Golden Era Relics

tonystone82

Has anyone here bought a golden era body and neck and had success in building a decent partscaster? If so can you tell me if you would recommend going down this route as I’m looking to build a 1950’s or 1960’s replica strat in the near future. The bodies and necks seem really nice online and the relic’ing looks impressive but I’d like a second opinion on the quality of sound, the wood, the feel of the neck, the weight, the workmanship etc.

floeighty2

Yep. I have a beautiful double bound, sunburst, tele body which is light, feels amazing, the workmanship is very impressive and compared to a lot of bodies out there a good price. I think if you want a great partscaster you wont go far wrong. 

Lebarque

I believe Scott uses Guitarbuild bodies, so it might be worth researching them.

I love assembling partscasters, but you never know how good they're going to be until you strum the first chord.

floeighty2

Lebarque said:

I believe Scott uses Guitarbuild bodies, so it might be worth researching them.

I love assembling partscasters, but you never know how good they're going to be until you strum the first chord.

Also this.  I bought some really high end stuff for that tele and all the while you’re building it there is a little voice saying it might sound a bit poo. They’re not always the sum of their parts. Luckily, I was happy with how mine turned out.

dazzajl

As said, Scott at Golden Era buys quality parts and works them as well as anyone in the business. Would 100% be my go to if I was going down the build route. 

Seziertisch

Lebarque said:

I believe Scott uses Guitarbuild bodies, so it might be worth researching them.

I love assembling partscasters, but you never know how good they're going to be until you strum the first chord.

This 100%. 

NCo

Building a partscaster now, although not from the Golden Era.

Echoing the above comments - there's always a fear that the result might not be what you expect.

Here are some other things to consider:

• If you do choose to proceed, just be mindful that this can get expensive so plan the budget carefully.
• Try to get second-hand parts from the forum or eBay.
• Consider getting your own body and neck and send for refinishing for maximum flexibility. All Parts have a limited range of necks, and buying from Guitarbuild allows you to choose the wood and weight, for example.

Good luck!

RiftAmps

Seziertisch said:

Lebarque said:

you never know how good they're going to be until you strum the first chord.

This is why I love both partscasters and full-on custom builds, the unknown is exciting to me.

hoops

Bought a sonic blue reliced tele body from Scott and put it together with a Allparts fat rosewood neck and ended up with one of the best teles I’ve ever played and I have played a few.

stickyfiddle

My experience with Partscasters is they're the best way to get a perfect F-style providing you go for really high quality parts throughout, and particularly the wood, pickups and bridge. AND then put it together properly and focus on setting it up really well. 

I haven't had one but everything I've seen suggests Golden Era are among the best. 

mo6020

I've just taken delivery this morning of an amazing Tele neck and body from Scott - obviously I haven't got it together yet, but the work he's done is fantastic and the base components he's used are high quality. 

Just to reiterate it's important to budget partscasters properly, you can easily get into the realms of Custom Shop cost without trying too hard. 

soma1975

Yes and it's currently my only guitar. Love it. 

Kittyfrisk

Just making sure that Scott @GoldenEraGuitars   is aware of & included in this conversation 

Strat54

Ahh the weight of consumer expectation....poor Scott is currently undergoing his afternoon session in the float tank listening to Dolphins.....

m_c

I've built a Tele using a body from Scott, and I like it.
Details can be found here - WTF do I do with these? (Tele bits and build content!) - Making & Modding Discussions on theFretBoard

Certainly didn't work out a cheap build, but I've got no regrets about building it.

Strangefan

One of the best teles I have ever owned was a sc relics amazing 

nero1701

Kittyfrisk said:

Just making sure that Scott @GoldenEraGuitars   is aware of & included in this conversation 

Scott hasn't been around since beginning of March. Think he got tired of whinging posts.

skippy76

Scotts work is spot on, Ive had 5 builds using his bodies and still have 2 teles which are awesome.

Hes also one of the only people I'd trust with Vintage Fender resins, he did my 61 Strat in Fiesta red over sunburst and the end result is amazing (I've posted a pics few times on here)

Offset

nero1701 said:

Kittyfrisk said:

Just making sure that Scott @GoldenEraGuitars   is aware of & included in this conversation 

Scott hasn't been around since beginning of March. Think he got tired of whinging posts.

That's a shame.  Sadly there are a couple of others that have joined him.

kurtrowe2000

Scott’s work is amazing. He’s built me a full strat, a full tele, and provided me with another tele body and neck which I’ve worked into an amazing partscaster tele. 

No one better in my opinion. 

Lebarque

Offset said:

nero1701 said:

Kittyfrisk said:

Just making sure that Scott @GoldenEraGuitars   is aware of & included in this conversation 

Scott hasn't been around since beginning of March. Think he got tired of whinging posts.

That's a shame.  Sadly there are a couple of others that have joined him.

He's flounced(!) before. I'm sure he'll be back again.