A breath of fresh spring air - your guitar is beautiful - and well thought out. I am sure you will enjoy it - as we will when you let us hear it. Stay safe and creative!!!
Seems green is a color that many either like or dislike. On this guitar it's not really a green you might think... and subtle really. I think it came out really well on the color and the intention was always to have the gold and green as the colorway for this guitar. At one stage I even considered each side of the fretboard for the length of the neck to be faded green dye, but in the end time was not really on my side AND of course I was going through a learning process as I did it. Thanks and stay safe.
Tony I agree with your choice of the 1969 fender custom shop pickups I put them in a 1996 fender SRV strat the Texas specials to me just didn’t cut it I love your choice of the Clapton preamp circuit it’s funny how people say buy a USA strat but a lot of the components on them are from Mexico and the Chinese ping Tuners they Use the warmouth stuff is top notch I’m glad you put the Fender logo on your guitar because it is a Fender design guitar it’s way warmouth pays fender I can’t wait to here it plugged in through one of your Marshall’s or Boogies great video series and a wonderful build. Stay safe you and your family.
Exactly, I used the custom shop 69 pickups a few times and they are of the 'old style' IMO the best. Ha you can 'feel' Hendrix right there - although my talents are not remotely even poor in comparison. There really IS something magical about this design of pickup and when you play on the neck pickup its all there. Good to know you like the mid boost too :) On this one the tuners are Taiwan. The switch Mexico, the Pickups USA, the body and neck USA, the tremolo is (I think) USA, the pick guard Australia (really great from Peter at Gilroy Guitars), the dye is English, the coatings who knows where from. In total I would say that it must be over 90% Fender (wherever the parts are made). The logo is subjective, but its only for my personal use in any case - I certainly don't make them except for myself really. I don't have it fully set up yet, but I know it can sound very cool (tried it) and being able to tweak the mid boost gain and tones does allow for a few interesting things. This has been a long and hard guitar to complete especially as I made all the videos for each section and it has taken so much time. If I had all the spray gear and other stuff I could do a substantially better job I think. But honestly I'm not really driven towards aggro :) and really if I could have had it finished as it is then I would have paid for that colorway. I'll probably demo a few amps and how it changes the tones. I can imagine how this will sound through the 1959HW Marshall and that's one I certainly will include. Stay safe.
Love the green motif you got goin with the body and neck you probably have the most easy listening voice i have ever heard i love the way you explain things with your accent i could listen to you all day thank you for your videos i really enjoy them
Well thanks... appreciated. Yes I like the green and cream together and the gold just works well with it. My accent is in there for sure and it comes to light for example if I said something like 'get myself back again' would turn in to 'get meself back again' :) I try and get rid but its there for good :). The true local dialect (if you don't come from where I am) honestly would generally be 'double Dutch' as it's about 95% slang... In any case thanks for watching - appreciated. Stay safe.
Great to see you doing a build series again my old friend! Managed to find my dream Strat. Got a Graffiti Yellow '87 Strat Plus coming in the near future.
Yes this one has been a journey for sure. I like yellow... had a few yellow cars :) and I bet that will look great. Trust you're doing OK there Dan... and stay safe.
@@tonymckenzieofficial Moved to Hereford with my folks a year ago. So it's been really difficult with lockdown happening right after we got here. Overdue a spinal op by almost 2 years now. A few other dramas which also meant I had to sell all my gear off, only for me to get the money I was owed 2 weeks later and didn't need to sell everything off.
Yes the medical things are terrible and the delays are extensive. Hard to believe they held your op back for so long but I know it's the case... same everywhere. Sad about the gear Dan... there is no doubt that it has been tough in most respects - for me since March 2020 when we basically closed the office under government instructions. Our customers have suffered enormously too, and while I have been going to work, it has been hard. Thankfully our company is strong otherwise we would have gone as I expect many companies to go to the wall after this stuff. In any case we all have to stay on the case so to speak in ALL respects, whether health wise, financial or anything else. Stay safe and I'm sure you'll get through it and be OK... warmest regards.
Glad you liked it... I think the colors and gold etc. do go pretty well and the maple fret board sets it off in a sort of creamy color. Check the Fender mid boost because its relatively low cost and easy enough to complete. Stay safe.
Love the midboost Fender circuit board. Have them all on my Clapton & Sambora guitars dating from ‘94-‘10 .Looking great minus a Green Backplate . But I still think you need a shim at the neck to gave fast lower string action.
Yes that mid-boost board has its place for sure... especially with the 69 pickups for the control of the mid tones. Might be similar with the pickups you have too. I don't always like the back plates on a Strat so might just leave it off. I have been looking at the action on this and the bridge is a big help more so than the Fender bridge or others with the block saddles. It is low currently (not actually measured but have adjusted a little) and I'm sure that this guitar will end up with a low action on it. No shim :) but that's not the last word on this so you'll have to wait for the last video. For the adjustments the Babicz is pretty awesome. Stay safe.
The diagram I have can help but can't send it over the YT platform... fill my form out on tonymckenzie.com and I'll email it. Thanks for the kind words. I was in Dallas.
I don't have one... but heres a tip (that you might or might not know) The Seymour Duncan website AND the Dimarzio website each have wiring diagrams. While for their pickups, its not hard to change the specific pickup wiring to replace their pickups if you need to. In fact often that is exactly what I do... Hope it helps... and thanks for watching.
Thanks - yes the overall guitar I have always said that BEFORE someone creates one that they should have a view in their mind of the look and of the components... I changed a little on here with the tremolo, but to be honest that was far more than just cosmetic and the Babicz is a really clever tremolo and great to set up. Thanks and stay safe.
I would recommend to try David Allen 59SV pickups. After Lollars, BKP and Fender Custom shop theese are absolutely best pickups I've come across. Tried allmost all Allen pickups those were amazing. I have them in three guitars. With their own characters all guitars sound different but awesome.
I just took a look at those... but the 69 versions here: www.dallenpickups.com/Electric_Guitar_Pickups_p/vp%2069vdo.htm which is interesting. The last video on there was 'machine gun' by Hendrix of course. Ha I only ever saw ONE guy do that correctly with the same tones... Randy Hansen... and his playing on the version I saw was honestly the same as Hendrix. I don't think that their rendition of it had the right tone, but that's not necessarily the pickups - it could be the amp, the this or that, you know what I mean. But they do look very well made and they had $199.00 on them which for specialist pickups is a fair deal. I think that ANYONE trying the 'Machine Gun' track from Fillmore creates their own nightmare :) and it's always been one of the top three Hendrix tracks in my list along with Voodoo Chile and Watchtower... there are many more but those for me are everything a 69 setup should be. Ha I wish I could do that stuff. I have also tried BKP pickups and I know that many guys like them... they sell well. But I found them to be harsh due to the scatter wound manufacturing which takes away capacitance. I never did try Lollar pickups (or any of the hundreds of other pickup brands out there these days) and considered them a few times but never did get any. One of the best pickups I ever found were the David White pickups made by (you guessed it) David back in the 90's. Sadly David passed and you rarely see them these days but they always go for a high price used. Thanks for all your info Stefan and importantly that recommendation of the David Allen pickups which I'm sure many guys will take a look at too. Stay safe.
@@tonymckenzieofficial If I were looking for P 90s I would take a look at the Lollars .I have a 56 Goldtop Les Paul and the Lollars are very close to them, most cant tell the difference except for a small amount of noise from the originals.
Just finishing up my first part caster. I've played over 55 yrs never owned a Fender or a bolt on back since my Kay I got when I was 6. Mom took me to a Les Paul show at the fair in 1959 .I told her he played better than Elvis and I wanted to do THAT . Back to the guitar used a Fender body ( will upgrade later with a Warmoth) 2 Seymour Duncan's SSL1 and a SS5 in the bridge with the Gilmore mod with a push pull, CTS pots and a Emerson Bumble bee cap CRL switch.and a spec built neck (Warmoth ) maple with choice Rosewood fretboard 6150 stainless frets 10-16 radius . 19:1 Kiesel locking tuners .When I up grade the body I'll be using a Babicz full contact tremolo and a swamp wash body flamed maple top with a dark charcoal/ grey stain burst to black sides and back . And so you know mate the wife blames you .lol I'm waiting for the neck to acclimate which is perfect fret fit and finish are astounding, before finishing and she'll be done .
Wow that guitar sounds like a really great build. A Kay! Indeed I think that was my first guitar from 'Woolworths' called a 'Top Twenty' in about 1968 :). Seemed good at the time :). Good pickups are Seymours I have had many of those. I tried the guitar today (then my studio network failed!) and the Babicz tremolo is really cool - brilliant for setting up and one feature I really liked is that the string height adjusters (saddles sort of) can go lower than a regular bridge saddle which makes things really interesting - if you like a low action the Babicz excels at it. The only thing I like less is the tremolo arm has no adjustment - I'll have to get one of those little springs. Your guitar does sound very cool though so take your time with it! Ha I'm to blame huh! Well I get the blame for most stuff so why not... and my wife cleared the table today ouch!. Stay safe and thanks for watching.
@@tonymckenzieofficial Woolworths that's a name I haven't heard in a while. I want to thank you for your build videos. They motivated me to try this build .And it when very well no problems ,its been a joy. Also your gear reviews are second to none. Be well my friend.
Thanks for those very kind words. I have to say it's difficult on this platform to really get to grips with more viewers and that's a pity. I looked at this series and over about 11 videos only about 13k views... I have thought for some time that YT is not always what we see, but somehow more about 'promotion' of what I call 'sales videos' hiding and promoted as reviews. However, I create the videos for guys like you Dennis - and hopefully there is some benefit somewhere... I believe there is, but YT simply does not help really. Great to know you did take the step to create a guitar. :)
So part 12 will be for our listening pleasure? We get to see and hear those 69's with the mid boost circuit, it should be interesting. Thanks and take care Tony.
Well at the minute hopefully. I have been faffing around on the house network trying to make the studio net run all day. Started out to record and that lasted 10 minutes. It's a real pain because the studio is wireless comms. Hopefully I'll have it sorted or it might be a little longer.... But I did test the guitar in the studio and it sounds really good... very 'clear' and when you muzzle the mids up it changes the whole affair... I'm on the case anyhow :). Stay safe.
Hi Tony - really enjoying this build - it's been very informative. Hope you can advise the recommended pick up heights for the '69's as I'm not certain mine are set correctly, although I have no PCB. They're certainly not as loud as the trisonics fitted to my Burns Shadow. Really looking forward to the next and final chapter. Regards, Paul.
This one has been really hard work spread over many weeks. On pickup heights for the m they should be 5/64 on 1st string side and 6/64 on the 6th string I believe from strings held down on the board. However, I simply adjusted mine back a little (by sound also) because remember this guitar has up to 25db boost too. The guitar bearing in mind the 69 pickups old style is very quiet too. There is a whole section on Fender site here: support.fender.com/hc/en-us/articles/212774786-How-do-I-set-up-my-Stratocaster-guitar-properly- and I would take a good look at that, because the other setup stuff is very interesting too - such as the truss rod being dependent on the fretboard radius! (certainly one I did not know). I was going to skim over a little on the setup because I have to say I for one am totally bored with it now :) Argh 3 months of it!. But the playing tones should be interesting. The 69 pickups are pretty unique I think. Stay safe.
To the ONE person who gave this awesome video thumbs down - put some cream on mate! Be sure to wash your hands afterwards, nobody likes smelly fingers! Another great, education video brother!!! Great stuff Tony!! Jack ~'()'~ Canada manly!
Ha don't worry about them... there are usually a few. That's the internet for you Jack. Love the fingers comment :) I could have shown how to connect the board wires, but if you have the board the diagram is simple... so I just passed on that. Hopefully the whole series could be good for anyone who wants to 'have a go' really - that's why I made the series really... and the bonus for me is that it worked out and sounds really good. Stay safe Jack and I hope it's not too cold there...
Detent it is! :) I do not think it is reverse would on this set - made exactly as they did back in 69 seems to me. These 69's sound really good and I have bought them before. I know what you mean on the HSS side of things on the body, but if you get a body like this one which is one of the 'Modern and hollow' I think they have the pickup routing deeper than on their vintage strat bodies. The vintage pickup route is hard work IMO. Thanks and stay safe.
Why isn’t this series called, “Creating *My* Perfect Stratocaster”? Anyway, you’ve put in a lot of hard work, and it shows. Hope it’s everything you wanted.
Well I could have called it that... But I made the series really to inspire others to make 'their' perfect Strat... or 'your' perfect Strat... was the reasoning. :) It's true that someone could make MY perfect Strat, but then again would it be theirs :) I did smile at this. The finished guitar sounds and plays really well. I checked it today but within ten minutes got sidetracked to the studio network (went down) and I don't have it fixed yet - a real pain as I was going to record it today. I am honestly surprised at how good it all came out in the end. Hardest part? The finishing... but with decent spray gear I would have made things easier than those spray cans. Next video is setup (not in depth) and playing through a few different amps. Stay safe.
Hi Tony, I wouldn't worry about some of the parts being made in Mexico...the Fender factory in Mexico is only 180 miles away from the one in Corona, Ca. I believe that Taylor Guitars US/ Mexico factories are even closer, about 40 miles apart. Regard Paul, Sarasota.
I don't worry in reality. It was a way of telling someone that continually insisted the guitar was 'not a Fender'.. when I know that of course. But equally... what IS a Fender? Seems to me from the parts etc. that much is Taiwan (tuners), Mexico (lots) and some USA. At least on my guitar I can say its a USA body and neck :). I went Corona once (well passed near) but did not realise it was as near to Mex as that. I bet the sun is coming back there now.... :) Stay safe.
@@tonymckenzieofficial The sun never went away this year, so I reckon it will be an active hurricane season, unfortunately. Beautiful guitar, can't wait to see the end product and of course you playing it :-)
Nice job! I hate the fact that fender just puts floppy stickers and Arctic white.... Oh I can feel your pain....builds can be easy and can be very difficult.
I think the original pickups covers are not that great, but it is subjective. That 'cream' really works with the green. Last episode next video :) Stay safe.
Thanks for the pointer - I just took a quick look and those do look interestingly different... and I'm always looking for that sort of thing... so thanks for the info. Here they are: sophiatremolos.com/ and they are certainly different. I'll take another look when I get a bit of time and thanks. Stay safe.
Thanks. No I have not tried those pickups... but I took a quick look just... looks interesting stuff of course. Part of the problem is that there are so many pickup makers these days and hard for me to look too close or I would have in the tens of pickups to try and review as best I could. I'm really not the best Strat player in the world either. But I'll consider them for a future guitar most likely... thanks for the info on Mark Foleys pickups though always useful to see stuff of the quality of those. Here's a link for anyone interested too: www.mfguitarproducts.com/ stay safe!
![The Perfect Stratocaster Trem / Vibrato Setup [Floating, Flat Or Blocked?]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/PjVXWyUGpwc/mqdefault.jpg)
A breath of fresh spring air - your guitar is beautiful - and well thought out. I am sure you will enjoy it - as we will when you let us hear it. Stay safe and creative!!!
Next video will be the conclusion. Probably by next week end... Thanks... and stay safe.
Wasn't a fan of the green but have to admit once its finished the green and gold looks good
Seems green is a color that many either like or dislike. On this guitar it's not really a green you might think... and subtle really. I think it came out really well on the color and the intention was always to have the gold and green as the colorway for this guitar. At one stage I even considered each side of the fretboard for the length of the neck to be faded green dye, but in the end time was not really on my side AND of course I was going through a learning process as I did it. Thanks and stay safe.
I think the Tony McKenzie signature Strat is coming along beautifully!
Ha I can't get away from it :). The last video is the next one ... stay safe.
@@tonymckenzieofficial looking forward to the conclusion Tony.
Tony I agree with your choice of the 1969 fender custom shop pickups I put them in a 1996 fender SRV strat the Texas specials to me just didn’t cut it I love your choice of the Clapton preamp circuit it’s funny how people say buy a USA strat but a lot of the components on them are from Mexico and the Chinese ping Tuners they Use the warmouth stuff is top notch I’m glad you put the Fender logo on your guitar because it is a Fender design guitar it’s way warmouth pays fender I can’t wait to here it plugged in through one of your Marshall’s or Boogies great video series and a wonderful build. Stay safe you and your family.
Exactly, I used the custom shop 69 pickups a few times and they are of the 'old style' IMO the best. Ha you can 'feel' Hendrix right there - although my talents are not remotely even poor in comparison. There really IS something magical about this design of pickup and when you play on the neck pickup its all there. Good to know you like the mid boost too :) On this one the tuners are Taiwan. The switch Mexico, the Pickups USA, the body and neck USA, the tremolo is (I think) USA, the pick guard Australia (really great from Peter at Gilroy Guitars), the dye is English, the coatings who knows where from. In total I would say that it must be over 90% Fender (wherever the parts are made). The logo is subjective, but its only for my personal use in any case - I certainly don't make them except for myself really. I don't have it fully set up yet, but I know it can sound very cool (tried it) and being able to tweak the mid boost gain and tones does allow for a few interesting things. This has been a long and hard guitar to complete especially as I made all the videos for each section and it has taken so much time. If I had all the spray gear and other stuff I could do a substantially better job I think. But honestly I'm not really driven towards aggro :) and really if I could have had it finished as it is then I would have paid for that colorway. I'll probably demo a few amps and how it changes the tones. I can imagine how this will sound through the 1959HW Marshall and that's one I certainly will include. Stay safe.
Looking really good Tony!
Final in the series next week... a long series for sure. Stay safe.
Love the green motif you got goin with the body and neck you probably have the most easy listening voice i have ever heard i love the way you explain things with your accent i could listen to you all day thank you for your videos i really enjoy them
Well thanks... appreciated. Yes I like the green and cream together and the gold just works well with it. My accent is in there for sure and it comes to light for example if I said something like 'get myself back again' would turn in to 'get meself back again' :) I try and get rid but its there for good :). The true local dialect (if you don't come from where I am) honestly would generally be 'double Dutch' as it's about 95% slang... In any case thanks for watching - appreciated. Stay safe.
Looks nice. Looking forward to seeing the finished guiar. Cheers!
The last video will be the next one and includes tones etc... Thanks for watching and stay safe.
Thanks so much for making this crystal clear. Alot of great advice at a good pace.
Great that it is useful... and thanks for watching.
Great to see you doing a build series again my old friend!
Managed to find my dream Strat. Got a Graffiti Yellow '87 Strat Plus coming in the near future.
Yes this one has been a journey for sure. I like yellow... had a few yellow cars :) and I bet that will look great. Trust you're doing OK there Dan... and stay safe.
@@tonymckenzieofficial Moved to Hereford with my folks a year ago. So it's been really difficult with lockdown happening right after we got here. Overdue a spinal op by almost 2 years now. A few other dramas which also meant I had to sell all my gear off, only for me to get the money I was owed 2 weeks later and didn't need to sell everything off.
Yes the medical things are terrible and the delays are extensive. Hard to believe they held your op back for so long but I know it's the case... same everywhere. Sad about the gear Dan... there is no doubt that it has been tough in most respects - for me since March 2020 when we basically closed the office under government instructions. Our customers have suffered enormously too, and while I have been going to work, it has been hard. Thankfully our company is strong otherwise we would have gone as I expect many companies to go to the wall after this stuff. In any case we all have to stay on the case so to speak in ALL respects, whether health wise, financial or anything else. Stay safe and I'm sure you'll get through it and be OK... warmest regards.
Looks killer Tony that pick guard is a beauty,Im planning on instaling a boost system on my Strat.Love the cream knobs and pick up covers,Cheers.
Glad you liked it... I think the colors and gold etc. do go pretty well and the maple fret board sets it off in a sort of creamy color. Check the Fender mid boost because its relatively low cost and easy enough to complete. Stay safe.
This is exciting..looks great. I cant wait to hear it!!!!!
I checked it out yesterday and it does sound and play particularly well :)... coming soon.. stay safe.
Great video Tony, keep up the good work 😎
I'm on the home run now and the last of the series will likely be next week :). Stay safe.
Loving the colours, looks gorgeous!
Thanks... playing coming up as soon as I can make the video... stay safe.
Love the midboost Fender circuit board. Have them all on my Clapton & Sambora guitars dating from ‘94-‘10 .Looking great minus a Green Backplate .
But I still think you need a shim at the neck to gave fast lower string action.
Yes that mid-boost board has its place for sure... especially with the 69 pickups for the control of the mid tones. Might be similar with the pickups you have too. I don't always like the back plates on a Strat so might just leave it off. I have been looking at the action on this and the bridge is a big help more so than the Fender bridge or others with the block saddles. It is low currently (not actually measured but have adjusted a little) and I'm sure that this guitar will end up with a low action on it. No shim :) but that's not the last word on this so you'll have to wait for the last video. For the adjustments the Babicz is pretty awesome. Stay safe.
Thanks again Tony.Wonderful video in every aspect.Hope you are feeling much better too :>)
Thanks for watching my friend. Still ear issues :( but I'll be back...
Hi there Tony, awesome video's on this Clapton wiring.
The diagram I have can help but can't send it over the YT platform... fill my form out on tonymckenzie.com and I'll email it. Thanks for the kind words. I was in Dallas.
Hi Tony great video.... very helpful.. thanks. Have you got a wiring diagram for a hss configuration?? I'm not sure for the hum bucker wiring..
I don't have one... but heres a tip (that you might or might not know) The Seymour Duncan website AND the Dimarzio website each have wiring diagrams. While for their pickups, its not hard to change the specific pickup wiring to replace their pickups if you need to. In fact often that is exactly what I do... Hope it helps... and thanks for watching.
Man. That is an awesome looking guitar. Congratulations!
I trued to make it 'different' than the standard stuff :).
@@tonymckenzieofficial You succeeded!
Looks really nice Tony. Cream knobs were a great choice.
Cheers
Thanks - yes the overall guitar I have always said that BEFORE someone creates one that they should have a view in their mind of the look and of the components... I changed a little on here with the tremolo, but to be honest that was far more than just cosmetic and the Babicz is a really clever tremolo and great to set up. Thanks and stay safe.
I have a set of Custom Shop 69's Initialed By Abby, I have been saving for a Special Body, and when I do it will be on a Locke Custom Neck
Those a re great pickups... I agree nad have had them myself... thanks for watching.
Wow looks fantastic Tony!
Thanks for watching Kirk... glad you like it... it certainly turned out better than I might have thought it would. Stay safe.
I would recommend to try David Allen 59SV pickups. After Lollars, BKP and Fender Custom shop theese are absolutely best pickups I've come across. Tried allmost all Allen pickups those were amazing.
I have them in three guitars. With their own characters all guitars sound different but awesome.
I just took a look at those... but the 69 versions here: www.dallenpickups.com/Electric_Guitar_Pickups_p/vp%2069vdo.htm which is interesting. The last video on there was 'machine gun' by Hendrix of course. Ha I only ever saw ONE guy do that correctly with the same tones... Randy Hansen... and his playing on the version I saw was honestly the same as Hendrix. I don't think that their rendition of it had the right tone, but that's not necessarily the pickups - it could be the amp, the this or that, you know what I mean. But they do look very well made and they had $199.00 on them which for specialist pickups is a fair deal. I think that ANYONE trying the 'Machine Gun' track from Fillmore creates their own nightmare :) and it's always been one of the top three Hendrix tracks in my list along with Voodoo Chile and Watchtower... there are many more but those for me are everything a 69 setup should be. Ha I wish I could do that stuff. I have also tried BKP pickups and I know that many guys like them... they sell well. But I found them to be harsh due to the scatter wound manufacturing which takes away capacitance. I never did try Lollar pickups (or any of the hundreds of other pickup brands out there these days) and considered them a few times but never did get any. One of the best pickups I ever found were the David White pickups made by (you guessed it) David back in the 90's. Sadly David passed and you rarely see them these days but they always go for a high price used. Thanks for all your info Stefan and importantly that recommendation of the David Allen pickups which I'm sure many guys will take a look at too. Stay safe.
@@tonymckenzieofficial If I were looking for P 90s I would take a look at the Lollars .I have a 56 Goldtop Les Paul and the Lollars are very close to them, most cant tell the difference except for a small amount of noise from the originals.
Thanks for that tip.... very useful stuff.
What a beauty Tony!! I LOVE IT!! Great job!!
Jack ~'()'~
Canada Manly!
I'm sure you're below Jack :)... In any case glad you liked the beast (or green monster I might call it)... and stay safe.
Just finishing up my first part caster. I've played over 55 yrs never owned a Fender or a bolt on back since my Kay I got when I was 6. Mom took me to a Les Paul show at the fair in 1959 .I told her he played better than Elvis and I wanted to do THAT . Back to the guitar used a Fender body ( will upgrade later with a Warmoth) 2 Seymour Duncan's SSL1 and a SS5 in the bridge with the Gilmore mod with a push pull, CTS pots and a Emerson Bumble bee cap CRL switch.and a spec built neck (Warmoth ) maple with choice Rosewood fretboard 6150 stainless frets 10-16 radius . 19:1 Kiesel locking tuners .When I up grade the body I'll be using a Babicz full contact tremolo and a swamp wash body flamed maple top with a dark charcoal/ grey stain burst to black sides and back . And so you know mate the wife blames you .lol I'm waiting for the neck to acclimate which is perfect fret fit and finish are astounding, before finishing and she'll be done .
Wow that guitar sounds like a really great build. A Kay! Indeed I think that was my first guitar from 'Woolworths' called a 'Top Twenty' in about 1968 :). Seemed good at the time :). Good pickups are Seymours I have had many of those. I tried the guitar today (then my studio network failed!) and the Babicz tremolo is really cool - brilliant for setting up and one feature I really liked is that the string height adjusters (saddles sort of) can go lower than a regular bridge saddle which makes things really interesting - if you like a low action the Babicz excels at it. The only thing I like less is the tremolo arm has no adjustment - I'll have to get one of those little springs. Your guitar does sound very cool though so take your time with it! Ha I'm to blame huh! Well I get the blame for most stuff so why not... and my wife cleared the table today ouch!. Stay safe and thanks for watching.
@@tonymckenzieofficial Woolworths that's a name I haven't heard in a while. I want to thank you for your build videos. They motivated me to try this build .And it when very well no problems ,its been a joy. Also your gear reviews are second to none. Be well my friend.
Thanks for those very kind words. I have to say it's difficult on this platform to really get to grips with more viewers and that's a pity. I looked at this series and over about 11 videos only about 13k views... I have thought for some time that YT is not always what we see, but somehow more about 'promotion' of what I call 'sales videos' hiding and promoted as reviews. However, I create the videos for guys like you Dennis - and hopefully there is some benefit somewhere... I believe there is, but YT simply does not help really. Great to know you did take the step to create a guitar. :)
Very nice Tony .
Glad toy liked it... and watch for the final video but delayed a short while - I'm fixing the networks here... stay safe.
Wow! it looks great! 👀
A bit of the setup and away it goes... I have tested it through an amp and it does sound really good. Stay safe.
So part 12 will be for our listening pleasure? We get to see and hear those 69's with the mid boost circuit, it should be interesting.
Thanks and take care Tony.
Well at the minute hopefully. I have been faffing around on the house network trying to make the studio net run all day. Started out to record and that lasted 10 minutes. It's a real pain because the studio is wireless comms. Hopefully I'll have it sorted or it might be a little longer.... But I did test the guitar in the studio and it sounds really good... very 'clear' and when you muzzle the mids up it changes the whole affair... I'm on the case anyhow :). Stay safe.
OMG now I’m really begining to drool, can’t wait to play it mate.😂😂😂. Those pickups and the boost will sound really sweet.🕊🏴❤️
Hi Tony - really enjoying this build - it's been very informative. Hope you can advise the recommended pick up heights for the '69's as I'm not certain mine are set correctly,
although I have no PCB. They're certainly not as loud as the trisonics fitted to my Burns
Shadow. Really looking forward to the next and final chapter. Regards, Paul.
This one has been really hard work spread over many weeks. On pickup heights for the m they should be 5/64 on 1st string side and 6/64 on the 6th string I believe from strings held down on the board. However, I simply adjusted mine back a little (by sound also) because remember this guitar has up to 25db boost too. The guitar bearing in mind the 69 pickups old style is very quiet too. There is a whole section on Fender site here: support.fender.com/hc/en-us/articles/212774786-How-do-I-set-up-my-Stratocaster-guitar-properly- and I would take a good look at that, because the other setup stuff is very interesting too - such as the truss rod being dependent on the fretboard radius! (certainly one I did not know). I was going to skim over a little on the setup because I have to say I for one am totally bored with it now :) Argh 3 months of it!. But the playing tones should be interesting. The 69 pickups are pretty unique I think. Stay safe.
@@tonymckenzieofficial Many thanks for your reply and information Tony. Best Regards, Paul.
To the ONE person who gave this awesome video thumbs down - put some cream on mate! Be sure to wash your hands afterwards, nobody likes smelly fingers!
Another great, education video brother!!!
Great stuff Tony!!
Jack ~'()'~
Canada manly!
Ha don't worry about them... there are usually a few. That's the internet for you Jack. Love the fingers comment :) I could have shown how to connect the board wires, but if you have the board the diagram is simple... so I just passed on that. Hopefully the whole series could be good for anyone who wants to 'have a go' really - that's why I made the series really... and the bonus for me is that it worked out and sounds really good. Stay safe Jack and I hope it's not too cold there...
Centre detent i think Tony.
Is the centre pup RW?
I'd have a HSS body, more room for sc pup.
Detent it is! :) I do not think it is reverse would on this set - made exactly as they did back in 69 seems to me. These 69's sound really good and I have bought them before. I know what you mean on the HSS side of things on the body, but if you get a body like this one which is one of the 'Modern and hollow' I think they have the pickup routing deeper than on their vintage strat bodies. The vintage pickup route is hard work IMO. Thanks and stay safe.
Why isn’t this series called, “Creating *My* Perfect Stratocaster”?
Anyway, you’ve put in a lot of hard work, and it shows. Hope it’s everything you wanted.
Well I could have called it that... But I made the series really to inspire others to make 'their' perfect Strat... or 'your' perfect Strat... was the reasoning. :) It's true that someone could make MY perfect Strat, but then again would it be theirs :) I did smile at this. The finished guitar sounds and plays really well. I checked it today but within ten minutes got sidetracked to the studio network (went down) and I don't have it fixed yet - a real pain as I was going to record it today. I am honestly surprised at how good it all came out in the end. Hardest part? The finishing... but with decent spray gear I would have made things easier than those spray cans. Next video is setup (not in depth) and playing through a few different amps. Stay safe.
Hi Tony, I wouldn't worry about some of the parts being made in Mexico...the Fender factory in Mexico is only 180 miles away from the one in Corona, Ca. I believe that Taylor Guitars US/ Mexico factories are even closer, about 40 miles apart. Regard Paul, Sarasota.
I don't worry in reality. It was a way of telling someone that continually insisted the guitar was 'not a Fender'.. when I know that of course. But equally... what IS a Fender? Seems to me from the parts etc. that much is Taiwan (tuners), Mexico (lots) and some USA. At least on my guitar I can say its a USA body and neck :). I went Corona once (well passed near) but did not realise it was as near to Mex as that. I bet the sun is coming back there now.... :) Stay safe.
@@tonymckenzieofficial The sun never went away this year, so I reckon it will be an active hurricane season, unfortunately. Beautiful guitar, can't wait to see the end product and of course you playing it :-)
Well watch for those for sure.... and watch for the playing hopefully I'll be doing the recording this week end... stay safe.
@@quarryfield The last hurricane they had in So Cal was in 1983, ok? Active hurricane season in CA, who you trying to bullshit?
Nice job! I hate the fact that fender just puts floppy stickers and Arctic white....
Oh I can feel your pain....builds can be easy and can be very difficult.
I think the original pickups covers are not that great, but it is subjective. That 'cream' really works with the green. Last episode next video :) Stay safe.
Have you got a link for the wiring diagram please?, I also have the fender one which is not very clear around the TBX dual gangs.
It was the Fender wiring diagram I used? I have an alternative but go to my website and fill the form and I'll send it to you... thanks.
Are the pickups noiseless and if not, how do you like the boost using regular alnico pickups?
I have used the board with both over a number of years... prefer the quieter ones, but works with both...
Uncle Tony give Sophia tremolos a look , seems promising
Thanks for the pointer - I just took a quick look and those do look interestingly different... and I'm always looking for that sort of thing... so thanks for the info. Here they are: sophiatremolos.com/ and they are certainly different. I'll take another look when I get a bit of time and thanks. Stay safe.
Really starting to look the business Tony 👍🏻 have you heard of or tried a set of Mark Foleys Strat pickups from mf guitars?
Thanks. No I have not tried those pickups... but I took a quick look just... looks interesting stuff of course. Part of the problem is that there are so many pickup makers these days and hard for me to look too close or I would have in the tens of pickups to try and review as best I could. I'm really not the best Strat player in the world either. But I'll consider them for a future guitar most likely... thanks for the info on Mark Foleys pickups though always useful to see stuff of the quality of those. Here's a link for anyone interested too: www.mfguitarproducts.com/ stay safe!
😎
Final video will be the next one at last :). Stay safe.
Where did you get your wiring set from?
The diagrams can be downloaded from Fender, Seymour Duncan or Dimarzio for free. Best to look for the diagram for the pickups you use ;-) Thanks...
"thewse"
I don't get that one... blame my age :). Stay safe.