

and a side jack too! Sensible improvements

Agreed, always hated the standard Strat jack socket 

uksaint7

Indeed- here's my nickel side jack plate, for some silly reason I liked the idea of having something from Gibson on there

uksaint7

So the original plan was to give it an oil finish myself. But then I thought I should ask my friend and neighbour Scott from SC Relics to give it a thin clear nitro finish. And turns out that was exactly the right decision! Here's how the top came out:



And here's the back- before:



And after!

PeteC

Very nice indeed. Good decision 

Jez6345789

Lovely Koa is my kryptonite was that just clear or a warm tint? Looks tasty.

uksaint7

Jez6345789 said:

Lovely Koa is my kryptonite was that just clear or a warm tint? Looks tasty.

It is just clear, came out lovely.

GSPBASSES

@uksaint7 These are the last two Koa tops I have.

uksaint7

OK while I'm waiting for the finish to dry I thought I'd post the only pic I have of the neck..



It is getting a thin nitro finish on the front and then I am going to oil the back. One of the reasons I've gone with the gloss finish on the front is so I can use a waterslide decal for a logo, I got some from Rothko & Frost. And if the body is anything to go by it should really bring out the wood too! I do like the feel of an oiled back of neck, should work very well on the rosewood. I have a tin of the Crimson guitar finishing oil I was planning to use unless anybody else has any other recommendations?

elusivelight

Nice! What are you doing for hardware and electronics?

uksaint7

Thanks! OK hardware wise I’ve gone for everything nickel plated, I wanted it to age with the finish. The last 10+ years I’ve spent playing two Ibanez (an RG and a 335 style) which, despite putting a lot of hours on them, both look pretty much as good as new which does leave you feeling a bit cheated!

So the bridge is the Floyd Rose non-fine tuner. The single locking trem is enjoying a bit of a resurgence recently- Guthrie’s got one on his guitar, so has Pete Thorn. I see it as a good compromise- you get to still use the regular tuners as there’s no locking nut but having the strings clamped at the bridge definitely aids tuning stability. I’ve also purchased a brass block, pop-in arm and some proper mounting studs- unbelievably these just get shipped with two wood screws to mount! I have a Tremol-No as well in case I break a string or want to change my tuning.

Machine heads I’ve gone for some Hipshot open-gear staggered post locking tuners with vintage buttons. And the pickups I have for it are a Bare Knuckle VHII and an Irish Tour.

elusivelight

I have the BK brown sugar set in my partscaster. They're fantastic pickups. 

uksaint7

Picked up my guitar from SC Relics the other day, am very happy with how it came out. So the body is thin nitro as is the fingerboard and headstock. If you look closely at the photo of the back of the neck you'll see the neck shaft is pictured unfinished, I've just applied the first coat of oil.

uksaint7

So I've finished oiling the neck, it has come out very well. I applied a few coats wet sanding through the grades using the Crimson finishing oil, buffing after each application with heavy duty paper towel.





The pics aren't great but the graduation between the gloss nitro finished headstock and oiled neck shaft has come out well too.

uksaint7

So next to turn my attention to the bridge. The Floyd Rose Non-Fine Tuner trem looks like a great system.


But I've availed of a few mods from aftermarket upgrades they offer..


First up are the two wood screws supplied to mount to the body. They're pretty chunky looking but I just don't like the idea of using wood screws to mount a floating trem. I didn't even like the idea of using wood screws to mount the neck, I'm using inserts and bolts- so I bought some proper inserts and studs for the bridge too.
Secondly I've gone for a brass block instead of what I'm guessing is a zinc alloy block. It is a good deal more substantial than the stock one as you can see here.

Thirdly I was very happy to see they offer a pop-in arm. Especially one where you can adjust the tension with an allen key rather than relying on, for example, the little plastic washers as with an Ibanez Edge.


Lastly I got some noiseless springs. Cos nobody likes squeaky springs. And they look pretty cool with the black finish.
Here's how it is looking now.