My Electric Guitar Project (WITH PICTURES!!!)

[iamadoorknob]

So I scored a squier strat body for $10...I didnt know what to do with it at the time but I figured why not, its 10 bucks. So after consulting some people on here, I learned how to wire it. I bought some pots and a jack on guitarfetish and I threw in some pickups I had laying around from some of my other guitars. I also ordered a custom pickguard. The result is a very nice HHS strat.

Here it is when I got it:
http://i10.photobucket.com/albums/a125/iamadoorknob/crapguitar1.jpg
http://i10.photobucket.com/albums/a125/iamadoorknob/crapguitar4.jpg
http://i10.photobucket.com/albums/a125/iamadoorknob/crapguitar2.jpg

Check out the texture, it kind of looks like cement:
http://i10.photobucket.com/albums/a125/iamadoorknob/crapguitar3.jpg

So once I got all the stuff I needed I started to wire it up. I got the electronics a while before I got the pickguard, so I just wired them all. This is the first time i've wired anything:
http://i10.photobucket.com/albums/a125/iamadoorknob/stratwires.jpg

And the final result:
http://i10.photobucket.com/albums/a125/iamadoorknob/crossguitar.jpg

I also replaced the tuning machines to cheap ping ones. They arent great, but they seem a lot better and more sturdy than the old worn ones that were on there. Also, the pickguard didnt fit quite right...there was too much guard up by the neck, so I filed that down. Also, the humbucker slot was too small to fit in with the chrome cover I got for it, so I filed that down too. I didnt have to pot it either; the pickup was already covered with wax (which is why I needed the cover in the first place).

The pickups are as follows: The neck pickup is the old bridge pickup from my MIM strat. The bridge pickup is the old neck pickup from my Agile Les Paul. The middle pickup I got for free from guitarfetish; it's a lil' killer humbucker that I was going to put in my MIM strat but decided not to. The top tone control is 250K and controls the neck pickup and the bottom tone control is 500K and controls both the middle and bridge pickups.

http://i10.photobucket.com/albums/a125/iamadoorknob/crossguitarclose.jpg

The guitar is humbucking in every position except for 1st.

Also, check out my 2nd project; an electric-acoustic that I turned into an electric. http://jsguitarforum.com/forum/showthread.php?t=67109

[1ZeroReapeR1]

That looks pretty good. Where did you order that pickguard from ? it looks nice. I really like that paint job on the body as well

[iamadoorknob]

Ordered the pickguard from dancing dragon guitars. It took forever to get here though. They send you a shipping confirmation a couple days after you order, but its one of those usps ones that say "electonic billing info recieved" and they only tell you that they've paid for shipping, they don't actually ship it for a week or two, and they often lose orders, so you have to keep reminding them to ship. I don't think I'd use them again. It is a really cool pickguard though. I got a white strap with a cross on it to go with it...looks fabulous!

[Raycing]

It looks like a great way to use up some parts that were just layin' around anyway.
I like the unique finish on the body, it reminds me of a gun-metal finish.

[iamadoorknob]

I would've preferred white but I'm warming up to the grey.

[sl3shredder]

how does it sound?

[FndrNO]

That's cool :) Did you learn to wire from scratch for this project or did you have some experience from before?

[iamadoorknob]

It sounds great. The in between positions have about 30% less volume output then 1 3 and 5 but I don't really use those much anyway...they still sound real nice.

I learned to wire from scratch using a wiring diagram.

[iamadoorknob]

I decided to keep going on this project. I took everything off of the body, sanded it down, and primed it for a new paint job. I'm going to paint it white. I'm also going to swap the neck for one with a maple fretboard and I'm putting on new saddles because the ones on there are rusty and hard to adjust. I'll post a picture when it's all done.

[fenderisgood]

Question, is it a neck pickup in the bridge spot or is it supose to be upsidedown?

[iamadoorknob]

Question, is it a neck pickup in the bridge spot or is it supose to be upsidedown?

It's a neck pickup in the bridge spot. I was thinking of getting a bridge pickup for there but I just really like that fact that I only used pickups that I had laying around.

[corky7]

plate is gorgeous!!!
where you order that from?
i don't know how to get pics on here but I built two strats. One is BEAUTIFUL. Best looking guitar in the world ever (imo). Second is a MONSTER!!! is S-S-S but all three are modified 'rails so it screams like a banshee with pmt.

[KeithB]

Could that finish be.... HAMMERITE?

[xXWylde_ManXx]

Nice work, I love the pickguard. Also, that's cool how it's put together from parts just layin' around...gives it a sort of home-made feel, which I prefer over a normal guitar from the company. Keep it up, and post some pics of it once it's white!

[iamadoorknob]

The guitar is now done!

I started by sanding off the old finish so that it was smooth, then I sprayed it with primer, then white paint, then finish. I also did the headstock and replaced the saddles. I also swapped in a maple neck that I got from guitarfetish, they sanded off the name but I could see that it used to say "Squier" on it.

So just for a little timeline, it started as:
http://i10.photobucket.com/albums/a125/iamadoorknob/crapguitar4.jpg

and then became:
http://i10.photobucket.com/albums/a125/iamadoorknob/crossguitar.jpg

and now, the beauty that I had envisioned. The final project:
http://i10.photobucket.com/albums/a125/iamadoorknob/electriccloseup.jpg

http://i10.photobucket.com/albums/a125/iamadoorknob/electricfullbody.jpg

and of course I did my trademark "Doorknob" headstock
http://i10.photobucket.com/albums/a125/iamadoorknob/electricheadstock.jpg

The right side says "Psalms 150:4"
For the non believers out there, that Psalm is about praising God with musicial instruments. It reads

"Praise Him with the timbrel and dance:
praise Him with stringed instruments and organs."

[xXWylde_ManXx]

Dude, it looks great. Awesome job, man. How much did that cost ya?

[iamadoorknob]

Dude, it looks great. Awesome job, man. How much did that cost ya?

Hmmm, now I gotta think about it.

Guitar $10
Tuners $15
Pickguard $30
Pots/switch/wires/output/knobs $25-30
Paint, primer, finish, sandpaper $15
Maple guitar neck $31
New saddles, screws, and conversion bushings for tuners $30 (I'm a little annoyed they charged me $8 to ship that, it weighed .6 lbs and the package was the size of a sandwhich bag)
Headstock- Free, I got my money back on technicalities

So not counting the cost of the pickups that came out of other guitars, it cost me like $156-161, probablly more like $170 considering I've been averaging down.

[xXWylde_ManXx]

Wow, that's not that much for a really nice guitar. Would you do it again if you had the opportunity?

[Tingly]

Wow! Good job!!!

[Sixstring]

Excellent job- that's a sweet axe, man!

[emersa_guitar]

Like the Doorknob decal.

[ForestKindred]

http://i229.photobucket.com/albums/ee96/forestkindred/SSPX0042.jpg
heres my '65 harmony pickgaurd with one humbucker.
http://i229.photobucket.com/albums/ee96/forestkindred/SSPX0039.jpg
here it is with two single coils.
I used a sheet of 18 gauge sheet steel grounded to the common ground.

is ther a major rick of electrical shock from this??????

[Razzy]

http://i229.photobucket.com/albums/ee96/forestkindred/SSPX0042.jpg
heres my '65 harmony pickgaurd with one humbucker.
http://i229.photobucket.com/albums/ee96/forestkindred/SSPX0039.jpg
here it is with two single coils.
I used a sheet of 18 gauge sheet steel grounded to the common ground.

is ther a major rick of electrical shock from this??????

Only if the amp is grounded properly, but that's true for any guitar. That's just as dangerous as touching the bridge while you play. So no, no major risk.

[bashlin]

So not counting the cost of the pickups that came out of other guitars, it cost me like $156-161, probablly more like $170 considering I've been averaging down.


love the guitar man, and it's great you learned to wire also..valuable lessons like that are priceless..good job,,

[Beachy]

Wow. That is a beautiful piece of wood man. Great job! I tried my hand at making a acoustic once, needless to say it has pretty much grown it's roots back.

[ForestKindred]

thanks for the risk management...
love the white, over the grey, brings out the art in the pickgaurd. by the way i had to look up the psalm, took me a while to find my bible, kinda dusty....
like the psalm too.

[Sixstring jr.]

i just like the look and i like how you humbuckered it in those spots

[matiac]

Hi, newbie here. That Partsocaster looks good. I always like modding guitars, I did some pretty extensive stuff to an Epiphone Les Paul Classic Quilt I bought new in 2004, Gibson T-Top pickups circa 1974, Gotoh bridge, Gibson TP6 tail, pearloid pickguard, jack, selector switch, frets leveled, buch of other stuff, I'm thinkin' it might play better than my Gibson Les Paul Classic, but it would be pretty close, I'll post a picture when I figure out how.

[matiac]

Figured out how, here she is, my most beloved and trusted Blue Bomber...
//http://www.pic20.picturetrail.com/VOL1213/4177551/8735299/135932267.jpg

[matiac]

Hmm, aint workin????

[Sixstring jr.]

I'm also a noob so what up man?

[iamadoorknob]

Update:

I made the most expensive addition to this guitar yet; I swapped out the bridge humbucker and replaced it with a Seymour Duncan SH-8 Invader:

http://i10.photobucket.com/albums/a125/iamadoorknob/Image0030.jpg

Its very loud and powerful; it gives this guitar some attitude on stage.

[MelonSnapple]

Why is there a burning cross on your pickguard?

[Peeb]

Why is there a burning cross on your pickguard?

Whoa! Just noticed that when you pointed it out, MelonSnapple!!

[iamadoorknob]

Why is there a burning cross on your pickguard?

Because a burning cross is AWESOME, thats why.

Haha it's actually not burning, it's in front of a sunset. It's easier to tell in person, my camera is just really bad.

[bobbyswamp]

Nice Strat build, man! Fun to watch the process you go thru. I'm trying one myself with a Tele...

[Jer]

What a transformation! you did an awsome job Brian.

[Midwest Empty]

I'm pretty sure the pickguard came from Greasy Groove. They have a pretty broad selection of custom pickguards/covers

[Squizz]

i have to admit, that was a sweet job on that guitar.

[rebelred]

Looks awesome. Love the pickguard!

[frets24]

looks good man

[Tdanger]

i have to make one of these :eek:

[Squizz]

yeah that thing is pretty cool. don't forget the burning cross pickguard

[carlos]

fantastic job. the guitar got really sweet.