Thoughts on my first Strat build

I've finally got my Strat done and sorted out and I wanted to give my impressions on the final result. First off, I am so happy with the hardtail configuration. Problems with string bending & staying in tune are non existent. The Callaham vintage hardtail bridge is very nice. The sustain is like nothing I've ever experienced. Nigel Tuffnel would be proud! Someone asked about the Warmoth contoured heel. I have to say it is more cosmetic than anything else. I guess I've gotten used to the standard Fender shape. The Keystone pickups are very nice. They are more sensitive to height than most I've used but now that I have them where I want they work well. One thing I notice is that they will drive my amp to breakup quicker than my other guitars with stock Fender pickups. I lowered them to keep the sound cleaner at higher volume and now they are perfect. The vintage hardtail bridge string spacing pushes the E strings pretty close to the outside of the neck & that is taking a little getting used to. I changed strings from 9's to 10's and that helped a bunch. Also the 10's have so much better sound that I won't even look back. Finally, the Gotoh Kluson tuners work great too. I like the slotted design, it makes string changes a breeze. Overall my first build is everything I could have hoped for.

One last gratuitous photo.......

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3187/2695982596_c805370cb6.jpg?v=0

She's purdy!!

Very, very nice.

sweeeeeeeet, nice job

Maybe you should make it two last gratuitous photos.

Excellent choices all around on parts, kudos!

That really is a gorgeous strat!

can't wait to see it at the get together later this year.

Someone asked about the Warmoth contoured heel. I have to say it is more cosmetic than anything else. I guess I've gotten used to the standard Fender shape.



it was I who asked, and this is what I expected to hear once you had a chance to check it out. I agree it is a nifty quirk though.

would you say you have exceeded the quality of instrument you would likely have received for the same money from Fender? You did the finishing yourself, correct? That makes a HUGE difference, though I'm not so sure I would try that on my own as I'd be very likely to screw it up. Construction issues I can handle, but wet paint doesn't like me for some reason.

it's beautiful, Toad.

would you say you have exceeded the quality of instrument you would likely have received for the same money from Fender? You did the finishing yourself, correct?

That's a tough one to answer. I did do the finish myself and it is pretty close to perfect. I am very happy with my first time doing this. I have right at $600 invested in this guitar and I think the result exceeded my expectations. Is it better that a Fender at that price? To me it is because I have a special relationship with it.

One nice thing is, even if your not super happy with finish (you can always sand and try again) for 500-600 bucks you usually have the BEST hardware / pickups vs the standard MIM stuff you'd get at that price point.

I'll never go back to buying (well maybe if something REALLLLLY special came along)