Want to make a partscaster as a complete newbie. Where should I source my parts?

[NerfOrNothing]

Hey all! as the title says, I've been interested in putting together a partscaster and was wondering the best place to go to get parts. I know many swear by Warmoth and others say that their experiences haven't been that great. I know the same is true for GFS. So I'd like to ask, as a broke college student, what's a good idea in regards to tackling my first partscaster? thanks.

 

[trandy9850]

I always use Warmoth….I’ve always had positive transactions with them….good bodies and necks….never had an issue.

But hey….that’s just me….when something works for me I stick with it.

 

[Happy Enchilada]

OK, so the operative word in your post was "broke."
Stay the heck away from Warmouth. They have nice stuff, but you pay extra for the name.
StewMac has lots of goodies too, but their shipping is glacially slow and prices are way high.

I do this on the cheap and here's what I have found:

Since our friends the Chinese have acquired CNC machines, they are cranking out some great bodies at a fraction of the cost of US makers. eBay is a good place to find the body of your dreams (bound, thinline, routed for various pickups, color, etc.) for well under $150 including shipping. I've used several.

Necks all depend on what you like and how much you want to spend.
eBay and Amazon actually have a variety, from Asian models around $50 to Fender CS for $400.
I have used Mighty Mite with success, and they run around $150.

All the "daddy parts" (hardware from tuners to bridgeplate and even pickups) can be found on Amazon.
One of the joys of Amazon is their free returns - if a part doesn't work out, you can send it back for a refund. Try doing that with StewMac and you'll at the very least be slapped with a hefty "restocking fee."
If you know what you need, there are lots of choices on Amazon.
Pots (CTS and Bournes are the best). Switches (want a 3 or 4-way? They got 'em). Tone caps too.
Pickguards in every color and design on earth for a "custom" look. And knobs ditto.
They carry Tusq nuts for Fenders. Fender tuners and other brands (I like Sperzels).
And pickups by everyone from obscure cheapo Asian brands to Seymour Duncan.

Pickups is one place you have to make serious choices. The guys on here are a great resource.
Since you're "broke," you need to try Bootstraps. You can get a neck and bridge Telecaster pickup set in a variety of flavors for around $50 - a fraction of what other "boutique" builders charge.
Their customer support is first-rate and their product is wonderful - handwound in a garage in Ohio.
I have used their "Pretzel" set with success - and they make several different sets.
If you want to spend a little more, Tonerider gets good reviews.
And if you REALLY want to get some quality pickups, Seymour or Lollars and lots of others are out there.

The best advice I can give you is take your time and realize that the first one may or may not be a keeper. It's a learning process. Have fun!

 

[Killing Floor]

Warmoth, Sound, Stratosphere maybe. Just remember, if a partscaster costs less than a new equivalent guitar you’re doing it wrong.

 

[brookdalebill]

Howdy and welcome!
Joining the Warmoth chorus.
MJT makes nice bodies, too.

 

[Freeman Keller]

You need to ask yourself why you are assembling a guitar, what your capabilities are, and (I hate to say this) what your budget is. You do not assemble a parts guitar to get a cheap guitar, by the time you source everything you need domestically (in the US) you can buy a made in Mexico or PacRim guitar for far less.

You need to ask yourself what are you capable of doing? Finish, if so what? Wiring? Fretwork? Setup? What are your expectations - quality of finish is a biggie. Most home builders can't come anywhere close to the cheapest Chinese import.

I have never been disappointed with anything I've seen from Warmoth, but you pay for it. Spend some time on their website pricing necks and bodies, set those as the standard for comparing others. Choose your pups and hardware and budge for the tools you will need. Enjoy the experience.

 

[NerfOrNothing]

OK, so the operative word in your post was "broke."
Stay the heck away from Warmouth. They have nice stuff, but you pay extra for the name.
StewMac has lots of goodies too, but their shipping is glacially slow and prices are way high.

I do this on the cheap and here's what I have found:

Since our friends the Chinese have acquired CNC machines, they are cranking out some great bodies at a fraction of the cost of US makers. eBay is a good place to find the body of your dreams (bound, thinline, routed for various pickups, color, etc.) for well under $150 including shipping. I've used several.

Necks all depend on what you like and how much you want to spend.
eBay and Amazon actually have a variety, from Asian models around $50 to Fender CS for $400.
I have used Mighty Mite with success, and they run around $150.

All the "daddy parts" (hardware from tuners to bridgeplate and even pickups) can be found on Amazon.
One of the joys of Amazon is their free returns - if a part doesn't work out, you can send it back for a refund. Try doing that with StewMac and you'll at the very least be slapped with a hefty "restocking fee."
If you know what you need, there are lots of choices on Amazon.
Pots (CTS and Bournes are the best). Switches (want a 3 or 4-way? They got 'em). Tone caps too.
Pickguards in every color and design on earth for a "custom" look. And knobs ditto.
They carry Tusq nuts for Fenders. Fender tuners and other brands (I like Sperzels).
And pickups by everyone from obscure cheapo Asian brands to Seymour Duncan.

Pickups is one place you have to make serious choices. The guys on here are a great resource.
Since you're "broke," you need to try Bootstraps. You can get a neck and bridge Telecaster pickup set in a variety of flavors for around $50 - a fraction of what other "boutique" builders charge.
Their customer support is first-rate and their product is wonderful - handwound in a garage in Ohio.
I have used their "Pretzel" set with success - and they make several different sets.
If you want to spend a little more, Tonerider gets good reviews.
And if you REALLY want to get some quality pickups, Seymour or Lollars and lots of others are out there.

The best advice I can give you is take your time and realize that the first one may or may not be a keeper. It's a learning process. Have fun!

Thanks! I'll look into Mighty Mite and I intend to run with the Bootstrap Palo Duros. I'll try my best to be patient with the process. I appreciate your insight

 

[NerfOrNothing]

Warmoth, Sound, Stratosphere maybe. Just remember, if a partscaster costs less than a new equivalent guitar you’re doing it wrong.

Noted.

 

[NerfOrNothing]

You need to ask yourself why you are assembling a guitar, what your capabilities are, and (I hate to say this) what your budget is. You do not assemble a parts guitar to get a cheap guitar, by the time you source everything you need domestically (in the US) you can buy a made in Mexico or PacRim guitar for far less.

You need to ask yourself what are you capable of doing? Finish, if so what? Wiring? Fretwork? Setup? What are your expectations - quality of finish is a biggie. Most home builders can't come anywhere close to the cheapest Chinese import.

I have never been disappointed with anything I've seen from Warmoth, but you pay for it. Spend some time on their website pricing necks and bodies, set those as the standard for comparing others. Choose your pups and hardware and budge for the tools you will need. Enjoy the experience.

I don't think I've heard of a PacRim before. What would that be?

 

[TxSouthpaw]

Pacific Rim

 

[TxSouthpaw]

The folks on here will say you've got a 50/50 chance of a good experience with GFS stuff, and they're right. I've bought a lot of stuff from them, mainly because I'm, er, parsimonious. I wouldn't buy anything from Warmoth until I know I can put it all together and the screwdriver won't slip on the absolute last pickguard screw. That was on a GFS body, so not the end of the world. It was a learning experience. Once I advance more, I might step up to Warmoth.

Do you have tools? Those can add up. Good luck and have fun.

 

[Frisco 57]

It's been said that a guitar is only as good as the neck you use. I've used Allparts necks on a few builds and I like their quality, they're affordable, and offer a good selection of neck profiles & neck options.

 

[tho618]

I’ve had great luck with Warmoth bodies and necks. Also, the Stratosphere on EBay.

https://www.ebay.com/str/thestratos...uid=2ERMfMeOT1G&widget_ver=artemis&media=COPY

This partscaster is a Warmoth neck and a Brad Paisley Tele body I bought from the Stratosphere.

 

[NerfOrNothing]

Pacific Rim

thank you.

 

[ChicknPickn]

Just for the record, I’ve had nothing but good experiences with Guitar Fetish Tele bridges, control plates, neck plates, tuning machines, screws, and metal parts in general. Their vintage split-post tuners have been totally satisfactory, and I’m really impressed with some Sperzel-copy locking tuners I got a couple of weeks ago. You can save some bucks on decent hardware, but I’ve not bought bodies or necks from them. Their Xavier guitars have gotten good reviews on the net.

 

[ChicknPickn]

It's been said that a guitar is only as good as the neck you use. I've used Allparts necks on a few builds and I like their quality, they're affordable, and offer a good selection of neck profiles & neck options.

Ditto. Their fat necks are great, although the frets typically need filing and smoothing.

 

[Frisco 57]

Ditto. Their fat necks are great, although the frets typically need filing and smoothing.

I agree. They've got nice V-necks too.

 

[Lowerleftcoast]

Welcome to TDPRI.

Check the neighborhood. The guitar teaching/repairing small shops. You might be surprised what some of them have had in the back room for too long. Sometimes they know they will never get to it and are willing to give it away to a good home. I have two Strats from a local shop. One is a MIM Deluxe. It was taken apart to refinish and it sat in a box for a couple of years. The pickups were taken for another project. I wound pickups for it and refinished it. I took it back to the shop to show the finished project. They liked how it came out and offered to give me a MIA body with an Asian neck. That one needed more $ thrown at it but free is a good place to start.

I have built a Tele shaped guitar. The guys are right, you can find a complete guitar for less than what you will be spending on this project.

Good luck.

 

[gkterry]

Stratosphere definitely. Warmoth will cost you a bunch more. I have had great luck with Stratosphere with the handful I have built.

 

[NerfOrNothing]

Welcome to TDPRI.

Check the neighborhood. The guitar teaching/repairing small shops. You might be surprised what some of them have had in the back room for too long. Sometimes they know they will never get to it and are willing to give it away to a good home. I have two Strats from a local shop. One is a MIM Deluxe. It was taken apart to refinish and it sat in a box for a couple of years. The pickups were taken for another project. I wound pickups for it and refinished it. I took it back to the shop to show the finished project. They liked how it came out and offered to give me a MIA body with an Asian neck. That one needed more $ thrown at it but free is a good place to start.

I have built a Tele shaped guitar. The guys are right, you can find a complete guitar for less than what you will be spending on this project.

Good luck.

I'll see if there are any places in which I can ask around. In regards to finding a complete guitar for less, I'm completely aware that this costs more than it'd probably be worth, but for some reason, I really just wanna put one together. Haven't had a project where I've been able to build something with practical value in a while.