Actually finished a partscaster! (And now started another)

ellwood

It’s probably no big achievement to most, but am pretty chuffed to have actually put together a playable partscaster. Unlike the countless previous projects I actually finished it too. And it works. And there were no bits left over. Although I did forget to order a switch tip…

It’s used Mex body, a new Guitar Anatomy neck, and is fitted with Radioshop Chris Buck ID pickups - which are mega. Wilkinson WV6 trem, James’ Home of Tone loom, and various hardware bits from North West Guitars. Only bit I’m not happy with are the crap, too big, washer on the machine heads. But I can live with them for now. All built, set up and intonated in an afternoon. 

https://i.imgur.com/DFkNVca.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/HNcX0hX.jpg

Am so amazed to have finished one I’ve immediately picked up a part loaded Tele Deluxe body. That has been painted on acrylic(!). Will get it built up and then break it down again to start looking at refinishing options…

https://imgur.com/104t01b

Fuengi

Well done, that looks great. 

Andyjr1515

Yup - looks great.  It's a very satisfying thing to do, isn't it

ellwood

Andyjr1515 said:

Yup - looks great.  It's a very satisfying thing to do, isn't it

Really is - particularly when you are as rubbish as me at making stuff!!

ellwood

Fuengi said:m

Well done, that looks great. 

Cheers!

flyingv

Nice job!  

ellwood

Now sourced a neck. Just waiting on machine heads, string tree and a graphtec nut and can build it up for the first time.

https://imgur.com/Vootfwl

paulnb57

Partscaster building gets addictive, I just started another and the wife said she had been in the back bedroom and counted my guitars…..21! 19 are from parts

ellwood

paulnb57 said:

Partscaster building gets addictive, I just started another and the wife said she had been in the back bedroom and counted my guitars…..21! 19 are from parts

Yikes! Nice work! I have some catching up to do…

ellwood

Second build done. Nut slot could be tidier. And not entirely happy with the Roswell pickups that came with the body - but that can be sorted when I get round to v2!

https://i.imgur.com/HY697S4.jpg

prowla

I am also a partscaster addict...

I've made one or two which have come out really good.

I will tend to buy a neck or some part on the basis It'll be good for if/when I see corresponding parts to go with it.

This is my best Strat: a Warmoth neck, Fender MIM body, SD JB humbucker & Tonerider SC pickups.

Another Strat I'm working on - I bought the body in a shop and it took me ages to get a neck for it. SD pickups, a Schaller Floyd trem, a Freeway 10-way selector switch.

A Precision I put together from parts and a J I picked up as-is in a shop. Badass bridges, Hipshot tuners, Schaller Straplocks, J-Retro & not sure what pickups on the J, Fender USA pickups on the Precision.

A tricked-up Rickenbacker: I bought the skeleton body from the Butcher of NJ and had some fun with parts (Kahler bridge, SD pickups, 6-way selector, Hipshot tuners, inc. drop-D).

A Ric copy, originally custom-made as an 8-string made for Paul Gray if The Damned, but re-purposed as a 4-string and sold to me as a project, which I completed with bits from my parts box.

A MIM Tele - pretty much a Fender body I bought, a neck I got for it, plus various parts; it came out pretty good. I might replace the pickups & bridge if the right things falls into my lap, but no rush.

I've got various other parts & part-done projects, including another Ric copy which is based around an aged brass pickguard I happened across (yep - I bought a pickguard and then thought I need to build a bass to go with it!), some necks waiting for bodies, and whatever.

mudslide73

Great stuff - they look ace. What are you thinking finish wise for the Tele? 

As was mentioned above, it's very addictive. I've only done 3 but they've been evolving over 10-15 years.. always on the lookout for better bits!

ellwood

@prowla nice work! Particularly love that second strat!

ellwood

mudslide73 said:

Great stuff - they look ace. What are you thinking finish wise for the Tele? 

As was mentioned above, it's very addictive. I've only done 3 but they've been evolving over 10-15 years.. always on the lookout for better bits!


In my head - Olive Green with matching headstock, black guard and P90s. It will probably end up staying gold for ages - I kinda like the crappy finish for some bizarre reason!

prowla

ellwood said:

@prowla nice work! Particularly love that second strat!

Cheers - it's fun, isn't it!

I've got a Fender Cowpoke bass I'd like to get finished in that surf-green colour like your Strat.

paulnb57

@ellwood Your second build look great too…told you it was addictive!