So I bought this...now what?

jake_the_pake

I've been interested in the idea of putting together my own geetar for years but never gotten round to doing it. At a time when I'm not in a band or playing that much at all, I have for some reason bought this:

https://goo.gl/photos/Yn52dDAXsGXuai1A8

https://goo.gl/photos/FfavzJS8iSDBgMm28

So...now what?

I'm an amateur (at best) in the realm of wood-working, electronics and the like. I know I want a beaten up, rustic sort of thing (actually thinking of burning it). My initial plan is to get a scratch plate with space for the single HB and cover the single coil holes. I'm pretty sure, from a quick measure this morning, that it's a fender-sized 56mm neck pocket and the bolt holes on the back suggest to me that previous necks have all been bolt-on.

So any tips for a newbie on good places to source bits and pieces (other than me posting in the classifieds with a 'HELP!' title)? Any finishing tips? Suggestions or dos and do nots?

Andyjr1515

Well, if you're looking at new bits and pieces, Axesrus are as good a place to start as any. Almost certainly will be a Fender sized strat neck pocket (although dimensions do vary a little depending on the source of either the body or the neck) but a second hand squier neck from eBay is probably the most affordable OK option.

jake_the_pake

Great thanks for the info. Am I right in thinking that a tele neck would also work fine as it would have the same pocket dimensions and scale length?

jake_the_pake

And if I was going to write a shopping list - how far off am I with:

Neck (assuming nut is built in)

tuning pegs

pickup (and associated wiring/control pots etc

scratch plate

bridge

strap pins

jack socket

I'm undoubtedley missing stuff so feel free to fill in the blanks!

Andyjr1515

jake_the_pake said:

Great thanks for the info. Am I right in thinking that a tele neck would also work fine as it would have the same pocket dimensions and scale length?

I think the basic dimensions are the same but a strat has a rounded heel and a tele has a square heel.  Not insurmountable, but easier if it's the right neck for the right body...

Andyjr1515

jake_the_pake said:

And if I was going to write a shopping list - how far off am I with:

Neck (assuming nut is built in)

tuning pegs

pickup (and associated wiring/control pots etc

scratch plate

bridge

strap pins

jack socket

I'm undoubtedley missing stuff so feel free to fill in the blanks!

Off the top of my head:

neck plate

neck screws

scratch-plate fixing screws

knobs

back cover for the trem spring chamber (although you could leave this open)

strings

finishing materials

I'm sure there's something I've forgotten...there usually is when I do my own builds )

jake_the_pake

With the trem springs - what's the deal if I want a fixed bridge? 

Andyjr1515

Well, the easiest way with a guitar routed and drilled for a trem, is to fit a trem and simply fit wooden blocks either side of the trem weight to prevent it from moving.  Theoretically, you therefore don't need the springs although it's easier IMO to fit them and use them to hold the trem tight against the fixing screws and then you are just using the blocks to prevent the up and down movement.

I'm sure the other folk round here have much more elegant solutions!  

SimonRF

For the finish are you thinking of a paint/lacquer? Do you know what's on there at the moment?

jake_the_pake

Guess I'll have to look into the bridge thing a lot more first.

SimonRF said:

For the finish are you thinking of a paint/lacquer? Do you know what's on there at the moment?

Not planning on adding anything to it finish-wise. Not a clue what's on there at the moment either.

My initial idea is to maybe sand it down to show more patches of wood and maybe give it a blast with a heat gun/blow torch to get some scorching going on here and there.I do love the look of some of the wood stains I've seen around here but think it may be a bit beyond me for the first time!

TTony

You probably want to add a pickup to your shopping list too.

An Oil City pickup.

Then add the switching options (coil tap and tone/vol bypass) and you're good to go.

paulnb57

Add a jack socket plate to your list.......

paulnb57

I like scruffy, cheap guitars, do you know what the body came from (manufacturer) it might make getting a suitable neck easier, although most are Fender pattern, Yamaha are not.....

I have several and most are one pickup, a single pickup scratchplate should be available and makes wiring easier, also you can spend your pickup budget on one really good pickup rather than divided between two or three, CTS vol and tone pots are about a fiver each, and I think worth buying, same with decent jack socket......re Strat or Tele neck Ive mixed both and an ovehanging fretboard or the scratchplate with a bit of filing hides the different shape .......

I'm just doing a Rh Yam Pacifica 112 with a Left hand neck, fabric veneered headstock (!) on the neck, new 2 HB scratchplate, rewired....its good fun and good to practice fret dressing, setting neck relief, nut height, wiring etc, most of all it's fun AND it makes a row when finished.......

jake_the_pake

Cheers Paul.

I've no idea about the origins of the body. Guy I bought it from didn't either. It seems to follow the fender dimensions from what I can see.

Those Oil City pickups certainly look interesting...

Rhoadhouse_Music

Without wishing to offend anyone...

Scour eBay for a (complete) cheap donor guitar: that way you'll get your neck and most of your hardware for next to nothing, then you can spend a bit more on a matched set of p'ups, which is what makes all the difference.

Have a gander at the own-brand p'ups on the Axesrus website: all handmade in the UK, and plentiful sound clips to make the browsing more informative. Their Customer Support is also second to none...

If you are going for the really heavy relic look, bash the f*ck out of it around the edges with half a brick, then sand off the rough edges and lacquer over it: (when the screams of indignation fade away) you'll find that gives a most authentic 'battered, bruised, used & abused' finish...