Best laid plans...

fltpkr · May 12th, 2008, 02:49 PM

Weel, a couple of weeks ago I posted my plans for a partscaster; high-end neck, hardware, etc...then reality sunk in. I found a nice alder body in the classifieds here, Lawrence Keystones, and a decent Allparts TMFO nitro finish neck with tuners and a nut already installed. I had to rethink my hardware selection, and bought a Barden bridge & saddles off ebay, and a 4 way switch kit, control plate and knobs from Mojo, a pickguard & more hardware from GFS. Not exactly the high-end custom job I envisioned, but I believe I'll have a very nice axe when it's done for around $500. Still waiting for parts to arrive, but I'll post a pic when it's done.

Ronkirn · May 12th, 2008, 03:10 PM

While I can't attest to the body, I can tell ya the Allparts neck is second to none, while there may be fancier wood available, none play as well when properly set up.

The Barden bridge is also great, don't let the high prices spreads fool ya, you dun good.

As for the rest of it, all that really matters are the pickups.... I betcha you can put yours together and not honestly tell the difference between it's sound and that of some 6 Grand bugger from the custom shop.

Ron Kirn

fltpkr · May 13th, 2008, 09:35 AM

Thanks. That was very encouraging.

Ronkirn · May 13th, 2008, 09:58 AM

If any of us can help, let us know.

As for parts, here’s how I see it…. There isn’t much difference,

A tuning key is nothing more than a gear, ya got good ones, and cheep ones, nobody’s going to know.

Nut? While many will argue, none will be able to pick the guitar with the high priced nut over the cheep plastic one in a blind audition, except by pure luck.

Neck. . . as long as the frets are in the right place, every thing else is a matter of what ya like. Regarding frets being in the right place, just about any neck you can buy today has the frets cut by a computer controlled machine, so that not a factor any nore.

Pickups, Keystones aint no slouch…. You cant go wrong… electronics, in all reality, at the voltages present in the circuit… the expensive stuff don’t do a thing the cheep stuff wont.. or visa-versa…

A bridge is just a piece of stamped steel, stainless steel, or brass, with 3 or 6 pieces of metal holding the strings up in the air, and a hand full of screws and springs to adjust ‘em with. There is no rocket science, and any one that thinks a Mom and Pop operation has had a metallurgist create a special blend of steel to enhance tone, deserves to spend the exorbitant price such over hyped parts cost. Does anyone know what it would cost to have that kind of research done then have the results forged into working parts? Get real.

Bottom line is, I have seen tests where guys have played properly setup (key factor) cheep guitars and very expensive ones of the same type, and no body could consistently tell the difference in those blind tests. Sure some get lucky, but that luck is never repeatable.

SO just go have fun… it ain’t like this will be your last… start saving now…

Ron Kirn

fltpkr · May 13th, 2008, 11:07 AM

I take it you're not one to indule in the "maple vs. rosewood" threads?

Seriously, I like your approach, and I've seen some of your work, so I know that you speak from hard earned wisdom, and not just opinion.

Ronkirn · May 13th, 2008, 04:48 PM

Nah.... in my 5 decades of watching guitar players, one thing is overwhelmingly apparent, if you can play, nothing else matters much.

I have literally seen guys take, what most would hold their nose around, guitars and “smoke” other’s playing the “to die for” guitars. The guitarist that can play wins all arguments and no one ever “disses” his axe.

My philosophy, If you wannit on your guitar, do it. . . If anyone puts ya down for your choice, they’re only showing ya how ignorant they are.

Some like Budweiser, some, Heineken … Who’s right? Who’s wrong?

Ron Kirn

Newfie_J. · May 13th, 2008, 05:08 PM

Quote:

Ronkirn Nah.... in my 5 decades of watching guitar players, one thing is overwhelmingly apparent, if you can play, nothing else matters much.

I have literally seen guys take, what most would hold their nose around, guitars and “smoke” other’s playing the “to die for” guitars. The guitarist that can play wins all arguments and no one ever “disses” his axe.

My philosophy, If you wannit on your guitar, do it. . . If anyone puts ya down for your choice, they’re only showing ya how ignorant they are.

Some like Budweiser, some, Heineken … Who’s right? Who’s wrong?

Ron Kirn

Wow. Great stuff. Its way too easy to overlook truth.
But building is sooooooo much fun.
Therefore egos and opinions will always clash.

Top of the line parts or not, you will enjoy it.

rhh7 · May 13th, 2008, 06:36 PM

I am in the process of gathering up the parts for my first partscaster...everything you said here really encouraged me.

Thanks a million!

Dennis68 · May 13th, 2008, 06:37 PM

Keep the faith, and stay focused on the vision of what you want to create.... Can't wait to see what you turn out.

Southern ILL · May 13th, 2008, 06:59 PM

Keep the faith and have fun.....

Everyone here is so helpful......though we all have different tastes and like different options and hardware.Some like traditional guitars and some like Flames and Skulls.....some can build them from wood planks and old barn wood.....I wish I had their talent.....

But there are lots of resourses to build a great partscaster out there and fairly cheap.....

Ira7 · May 13th, 2008, 07:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ronkirn

Some like Budweiser, some, Heineken … Who’s right? Who’s wrong?

Ron Kirn

Hey, I agreed with everything you said, but you're going over the line with this statement.

BUD!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

By the way--I was fortunate enough to accidentally find your site from work the other day via a network that restricts access to entertainment sites, but I was able to get into yours.

BEAUTIFUL stuff!!!!!

Ronkirn · May 13th, 2008, 08:43 PM

Yep, I've downed a Bud or two in my time....

as for parts choice.. on thing I neglected to mention.. I do always recommend choosing the parts you have always wanted, you know, the ones you have heard the other guys talk about. If you don't do that, you will always be seconding guessing yourself.

The reason you hear about parts, is they're usually pretty good to start with, so make a list and go with it.

Ron Kirn

Spunky99 · May 13th, 2008, 08:55 PM

+1 on what Ron said.

Your parts selection is excellent. Not too pricey past the quality needed to make an excellent guitar.

Have fun and enjoy the custom guitar of choice. You did GOOD!

fltpkr · May 14th, 2008, 09:36 AM

You guys are the shiznit!(that's Orkan for really cool, I think) Thanks to everyone for the kind words and encouragement. I promise pics in a week or two.

May 12th, 2008, 02:49 PM	#1 (permalink)
fltpkr Tele-Holic Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Oregoon Posts: 718	Best laid plans... Weel, a couple of weeks ago I posted my plans for a partscaster; high-end neck, hardware, etc...then reality sunk in. I found a nice alder body in the classifieds here, Lawrence Keystones, and a decent Allparts TMFO nitro finish neck with tuners and a nut already installed. I had to rethink my hardware selection, and bought a Barden bridge & saddles off ebay, and a 4 way switch kit, control plate and knobs from Mojo, a pickguard & more hardware from GFS. Not exactly the high-end custom job I envisioned, but I believe I'll have a very nice axe when it's done for around $500. Still waiting for parts to arrive, but I'll post a pic when it's done. __________________ The preacher says all my sins is warshed away, including that Piggly Wiggly I knocked over in Yazoo.

May 12th, 2008, 03:10 PM	#2 (permalink)
Ronkirn Friend of Leo's Join Date: May 2003 Location: Jacksonville, FL Age: 61 Posts: 2,130	While I can't attest to the body, I can tell ya the Allparts neck is second to none, while there may be fancier wood available, none play as well when properly set up. The Barden bridge is also great, don't let the high prices spreads fool ya, you dun good. As for the rest of it, all that really matters are the pickups.... I betcha you can put yours together and not honestly tell the difference between it's sound and that of some 6 Grand bugger from the custom shop. Ron Kirn __________________ Lord, give me a sense of humor. Give me the grace to see a joke, To get some humor out of life, and pass it on to other folks. The only thing necessary for evil to triumph, is for good men to do nothing......

May 13th, 2008, 09:35 AM	#3 (permalink)
fltpkr Tele-Holic Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Oregoon Posts: 718	Thanks. That was very encouraging. __________________ The preacher says all my sins is warshed away, including that Piggly Wiggly I knocked over in Yazoo.

May 13th, 2008, 09:58 AM	#4 (permalink)
Ronkirn Friend of Leo's Join Date: May 2003 Location: Jacksonville, FL Age: 61 Posts: 2,130	If any of us can help, let us know. As for parts, here’s how I see it…. There isn’t much difference, A tuning key is nothing more than a gear, ya got good ones, and cheep ones, nobody’s going to know. Nut? While many will argue, none will be able to pick the guitar with the high priced nut over the cheep plastic one in a blind audition, except by pure luck. Neck. . . as long as the frets are in the right place, every thing else is a matter of what ya like. Regarding frets being in the right place, just about any neck you can buy today has the frets cut by a computer controlled machine, so that not a factor any nore. Pickups, Keystones aint no slouch…. You cant go wrong… electronics, in all reality, at the voltages present in the circuit… the expensive stuff don’t do a thing the cheep stuff wont.. or visa-versa… A bridge is just a piece of stamped steel, stainless steel, or brass, with 3 or 6 pieces of metal holding the strings up in the air, and a hand full of screws and springs to adjust ‘em with. There is no rocket science, and any one that thinks a Mom and Pop operation has had a metallurgist create a special blend of steel to enhance tone, deserves to spend the exorbitant price such over hyped parts cost. Does anyone know what it would cost to have that kind of research done then have the results forged into working parts? Get real. Bottom line is, I have seen tests where guys have played properly setup (key factor) cheep guitars and very expensive ones of the same type, and no body could consistently tell the difference in those blind tests. Sure some get lucky, but that luck is never repeatable. SO just go have fun… it ain’t like this will be your last… start saving now… Ron Kirn __________________ Lord, give me a sense of humor. Give me the grace to see a joke, To get some humor out of life, and pass it on to other folks. The only thing necessary for evil to triumph, is for good men to do nothing......

May 13th, 2008, 11:07 AM	#5 (permalink)
fltpkr Tele-Holic Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Oregoon Posts: 718	I take it you're not one to indule in the "maple vs. rosewood" threads? Seriously, I like your approach, and I've seen some of your work, so I know that you speak from hard earned wisdom, and not just opinion. __________________ The preacher says all my sins is warshed away, including that Piggly Wiggly I knocked over in Yazoo.

May 13th, 2008, 04:48 PM	#6 (permalink)
Ronkirn Friend of Leo's Join Date: May 2003 Location: Jacksonville, FL Age: 61 Posts: 2,130	Nah.... in my 5 decades of watching guitar players, one thing is overwhelmingly apparent, if you can play, nothing else matters much. I have literally seen guys take, what most would hold their nose around, guitars and “smoke” other’s playing the “to die for” guitars. The guitarist that can play wins all arguments and no one ever “disses” his axe. My philosophy, If you wannit on your guitar, do it. . . If anyone puts ya down for your choice, they’re only showing ya how ignorant they are. Some like Budweiser, some, Heineken … Who’s right? Who’s wrong? Ron Kirn __________________ Lord, give me a sense of humor. Give me the grace to see a joke, To get some humor out of life, and pass it on to other folks. The only thing necessary for evil to triumph, is for good men to do nothing......

May 13th, 2008, 06:36 PM	#8 (permalink)
rhh7 Tele-Meister Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Calgary, Alberta, Canada Posts: 271 4 Photos	I really appreciate what Ron Kirn said! I am in the process of gathering up the parts for my first partscaster...everything you said here really encouraged me. Thanks a million!

May 13th, 2008, 06:37 PM	#9 (permalink)
Dennis68 Tele-Holic Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Hudson Valley Posts: 757	Keep the faith, and stay focused on the vision of what you want to create.... Can't wait to see what you turn out. __________________ -Dennis

May 13th, 2008, 06:59 PM	#10 (permalink)
Southern ILL Tele-Holic Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Illinois Age: 37 Posts: 719	Keep the faith and have fun..... Everyone here is so helpful......though we all have different tastes and like different options and hardware.Some like traditional guitars and some like Flames and Skulls.....some can build them from wood planks and old barn wood.....I wish I had their talent..... But there are lots of resourses to build a great partscaster out there and fairly cheap.....

May 13th, 2008, 08:43 PM	#12 (permalink)
Ronkirn Friend of Leo's Join Date: May 2003 Location: Jacksonville, FL Age: 61 Posts: 2,130	Yep, I've downed a Bud or two in my time.... as for parts choice.. on thing I neglected to mention.. I do always recommend choosing the parts you have always wanted, you know, the ones you have heard the other guys talk about. If you don't do that, you will always be seconding guessing yourself. The reason you hear about parts, is they're usually pretty good to start with, so make a list and go with it. Ron Kirn __________________ Lord, give me a sense of humor. Give me the grace to see a joke, To get some humor out of life, and pass it on to other folks. The only thing necessary for evil to triumph, is for good men to do nothing......

May 13th, 2008, 08:55 PM	#13 (permalink)
Spunky99 Tele-Meister Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Redondo beach Age: 54 Posts: 321	+1 on what Ron said. Your parts selection is excellent. Not too pricey past the quality needed to make an excellent guitar. Have fun and enjoy the custom guitar of choice. You did GOOD!

May 14th, 2008, 09:36 AM	#14 (permalink)
fltpkr Tele-Holic Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Oregoon Posts: 718	You guys are the shiznit!(that's Orkan for really cool, I think) Thanks to everyone for the kind words and encouragement. I promise pics in a week or two. __________________ The preacher says all my sins is warshed away, including that Piggly Wiggly I knocked over in Yazoo.