Hey all! This is just the start of this… I am going to be making a few Strats over the rest of this year, of different styles. In the next video I’ll show you my workshop and what I’ve been working on! Cheers
This is what I did, decided to just build my own partscaster. thick neck, jumbo frets, old pots, JW pickups, gold Schaller SRV style tuners and gold hardware....... it's my #1 strat and has traveled the globe with me now
My favorite Strat was a 75 burst, big headstock , 3 way selector, It was heavy, alder body but felt like a hard rock maple and sonically perfect. Everyone hates on the 70’s Strats but it wasn’t until last year that I found a suitable replacement an O6 American standard ..25 years and about 20 strats later
Wishing you and your wife all the best. I am glad that you have the outlet with playing guitar. It has helped me a lot through some tough times and also it gives you time to really consider what is important in life.
First of all best wishes to your wife, may she fully recover soon. I'd love to see that Shell Pink Strat in the end, to me it's one of the most beautiful colours on a Strat.
May God be with your wife bro. She will get better soon. I had my sister who started living a very healthy life after chemotherapy and surgery (Mastectomy) in 2014
Brother I pray your wife will be healed! I will be looking forward to the "James Masterbuilt" Strat! Thanks again for all the great content, and I can appreciate your desire to do something "more purposeful" with the channel.
Thanks man. Yeah, it feels like a time for a transition and maybe to find more meaningful things for myself and hopefully create something of my own instead of reviewing other people’s work 🙌
the perfect Strat that's a thing that wrecked my brain for a number of years, In my humble opinion its one the feels like a les Paul to play but still sounds like a Strat.
James, I've done this exact thing. My number one strat is a 2015 Fender Custom Shop Willcutt True '62 Stratocaster Neck w/ '59 Esquire "C" shape, 2012 Fender American Vintage '56 Stratocaster body - Ash w/ translucent blonde finish, and a 2014 Fender 60th Anniversary American Vintage '54 Stratocaster loaded pickguard. All hardware is Fender Custom Shop w/ relic finish. I chose these parts because I wanted a white blonde ash body '59 Stratocaster w/ slab board '59 shape neck, but I also wanted lower G pole pickups that were low output. The American Vintage guitars from 2012 to 2017 are the most vintage accurate in terms of specs and finish application and composition of the nitrocellulose. I had already found my perfect strat neck with the Willcutt True '62 Stratocaster, so I bought and parted out a 2012 Fender American Vintage '56 strat and a 2014 fender American Vintage '54 strat to get the parts I wanted. The 2014 Avri '54 strat is hands down the most vintage accurate of the lot with all the plastics being made from the same plastics formula as the original '54 strats. Reproduction bakelite if you will. The output of the pickups is around 5.6k to 5.8k. the ash '56 body is extremely light and resonant. My tremolo is a fender custom shop "CS" stamped block with a shallow string recess, very similar to the Eric Johnson tremolo. I got the tremolo from The Stratosphere, you can look them up online or buy from them on eBay. The '54 Avri and '56 Avri we're bought on Reverb for around $1100.00 and I was easily able to get my money back by parting it out on Reverb. A good partscaster should start with the neck, as that's the part that has to be a "keeper". Then find the pickups you want. I suggest a set of Fender American Vintage '56 Pickups. Same in output as the '54 avri's and also have the lower G pole magnet. Then all you need is the body your digging in the finish and color you like. I went vintage spec (obviously), and the avri's from 2012 to 2017 are perfect for that. Beware the avri's pre-2012 as they have a poly undercoat beneath the nitrocellulose finish. They tend to be heavy and the finish will never fade correctly nor get all the sweet "relic" characteristics. You can check my number one out on Instagram @j.b.l.tones33 and I'm on Reverb as well at j.b.l.tones33. on Reverb, you can search through my shop sold listings and see where I sold those parts and get an idea of the prices I got. It did take time and effort, but I ended up with my ideal strat that I will keep for life. And I guarantee my strat will smoke any custom shop strat and a lot of pre-cbs strats in terms of tone, playability, and feel. ✌️ Great video, James! Keep it up and I wish you and your wife a safe road to recovery and great health. ❤️
All the best getting through this tough time. Thanks for making videos - I know I struggle to keep up with content when family things take my time. cheers
Good to see you back James, great idea for a video series. I'm building my own kit at the moment and love the idea of making something bespoke. Learning lots, especially how to create a good finish! I hope you're wife is doing well and the treatments are working. Hang in there.
Thanks James for making the time for us.., that Paul Waller Strat and the Bartel is just amazing… (just quietly I also loved the macmull tones and the guitar, even the headstock!)
I’m so sorry to hear this news, my prayers are with you and yours. The Strat sounded excellent even with the few shortcomings you mentioned ( like the neck pickup sunk ) too. I’ve been building a few Telecasters and I’m currently building a one piece extra light Stratocaster, I just finished the paint ( Nitrocellulose Lacquer in the see thru TV Yellow ) it really looks brilliant with all the grain coming through. I’ve ordered a custom neck via Warmoth in solid rosewood and I paid an up charge as well for an extra dark piece with some nice grain as well. Stainless steel frets, mother of pearl dot inlays along with the side markers as well. I chose to use their ‘59 round back’ neck profile too, hopefully it’s a nice feel without being overly chunky 😊 I’m going with the angled pocket German Schaller bridge / tremolo system as well in black. I’ll be hand wiring it of course as well with an SSS classic pickup configuration. I sure wish you could upload pictures along with comments here as you can do on FB….. maybe some day UA-cam will add that to enable that feature. I’m looking forward to seeing what you come up with, great videos and all of your guitars are amazing ( so are the amps 😊 ) You have excellent taste in music and gear choices and I enjoy your channel, thank you. Tommy ~
Sorry to hear about your wife! As I have no words and can only offer comments and likes in terms of support that's what I'll do. I'm definitely with you on the hardtail. It's definitely something I'd want in a Strat. I only have one a partscaster I put together. Looking forward to see the progression of the Strats. If it were me I'd want one looking and feeling like a 50s one, but getting the sound of a 60s one. With the 7.25" fretboard and the V neck.
Very Cool. Thankyou. Looking forward to seeing how this all goes. I am a beginner(and always will be) And am lucky to own a most beautiful Squier 'Strat' Burst with amazing finish, playability and sound. All the best. Cheers
Good to have you back, James. Firstly, let me say that I hope your wife makes a full and speedy recovery. As ever, a great video. You have an awesome collection of Strats - what a group to use as inspiration for your own, tailored build. I look forward to watching the rest of this series so I can pick up some tips. Perhaps you could have some guest luthiers join you in episodes to impart their wisdom and help guide you through the build process.
Thanks Rich 🙌 that is a great idea with the other luthiers and in the past i’d have relished perhaps going to interview them. Maybe now I can get some written answers from them and include in episodes 🙌
Take your time on this progress James, last year I've tried to spec out and assemble myself a dream strat, it took some u turns here and there, I ended up taking it to a luthier to do a proper refret and setup to achieve that result what I had in my mind. I learned a lot from this process and has a special connection with this guitar, that I'd probably keep forever. What I wanted to say, practice makes the master, same applies to luthier skills like playing skills. This stuff has to be learnt and developed, unless you will end up with something you don't love. wish you good luck on this journey.
Hey, James do everything at your own pace your mind must be in turmoil with so much going on, just like to wish you and your wife all the best for the future and hope all the treatments are a huge success. looking forward to your strat builds. ray
Thanks Ray. Tbh the last few weeks i sat with my guitar here and there and tried to record and had a tough time not feeing guilty about spending time on myself. But time heals and helps and I am ready to fit my stuff in where i can 🙌 cheers
Loved this video. I own a 2015 deluxe strat with a shawbucker in the bridge. I would love to see you include an hss model, although I understand the hesitancy. Also, best wishes for you and your wife.
I like Eric Johnson Strat a lot. The pickups of my EJ Strrat are great and the quarter sawn healthy sized neck is phenomenal. It’s the most stable guitar I’ve ever had. I recommend using tht EJ headstock design.
Yes a strat is a strat Built to make changes on the road was one of his first and foremost thoughts Of course him not being a player it's pretty incredible My favorite of yours soundwise is the poly 89 All sound good but it has a broke in tone about it compared to the newer ones It's what's bugging me about my Waller team built Troposphere hard tail I've had so many vintage guitars and experiences that the particular "vintage" lust has waned I actually prefer my pink Squier that's had all the right upgrades I have a 65 and a 72 The 72 has had all the right upgrades as well including a HB bridge pup and it's a keeper as well as my first Strat The 65 is a bit of a player grade w original pickups but pots have been replaced and refin has been put back to nitro I'm actually going to sell that neck and put an almost 40 y/o compound Warmth neck that doesn't have the quirk's of the 7.25 neck Being 63 and have 30 years of playing pro and recording experience you realize a lot including that the amp is more important IMO of course But a couple Gibson's a couple Strats are more than enough for me at this stage Another thing is every amp and guitar is piece by piece as far as magic and tone My little Silvertone 1482 has been just knocking out all my other amp So less than a thousand bucks I have my ultimate rig w minimal pedals Cheers James I hope my story helps somehow Good luck on the build I might do a Tele myself I just stained a flame top Tele body Such fun and great bang for the buck
I really like the sound and look of the ‘89, obviously no idea about the feel. I can’t comment on the EVO frets, but I can tell you that going from worn vintage nickel frets to .110” x .057” (Jescar’s 6100 size) stainless frets was a significant sonic difference. Regarding your comment about CS and Masterbuilt being different from production, Masterbuilt is its own thing. CS can be a little hit and miss. I’ve played some that weren’t significantly better than a really good standard production instrument, and I’ve played some that years later I still think about. Two of which (CS, but not Master) completely changed my concept of how a guitar should sound and feel.
Hey all! This is just the start of this… I am going to be making a few Strats over the rest of this year, of different styles. In the next video I’ll show you my workshop and what I’ve been working on! Cheers
This is what I did, decided to just build my own partscaster. thick neck, jumbo frets, old pots, JW pickups, gold Schaller SRV style tuners and gold hardware....... it's my #1 strat and has traveled the globe with me now
Also hope the wifey and you are doing well bro, thoughts and prayers go out to you both
James, will you be using Swamp Ash or Alder for the body? Or neither even….. curious 😊
@@TommySG1 i like swamp ash so have enough for 4 bodies with ash. Then i might try alder after i think 👍🏼
My favorite Strat was a 75 burst, big headstock , 3 way selector, It was heavy, alder body but felt like a hard rock maple and sonically perfect. Everyone hates on the 70’s Strats but it wasn’t until last year that I found a suitable replacement an O6 American standard ..25 years and about 20 strats later
Wishing you and your wife all the best. I am glad that you have the outlet with playing guitar. It has helped me a lot through some tough times and also it gives you time to really consider what is important in life.
First of all best wishes to your wife, may she fully recover soon. I'd love to see that Shell Pink Strat in the end, to me it's one of the most beautiful colours on a Strat.
May God be with your wife bro. She will get better soon. I had my sister who started living a very healthy life after chemotherapy and surgery (Mastectomy) in 2014
Good to see you back James, I hope your wife is doing well.
Thanks Paul 🙌
Brother I pray your wife will be healed! I will be looking forward to the "James Masterbuilt" Strat! Thanks again for all the great content, and I can appreciate your desire to do something "more purposeful" with the channel.
Thanks man. Yeah, it feels like a time for a transition and maybe to find more meaningful things for myself and hopefully create something of my own instead of reviewing other people’s work 🙌
the perfect Strat that's a thing that wrecked my brain for a number of years, In my humble opinion its one the feels like a les Paul to play but still sounds like a Strat.
Looking forward to seeing more about your build process. I've built my own bodies, but never had the skill/nerve to try to build my own neck...
Cool new project James. Hope your wife and family are doing well under the circumstances. Looking forward to the follow up videos. Cheers👍
Cheers man! Need a good project 👌🏽🙌
@@JamesOnGuitar yes James prayer's for the wife
your HSS comment is spot on. They never appealed to me, but a humbucker in the bridge does sound better than a single coil.
Great work James, my fave channel on UA-cam by far.
James,
I've done this exact thing. My number one strat is a 2015 Fender Custom Shop Willcutt True '62 Stratocaster Neck w/ '59 Esquire "C" shape, 2012 Fender American Vintage '56 Stratocaster body - Ash w/ translucent blonde finish, and a 2014 Fender 60th Anniversary American Vintage '54 Stratocaster loaded pickguard. All hardware is Fender Custom Shop w/ relic finish. I chose these parts because I wanted a white blonde ash body '59 Stratocaster w/ slab board '59 shape neck, but I also wanted lower G pole pickups that were low output. The American Vintage guitars from 2012 to 2017 are the most vintage accurate in terms of specs and finish application and composition of the nitrocellulose. I had already found my perfect strat neck with the Willcutt True '62 Stratocaster, so I bought and parted out a 2012 Fender American Vintage '56 strat and a 2014 fender American Vintage '54 strat to get the parts I wanted. The 2014 Avri '54 strat is hands down the most vintage accurate of the lot with all the plastics being made from the same plastics formula as the original '54 strats. Reproduction bakelite if you will. The output of the pickups is around 5.6k to 5.8k. the ash '56 body is extremely light and resonant. My tremolo is a fender custom shop "CS" stamped block with a shallow string recess, very similar to the Eric Johnson tremolo. I got the tremolo from The Stratosphere, you can look them up online or buy from them on eBay. The '54 Avri and '56 Avri we're bought on Reverb for around $1100.00 and I was easily able to get my money back by parting it out on Reverb. A good partscaster should start with the neck, as that's the part that has to be a "keeper". Then find the pickups you want. I suggest a set of Fender American Vintage '56 Pickups. Same in output as the '54 avri's and also have the lower G pole magnet. Then all you need is the body your digging in the finish and color you like. I went vintage spec (obviously), and the avri's from 2012 to 2017 are perfect for that. Beware the avri's pre-2012 as they have a poly undercoat beneath the nitrocellulose finish. They tend to be heavy and the finish will never fade correctly nor get all the sweet "relic" characteristics. You can check my number one out on Instagram @j.b.l.tones33 and I'm on Reverb as well at j.b.l.tones33. on Reverb, you can search through my shop sold listings and see where I sold those parts and get an idea of the prices I got. It did take time and effort, but I ended up with my ideal strat that I will keep for life. And I guarantee my strat will smoke any custom shop strat and a lot of pre-cbs strats in terms of tone, playability, and feel. ✌️ Great video, James! Keep it up and I wish you and your wife a safe road to recovery and great health. ❤️
All the best getting through this tough time. Thanks for making videos - I know I struggle to keep up with content when family things take my time. cheers
Good to see you back James, great idea for a video series. I'm building my own kit at the moment and love the idea of making something bespoke. Learning lots, especially how to create a good finish! I hope you're wife is doing well and the treatments are working. Hang in there.
Great to have you back James. You are a good man. Looking forward to the journey.
Thanks James for making the time for us.., that Paul Waller Strat and the Bartel is just amazing… (just quietly I also loved the macmull tones and the guitar, even the headstock!)
I’m so sorry to hear this news, my prayers are with you and yours.
The Strat sounded excellent even with the few shortcomings you mentioned ( like the neck pickup sunk ) too. I’ve been building a few Telecasters and I’m currently building a one piece extra light Stratocaster, I just finished the paint ( Nitrocellulose Lacquer in the see thru TV Yellow ) it really looks brilliant with all the grain coming through. I’ve ordered a custom neck via Warmoth in solid rosewood and I paid an up charge as well for an extra dark piece with some nice grain as well. Stainless steel frets, mother of pearl dot inlays along with the side markers as well. I chose to use their ‘59 round back’ neck profile too, hopefully it’s a nice feel without being overly chunky 😊
I’m going with the angled pocket German Schaller bridge / tremolo system as well in black. I’ll be hand wiring it of course as well with an SSS classic pickup configuration. I sure wish you could upload pictures along with comments here as you can do on FB….. maybe some day UA-cam will add that to enable that feature.
I’m looking forward to seeing what you come up with, great videos and all of your guitars are amazing ( so are the amps 😊 ) You have excellent taste in music and gear choices and I enjoy your channel, thank you.
Tommy ~
Sorry to hear about your wife! As I have no words and can only offer comments and likes in terms of support that's what I'll do.
I'm definitely with you on the hardtail. It's definitely something I'd want in a Strat. I only have one a partscaster I put together.
Looking forward to see the progression of the Strats. If it were me I'd want one looking and feeling like a 50s one, but getting the sound of a 60s one. With the 7.25" fretboard and the V neck.
Very Cool. Thankyou. Looking forward to seeing how this all goes. I am a beginner(and always will be) And am lucky to own a most beautiful Squier 'Strat' Burst with amazing finish, playability and sound. All the best. Cheers
Nice! Think of all the possibilities! Glad to see you back!
Good to have you back James and glad your wife's treatment is going well. Looking forward to following this new journey! Take care man 😊
Cheers man 🤟🏼
This came at a great time! I’m in the middle of refinishing an 80s strat I picked up a few years back 😁
Good to have you back, James. Firstly, let me say that I hope your wife makes a full and speedy recovery. As ever, a great video. You have an awesome collection of Strats - what a group to use as inspiration for your own, tailored build. I look forward to watching the rest of this series so I can pick up some tips. Perhaps you could have some guest luthiers join you in episodes to impart their wisdom and help guide you through the build process.
Thanks Rich 🙌 that is a great idea with the other luthiers and in the past i’d have relished perhaps going to interview them. Maybe now I can get some written answers from them and include in episodes 🙌
Praying for your wife makes a complete recovery.
Take your time on this progress James, last year I've tried to spec out and assemble myself a dream strat, it took some u turns here and there, I ended up taking it to a luthier to do a proper refret and setup to achieve that result what I had in my mind. I learned a lot from this process and has a special connection with this guitar, that I'd probably keep forever. What I wanted to say, practice makes the master, same applies to luthier skills like playing skills. This stuff has to be learnt and developed, unless you will end up with something you don't love. wish you good luck on this journey.
Hey, James do everything at your own pace your mind must be in turmoil with so much going on, just like to wish you and your wife all the best for the future and hope all the treatments are a huge success. looking forward to your strat builds. ray
Thanks Ray. Tbh the last few weeks i sat with my guitar here and there and tried to record and had a tough time not feeing guilty about spending time on myself. But time heals and helps and I am ready to fit my stuff in where i can 🙌 cheers
Greet video man! And your playing has very much improved. Some killer licks in there!
Loved this video. I own a 2015 deluxe strat with a shawbucker in the bridge. I would love to see you include an hss model, although I understand the hesitancy. Also, best wishes for you and your wife.
Thanks! Oh nice - i definitely want to do something interesting in the bridge positions 👍🏼
@@JamesOnGuitar firebird pickup?
I like Eric Johnson Strat a lot. The pickups of my EJ Strrat are great and the quarter sawn healthy sized neck is phenomenal. It’s the most stable guitar I’ve ever had. I recommend using tht EJ headstock design.
Prayers...
Dude. Slap in some Tex-Mex pickups. They sound like the 60s pickups and are extremely versatile and does blues. It won't cost you an arm and a leg.
I did a search for the Dominion Fuzz and couldn't find it. Can you share the builders website?
Sure man - dominionelectric.co/
@@JamesOnGuitar Thanks!
Yes a strat is a strat Built to make changes on the road was one of his first and foremost thoughts Of course him not being a player it's pretty incredible My favorite of yours soundwise is the poly 89 All sound good but it has a broke in tone about it compared to the newer ones It's what's bugging me about my Waller team built Troposphere hard tail I've had so many vintage guitars and experiences that the particular "vintage" lust has waned I actually prefer my pink Squier that's had all the right upgrades I have a 65 and a 72 The 72 has had all the right upgrades as well including a HB bridge pup and it's a keeper as well as my first Strat The 65 is a bit of a player grade w original pickups but pots have been replaced and refin has been put back to nitro I'm actually going to sell that neck and put an almost 40 y/o compound Warmth neck that doesn't have the quirk's of the 7.25 neck Being 63 and have 30 years of playing pro and recording experience you realize a lot including that the amp is more important IMO of course But a couple Gibson's a couple Strats are more than enough for me at this stage Another thing is every amp and guitar is piece by piece as far as magic and tone My little Silvertone 1482 has been just knocking out all my other amp So less than a thousand bucks I have my ultimate rig w minimal pedals Cheers James I hope my story helps somehow Good luck on the build I might do a Tele myself I just stained a flame top Tele body Such fun and great bang for the buck
You may see if Jonny Kinkead can refret your guitar.
I forgot how many strats you’ve got 😂
I really like the sound and look of the ‘89, obviously no idea about the feel. I can’t comment on the EVO frets, but I can tell you that going from worn vintage nickel frets to .110” x .057” (Jescar’s 6100 size) stainless frets was a significant sonic difference. Regarding your comment about CS and Masterbuilt being different from production, Masterbuilt is its own thing. CS can be a little hit and miss. I’ve played some that weren’t significantly better than a really good standard production instrument, and I’ve played some that years later I still think about. Two of which (CS, but not Master) completely changed my concept of how a guitar should sound and feel.