New SLO Build Completed

I've been wanting to do a strat build for some time, and got hold of a body and neck from GFS to do it. They're not bad, and the prices are very nice.

I decided for fun to build a guitar I'd never buy off the shelf -- real metalhead. But for extra fun, I gave it some vintage stylings, too, with the bridge and tuners. This is also the only strat I own whose trem has neither been locked nor blocked. I set it up with a light float and two springs, just to get it to quiver some, not divebomb. As for the rest:

*GFS Power Rails in the bridge -- ultra loud and crunchy.

*GFS Crunchy Rails in the middle and neck -- not quite as loud or crunchy as the Power Rails, but they get the job done.

*500k pots across the board

*.047 polyproplyene cap -- originally I was running a .022, but it was too icepicky

*.009-.046 Thomastik-Infeld Carl Verheyen sig. strings

He's also got a more traditionally setup pickguard, speced to a '57 strat -- talk about two different sonic worlds, eh?

Anyway, here he is: The Invader Z, named after one of my favorite cartoon characters.

Very Nice! I'm building one myself and someday it will be complete.

Just looking at that makes me want to hook up my second cab and crank my amp up as loud as it will go and break some windows down stairs. ;)

That's really nice. I love that tortoise guard on the blue. Good job! How does it sound?

My mind keeps thinking I want a Strat, but I just can't seem to get along with 'em. I buy or build a nice one and it sits in the case while my Teles get all the attention. Hope you enjoy yours.

Can you give us a bit more info on the GFS parts? Quality, fit, finish, type of wood? How about neck shape? If it's good stuff, it's a lot of bang for the buck.

Thanks, folks. e, it sounds LOUD. In fact it's nearly impossible to get a clean tone from it, but hey, look what it's running, right? I'm pretty impressed overall with the GFS body and neck (got a tele bod and neck to do a build for my son).

The body's supposed to be a 3 piece poplar (although I can't verify this given the amount of paint in the neck pocket and finish on the body. However, I had to do a bit of filing to enlarge part of the pickguard route edges (it's a universal route, but a bit narrow). The filings look pretty white for poplar, so this one might be alder. There's a plank of wood separating the guard route from the trem route (the 3rd piece maybe?). That's the cheapy side of the body. Other than that, it's got a hard finish; probalby a ton of poly, but it doesn't seem to affect the ton much.

The neck pocket's routed well, and the heel of the neck (2-piece Rock Maple) fits nice and snug into the pocket -- it actually squeaks when it goes in, but isn't overly tight. The neck is very straight, and I didn't need to add any relief. The board has a 12" radius, 1.650” width at the nut, graphic nut (slots need some attention), medium jumbo frets finished quite well.

In all, it handles very well. I'm quite impressed with the quality of these bodies and necks. I'd say the tele ones I got are equally as good.

i really like the guitar less the super doper high output stuff... crap, that'll be my next build... haha, nice guitar..

i really like the guitar less the super doper high output stuff... crap, that'll be my next build... haha, nice guitar..

Yeah, like I said, this is a guitar I'd never even consider buying. If I saw one hanging on a store wall, I'd shake my head, laugh, and move on. But somehow i couldn't resist building this one. He does have a more traditional set up, though -- in case I break too many windows, annoy the neighbors, or feel the urge to take to a GC and do some shredding. :wink:

Thanks, folks. e, it sounds LOUD. In fact it's nearly impossible to get a clean tone from it,.


I rest my case. :mrgreen:

I rest my case. :mrgreen:

I'll play a few power chords through my So-Cal 50 run up to 12+ with a Tube Screamer and wah just for you, robt. Let me know how it sounds! :twisted:

That's really nice. I love that tortoise guard on the blue.

I've got a mint guard I'm using on another guitar that looks pretty sweet on it also. And a Tom Delonge set up as well. I should have noted that this guy's going to serve as a test bed for different set ups. Not strictly a gigging axe, but he'll leave the shop occasionally.