Hey Darrel, since I'm early I'd just like to say that your channel is honestly awesome! You've helped me with SO many things and I have learned SO MUCH from you. Anyway, thank you and rock on!
Building partscasters is a lot like building a computer. It's the most cost effective way to get exactly what you want or if you want something unorthodox.
Definitely true. If I were to buy the fender sort of version of what I put together it would be over $2000, and it’s only gonna cost me about $500 to put together. Edit; I also wanna mention I already have parts laying around which helps drop the cost
I had to build a partscaster. The hardest thing was that all new guitars use Pao Ferro and I wanted Rosewood fretboard. I basically built an American Original because there were none in stock at the stores.
Similar order for my preferences, though I went back and forth between Partscaster #2 and the Tele Deluxe ... both great tones, even if somewhat different. All these guitars sound terrific!
This is how I felt. Partscaster 2 was really good, but a standard Tele is great also. The Delux had a great bridge position, though. Partscaster 1 was kind of meh. Still good, but not Fender quality.
To my taste, the Tele Deluxe was superior on every single test. It has the tone, but it has it under control, without as much weird resonances all the other guitars had.
Those Lindy Fralins sounded SO good. A little hot and that makes for a great blues sound. So - Partscaster 2 Fender Deluxe Partscaster 1 Fender Standard
Darrell Braun Guitar I love all of your sunburnt tele's in the video. I'm only 15 so I haven't built a guitar before, but I do own a Mexican tele that suits me well. Because of it I have grown a huge passion for guitar on general, and became a huge Fender fan, so seeing videos like these are really awesome for me. Love your telecasters and your videos!
Your Am St Tele is so balanced. But it is matched by the #2Partscaster. For me the list goes like: 1. American and Partscaster #2 2. Deluxe 3. Partscaster #1. I have two Made in Japan Teles. One from 1988 and the other from 92. Love them so much. Cheers from Istanbul.
before the sounds I just have to say putting the guitar together exactly how you want it is half the fun. I threw together a partscaster with a custom sunset metallic finish (spray can) hardtail bridge, and a single P90 in the bridge position just because I wanted a strat shaped guitar with a P90.. it was loads of fun and is unique.
Hi Darrell I have been watching your vids for a quite awhile now and realized I had not subscribed to your channel, what a buffoon ! I hit the red button today, sorry for the delay. That out of the way I'd just like to say I enjoy your honesty and enthusiasm. I have been playing, buying, trading and building guitars for 30 plus years and still find your vids entertaining, educational and honest. Your playing style is no copy, its your own and its great! Keep up the good work
I just finished voiding the warranty on a 3 week old guitar;-) Spent nearly as much on upgrades gutting every single thing bolted to it and installing new bits. Just did the tally and it's $1268 on a guitar that retails new for $769. I wouldn't exactly say that "free lunch" is a thing. If I sold it right now, with the case, all the upgrades and included the original parts, it would probably get $600 at the very hight end. Les than half what I spent on it. The Gibson version of it would probably still get very close to what it retails for and it's not as well equipped. This is a "throwing money down a bottomless pit" hobby. Do it only if you don't care at all about the money;-) (I do it all the time)
Woodeso's Guitar Mods I hate when people worry about it's future worth on the second hand market. If you're building a guitar, you should never consider it's future worth, because you should be building it for YOU :P
I always consider a guitars future worth. If you buy a cheap guitar and then put lots of money into it, why not just buy something nice to begin with? Or build one by buyin the components separate and assembling them. i buy used bodies, put what pickups i want in them and then get a proper neck from warmoth.
Darrell, those partscasters are sexy as hell. Ive been a bigsby fan for a long time and always have liked how they look on Telecasters. Rock on brother
Hi! I have a few partcasters of my own, mostly strats. My favorite thing about them is, as you mentioned, the planning, shopping and the building stages. I tend to use months just browsing the web, searching for cool parts and inspiration. Good times!
So first of all, regarding the tone: Maybe I'm just biased because I'm a gearslut, but honestly I don't have any preferences. I don't find any "better", just "different". They all have a different tone that could be useful depending on what we're looking for at the time. Over the years, I learned to not judge a guitar tone by its price tag or headstock name. I personally like both Factory guitars and Part guitars. Why? Because sometimes, even on Factory guitars I always end up with the desire to mod it to my taste... so it makes completely sense to just start with a base and then put all the parts I want anyway. Why buying a very expensive guitars if I know for sure I will change all main parts to have mine? For instance, I wanted a PRS SingleCut to install some Seymour Duncan P-Rail. I would have not buy a Core US or Private Stock model to remove the pickups to install the P-Rail. So I just bought a SE 245 model that I'm upgrading. But I also like Factory guitars because sometimes they're just good and there's absolutely nothing to change. For instance, I have a PRS Brent Mason, and I love it the way it is. So in that case, Factory guitar makes sense. So if I just try a guitar in a store and I like it the way it is, I'm not gonna bother to mod it. And sometimes, I see a good "base" to make my mods. And very lately, the base became more and more basic, and I considering more and more to start from scratch with parts. To me, it's just another option in guitar choices. Not better or worse, and probably not even a huge save in money; it's more for the fun of doing it, but also to get something to my taste and preferences. And I decided few time ago, that I won't resell any guitar anymore (unless I really dislike it), because I don't want any regret for having sold a guitar that I might miss few years later. So now I don't resell. So having some mods and partcasters... it's not a big deal. At the studio, we did install the P-Rail pickups on a PRS Private Stock Santana II.... I know, sacrilege! That's why I knew I would buy a SE 245 to have those same pickups (in similar scale guitar) at home :) Long story short: Either way, I like them all :)
Yep, sometimes a dirty, nasty, nasally guitar is perfect for a part, and the next day a jazzy smooth hollow body is perfect. There is no "right" sound.
Exactly, and the main reason they sound 'different' is due to the pickups. It's not because one was built by Fender and the other a partscaster. What we don't know is how well these guitars 'play' as we can't actually hold and play them. And that comes down to Fender's ability to build/setup a guitar VS Darrell's ability. Even then, I'm willing to bet Darrell has set up those Fender's to his liking anyway.
I can give you some in-site about fenders custom shop setups. they are done by as many as 3 or more people and they all have a different take on how to set it up. there is no constancy in there and there are videos that show it. your better off getting someone or doing it your self to make u a guitar to your liking not a random custom shop worker.
Yes, you can build a better guitar. Building a guitar yourself or having a custom built gives you a wider choice if woods, pickups, and hardware. I love my Logan!
They are all awesome. I would always pick the partscasters. I love an underdog. Great work!! BTW. Be lucky you're not my neighbor, I would be over all the time.
Love the partscasters. Patrtscaster 1 was my fav of the 4 guitars. looks, tone.. beautiful guitar. I just finished my first 6 string build. I am all for it. I have always traded a lot of guitars but now i feel like i finally have what ive been wanting all these years.
Hi Darrell, partcaster 1 looks really good. They all seem to have an interesting sound. American professional seemed a notch above though. My partcaster has : - a Warmoth Strat like red pearloid with white binding body bought in San Jose, - an Allpart Strat neck with roller nut bought in Amsterdam. - An Ibanez humbucker bought in London as neck pickup, an Di Marzio JB bridge pickup. - I started with a floydrose found somewhere...that I replaced with a first version fine tuner less floyd from a Japanese Kramer Focus. Then got it replaced by a fender-like 2 pin floating bridge in Chicago. - The thing I am most proud of are the neck insert the guys at Third Coast Guitar setup for me: I can unscrew and rescrew the neck at will and travel with a normal suitcase (this needs a quick reset every time, but part of the fun) . Strings are set very low. It is my goto guitar. A bit disappointed with the JB pickup, this guitar sounds unbelievable unplugged, so always out ready to be played at home Current project has unpainted Strat like body, that I plan to paint with superhero comics, banana head neck, will be set with a floydrose, an ibanez USA pro humbucker as bridge pickup and A Little Thunder guitar/bass neck pickup. Thank you for the videos.
This was a really fun viewing and a really informative video, major credit for that, man! And as far as the sound goes I'd say the surf-green parts caster really made my ears warm. This and honey like tone and rich tonal blends, I'm in love with it 100%.
Love this video. I always build parts casters (Tele or Strat) mainly because I can't get what I want through a store and custom shop wants a fortune for what I do want (plus a 6 to 12 month wait time). As far as which one I liked best: they all sounded great (tone starts with the mind, heart, and fingers of the player). Love the way you did the Bigsby by fileing the grooves in the "ashtray". Something I'll remember for my next project (I love Bigsbys). BTW as you said, Partscasters are not cheap to build...so true. My latest (I finished it last week) was between 800 to 1000. I lost track of actual cost, but.....I have a guitar unique to me, and worth every penny I put into it. My PartsCaster consists of.... Warmoth body and neck, body is Black Korina painted Alpine white (black pickguard), Birdseye Maple neck w/ 9.5 Radius to 16 Radius Bone nut Fender, Twisted Tele PUPs GFS +25 DB active preamp for mids and trebles Schaller locking and compensated tuners, (no string T's here) Bridge is a compensated Gotoh with brass barrels. Color scheme is Alpine White, Chrome hardware, black pickguard and maple neck. and a slew of other stuff (screws, knobs, and other stuff to make it work) Plays and sounds like a dream come true. (For me anyway) Thanks for the awesome video.
Thanks Great show Your partscaster 2 is beautiful Loved the Am std Partscaster 2 Deluxe Partscaster 1 Loved them all and the valuable info is great and well put together Thanks mate
FUN, was the main reason to build one. I've modded several guitars over the years, but now I'm building my first partscaster from scratch. And I agree, pickups and the neck are the most important parts for the guitar, for the sound and playability respectively. I love how Stratocasters play, so mine is using a Stratocaster maple neck and rosewood fingerboard, suhr thornbuckers on HH setup, alder body. Custom pickguard, just waiting for it to arrive in the mail to put the whole thing together. I've put together a blog detailing the build, but won't do the self promotion thing. Love your channel.
+3l84r70 That sounds like an amazing Strat! Links get automatically removed, but feel free to put your chanel name so people can check out the build! ☺👍
6:49 - Test for Echo! Always dig the Rush throw ins! Gotta go with the "regular 'ol" American Standard Telecaster, for my ears anyway. All of them are great, though and I love the Kotzen look of your gold hardware build. Dig the channel!!
I'm really glad now I saw them twice on their last tour. Saw them in Tulsa (their opening gig) and usually I am a setlist-aholic, so I about pee'd myself when they broke out Cygnus X1 and Hemispheres when I wasn't expecting it. ;-)
Great video! I am currently building a telecaster and an SG from kits. One thing that is worth mentioning I think is the fact that, if you go with a complete kit, you are probably going to need a fret leveling/crowning job done and, obviously, a setup once the build is complete. You can use the opportunity to do it yourself if you are so inclined, or get a professional to do it for you. Therefore, there are extra costs involved (tools or external services) compared to a manufactured instrument (although sometimes, a manufactured instrument may also require a setup). Also, if you are like me, I would add that building a guitar from parts is a good way to alleviate fear associated with modifying/setting up/improving your guitar. Great learning experience!
I really dug the sound of the green partscaster. I actually seem to like it better than the standard. Really cool instrument. I just sold one of my American telecasters and I can't seem to find anything modern by fender that stands out. The necks are too plain, the wood grain is blah on the body. It's all just a little lacklustre. I think building my own tele is the way to go for me. Thanks for the awesome vid! Take care!
I'm glad I stumbled on Darrell's channel. This is now a favourite along with Aussie "Justinguitar" and Brit "Anderton's". Good to collect this stuff from all over the world
Couldn't agree more about the "fun" part. I built a Tele-style Partscaster last year, starting with an unfinished body from Tonebomb, and Fender Custom Shop Blackguard pickups. I learned to finish with nitro, found a bakelite pickguard and switch knob, and just generally tried to make is as "50's Fender" as I could without breaking the bank. Perfect? No. But it was a ton of fun to build, it sounds good and looks great on my wall, and I learned a lot. It was so much fun, I was inspired to build my own custom guitar from scratch (like, starting from my own plan and blocks of wood for the body and neck). That took a LOT longer, but was very rewarding and now I'm looking for my next guitar project. I don't think I could or would have done it without building the Partscaster first. And it all started because I wanted a 50's style Tele that I couldn't otherwise afford. Partscasters FTW!
Edited...After a second listen, I'd say: 1. Standard 2. Total toss up between the Deluxe and the Second Partscaster 3. Partscaster #1 (that neck, tho...!) Keep on rocking, Darrell!
I loved your video and the topic is very apropos as I see more and more partscasters for sale online. Your point about not getting your money back is very true, but am I the only one who is noticing that prices for partscasters are rising? It seems to me that so many folks have moved from just modding their guitars to assembling guitars entirely from parts, that this is legitimizing partscasters in the marketplace. I've seen some beautiful builds with features and concepts that are really cool. But the ultimate experience as you point out is doing your own build. And I totally agree that getting the "right" pickups is the single most important part of building a great sounding electric guitar. Not that the neck, body, and hardware don't matter---they absolutely do---but the pickups by far contribute the most to how the guitar will sound. I have another thought about parts casters which I'll leave in a separate comment. Thanks again for the video, Darrell!
The deluxe was my fave. Felt like it had the most solid note when playing lead. With rhythm I'd go with the pc's. Last favourite was the standard. Too thin for me. Thanks buddy!
It's actually nice to read this comment section! It seems that we all got a different taste in sound. I thought the AmStd absolutely killed it. But it seems that others have a totally different opinion. Great vid!
hey Darrell!! Im in love with the work you have done on those beautiful partcasters. But i have to say the partcaster 2 is one of the most amazing guitar i have seen. Looks and sound so great!!
Love the sound of the semi-hallow parts caster and the first American standard. I think that semi-hallow ranked first for me... well done man, hope mine turns out sounding that good.
My partscaster, Classic vibe body American Special maple neck McNelly A5 Signature Pickups Emerson custom shop 4 way wiring harness Fender body hardware
Hey Darrel, I took a $60 Squire from a pawn shop and took it apart. I did a fret job on it, I also did the edges of the frets on it. I changed the tuners to Planet Wave self trimming locking tuners (black), didn't change the nut (it was still good), changed the trees to roller trees, new vintage tremolo with brass short block for Squires, new Bare Knuckle pick ups (Irish Tour), Obsidian wire blender for strat, new pick guard, new back plate. It did need to be shimmied. But now that guitar sounds amazing and it's become a definite keeper. :)
Darrell can you make a side by side comparison of a Squier 1972 Telecaster Thinline and a Fender 1972 Telecaster Thinline. Just to see if how they compare tone wise. God bless.
1. Partscaster 1. (The Chopper T in the bridge is an absolute monster!) 2. Partscaster 2. 3. Tele deluxe 4. American standard Currently busy building my first partscaster. This video made me decide to get the Chopper T in the bridge after months of researching. Though something that is a part of building a partscaster, I have noticed, is stress. You will have to put the hours into it, and sometimes (mostly if you stick to the cheaper side of the spectrum like I did, it's only my first build) things don't fit properly and you'll have to make compromises. But that just adds to the experience and the soul of the guitar, the story behind it. I love it! Keep up the good work, your videos rock!
Partscasters are the way to go in my opinion. Even using Fender-branded parts to build clonecasters can often come out several hundred bucks cheaper than the "real" thing. We often forget that Leo Fender himself designed these guitars for the sole purpose of being modular (easy to build and repair). Why not DIY?
I know this is an older video, just saw it. I built a telecaster, haven't had that much fun in the music world for a long time. Everything you said in this video rings true for me. I did it for the challenge. I love guitars, and wanted to see if I could do it. It cost more than I expected, but I now have a guitar that I absolutely love, it sounds amazing, and it's totally unique. I started with a TCK kit from Solo Music Gear, finished it in Lake Placid Blue, added Fender V-Mod pickups, a 4-way switch, Gotoh tuning machines, an ashtray style bridge with brass saddles, and a white pickguard. I treated the fretboard with some F-one oil from Music Nomad. It's now my favourite instrument to play.
The thinline you built is my favorite one, but the US standard is the one who calls to me on sound . I’m building a parts tele now. Local builder built me a full Maple body (heavy) with a flame cap. It’s gorgeous . I have all American electronics and hardware . Waiting on finding the right neck currently. The body is unfinished so I’m wanting to do a custom shop style violin burst with faux binding . I picked a doozie for my first build
If someone in the world can build something better than Fender, we'll we know who it is ;-) Darrel, you have so many guitars. maybe a rug rundown next week?
I own and have sold many Fender guitars, all Custom Shop. For my playing enjoyment, and to get the sounds I hear in my head to come out of my hands I have turned to building Partscasters. I've built 7 or so to date and they are all better in quality and sound than my Fender brand guitars. I have learned a few tricks on building my own instruments and have gotten fairly good at it. I've turned my back on $4700+ (in Canada) Custom Shop instruments. It will take a pretty special guitar to make me spend that kind of money ever again. My last build was an MJT fiesta red over sunburst relic, Warmoth roasted maple neck (57 soft V) with medium jumbo frets and a 10" radius, Klein Jazzy Cat pickups, and Callaham hardware. Total cost to me was around $1300 Canadian dollars. It's a beauty! Thanks for the video!
3 Telies; One made of western cedar, Gotoh bridge Fender licensed maple neck. Fender locking tuners, Wiggins Brand Vintage Texas single coils..2nd is a Knotty pine, with a GFS maple neck, Gotoh bridge, Hipshot locking tuners, DiMarzio True Velvets.. 3 rd One is a GFS Swamp Ash body and GFS Maple neck Gotoh bridge, Squier Vintage tuners, Sullivan Texas Vintage Tele pick ups.Favorite??? Hard to really choose.. I do like the Knotty Red Cedar and yellow neck both only oiled with the Wiggins Mesquite wood pick ups..Drop dead gorgeous!! They sound great .The Swamp Ash with the Sullivan's sound every bit as good as the two others that cost twice as much.My Knotty pine Barncaster is my baby that I'd be reluctant to part with.. Favorites tend to gravitate into ones hands.
imo Good vid That said...you're hardly a random guy My pref is the 2nd partscaster, based solely on the sound...though I think it's easily the best looking of the four My opinion is likely skewed by the fact that I'm not a big fan of teles imo
Dude your videos are getting better and better. i have been thinking about building a partscaster for under 350 using guitar fetish... just afraid to do the paint job. I guess it will be a fun project.
@@wildbillhackettstock teles are actually pretty comparable to sgs and other hardtail guitars for sustain... it's strats, jazzmasters, and floating jazz tailpieces that you got to worry about
They sustain fine when played clean. Dirty, not so much. Been building them for 25 years. Have yet to hear a Tele that would sustain worth a darn dirty.
Love this video. I'm not quite at the partscaster stage but I don't have a single guitar that I haven't rewired, and/or changed some hardware on. It's both great fun and useful to know how your instruments work
Grear video,really enjoyed it, spent 50 years in the car business and tinkered with everything I owned,from Studebaker to Lincoln,so this really got me going. Thanks
Hey Darrell... really enjoying your mod videos of late. I am primarily a bass player, and my one and only (electric) guitar since 2004 has been a Warmoth Soloist/Les Paul mash-up: carved top Soloist body (flame maple on mahogany), nitro finish (cherry sunburst top with trans red back), silver Seymour '59 and JB PUs with cream rings, chrome stop bar/tunomatic, amber barrel tone and volume, and 3-way switch. Neck is mahogany "fatback" (very heavy) with a 12" radius, 13 deg Jackson headstock, ebony fingerboard, and trans red nitro finish. It plays beautifully, though I'd prefer a bit more single-coil clarity at times. Needs a new jack at some point (feeling loose)... Definitely tempted to attempt a Squire Strat mod one of these days. Keep up the great work!
Hi Darrell, you have inspired me more than you know. When you did your jazz chords with the tele (walnut neck) I went out and started to source my own. I am doing just the binding on the top with a belly cut on the back. I was going to do the walnut neck too, but cost wise, I am sticking with maple on maple (with an antique amber finish). Yours is so freakin fine I hope mine turns out as well. Keep up this excellent channel
Hi Darrel, to be honest I really couldn't hear enough of a difference between the four to say which one sounded the best but I certainly like the looks of both partscasters, especially the one with the flamed maple fretboard. I also personally prefer Strats and have six partscasters. The one I love most has a mahogany with quilted maple cap chambered hard tail body from Warmoth and fitted with an early Korean Squier one piece maple neck; gold vintage style hardware all around. The body has a dark amber stain and poly finish. I also fitted it with a quilted maple veneer pickguard (homemade) housing a set of Fender Texas Specials and all wired up off a 3 way switch with 7 combinations and master tone on all. The chambered body is nice and light and the neck feels perfect in my hand. Thanks for the always entertaining and informative videos.
Built a '69 thinline tele with a Warmoth body, Mighty Mite neck, and Fender custom shop twisted tele pickups. The rest of the parts were fairly inexpensive Chinese. Built the whole thing for well under a grand and I love the way it plays.
There's a local guy who fixes up neglected, unused guitars and fixes them up like some do with bicycles. I just bought my first electric from him for cheap ($145), and got enough guitar to suit me fine for now. It's a Hohner Rockwood, but with Fender MIM tuners, MIM humbucker and new electronics. Not high end, but plenty of bang for the buck. Anyway, just another perspective on partscasters. Love your channel, Darrell!
I recently built up a squier standard tele. Obsidian wiring kit with 4 way (thanks for introducing me to those) graph tech string saver saddles and tusq nut, Fender locking tuners, alnico 2 unbranded pickup in the bridge, alnico 5 unbranded pickup in the neck position, fender jazz bass knobs, with a fender plate. Loved every minute of modding it and I look forward to my next build which will be on a Supra-tone body and a mighty mite neck. Thanks for the video advice and just for being a generally good human.
I just built 2 and 2 more are coming. Thank you Darrell for this timely and informative video (BTW: love those Fralin blades)...Yet...I think there should be a new number one. Know what neck you like. Additionally Know the string spacing of the trem/bridge/saddle. (Some Fender necks have the high E on the fret edge). Know the radius, fret size, rolled edges, nut width etc.). Cheers to partcasters and good music!
As usual Darrell, your video hits on multiple levels and always gives me something to think about and compare to situations I've been in as a player. 1. Fender Deluxe 2. Partscaster 2 3. Fender US Standard 4. Partscaster 1 The tone on the Partscaster 2 is just spectacular. I must confess I know very little about the Lindy Fralin pickups but, Wow, the tone from them is exquisite! Another video that shows why your channel is a highlight for me, each and every week!
Walnut neck partscaster. It probably shouldn't have a Fender logo on the headstock. I prefer the look of the hollowbody, but the sound of the double bound one does it for me. Isn't that what we're all chasing? Great video. Love it.
I decided to build my own Telecaster a couple of years ago. I sourced the neck and body from a local...most excellent..music store that has tons of old and new parts laying around. Parts: All Parts 7.5 radius vintage style unfinished neck. 2. Fender SCM Neck Pickup and N3 Bridge (wired traditionally but control plate is reversed). Fender compensated brass bridge. All Parts Vintage style tuners. All other hardware Fender. Body was laying in a dust pile in the store...someone else's failed project....so I stripped it and refinished. Final cost was around $800 for everything including finishing materials (aniline dye, tinted nitro, tru-oil, etc.) I absolutely love how it turned out - it plays and sounds fantastic. Although I have no problem buying instruments...making them myself or "rescuing" abused guitars has become something of a rabid hobby....and its tons of fun. I recommend everyone build at least one guitar - could be the start of a loved hobby for you. :-)
Having just finished a journeyman reliced '59 Strat partscaster... Yes you can build a better guitar than Fender for a fraction of the cost. I fell in love with a '59 Custom Shop at the local store, but wasn't willing to shell out $5700 for it. I was pretty sure I could recreate it. I Picked up an MJT body, and had them refinish an American Fender neck in nitro and relic it too. American Pure Vintage '59 pickups, Bourns pots, cloth pushback wiring, random vintage bridges and parts cobbled together etc... Best of everything I could find or buy, I cut no corners. Yes it still came out fairly expensive, over a grand, but still a fraction of the cost of that Custom, and it looks, feels, and sound every bit as good. Everybody in the shop loves it. We played it back to back with the Custom Shop, and you'd swear they're both CS builds. Already working on a reliced thinline tele, pretty similar to the one here. Was debating on a Bigsby, and think I'll go ahead and add that in the mic too.
American standard and the seafoam green one are my favorites. The other 2 sound similar to each other but not as good as the other two. None of them sound bad, but those 2 are my picks. Nice idea for a video and very well done
Because of your suggestion 3-4 years ago , I built a swamp ash Telecaster with maple rosewood neck . It's got a denim blue finish ,pearloid white pickguard, and a 920d seymour duncan vintage mini humbucker and Seymour Duncan single coil . I still slightly prefer the finishes and perfection of a new Fender. But I totally appreciate the process now and have a special spot in my heart for this guitar. Also has a unique warm tone (probably because of the mini humbucker.) I bought a Chinese kit (mistake) and nearly gave up because of all the little issues. But I pushed through, did all the fretwork and polishing. Built a new bone nut, setup and intonation . Had to redo it all ! But in the end, even though the finish is imperfect. I love this guitar !!! And my friends claim it plays better than an American : ) Thanks for your work with guitars Darrell. I don't currently have a lot of coin ,and your videos have saved me a lot of money. I really appreciate just that aspect of your videos. But the knowledge and testing you provide for us, is an extra huge bonus to your channel. God bless you bro ! Thanks
The partscaster #2 sounds best of the four played to me, but each person has a preference for a specific tone from a guitar. I prefer to build a guitar to create guitars with different tones and looks from an authentic Gibson, Fender, etc.
Good video. Great insight, especially on resale!!! I've seen SO many ads, where guys try to play with words to sell one. Custom, one of a kind, etc... Yours are beautiful, really like the Thinline. Project would be Little outa my comfort zone tho. There's some killer deals out there on used American Fenders
The neck tone on the Deluxe was sweeet. The clarity of notes in the chords of the hollow Bitsocaster (better word than Partsacaster) was something else. I'll have to give Lindy Fralin pickups a look. That was good.
Sound-wise: Green Partscaster > Fender US Standard > Fender Deluxe > Sunburst Partscaster. However, that sunburst partscaster dumpsters the other looks-wise. I think it would probably leap up the list for me if that Humbucker From Hell were replaced; I thought it sounded crap in every example. Great idea for a video though, loved it!
I have a super fat frankenstrat that I loved, hot rails, cool rails and a distortion trembucker from neck to bridge, then I bought an American Professional strat and all of a sudden my old hot strat sounded awful. After that I took it upon myself to put in reverse tapered pots (lefty here), picked a capacitor that would let more highs through, put on a treble bleed circuit and coil split all three of the humbuckers, topped it all of by redoing all the wiring and shielding every cavity. Man what a difference! Can honestly say that even though they are different, now I reworked my electronics in the old one I like them both equally. Good quality components/wire/shielding/caps might only make small differences each but what a huge difference to the overall sound, no question the best £50 I've ever spent.
Hey Darrell great video, happy I found your channel and consider me subscribed. Having just finished a project a few months back I personally felt the neck is the major component not to go budget on during a build. Since it's going to impact the playability and indirectly my enjoyment as well as overall tone. I've always looked at it: Neck -> Pickups -> Body. I'd love to hear your thoughts on that and again I'm glad I found the channel, I look forward to checking the archives and new videos to come.
+AHC Thanks! Welcome to the channel! 😀 I agree! The necks I chose cost more than the bodies or the pickups (I was building my dream guitars after all lol). The reason I chose pickups in this video as my go to upgrade is because In my experience there are a ton of affordable necks (I love all my Squier necks) that play great and can be had for cheap. Finding the right "voice" of the guitars (pickups) can be tricky is not something you want to skimp on ☺
I couldn't agree more on the affordable quality of squire parts. I guess I was referring to the ebay 'kit' quality necks people should avoid. Because I'll be honest my neck didn't cost as much as my pickup but it checked all the boxes I needed and felt great. So thank you for the quick valuable feedback I hope it didn't come off as a loaded question. Beautiful builds by the way really dig Partscaster #1. As others have commented, built or bought its not about what you spent its how it plays. Take care.
Hey Darrell, great video. Like you, I'm a sucker for double-bound teles, and I also built one using a Classic Vibe body (basically the only way you can do it economically). It's got a Klein Firebird in the neck slot, and a Klein Nocaster at the bridge. USA Custom neck, rosewood over maple, compound radius 7.25 to 9.5. Callaham bridge with compensated brass saddles and an angled selector control plate from Rutter's Guitars. Love it, love it, love it. I've done 3 Strats as well. Like you said, it's a lot of fun to do.
Hey Darrel, since I'm early I'd just like to say that your channel is honestly awesome! You've helped me with SO many things and I have learned SO MUCH from you. Anyway, thank you and rock on!
+Slonismo Thanks man!
Glad you're a part of the channel 👍
Mainstream guitar companies hate him!!!
Angelo Julioth one weird trick to make your partscaster sing!
Dan Barnard hahahahh
Angelo Julioth top 10 reasons why Darrel braun builds better guitars than Fender, and you won't believe #6!
+Owens 29292 😂😂😂
Building partscasters is a lot like building a computer. It's the most cost effective way to get exactly what you want or if you want something unorthodox.
Completely agree
Yesterday was the first time that I ever worked on my guitar 🎸 shoulda done that way sooooner :D
Definitely true. If I were to buy the fender sort of version of what I put together it would be over $2000, and it’s only gonna cost me about $500 to put together.
Edit; I also wanna mention I already have parts laying around which helps drop the cost
I had to build a partscaster. The hardest thing was that all new guitars use Pao Ferro and I wanted Rosewood fretboard. I basically built an American Original because there were none in stock at the stores.
@@thebeaner687 where did you get your neck from? I’m in the same situation right now but I already have the body.
1. Fender US Standard
2. Partscaster 2
3. Fender deluxe
4. Partscaster 1
bingo
Abu Encontrado Same
Abu Encontrado
same
Abu Encontrado bro I thought the same thing!!!
Fender standard and 2nd partscaster are interchangeable for me
1) Partscaster #2
2) Tele Dlx
3) American Std
4) Partscaster #1
another great video...never thought I would look forward to Mondays....
+Zeta Song 😄 Thanks!
This is my order as well, though I think sometimes I preferred the deluxe
a close call....they all sound great
i liked the first parts caster but that deluxe bridge position is really nice!
Similar order for my preferences, though I went back and forth between Partscaster #2 and the Tele Deluxe ... both great tones, even if somewhat different. All these guitars sound terrific!
I wouldn't be disappointed to own any of those Telecasters. If I had to pick one it would be the partscaster with the walnut neck.
1. partscaster 2
2. Standard
3. Deluxe
4. partscaster 1
They all sound great
This is how I felt. Partscaster 2 was really good, but a standard Tele is great also. The Delux had a great bridge position, though. Partscaster 1 was kind of meh. Still good, but not Fender quality.
To my taste, the Tele Deluxe was superior on every single test.
It has the tone, but it has it under control, without as much weird resonances all the other guitars had.
Agreed
I liked the US standard for some. But the rest, Deluxe. Fender did better in general imo.
trovato il ChristianIce
That deluxe sounds sweet
Agreed. I have a partscaster too but I used Custom Shop 69 pickups for mine. I just don’t like those weird pickups at all.
Those Lindy Fralins sounded SO good. A little hot and that makes for a great blues sound.
So -
Partscaster 2
Fender Deluxe
Partscaster 1
Fender Standard
Definitely think the green partscaster sounded the best. The American standard was not far behind though
Let me know which Tele you liked the best!
If you have built a partscaster, share your parts list, and let me know how it turned out :)
I like the deluxe. Second i like the amstd.
Darrell Braun Guitar I love all of your sunburnt tele's in the video. I'm only 15 so I haven't built a guitar before, but I do own a Mexican tele that suits me well. Because of it I have grown a huge passion for guitar on general, and became a huge Fender fan, so seeing videos like these are really awesome for me. Love your telecasters and your videos!
I'm sorry, I meant sunburst
I liked the Standard Tele best.
+I Am Boba Fett Thanks man!
The Mexican Teles are awesome instuments 👍😎
Your Am St Tele is so balanced. But it is matched by the #2Partscaster. For me the list goes like:
1. American and Partscaster #2
2. Deluxe
3. Partscaster #1.
I have two Made in Japan Teles. One from 1988 and the other from 92. Love them so much. Cheers from Istanbul.
American standard and Partscaster #2. I really liked the sound on those two!
Telecasters are so beautiful
+SnoOpDoGGfan100 🎸😍😍😍👍
Darrell Braun Guitar hahah keep up the great work Sir!
Strangely I always thought they were extremely ugly, for years actually.
Till few weeks ago I looked at it again and boom! Instant love 😁
Too funny, same here. Now I'm building my second tele and I haven't touched my Les Paul in a while. I must be getting old or something.
SnoOpDoGGfan100 I strongly agree! They look way better and play better than strats in my opinion.
before the sounds I just have to say putting the guitar together exactly how you want it is half the fun. I threw together a partscaster with a custom sunset metallic finish (spray can) hardtail bridge, and a single P90 in the bridge position just because I wanted a strat shaped guitar with a P90.. it was loads of fun and is unique.
goo.gl/photos/wmFoZnuGjeeR3TmY6
I'm going wire up a 3 way switch on it with a modified esquire wiring as well... just so much fun and all with parts laying around.
Hi Darrell I have been watching your vids for a quite awhile now and realized I had not subscribed to your channel, what a buffoon ! I hit the red button today, sorry for the delay. That out of the way I'd just like to say I enjoy your honesty and enthusiasm. I have been playing, buying, trading and building guitars for 30 plus years and still find your vids entertaining, educational and honest. Your playing style is no copy, its your own and its great! Keep up the good work
+Phlash the Band Thanks for subscribing!
I appreciate the kind words, and I'm glad you're finally part of the channel 😄
I just finished voiding the warranty on a 3 week old guitar;-) Spent nearly as much on upgrades gutting every single thing bolted to it and installing new bits. Just did the tally and it's $1268 on a guitar that retails new for $769. I wouldn't exactly say that "free lunch" is a thing. If I sold it right now, with the case, all the upgrades and included the original parts, it would probably get $600 at the very hight end. Les than half what I spent on it. The Gibson version of it would probably still get very close to what it retails for and it's not as well equipped. This is a "throwing money down a bottomless pit" hobby. Do it only if you don't care at all about the money;-) (I do it all the time)
Woodeso's Guitar Mods I hate when people worry about it's future worth on the second hand market. If you're building a guitar, you should never consider it's future worth, because you should be building it for YOU :P
I always consider a guitars future worth. If you buy a cheap guitar and then put lots of money into it, why not just buy something nice to begin with?
Or build one by buyin the components separate and assembling them. i buy used bodies, put what pickups i want in them and then get a proper neck from warmoth.
It works both ways since one can buy a modded cheaper than modding a guitar.
orlock20 says you
Why not just mod a used guitar?
Darrell, those partscasters are sexy as hell. Ive been a bigsby fan for a long time and always have liked how they look on Telecasters. Rock on brother
+Eric Seibt Thanks Eric! 😀
Oh man, that Partscaster #2 sounds so amazing and as a bonus, it looks fantastic and unique, at least in my opinion
Hi! I have a few partcasters of my own, mostly strats. My favorite thing about them is, as you mentioned, the planning, shopping and the building stages. I tend to use months just browsing the web, searching for cool parts and inspiration. Good times!
I think the first Partscaster sounds the best. That is a sweet guitar!
i agree and will be putting those pick ups in a tele soon!
So first of all, regarding the tone: Maybe I'm just biased because I'm a gearslut, but honestly I don't have any preferences. I don't find any "better", just "different". They all have a different tone that could be useful depending on what we're looking for at the time. Over the years, I learned to not judge a guitar tone by its price tag or headstock name.
I personally like both Factory guitars and Part guitars. Why? Because sometimes, even on Factory guitars I always end up with the desire to mod it to my taste... so it makes completely sense to just start with a base and then put all the parts I want anyway. Why buying a very expensive guitars if I know for sure I will change all main parts to have mine? For instance, I wanted a PRS SingleCut to install some Seymour Duncan P-Rail. I would have not buy a Core US or Private Stock model to remove the pickups to install the P-Rail. So I just bought a SE 245 model that I'm upgrading.
But I also like Factory guitars because sometimes they're just good and there's absolutely nothing to change. For instance, I have a PRS Brent Mason, and I love it the way it is. So in that case, Factory guitar makes sense. So if I just try a guitar in a store and I like it the way it is, I'm not gonna bother to mod it. And sometimes, I see a good "base" to make my mods. And very lately, the base became more and more basic, and I considering more and more to start from scratch with parts.
To me, it's just another option in guitar choices. Not better or worse, and probably not even a huge save in money; it's more for the fun of doing it, but also to get something to my taste and preferences. And I decided few time ago, that I won't resell any guitar anymore (unless I really dislike it), because I don't want any regret for having sold a guitar that I might miss few years later. So now I don't resell. So having some mods and partcasters... it's not a big deal. At the studio, we did install the P-Rail pickups on a PRS Private Stock Santana II.... I know, sacrilege! That's why I knew I would buy a SE 245 to have those same pickups (in similar scale guitar) at home :)
Long story short: Either way, I like them all :)
Phil Smith You should be a politician. But I agree.
Yep, sometimes a dirty, nasty, nasally guitar is perfect for a part, and the next day a jazzy smooth hollow body is perfect. There is no "right" sound.
Exactly, and the main reason they sound 'different' is due to the pickups. It's not because one was built by Fender and the other a partscaster. What we don't know is how well these guitars 'play' as we can't actually hold and play them. And that comes down to Fender's ability to build/setup a guitar VS Darrell's ability. Even then, I'm willing to bet Darrell has set up those Fender's to his liking anyway.
I can give you some in-site about fenders custom shop setups. they are done by as many as 3 or more people and they all have a different take on how to set it up. there is no constancy in there and there are videos that show it. your better off getting someone or doing it your self to make u a guitar to your liking not a random custom shop worker.
Yes, you can build a better guitar. Building a guitar yourself or having a custom built gives you a wider choice if woods, pickups, and hardware. I love my Logan!
They are all awesome. I would always pick the partscasters. I love an underdog. Great work!! BTW. Be lucky you're not my neighbor, I would be over all the time.
+Lar Rignoid Thanks!
😄 Always welcome here! 👍👍👍
Hahaha.. me too
Love the partscasters. Patrtscaster 1 was my fav of the 4 guitars. looks, tone.. beautiful guitar. I just finished my first 6 string build. I am all for it. I have always traded a lot of guitars but now i feel like i finally have what ive been wanting all these years.
Hi Darrell, partcaster 1 looks really good. They all seem to have an interesting sound. American professional seemed a notch above though.
My partcaster has :
- a Warmoth Strat like red pearloid with white binding body bought in San Jose,
- an Allpart Strat neck with roller nut bought in Amsterdam.
- An Ibanez humbucker bought in London as neck pickup, an Di Marzio JB bridge pickup.
- I started with a floydrose found somewhere...that I replaced with a first version fine tuner less floyd from a Japanese Kramer Focus. Then got it replaced by a fender-like 2 pin floating bridge in Chicago.
- The thing I am most proud of are the neck insert the guys at Third Coast Guitar setup for me: I can unscrew and rescrew the neck at will and travel with a normal suitcase (this needs a quick reset every time, but part of the fun) .
Strings are set very low. It is my goto guitar. A bit disappointed with the JB pickup, this guitar sounds unbelievable unplugged, so always out ready to be played at home
Current project has unpainted Strat like body, that I plan to paint with superhero comics, banana head neck, will be set with a floydrose, an ibanez USA pro humbucker as bridge pickup and A Little Thunder guitar/bass neck pickup.
Thank you for the videos.
I can't say that any one is better than the other. They all sound different but equally good
I really liked how you took that classic vibe and turned it around. Love the neck on it. Very unique.
Love the one with the Bigsby...!
That double-bound with gold tele looks amazing. Nice T-Shirt bro!!
That thinline is pure magic
This was a really fun viewing and a really informative video, major credit for that, man! And as far as the sound goes I'd say the surf-green parts caster really made my ears warm. This and honey like tone and rich tonal blends, I'm in love with it 100%.
Love this video. I always build parts casters (Tele or Strat) mainly because I can't get what I want through a store and custom shop wants a fortune for what I do want (plus a 6 to 12 month wait time). As far as which one I liked best: they all sounded great (tone starts with the mind, heart, and fingers of the player). Love the way you did the Bigsby by fileing the grooves in the "ashtray". Something I'll remember for my next project (I love Bigsbys). BTW as you said, Partscasters are not cheap to build...so true. My latest (I finished it last week) was between 800 to 1000. I lost track of actual cost, but.....I have a guitar unique to me, and worth every penny I put into it.
My PartsCaster consists of....
Warmoth body and neck, body is Black Korina painted Alpine white (black pickguard), Birdseye Maple neck w/ 9.5 Radius to 16 Radius
Bone nut
Fender, Twisted Tele PUPs
GFS +25 DB active preamp for mids and trebles
Schaller locking and compensated tuners, (no string T's here)
Bridge is a compensated Gotoh with brass barrels.
Color scheme is Alpine White, Chrome hardware, black pickguard and maple neck.
and a slew of other stuff (screws, knobs, and other stuff to make it work)
Plays and sounds like a dream come true. (For me anyway)
Thanks for the awesome video.
+Phillip Jelks I agree! They are so fun to work on, and in the end, you get something special ☺👍👍👍
I want your guitar :)
Thanks
Great show
Your partscaster 2 is beautiful
Loved the
Am std
Partscaster 2
Deluxe
Partscaster 1
Loved them all and the valuable info is great and well put together
Thanks mate
That first partscaster guitar you showed looks amazing!
FUN, was the main reason to build one. I've modded several guitars over the years, but now I'm building my first partscaster from scratch. And I agree, pickups and the neck are the most important parts for the guitar, for the sound and playability respectively. I love how Stratocasters play, so mine is using a Stratocaster maple neck and rosewood fingerboard, suhr thornbuckers on HH setup, alder body. Custom pickguard, just waiting for it to arrive in the mail to put the whole thing together. I've put together a blog detailing the build, but won't do the self promotion thing. Love your channel.
+3l84r70 That sounds like an amazing Strat!
Links get automatically removed, but feel free to put your chanel name so people can check out the build! ☺👍
6:49 - Test for Echo! Always dig the Rush throw ins! Gotta go with the "regular 'ol" American Standard Telecaster, for my ears anyway. All of them are great, though and I love the Kotzen look of your gold hardware build. Dig the channel!!
+mpactdesignmedia Thanks!
Rush is definitely one of my favourites 😀
I'm really glad now I saw them twice on their last tour. Saw them in Tulsa (their opening gig) and usually I am a setlist-aholic, so I about pee'd myself when they broke out Cygnus X1 and Hemispheres when I wasn't expecting it. ;-)
+mpactdesignmedia oh man! Sweet 😍
Great video! I am currently building a telecaster and an SG from kits. One thing that is worth mentioning I think is the fact that, if you go with a complete kit, you are probably going to need a fret leveling/crowning job done and, obviously, a setup once the build is complete. You can use the opportunity to do it yourself if you are so inclined, or get a professional to do it for you. Therefore, there are extra costs involved (tools or external services) compared to a manufactured instrument (although sometimes, a manufactured instrument may also require a setup). Also, if you are like me, I would add that building a guitar from parts is a good way to alleviate fear associated with modifying/setting up/improving your guitar. Great learning experience!
I really dug the sound of the green partscaster. I actually seem to like it better than the standard. Really cool instrument. I just sold one of my American telecasters and I can't seem to find anything modern by fender that stands out. The necks are too plain, the wood grain is blah on the body. It's all just a little lacklustre. I think building my own tele is the way to go for me. Thanks for the awesome vid! Take care!
I'm glad I stumbled on Darrell's channel. This is now a favourite along with Aussie "Justinguitar" and Brit "Anderton's". Good to collect this stuff from all over the world
I love the partscaster #2
Looks fantastic and sounds amazing!!
Might be the pick ups, or that Fender neck
Is it your #1? lol
+Gonzaga Thanks!
Yeah, my partscasters will hopefully be with me long enough to hand down to the next generation! 😄
Couldn't agree more about the "fun" part. I built a Tele-style Partscaster last year, starting with an unfinished body from Tonebomb, and Fender Custom Shop Blackguard pickups. I learned to finish with nitro, found a bakelite pickguard and switch knob, and just generally tried to make is as "50's Fender" as I could without breaking the bank. Perfect? No. But it was a ton of fun to build, it sounds good and looks great on my wall, and I learned a lot.
It was so much fun, I was inspired to build my own custom guitar from scratch (like, starting from my own plan and blocks of wood for the body and neck). That took a LOT longer, but was very rewarding and now I'm looking for my next guitar project. I don't think I could or would have done it without building the Partscaster first.
And it all started because I wanted a 50's style Tele that I couldn't otherwise afford. Partscasters FTW!
+Fred Patton That's awesome!!
The Thinline Partscaster is just awesome!!!
Edited...After a second listen, I'd say:
1. Standard
2. Total toss up between the Deluxe and the Second Partscaster
3. Partscaster #1 (that neck, tho...!)
Keep on rocking, Darrell!
Wow! The sound of the Partcaster 2 👌🏻
I loved your video and the topic is very apropos as I see more and more partscasters for sale online. Your point about not getting your money back is very true, but am I the only one who is noticing that prices for partscasters are rising?
It seems to me that so many folks have moved from just modding their guitars to assembling guitars entirely from parts, that this is legitimizing partscasters in the marketplace. I've seen some beautiful builds with features and concepts that are really cool.
But the ultimate experience as you point out is doing your own build. And I totally agree that getting the "right" pickups is the single most important part of building a great sounding electric guitar. Not that the neck, body, and hardware don't matter---they absolutely do---but the pickups by far contribute the most to how the guitar will sound.
I have another thought about parts casters which I'll leave in a separate comment. Thanks again for the video, Darrell!
The deluxe was my fave. Felt like it had the most solid note when playing lead. With rhythm I'd go with the pc's. Last favourite was the standard. Too thin for me. Thanks buddy!
It's actually nice to read this comment section! It seems that we all got a different taste in sound. I thought the AmStd absolutely killed it. But it seems that others have a totally different opinion.
Great vid!
So, the Partcaster 1 is basically Richie Kotzen's signature tele?
Sans the flame top !
hey Darrell!! Im in love with the work you have done on those beautiful partcasters. But i have to say the partcaster 2 is one of the most amazing guitar i have seen. Looks and sound so great!!
+neoghost13 Thanks! 😀
overall i like the classic vibe partscaster best,tone is really to my liking
Love the sound of the semi-hallow parts caster and the first American standard. I think that semi-hallow ranked first for me... well done man, hope mine turns out sounding that good.
My partscaster,
Classic vibe body
American Special maple neck
McNelly A5 Signature Pickups
Emerson custom shop 4 way wiring harness
Fender body hardware
+jldkrank Very nice! 👍👍👍
I recently found out you teach guitar lessons in my home town... I'll be hitting you up soon lol
+jldkrank Nice! 😁
Hey Darrel, I took a $60 Squire from a pawn shop and took it apart. I did a fret job on it, I also did the edges of the frets on it. I changed the tuners to Planet Wave self trimming locking tuners (black), didn't change the nut (it was still good), changed the trees to roller trees, new vintage tremolo with brass short block for Squires, new Bare Knuckle pick ups (Irish Tour), Obsidian wire blender for strat, new pick guard, new back plate. It did need to be shimmied. But now that guitar sounds amazing and it's become a definite keeper. :)
Darrell can you make a side by side comparison of a Squier 1972 Telecaster Thinline and a Fender 1972 Telecaster Thinline. Just to see if how they compare tone wise. God bless.
+Istvan De Jesús Illnsee what I can do! ☺
Yes please those guitars are sick but i dont know if its worth the 600 euros price difference
1. Partscaster 1. (The Chopper T in the bridge is an absolute monster!)
2. Partscaster 2.
3. Tele deluxe
4. American standard
Currently busy building my first partscaster. This video made me decide to get the Chopper T in the bridge after months of researching. Though something that is a part of building a partscaster, I have noticed, is stress. You will have to put the hours into it, and sometimes (mostly if you stick to the cheaper side of the spectrum like I did, it's only my first build) things don't fit properly and you'll have to make compromises. But that just adds to the experience and the soul of the guitar, the story behind it. I love it!
Keep up the good work, your videos rock!
Partscasters are the way to go in my opinion. Even using Fender-branded parts to build clonecasters can often come out several hundred bucks cheaper than the "real" thing. We often forget that Leo Fender himself designed these guitars for the sole purpose of being modular (easy to build and repair). Why not DIY?
+Gordon Tubbs ☺👍😎
I know this is an older video, just saw it. I built a telecaster, haven't had that much fun in the music world for a long time. Everything you said in this video rings true for me. I did it for the challenge. I love guitars, and wanted to see if I could do it. It cost more than I expected, but I now have a guitar that I absolutely love, it sounds amazing, and it's totally unique. I started with a TCK kit from Solo Music Gear, finished it in Lake Placid Blue, added Fender V-Mod pickups, a 4-way switch, Gotoh tuning machines, an ashtray style bridge with brass saddles, and a white pickguard. I treated the fretboard with some F-one oil from Music Nomad. It's now my favourite instrument to play.
I can only say one thing:
all four guitars really sound great.
The thinline you built is my favorite one, but the US standard is the one who calls to me on sound .
I’m building a parts tele now. Local builder built me a full Maple body (heavy) with a flame cap. It’s gorgeous . I have all American electronics and hardware . Waiting on finding the right neck currently. The body is unfinished so I’m wanting to do a custom shop style violin burst with faux binding . I picked a doozie for my first build
If someone in the world can build something better than Fender, we'll we know who it is ;-)
Darrel, you have so many guitars. maybe a rug rundown next week?
+Amit Sapir I'll add it to my list :)
Yeah, a rig rundown would be pretty cool! =)
Ah man, I was hoping a to get a review of the rugs he has :-(
I’m imagining him taking us around his house and showing us all of the rugs in his house and telling us a story about them
I own and have sold many Fender guitars, all Custom Shop. For my playing enjoyment, and to get the sounds I hear in my head to come out of my hands I have turned to building Partscasters. I've built 7 or so to date and they are all better in quality and sound than my Fender brand guitars. I have learned a few tricks on building my own instruments and have gotten fairly good at it. I've turned my back on $4700+ (in Canada) Custom Shop instruments. It will take a pretty special guitar to make me spend that kind of money ever again. My last build was an MJT fiesta red over sunburst relic, Warmoth roasted maple neck (57 soft V) with medium jumbo frets and a 10" radius, Klein Jazzy Cat pickups, and Callaham hardware. Total cost to me was around $1300 Canadian dollars. It's a beauty! Thanks for the video!
+LoKi6922 That sounds amazing! 👍
I love the way you explain those things, particularly details in every aspect..
+HIDAYAT Arief ☺👍
Derrel I learn SO MUCH from you. You are one of the top 10 UA-cam Channels I constantly watch.
3 Telies; One made of western cedar, Gotoh bridge Fender licensed maple neck. Fender locking tuners, Wiggins Brand Vintage Texas single coils..2nd is a Knotty pine, with a GFS maple neck, Gotoh bridge, Hipshot locking tuners, DiMarzio True Velvets.. 3 rd One is a GFS Swamp Ash body and GFS Maple neck Gotoh bridge, Squier Vintage tuners, Sullivan Texas Vintage Tele pick ups.Favorite??? Hard to really choose.. I do like the Knotty Red Cedar and yellow neck both only oiled with the Wiggins Mesquite wood pick ups..Drop dead gorgeous!! They sound great .The Swamp Ash with the Sullivan's sound every bit as good as the two others that cost twice as much.My Knotty pine Barncaster is my baby that I'd be reluctant to part with.. Favorites tend to gravitate into ones hands.
That vintage styled partscaster looks wonderful.
imo
Good vid
That said...you're hardly a random guy
My pref is the 2nd partscaster, based solely on the sound...though I think it's easily the best looking of the four
My opinion is likely skewed by the fact that I'm not a big fan of teles
imo
Dude your videos are getting better and better. i have been thinking about building a partscaster for under 350 using guitar fetish... just afraid to do the paint job. I guess it will be a fun project.
+Demetrio Prota Thanks man!
That sounds like a great project ☺
this turned out to be a p'up comparison ...
for me, I would be looking at sustain, and what happens stretching notes
Teles aren't about sustain though. It's the last guitar you would want if sustain was what you were after.
Maybe you just haven't played a good one. But many noted Tele players just aren't sustaining type guys.
@@wildbillhackettstock teles are actually pretty comparable to sgs and other hardtail guitars for sustain... it's strats, jazzmasters, and floating jazz tailpieces that you got to worry about
They sustain fine when played clean. Dirty, not so much. Been building them for 25 years. Have yet to hear a Tele that would sustain worth a darn dirty.
Love this video. I'm not quite at the partscaster stage but I don't have a single guitar that I haven't rewired, and/or changed some hardware on. It's both great fun and useful to know how your instruments work
Grear video,really enjoyed it, spent 50 years in the car business and tinkered with everything I owned,from Studebaker to Lincoln,so this really got me going. Thanks
Hey Darrell... really enjoying your mod videos of late. I am primarily a bass player, and my one and only (electric) guitar since 2004 has been a Warmoth Soloist/Les Paul mash-up: carved top Soloist body (flame maple on mahogany), nitro finish (cherry sunburst top with trans red back), silver Seymour '59 and JB PUs with cream rings, chrome stop bar/tunomatic, amber barrel tone and volume, and 3-way switch. Neck is mahogany "fatback" (very heavy) with a 12" radius, 13 deg Jackson headstock, ebony fingerboard, and trans red nitro finish. It plays beautifully, though I'd prefer a bit more single-coil clarity at times. Needs a new jack at some point (feeling loose)... Definitely tempted to attempt a Squire Strat mod one of these days. Keep up the great work!
+Andy Worrick Thanks Andy!
That sounds like a really cool unique guitar!
Hi Darrell, you have inspired me more than you know. When you did your jazz chords with the tele (walnut neck) I went out and started to source my own. I am doing just the binding on the top with a belly cut on the back. I was going to do the walnut neck too, but cost wise, I am sticking with maple on maple (with an antique amber finish). Yours is so freakin fine I hope mine turns out as well. Keep up this excellent channel
+John Guertin Thanks John!
Good luck with your build ☺👍
Hi Darrel, to be honest I really couldn't hear enough of a difference between the four to say which one sounded the best but I certainly like the looks of both partscasters, especially the one with the flamed maple fretboard. I also personally prefer Strats and have six partscasters. The one I love most has a mahogany with quilted maple cap chambered hard tail body from Warmoth and fitted with an early Korean Squier one piece maple neck; gold vintage style hardware all around. The body has a dark amber stain and poly finish. I also fitted it with a quilted maple veneer pickguard (homemade) housing a set of Fender Texas Specials and all wired up off a 3 way switch with 7 combinations and master tone on all. The chambered body is nice and light and the neck feels perfect in my hand. Thanks for the always entertaining and informative videos.
Great comparison.
1. Fender Am Std
2. Fender deluxe
3. PC 1
4. PC 2
Thanks Darrell
+Philip Sprangers Glad you liked the video ☺
1:11 It's beautiful. It brings a tear to my eye!
Built a '69 thinline tele with a Warmoth body, Mighty Mite neck, and Fender custom shop twisted tele pickups. The rest of the parts were fairly inexpensive Chinese. Built the whole thing for well under a grand and I love the way it plays.
+Mark Keating Very nice! 👍👍👍
hey man, great video. I love both part casters... I love the tone on the thinline and I really love the dimarzio's tone....
There's a local guy who fixes up neglected, unused guitars and fixes them up like some do with bicycles. I just bought my first electric from him for cheap ($145), and got enough guitar to suit me fine for now. It's a Hohner Rockwood, but with Fender MIM tuners, MIM humbucker and new electronics. Not high end, but plenty of bang for the buck. Anyway, just another perspective on partscasters. Love your channel, Darrell!
I liked the dual-humbucker model, but yours clearly RULE. Nice job, brother! Diggin' your channel! Keep up the great work!
I recently built up a squier standard tele. Obsidian wiring kit with 4 way (thanks for introducing me to those) graph tech string saver saddles and tusq nut, Fender locking tuners, alnico 2 unbranded pickup in the bridge, alnico 5 unbranded pickup in the neck position, fender jazz bass knobs, with a fender plate. Loved every minute of modding it and I look forward to my next build which will be on a Supra-tone body and a mighty mite neck. Thanks for the video advice and just for being a generally good human.
I just built 2 and 2 more are coming. Thank you Darrell for this timely and informative video (BTW: love those Fralin blades)...Yet...I think there should be a new number one. Know what neck you like. Additionally Know the string spacing of the trem/bridge/saddle. (Some Fender necks have the high E on the fret edge). Know the radius, fret size, rolled edges, nut width etc.). Cheers to partcasters and good music!
As usual Darrell, your video hits on multiple levels and always gives me something to think about and compare to situations I've been in as a player.
1. Fender Deluxe
2. Partscaster 2
3. Fender US Standard
4. Partscaster 1
The tone on the Partscaster 2 is just spectacular. I must confess I know very little about the Lindy Fralin pickups but, Wow, the tone from them is exquisite!
Another video that shows why your channel is a highlight for me, each and every week!
+Bog Wraith Thanks BW!
Walnut neck partscaster. It probably shouldn't have a Fender logo on the headstock. I prefer the look of the hollowbody, but the sound of the double bound one does it for me. Isn't that what we're all chasing? Great video. Love it.
I decided to build my own Telecaster a couple of years ago. I sourced the neck and body from a local...most excellent..music store that has tons of old and new parts laying around. Parts: All Parts 7.5 radius vintage style unfinished neck. 2. Fender SCM Neck Pickup and N3 Bridge (wired traditionally but control plate is reversed). Fender compensated brass bridge. All Parts Vintage style tuners. All other hardware Fender. Body was laying in a dust pile in the store...someone else's failed project....so I stripped it and refinished. Final cost was around $800 for everything including finishing materials (aniline dye, tinted nitro, tru-oil, etc.) I absolutely love how it turned out - it plays and sounds fantastic. Although I have no problem buying instruments...making them myself or "rescuing" abused guitars has become something of a rabid hobby....and its tons of fun. I recommend everyone build at least one guitar - could be the start of a loved hobby for you. :-)
Having just finished a journeyman reliced '59 Strat partscaster... Yes you can build a better guitar than Fender for a fraction of the cost. I fell in love with a '59 Custom Shop at the local store, but wasn't willing to shell out $5700 for it. I was pretty sure I could recreate it. I Picked up an MJT body, and had them refinish an American Fender neck in nitro and relic it too. American Pure Vintage '59 pickups, Bourns pots, cloth pushback wiring, random vintage bridges and parts cobbled together etc... Best of everything I could find or buy, I cut no corners. Yes it still came out fairly expensive, over a grand, but still a fraction of the cost of that Custom, and it looks, feels, and sound every bit as good. Everybody in the shop loves it. We played it back to back with the Custom Shop, and you'd swear they're both CS builds.
Already working on a reliced thinline tele, pretty similar to the one here. Was debating on a Bigsby, and think I'll go ahead and add that in the mic too.
wow those lindy fralins! it's so full and meaty yet chimey at the same time
American standard and the seafoam green one are my favorites. The other 2 sound similar to each other but not as good as the other two. None of them sound bad, but those 2 are my picks. Nice idea for a video and very well done
Because of your suggestion 3-4 years ago , I built a swamp ash Telecaster with maple rosewood neck . It's got a denim blue finish ,pearloid white pickguard, and a 920d seymour duncan vintage mini humbucker and Seymour Duncan single coil . I still slightly prefer the finishes and perfection of a new Fender. But I totally appreciate the process now and have a special spot in my heart for this guitar. Also has a unique warm tone (probably because of the mini humbucker.) I bought a Chinese kit (mistake) and nearly gave up because of all the little issues. But I pushed through, did all the fretwork and polishing. Built a new bone nut, setup and intonation . Had to redo it all ! But in the end, even though the finish is imperfect. I love this guitar !!! And my friends claim it plays better than an American : ) Thanks for your work with guitars Darrell. I don't currently have a lot of coin ,and your videos have saved me a lot of money. I really appreciate just that aspect of your videos. But the knowledge and testing you provide for us, is an extra huge bonus to your channel. God bless you bro ! Thanks
The partscaster #2 sounds best of the four played to me, but each person has a preference for a specific tone from a guitar. I prefer to build a guitar to create guitars with different tones and looks from an authentic Gibson, Fender, etc.
Good video. Great insight, especially on resale!!! I've seen SO many ads, where guys try to play with words to sell one.
Custom, one of a kind, etc...
Yours are beautiful, really like the Thinline. Project would be Little outa my comfort zone tho.
There's some killer deals out there on used American Fenders
You should to chance your YT channel's profile picture to electricguitar because seems that you play those more!? Great videos! ✌️😉
They all sound great. The Tele Deluxe has so much visual vibe for me.
I was just thinking of getting a Squier to start a project, and lo-and-behold you release this! Thanks for the insight!
The neck tone on the Deluxe was sweeet. The clarity of notes in the chords of the hollow Bitsocaster (better word than Partsacaster) was something else. I'll have to give Lindy Fralin pickups a look. That was good.
Sound-wise: Green Partscaster > Fender US Standard > Fender Deluxe > Sunburst Partscaster.
However, that sunburst partscaster dumpsters the other looks-wise. I think it would probably leap up the list for me if that Humbucker From Hell were replaced; I thought it sounded crap in every example.
Great idea for a video though, loved it!
Partcaster #2 sounds the best for me. Not my favorite color but it's subjective. Those pickups are awesome!
I have a super fat frankenstrat that I loved, hot rails, cool rails and a distortion trembucker from neck to bridge, then I bought an American Professional strat and all of a sudden my old hot strat sounded awful.
After that I took it upon myself to put in reverse tapered pots (lefty here), picked a capacitor that would let more highs through, put on a treble bleed circuit and coil split all three of the humbuckers, topped it all of by redoing all the wiring and shielding every cavity.
Man what a difference!
Can honestly say that even though they are different, now I reworked my electronics in the old one I like them both equally.
Good quality components/wire/shielding/caps might only make small differences each but what a huge difference to the overall sound, no question the best £50 I've ever spent.
Hey Darrell great video, happy I found your channel and consider me subscribed. Having just finished a project a few months back I personally felt the neck is the major component not to go budget on during a build. Since it's going to impact the playability and indirectly my enjoyment as well as overall tone. I've always looked at it: Neck -> Pickups -> Body. I'd love to hear your thoughts on that and again I'm glad I found the channel, I look forward to checking the archives and new videos to come.
+AHC Thanks!
Welcome to the channel! 😀
I agree! The necks I chose cost more than the bodies or the pickups (I was building my dream guitars after all lol).
The reason I chose pickups in this video as my go to upgrade is because In my experience there are a ton of affordable necks (I love all my Squier necks) that play great and can be had for cheap.
Finding the right "voice" of the guitars (pickups) can be tricky is not something you want to skimp on ☺
I couldn't agree more on the affordable quality of squire parts. I guess I was referring to the ebay 'kit' quality necks people should avoid. Because I'll be honest my neck didn't cost as much as my pickup but it checked all the boxes I needed and felt great. So thank you for the quick valuable feedback I hope it didn't come off as a loaded question. Beautiful builds by the way really dig Partscaster #1. As others have commented, built or bought its not about what you spent its how it plays. Take care.
+AHC Not a loaded questions at all ☺
Have a good one! 👍
Hey Darrell, great video. Like you, I'm a sucker for double-bound teles, and I also built one using a Classic Vibe body (basically the only way you can do it economically). It's got a Klein Firebird in the neck slot, and a Klein Nocaster at the bridge. USA Custom neck, rosewood over maple, compound radius 7.25 to 9.5. Callaham bridge with compensated brass saddles and an angled selector control plate from Rutter's Guitars. Love it, love it, love it. I've done 3 Strats as well. Like you said, it's a lot of fun to do.
+duffster88 That sounds like a beautiful tele!!!