Well well well, after all this time and I still haven’t built a Strat for myself. I sold my US Standard last year to fund the business... I’m glad I did as it provided me with a nice sum which allowed me to progress substantially.
So, what am I going to do? I’ve actually kinda cheated in that I wasn’t going to build a Strat let alone document it until yesterday. I realised that I had some “spare stock” (I know, there’s no such thing. But I just mean that it hadn’t been sprayed or advertised yet). I was sitting here with an alder body, rosewood neck, pickups that I’ve acquired from an American winder who is keen to work with me (I’m keen to work with him too!) and a bunch of parts ready to go.
I decided to spray a few more bodies yesterday and subsequently, this happened...
https://i.imgur.com/Iw2KZyW.jpgThats a 2 piece alder body finished in a 3 tone burst (nitro lacquer), a 9.5” C maple neck with a rosewood board and a few basic parts I gathered up. The neck has already had the fretboard edges rolled and the fret ends bevelled. I have also sealed it and applied some tint. My new decals should be with me soon too so that’s exciting. The pickups are also boxed and ready to go.
Willy Houston of Rocket Pickups got in touch and we had a good chat. He sent me a set of hot wound single coils so I figured it would be rude not to test them out. Willy makes pickups for Erik and Joey in Warrant plus a few other players. I was delighted he got in touch.
And of course I shot a few mock up pics to get us started so here you go..
https://i.imgur.com/DqypGzy.jpghttps://i.imgur.com/KvCw5fy.jpgNext step (seeing as I skipped the spraying and prepping) is to get the scratchplate wired!
Comments
Still makes me proud to see it on the headstocks I do.
https://i.imgur.com/DVbfd2D.jpg
Ready for more clear coat.
• Youtube - https://www.youtube.com/@Goldeneraguitars
Will it be reliced?
And if so will you be sharing the process so we (I) can have a go?
• Youtube - https://www.youtube.com/@Goldeneraguitars
Anywah, top of the body pretty much ready so here’s a few buffed mock up pics
https://i.imgur.com/AMJ3edf.jpg
https://i.imgur.com/y2Q57IY.jpg
The neck isn’t far behind, just the headstock to clear coat then I’ll be into the electrics.
Exciting!!
• Youtube - https://www.youtube.com/@Goldeneraguitars
Ill be able to fit it to the body in about 2 weeks time.
Next up is to finish the body before assembling the scratchplate.
https://i.imgur.com/Fvc7aHb.jpg
https://i.imgur.com/w3EvqVz.jpg
https://i.imgur.com/YOnPtKL.jpg
• Youtube - https://www.youtube.com/@Goldeneraguitars
Okay, long story short... I changed my Strat body to a LPB one that I had been finishing for sale.
Skip forward a few steps and I’m at the assembly point. I also had no intention of beating it up but hey.. I couldn’t resist. Finished with Rocket pickups, cloth wiring, 250k tvt pots, oak grigsby switch, switchcraft jack and a fully dressed neck..
https://i.imgur.com/Cz89y44.jpg
https://i.imgur.com/DPes4ZL.jpg
https://i.imgur.com/dYzA0aC.jpg
https://i.imgur.com/vuDV8n4.jpg
• Youtube - https://www.youtube.com/@Goldeneraguitars
• Youtube - https://www.youtube.com/@Goldeneraguitars
Im definitely doing more of this colour for sale soon!
• Youtube - https://www.youtube.com/@Goldeneraguitars
I like both but that burst is a great advert for what you can do!