ilovefuzz.com

I though I'd share my first ever build. Next time I'll go all in and try cutting out the body and neck also. Hope you enjoy!


I was originally just on the lookout for a neck for an old Squire Bullet body I've had laying around, but then I figured I'd see how much a full warmoth build would be. An hour later I found myself suffering from serious GAS and sent the order.

NECK
- Quartersawn Canary (raw)
- 22 frets
- 10-16" compound radius
- Standard thin
- Fret size 6150
- Cream face dots
- White side dots
- Vintage style tuner rim (vintage style Gotohs)
- GraphTech Black TUSQ XL - Standard Nut

BODY
- Chambered black korina
- SSS
- Tummy cut + forearm contour
- Hardtail (chrome Fender)
- Clear gloss finish
- Chrome jack plate/ neck plate/ strap holders. Black string ferrules
- Planet Waves Stereo Jack, Gold Plated.

PICKGUARD
- Fender Fat 50's in neck
- Fender CS69's in middle
- Seymour Duncan SSL-5 in bridge



First, a picture to set the mood



Neck fastened



Used two sorts of reamers for the tuning machine holes




Like a glove



Making it as straight as I can (that's what she said)








Turned out pretty good




String ferrules time




Fret work time

First thing: Get that neck straight






Before and after truss rod adjustment



All wrapped up and ready to go!




Leveling those frets (400 -600 - 800 grit)






Had to go MacGyver to deal with the fret ends



Pointing to one being done, the others are not yet touched



Some more MacGyver tools I used together with sandpaper (400-800-1200) for removing the flat spots




One fret done


Three down, too damn many to go!


0000 Steel wool to look for scratches made by the sandpaper




Tape off. Quite stoked on the results myself *pats own back*



Strap-holders. Bottom one first







Then the 'horn'













Copper shield.



Grounding the bridge and the shielding





Time to get that jack plate in place




Little homemade isolation from rubber and tar tape



Neck on, E-strings on. Adjusting the pickguard and taping it down



Why did I go for the 11-hole pickguard? So many holes to drill!



Neck back on. All strings on. Adjusting the string height and the intonation






And here she is!
















If you made it all the way through; congratulations to both you and your internet provider because that was a shitload of pictures!

UglyCasanova wrote:Like a glove


Making it as straight as I can (that's what she said)

I like this guy.

Nice build.

friend of mine won a diy kit from sweetwater
its a bronco shape completely unfinished
this is great stuff man
did you use the countersink bit just to clean up holes?
thats crazy you want it lookin nice even underneath components
is the body warmoth too?
my only complaint is the pickguard hides ANY wood
that grain and finish is unbelievable
its tough to get excited about strats
that thing is beutiful homey
you must be psyched as hell

Man I love full picture threads, this was awesome!

Congratulations on have an awesome guitar

Looks so good dude!!

Thank you, guys!

ryan summit wrote:did you use the countersink bit just to clean up holes?
thats crazy you want it lookin nice even underneath components

Well, on the holes for the tuning machines there really wasn't a reason for me countersink, but on the body I did it so that the finish wouldn't crack as I screwed the screws in, as I like the holes to be as tight as possible (another 'that's what she said' for Chankgeez )

ryan summit wrote:is the body warmoth too?
my only complaint is the pickguard hides ANY wood
that grain and finish is unbelievable

Yes indeed. It was a showcase body. I was sold as soon as I saw it! You are not the only person to comment on the pickguard being too big. But for me a strat should always have a full pickguard, despite the grain being really purdy.

ryan summit wrote:its tough to get excited about strats
that thing is beutiful homey
you must be psyched as hell

I really like it! Pickups sound great, especially the SSL-5 combined with the fat 50 (there's a toggle switch to engange the neck pickup despite the position of the 5-way switch). Having put it together myself also makes it lots of fun to play. The only downside for me is the standard thin neck and the bigger frets (which I might work on getting smaller). I wanted to experiment with neck profiles and frets, but I have to admit that chunkier necks and smaller frets suit me better.

i didnt mean to dis it at all
after all its a strat pickguard
hides all the routes im sure
i just meant its a shame to cover any of that wood
i know you had to
and you did exactly what i woulda done with the black

Ah, I see. I've just heard so many people asking me why I went with a full pickguard that I figured that it was what you meant

That is a gorgeous guitar! I'd kill for a guitar with wood grain like that. Damn good build quality, too, dude
The neck pickup switch is smart. I may have to do that!