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Post by goodtones on Mar 8, 2020 15:05:21 GMT
Hello Everyone,
I am a semi-retired guitar player who played oldies and classic rock, cover songs and originals. I always sought out my professional elders and put a group together. Even bringing some of them out of retirement. Sadly, they have all passed away and I am on my own now. Since I am no longer part of a group of musicians, I am currently working on doing a single, playing instrumental electric guitar with backing tracks. Most of my career I usually played Gretschs and Paul Reed Smiths. The Gretschs for the oldies and the PRS's for the classic rock. Being a Shadows fan, I am starting to play a Stratocaster.
I am building a partscaster to perform with. So far I have a Warmoth candy apple red alder body, just ordered a Warmoth custom birdseye maple neck with SS 6105 frets, 9 1/2" to 14" compound radius. Being a Pink Floyd fan, I ordered an EMG DG20 David Gilmour Pre-Wired Loaded Strat Pickguard for use in the partscaster. Also, I have a Wilkinson trem and locking tuners.
Has anyone else built a partscaster and what are your preferences and choices for components/parts?
Cheers,
David
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Post by bernie on Mar 8, 2020 15:59:35 GMT
Hi David, My new lefthand partocaster - just finished - was made from the following parts: US alder body (Goeldo BSARL), maple neck with rosewood fingerboard (Goeldo ST-Style Modern - 21 frets 12" radius), ABM 5050-V Vintage Tremolo, Schaller M6 Mini tuners,
LeoSounds 'Red House' Pickups and an Allparts ST-Style Wiring Kit. Kind regards, Bernie |
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Post by Tone on Mar 8, 2020 17:15:20 GMT
The advantage of partocasters is that you can build (or have built) your dream guitar exactly to your spec down to the last detail. If the parts are of the best quality and it's assembled properly you'll have an instrument that's every bit as good as, if not better than, a Custom Shop model and at a much lower cost.
The disadvantages are that it doesn't have the perceived magic of, say, the Fender name and you'll probably find that its market value is less than the cost of the parts alone, never mind including the labour cost.
I bought such a guitar a couple of weeks ago from a friend who builds them. Here's the brief spec:
Warmoth body in Polar White with vintage contours
Warmoth 22 fret AAA birdseye compound radius shallow maple neck with 12* radius fingerboard and jumbo frets. Sperzel gold plated locking tuners with pearl pegs. Abalone fret markers.
Fender modern 2 post bridge.
Heavy gold plating.
Kinman Hank Marvin pickups
I love it!
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Post by DaveC on Mar 8, 2020 18:46:02 GMT
Hi David, I know that you have already committed to the Gilmour wiring (a good choice) but my number one recommendation to anyone building or modifying a Strat is: Buy a Free-Way Switch 5B5-01 and wire it up according to “SSS Parallel Series Scheme A 1V/1T” or “SSS Parallel Series Scheme B 1V/1T”. Both schematics are published and explained on the Free-Way website: www.freewayswitch.com/app/download/8112261215/5B5-01+3PU+3Pot+Part1.pdf?t=1532631247 (pages 1 and 2) This gives you instant access to five extra (and very useable) tones by merely rocking the switch from side-to-side: no extra DPDT switch or button is required — and everything looks and operates like a “normal” Strat. Regards, DaveC. |
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Post by sheendigs on Mar 9, 2020 18:01:21 GMT
Hi DaveC,
Very interesting this 5B5-01 Free-Way switch you mentioned.
Sheendigs
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Post by bor64 on Mar 9, 2020 21:12:53 GMT
A mate of mine tried it and after just one gig he throw it so far away he could.
In a live situation a "wrong" setting is easy to make!
So he changed back to a five way.
Cheers Rob
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Post by DaveC on Mar 10, 2020 3:47:30 GMT
Hi Rob, Your mate was definitely onto something — but why not go the whole hog and get rid of the five-way as well? That would make things even easier. And, now I think of it, there’s way too many notes on the fretboard....  DaveC. |
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Post by glyderslead on Mar 10, 2020 9:17:05 GMT
Hello David.
Hope your build is going ok.
My white Partscaster has a birds eye maple neck with 12 inch radius as I like flatter necks with medium “C” relief.
The pick ups are Ironstone Gold which they wired up with their Gilmore setting, neck bridge blend knob and series as well as parallel setting on a scratch plate for me. All at very reasonable cost.
So what is the trick to using guitars with multiple settings such as this with a 5 way switch, a 3 way toggle and a blend switch?
Don’t be too greedy with the number of different tones required when in a live situation. Find 3 or perhaps 4 that are easy to remember how to get to, that suit your needs.
I wonder if Robs friend was a mid tune twiddler and consequently got lost? How familiar with the set up was he before he ditched it?
And Dave C ....I wonder if you are a SeaSick Steve fan!! He certainly manages to get a backing sound out of a log with 1 string!!!
Cheers
Mick
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Post by DaveC on Mar 10, 2020 12:33:54 GMT
Hi Mick, Yeah, what the world needs is a one string, one pickup, diatonic Stratocaster. Regards, DaveC. By the way, my new stage name is “Ironic Dave”  . |
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Post by glyderslead on Mar 10, 2020 16:45:27 GMT
Hi Dave,
No, you must mean “Iconic” surely.
Mind you, thinking of changing mine to “Gedoff Mick” .......that should keep ‘em happy.....
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Post by goodtones on Mar 10, 2020 23:56:02 GMT
Hi David, My new lefthand partocaster - just finished - was made from the following parts: US alder body (Goeldo BSARL), maple neck with rosewood fingerboard (Goeldo ST-Style Modern - 21 frets 12" radius), ABM 5050-V Vintage Tremolo, Schaller M6 Mini tuners,
LeoSounds 'Red House' Pickups and an Allparts ST-Style Wiring Kit. Kind regards, Bernie Hi Bernie, I imagine being a lefty, building a partscaster gives you more options. Good for you. Kind Regards, David |
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Post by goodtones on Mar 10, 2020 23:58:48 GMT
The advantage of partocasters is that you can build (or have built) your dream guitar exactly to your spec down to the last detail. If the parts are of the best quality and it's assembled properly you'll have an instrument that's every bit as good as, if not better than, a Custom Shop model and at a much lower cost. The disadvantages are that it doesn't have the perceived magic of, say, the Fender name and you'll probably find that its market value is less than the cost of the parts alone, never mind including the labour cost. I bought such a guitar a couple of weeks ago from a friend who builds them. Here's the brief spec: Warmoth body in Polar White with vintage contours Warmoth 22 fret AAA birdseye compound radius shallow maple neck with 12* radius fingerboard and jumbo frets. Sperzel gold plated locking tuners with pearl pegs. Abalone fret markers. Fender modern 2 post bridge. Heavy gold plating. Kinman Hank Marvin pickups I love it! Sounds like a very nice guitar. I good looking one too I imagine  |
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Post by goodtones on Mar 11, 2020 0:00:59 GMT
Hi David, I know that you have already committed to the Gilmour wiring (a good choice) but my number one recommendation to anyone building or modifying a Strat is: Buy a Free-Way Switch 5B5-01 and wire it up according to “SSS Parallel Series Scheme A 1V/1T” or “SSS Parallel Series Scheme B 1V/1T”. Both schematics are published and explained on the Free-Way website: www.freewayswitch.com/app/download/8112261215/5B5-01+3PU+3Pot+Part1.pdf?t=1532631247 (pages 1 and 2) This gives you instant access to five extra (and very useable) tones by merely rocking the switch from side-to-side: no extra DPDT switch or button is required — and everything looks and operates like a “normal” Strat. Regards, DaveC. Hello DaveC, Thanks for the heads up on the switching. Sounds interesting! Regards,David |
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Post by goodtones on Mar 11, 2020 0:03:44 GMT
Hello David. Hope your build is going ok. My white Partscaster has a birds eye maple neck with 12 inch radius as I like flatter necks with medium “C” relief. The pick ups are Ironstone Gold which they wired up with their Gilmore setting, neck bridge blend knob and series as well as parallel setting on a scratch plate for me. All at very reasonable cost. So what is the trick to using guitars with multiple settings such as this with a 5 way switch, a 3 way toggle and a blend switch? Don’t be too greedy with the number of different tones required when in a live situation. Find 3 or perhaps 4 that are easy to remember how to get to, that suit your needs. I wonder if Robs friend was a mid tune twiddler and consequently got lost? How familiar with the set up was he before he ditched it? And Dave C ....I wonder if you are a SeaSick Steve fan!! He certainly manages to get a backing sound out of a log with 1 string!!! Cheers Mick Hello Mick, Sounds like a nice guitar. That blend knob sounds very useful. Cheers, David |
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Post by Tone on Mar 11, 2020 20:16:09 GMT
The advantage of partocasters is that you can build (or have built) your dream guitar exactly to your spec down to the last detail. If the parts are of the best quality and it's assembled properly you'll have an instrument that's every bit as good as, if not better than, a Custom Shop model and at a much lower cost. The disadvantages are that it doesn't have the perceived magic of, say, the Fender name and you'll probably find that its market value is less than the cost of the parts alone, never mind including the labour cost. I bought such a guitar a couple of weeks ago from a friend who builds them. Here's the brief spec: Warmoth body in Polar White with vintage contours Warmoth 22 fret AAA birdseye compound radius shallow maple neck with 12* radius fingerboard and jumbo frets. Sperzel gold plated locking tuners with pearl pegs. Abalone fret markers. Fender modern 2 post bridge. Heavy gold plating. Kinman Hank Marvin pickups I love it! Sounds like a very nice guitar. I good looking one too I imagine I think it looks great. Here are some photos: app.box.com/s/sz6f2a0mbbur8bi9zfcdbzz7i6a7209oapp.box.com/s/avxhk8b6mq3bo93j0w33iy8xxrofhvdwapp.box.com/s/aspcmee3n1cliv2cznmc0tzre6swvpqd |
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Post by bor64 on Mar 11, 2020 20:22:28 GMT
Hi Mick,
At home he had no problems, but he's very lively on stage and in the heat of the battle a "wrong" setting is just a click or two away!
Cheers Rob
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Post by glyderslead on Mar 11, 2020 20:44:03 GMT
Hello Tone,
Wow......Wot a looker!!!!!!!! Very smart.
My earlier note related to a Strat in Daphne Blue that I put together. At present I am working on a Partscaster in white, but it has white knobs and tips rather than gold and won’t have that very pleasing gold edging that yours has...............so it will be much plainer and more traditional, a bit like the one Mary whatever her name was that was with Les Paul.
There you go David, how is Tone’s guitar for a bit of inspiration.
Cheers
Mick
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Post by Tone on Mar 11, 2020 23:02:37 GMT
Hi Mick
Thanks for the positive comments.
I know that at first sight it does look like a thin gold line running all the way round the top edge of the body but it isn't. The body is swamp ash with a laminate maple top carved in such a way as to leave the edge of the lower layer exposed and varnished. If you look again at the third photo you can see the grain in the maple.
It's interesting that you should mention the gold knobs etc because when I got the guitar it had the Strat standard white knobs, trem arm and pickup selector tips but I thought gold might look even better so I put some on. At first I was pleased with the result but after a few days I wasn't entirely happy with the vol and tone knobs which were light and flimsy plastic and perhaps looked a little too much 'bling.' So I trawled the Net again and found the knobs in the photo. They are gold plated metal with pearl centre caps to match the tuners, Nicer, I think.
It was Mary Ford who was with Les Paul but she played a variety of Gibsons including an SG Custom with gold hardware (but it had black knobs) which sold for $110,000 a few years ago. Are you thinking of Mary Kaye who had a blonde Strat with gold hardware and white knobs etc?
I hope your own project turns out as you want it.
Cheers.
Tony
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Post by goodtones on Mar 12, 2020 5:45:35 GMT
Tone, Very Nice! Kind of reminds me of the Startocaster cousin of the Gretsch White Falcon Cheers, David  I meant to type 'Stratocaster'...oops |
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Post by goodtones on Mar 12, 2020 5:49:59 GMT
Hi Mick,
Inspiration indeed!
I have admired a white guitar for a long time. Haven't had one yet. I'm thinking it would especially look good under the colored lights on stage.
Cheers,
David
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Post by peterbower on Mar 12, 2020 8:24:45 GMT
Hi Tone, it sounded good as well last meeting.
Pete
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Post by glyderslead on Mar 12, 2020 11:30:10 GMT
Hello Tone,
Yes you are right, I got my Mary’s mixed up.
Hmmm.............$100,000 eih..................with black knobs?........Well mine will be worth about a tenner left altogether or perhaps £50 quid in bits. ..........But would it be worth more if I changed the knobs? ...........Something to think about.
Cheers
Mick
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