Building a Partscaster Guitar
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- čas přidán 8. 07. 2024
- Mixing-and-matching guitar bodies, necks, and parts can lead to some unique creations. In this video, Andy walks us through an alternative to custom commissioning that is not only cost effective but helps us develop great skills along the way.
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Just a hint of advice. Always sell part casters in parts never as a whole. You’ll never get anywhere near your money back.
Always feel bad when I see a Warmoth in a pawn or used shop for like $500 just knowing they spent $1500+ on it.
This is like the most underrated comment. Someone pin it.
Unless you build it for the sole reason of selling it, then you figure out what’s missing on the market, spec it out so it’s desirable for other players and don’t go nuts on the cost of the parts... you’ll make a little bit of money... I used to do this to build better guitars until I built one that would cover the cost of a west coast vacation. It wasn’t perfect, but I got to visit a few cities I may not have visited otherwise. I later did some really nice ones to help fund my (low cost) wedding and take a chunk out of the cost of our honeymoon in Europe. Since becoming a dad, I kind of stopped doing that... for other people. I still have my own (my Jaguar is my favorite.) I’m currently thinking about upgrading my very first electric (a Korean built Washburn) with a set Fender pickups I never ended up using, and a new trem. (It’s had locking tuners for a long time.)
i bought a parts caster complete for $100 with a warmoth neck and dimarzio malmsteen classic tuners. dude didn't know what he had.
Yup. I've built a few Partscasters and sold them and never made what I put into them back. I usually try and settle for trades such as pedals and stuff
I recently put a Fender Jaguar neck and tremolo on a Squier body and was surprised how well it all fits together.
i’m literally doing this right now... reverb read my mind lol
Highly recommend building a partscaster! Built my first one a few years ago with a lot of parts ordered from reverb sellers and it’s loads of fun and you learn a lot.
Is it any cheaper to build instead of buying another guitar? I kinda don't like the color of the body of my strat right now, planning on buying other cool and dated looking body of strats. And maybe in the long run, to not waste the discarded body, I would slowly find other parts that would cost a penny but are quality.
@@tristan_840 i guess it depends on what you’re going for. If you buy all the separate parts it all adds up so sometimes it makes more sense to get a whole guitar. Like if you have an idea of specific things you want but can’t find a guitar with all those options you can try to find one that’s close to start with and customize it. At least then you have spare parts as you replace things
@@Casey_J96 but would it be cheaper to repaint my guitar instead of buying other guitar body with the color I'm looking for?
@@tristan_840 not sure, I don’t really have any experience with that kind of work
@@tristan_840 Definitely! Check out the Stewmac video on finishing guitars it has everything.
1:12 His dad's last name is Guitars. No wonder why he plays so well
Redtail “Big Balls” Guitars. Cool dude 👍
There are solder-less wiring kits out there, I used one when I changed the pups in my Squier J-Bass.
@@Bedroomrips There is nothing wrong with solder fumes. As long as you're not soldering in a shoebox you're foiiiine.
I personally inhale as much of the fumes as I can to get high so I can my write songs after the wiring
@@tacosauce1235 now that's what I call EFFICIENCY
Yea, Guitar Fetish sells really nice solderless wiring kits for like 20-40 bucks. Makes switching pickups so damn fast.
@@wheresmycar9559 Are you using one of those kits now? I didn't like the idea of their proprietary connection that would limit me to their pickups. Am I wrong?
I've done a strat and a tele from purchases at Stratosphere. Loved hearing you recommend them. They've always sent me high quality stuff, and the one time I sent something back, they took it with no questions asked even though it was no fault of theirs.
absolute legend just soloed for 40 seconds at the top of the video. unclockable
I would like to see some recommendations for EU based shops, the tax on US product make it a bit unpredictable when shipping to EU.
I've made two guitars (the bodies I mean, I'm not good enough to make a neck) and I learned a lot. They're even mostly playable. I'm almost finished with a Fender Deluxe 8 lap steel build with plans for more. It's fun. Soldiering isn't hard, give it a try. I put a half out of phase switch in a 5 way tele mod. Thanks to TDPRI for having the diagrams. I put a six way switch in my jazzmaster build (I'm going to make a new body out of swamp ash for both weight and finish reasons [swamp ash has the coolest finish options])
Good fun putting a partscaster together, one big tip, in planning and shopping for parts, keep an eye on the overall weight, I learned that for the second build!
My Parts-Jag is my favorite, 1994 Japan body, diamond anniversary neck, Duncan pickups, and original 1960s bridge and tailpiece. (the “Floating” system is Fender’s best invention, I can dive bomb on this thing and it’s like magic the way it stays in tune... without locking tuners!)
been saying it for a while!! jags are dive bomb dreams
Bodies are pretty easy to make (necks are challenging). 3 of my 4 parts casters have hand built bodies (tele, super strat and a V). Easy way to start is buying a kit (done 4 so far, great results). Lastly, buy a beat up, broken or damaged guitar from a pawn shop and start replacing parts, doing upgrades. A very good way to learn.
Usually partscasters sell for a loss. I've got a few, and I'm pretty sure I would not get back the money I put into them if I sold them as a complete guitar. You're usually better off parting them out because people aren't quick to buy them for fair value. As a buyer, you can get some incredibly good deals on craigslist for this reason. Check out the price of the partscaster guitar vs. the cost of all the parts. Point is, when you decide to jump in and create a partscaster, you are taking a gamble on whether you will like it or not once it's complete. You may find it does not have the "mojo" you thought all the great parts you chose would give it. When you walk through a guitar store and pull them off the wall and try them, you can tell right away if you like them or not. You can't do that when you build your own. You have to do the research and choose your parts based on availability, taste and budget, then hope that you will like playing the final product. More often than not you may find you have to adjust/change/remove a part that doesn't fit in so well. That's why Teles are so easy to work with. My best advice is, build a partscaster that you plan on KEEPING and using, never selling. And stay realistic about how good the final product will be. Just because the mix of all the great parts in your head and in your spreadsheet seem to make sense, once it's a completed guitar it may not feel or look or sound as good as you hoped, so be ready to make adjustments where necessary.
My first partscaster was my Fender Standard Jazzmaster HH. It was the Olympic white one with the zebra blacktop pickups and the only original parts left is the body!
I've made numerous purchases from Stratosphere and Warmoth and created some terrific super-Strats with their parts. Highly recommend them to all.
Thanks for another helpful video, Andy
This was great, thanks a lot folks!
If you go the rout of a custom body I'd highly recommend getting a "swimming pool" or "universal" style routing. So you can mix and match pickups and control styles.
I built a great Partscaster from Stratosphere. American Special body, a maple neck with a Seymor Duncan SS-1, A Texas Special and Eric Johnson Neck pickup. It's the easiest way to get a great strat for under $1000
Would love to see your build Mike!
Matt Gibney you have seen it!! You had a pic of it on a collage of Strats on your Facebook page. It’s white, mint green guard, maple neck and a jimmy Page stain glass strap from Souldier. It plays like a dream.
You're such a great player. I love you man.
Paul Rudd, you're awesome !
Gunstreet Wiring is my goto these days Sean is the man.
I've got two unique "partscasters" Better than anything I could have bought. Warmouth , Tele plus body. 68 Les Paul mini humbucker. Joe Barden. Jumbo Warmouth neck ( shaved down to perfection by my tech friend) etc etc etc Worth every dollar and every hour.
Any vids of you playing it?
I have build lots of partscasters and probably the most difficult part for the beginner is setting up the intonation. You just glossed over this. Some detail here would be useful to those just starting out.
Great video!! Thank you!
Great video!
Super appreciate this video! Thanks...
Switching out pickups makes a huge difference. Locking tuners are cheap and a nice addition. Upgrades to hardware in general is a positive gain on most guitars. If I planned on changing out the neck I would look for a plek'ed replacement. Don't go crazy on the mods unless you truly know this is your number #1 for long term, otherwise don't expect up recoup your investment including time spent. Keep all your old parts in the event you decide to sell as original.
what a great video i will absolutely try that!
Ah man Stratosphere was the one last year when they had that 50% off open box deal on pickups. I literally cleaned out all of the Seymour Duncan Antiquity pickups and the Rio Grande's on the there for partscaster builds!
Happy days!
It is FUN to build a partscaster and you can slowly gather your parts, looking for the best deals. Then truly spec it out. Im building a black lima "super strat" with a reverse headstock, cocobolo 12"-16" radius fretboard and 80s Ultrasonic Pickups.
I have a couple, and I love having a custom guitar, built to spec. There are a couple things I might change on my Strat? My Tele Deluxe is not getting any more stuff...have put in a ton of money changing things around.
For sure, you will never be able to sell them for even a break-even price. Once you have a few, you can start swapping parts (my Tele ended up with a Strat neck).
I built a “partscaster”. It came out nice! 👍🏾🎸
Love Real Life Relics!
I love partscasters
Awesome vid guys, you guys should highlight some shops for amp parts
fun projects
The most expensive guitar ever sold is a partscaster.
Magnus Gilberg I think it’s actually ‘the black strat’ it’s it?
Patrick Teague yes. Went through 6 neck changes I believe
What guitar was that?
RickyboyH I believe their talking about Gilmour’s.
@@Nghilifa gilmours black strat
Great video! Seems like a very interesting rabbit hole ;-)
I love partscasters the guitar that is never finished. Could be a month or a couple years but your gonna change something at some point.
... 04/08/2020: I have been thinking of building a guitar that has all the features I like. I see Warmouth has a great reputation, and I will most likely use their parts.
mailvilla if you’ve never experienced warmoth, you won’t be upset at all when you receive the parts. Amazing build quality
Killer!
Only difference between your tele and mine is a lipstick pup in the bridge!
I wanted a tele with a strat neck so I 've done it.
Videos of this built on my channel.
there's also a 2 1/8" strat string spacing - strat bridge with vintage mounting hole width Goitoh. 3 size strat bridges, not two.
you are correct
If you can find a partscaster that is close to your spec, buy it and sell the parts you don’t want. If you’re smart about your purchase you can make good money back on parts and buy more.
The sratosphere ar e great, bought loads of gear from those guys, never disappointed!
Thanks for the kinds words!
The lick at 0:27 🤯
Society: "Just use the damn pick!"
Andy: "No. I don't think I will."
I want to try this on a strat. Would adding a trem system make the build complex? Thanks Andy!
It could if the body isn’t already routed for one. Have to be mindful of the way it’s mounted too. I have a pro luthier a few miles from me so when I built my strat I took it to him because the mounting holes had to be relocated.
Ok Andy I'll build it but only if you come over and play it for me.......
unfortunately the only people who seem to sell any major parts like necks and bodies are The STRATosphere who massively over charge for parts and then ask for another £150 for shipping from the US
I'm trying to make an Ibanez one, should I be worried that the neck and RG body would not like fit?
Warmoth is king
Good tips but I'd argue mjt and warmoth are better for parts and still offer a good price.
Thinking of doing this... should I do a strat or lp
Do a hybrid! What do you like about a Strat, what do you like about a Les Paul? Just figure that out, and you're golden.
Always buy a neck that's already fitted. Sanding them down to make them fit was the worst part of my tele and strat builds
where did you get your necks from?
You never have to sand the neck, you sand the body a little on both sides
Does anyone have a kit recommendation for a Les Paul Jr single cut or a Les Paul Special ?
rocketboy da man Check out the Gibson parts at Stratosphere
Would love to find parts for a Bass VI but there’s not really necks being manufactured
John Doe Warmoth has them
John Doe
www.warmoth.com
It's a great resource!
Alex Ledford Bored Hippie 420 Ive checked and no they don’t have the right necks. They used to make some but no longer do.
Dissonant Timbres There are one or two company’s that make good replacements for the bridge.
John Doe www.warmoth.com/pages/CustomNeck.aspx?style=83
That's the Custom Neck Builder page for Bass VI necks.
The best tips I can give to anyone looking for their dream guitar is to:
1. Figure out how you want it to look
2. Figure out how you want it to sound based on what style(s) of music you listen to and what you play
3. Go to your local music store and try out a bunch of guitar until you've figured out what neck profile, bridge style, etc. you prefer
4. Go to Warmoth's website and play around with their body and neck builder until you know everything about how the different specs affect your playing experience.
5. Order the parts needed to make your own ultimate axe of choice
6. Assemble, set up and drool over your sexy creation
7. Become the guitar god of all your local bars
haha Reverb giving away all the secrets it took me (and probably you) years of trial and error to figure out
another tip. import china bodies made in millimeters may not match with Fender guitar parts ,or licensed fender parts Its fun but its not plug play.. be meticulous and you ll have a great parts caster
Fuck, this guy plays good.
Buy a cool squier body and put fender neck and hardware on it, done!
6:25 "heighth" I'm triggered
Biggest piece of advice I can give to anybody making a partscaster is to get some flux. A little flux on anything that you're soldering will make you life 100x better. I think back to how frustrated I used to get when soldering and wish I'd known then how much easier it is with flux. I feel like a flux salesman. Buy FLUX!
Nolan Derosia Great advice Mr Flux!
never knew that the imports are narrow spacing. that's probably why i don't like the way my squire plays. its well made. the tuners suck though
Forgot to mention the thousands of little shops & sellers on Reverb that have parts for sale...at realistic prices.
You forgot the most important tool: The wear-and-tear sanding paper to make that “wonderful” shabby look
Ah, the relic hater. Theres always one :)
@@BaBaBaBenny I bet there's plenty more of us enjoying “relic” : )
@@BaBaBaBenny I must confess, I do like actual vintage guitars that are actually worn down because of playing, but I don't like the new guitars with a relic finish. It somehow feels wrong to me.
I own a random classical guitar from 1949 and it looks quite worn, and I absolutely love it.
Yet I tried out some relic guitars before and I just don't vibe with them somehow. The idea feels wrong to me personally.
Props to everyone who likes them tho :)
shred
Step one find a guitar in the dumpster
Step two find another guitar in the dumpster
Step three Frankenstein those sons of bitches
Leo Fender to thank for bolt ons? More like blame. :)
I wish the neck and pocket were interlocking so they don't move. No, I play fine.
Alright guys, I'm gonna show you all how to build a nice partscaster..... but first, heres my clean tone
“Heighth”
He’s such a phenomenal player but his finger pick thing bothers me way more than it should
This video isn't realistic at all. £1000 or more for a body & neck is ridiculous and you may as well go out and buy a brand new Les Paul or something similar.
I've made 2 teles from scratch, a deluxe and a la cabronita. I didn't hold back when I bought the hardware & pickups for both guitars. I also bought nitrocellulose lacquers for both bodies. The bodies themselves were good quality swamp ash and I bought 2 great necks, and neither of the bodies & necks cost anywhere near £1000.....for both guitars.
For anyone looking to make their own guitar, ignore what they say in this video because you can buy what you need for way less than what they say here 😆👍
Partscaster is a, non-existant, made up word that describes 27 different modified Fender guitar models 🤣🤣🤣. That's about the dumbest thing I've heard in the 2 years I've been playing.
Why is everybody so, stuck on calling their guitars something they aren't? Just, call it what it is: a modified Jazzmaster. Or a modded Strat. Or a modded Mustang. Or a modded Tele. You don't call EVERY Fender the same, non-existant, made-up model name just because they're modified. It's stupid.
Modded Tele? Partscaster. Modded Jag? Partscaster. Modded P bass? Partscaster. See how stupid that is yet? Stop calling every Fender model by the same name already. JHC. Might as well call them all Strats. It's the same stupid thing.
bro why are you so pressed? its just a broad term to describe guitars that are Fender style but were assembled or built by regular people
The Offset Guitar Forum is an excellent resource for anyone building their own offset partscaster.