GUITAR BUILD PROJECTS, DRUM FETTLING, CUSTOMISATION & DIY TECH
As I've gradually grown my collection of completed builds - I think this natural Ash Stratocaster is the one which has taught me the most. Consequently - just about every component has been swapped out, at least once, over the last couple of years. With the latest modifications however... I think it might finally be where I want it to be.
My version of David Gilmour's famous "Black Strat" has taken a long time to put together - but I've relished every minute of this project. Essentialy - it's a kit job, but many of the parts have taken a fair bit of investigation and sourcing. The build is a sort of, "New, Old Stock" approach - rather than a faithful, cosmetic replica. The guitar certainly has the look, but it's a bit of a player too!
I've been side-tracked with the bass cabinet project recently. And all the time - the Black Strat project has been sitting there, waiting for strings and a setup. I've been itching to get round to it - but I wanted to make sure I had enough spare time to do a proper job. Finally - today's the day.
With all the modifications in place, I can now setup the guitar. The new setup is going to unstop the tremolo - but since that's something I'll also have to do for the Black Strat, I need to get acquainted with the theory and practice of properly floating a Stratocaster tremolo.
All the groundwork is now done and the guitar is ready for the new pickups and wiring. I just need to check on the scratchplate fit at the bridge first. UPDATE: Idiot wiring mistakes identified and rectified.
The last stage of the Black Strat wiring process, and the last bits of hardware to assemble. From here on in - it should be all about the setup. All I need to do, is hook up the pickups, lay the Gilmour modification wiring, and do some initial tests, to make sure everything is wired up correctly.
Stage two of the Black Strat wiring process. Breaking it down into stages like this makes it more logical. It's easier to understand what I'm actually doing, and also lets me focus on doing a proper job. With the pots and switches now in place, and wired together, I can now fit the pickups. But first - there's a bit of prep.
The trouble with building a "parts" guitar - is that you have to base a lot of your plans on the specification and performance of various components. Until the guitar is assembled - you can't actually hear what it's going to sound like. Like all kit-build projects, all you can really do is assemble the components and trust they live up to their branded promise. That's definitely the case when it comes down to a guitar's pickups.
Garageland 