Partscasters...would you do it again?

[zippofan]

I've built two completely with parts, one with an American Special body, fat Warmoth neck and pretty much all Fender parts other than pickups (Florance TE-50/Dimarzio True Velvet) and the bridge saddles (Rutters). It plays and sounds great, so when I realized I had almost enough parts to build another I did. This is the American Special body:



I bought a 99 dollar eBay body and wanted to try Bootstrap Extra Crispy pickups, everything else was in the parts stash including a Mighty Mite neck that I used to have on my Squier thinline and Gotoh titanium saddles bridge. Plays nice, and I love the pickups! Just finished it last week:

 

[telemnemonics]

100% always partscasters and always better while also cheaper than same quality off the rack.

If I have a secret it’s to keep all the parts and have spare parts so if a combo needs more or less treble etc I change a pickup or pot to dial it in.

For price I buy used parts and let the first guy take a loss for me.

 

[brookdalebill]

Six of my nine F-style (four Teles, five Strats) are partscasters.
I’m an inveterate modder.
I love partscasters.
It’s the only way I’ve found to get what I want, the way I want it.

 

[gimmeatele]

I dont know if my Harley Benton TE52 counts as a parts caster as I used both neck and body, so basically the wood only, everything else is new and I rewired it myself with better wire. I enjoyed doing it and love that I have a guitar that is uniquely mine

 

[eddiewagner]

during the pandemical Winter I became an expert out of boredom.

 

[vhilts1]

Right now it’s running about 67% have a positive view and 33% have a negative view.

That seems to be kinda typical IMO

I think the biggest error some make in building PartsCasters is they just use catch as catch can leftover/junk parts from kinda standard or less guitars

My thought is think the design through top to bottom and don’t worry about $$ just order top shelf custom stuff you want

And realize you might change a few things once you have it together

 

[Old Deaf Roadie]

I guess I am in Shangri-La, because my avatar parts guitar plays and sounds just as good or better than anything I have ever picked up in a music store.

 

[naveed211]

I didn’t vote because I’ve only had one.

Pretty simple, Squier CV 50’s loaded body and a Baja neck.

That’s a really good combo. Considered swapping pickups and electronics but I didn’t. They sound good.

Really the Baja neck made me rethink everything. I bought it just because it’s my favorite Tele neck ever, but there was an obvious tonal improvement which I was not expecting. All else equal, there was more snap, definition, and it became louder. Really illuminated things for me for the importance of the neck in tone equation.

Not too expensive way to get into the partscaster game with great results.

 

[FuncleManson]

I can't say I'm never buying off the rack again, but I love assembling partscasters! I started late last summer when I was furloughed from my job and I'm nearly done with my fourth. Three Strats and an Esquire, with another Strat and Tele in the works. I'm completely addicted.

The thing I love is that you can build to the specs that you want at a variety of price points. The four I've done range from about $380 to $1250 including taxes and shipping.

Money pit? Definitely. Not just components, but tools. But it's a matter of priorities. I'm never gonna spend money on them at the expense of eating or paying the bills, but I plan on continuing as long as I can afford it. Might have to try selling some at some point. Not to make money--which would be difficult--but just to help recoup some of my expenses.

I started out as a complete noob, but I've gained some skills and am hoping to continue to learn. I think I'm gonna try having a go at a stainless refret. If I can manage that, it would open up some new possibilities.

 

[blueruins]

I didn’t vote because I’ve only had one.

Pretty simple, Squier CV 50’s loaded body and a Baja neck.

That’s a really good combo. Considered swapping pickups and electronics but I didn’t. They sound good.

Really the Baja neck made me rethink everything. I bought it just because it’s my favorite Tele neck ever, but there was an obvious tonal improvement which I was not expecting. All else equal, there was more snap, definition, and it became louder. Really illuminated things for me for the importance of the neck in tone equation.

Not too expensive way to get into the partscaster game with great results.

I bet that is a good combination!

My partscaster odyssey started with a CV as well. I found a great Fender neck and thought I would marry it to a lightweight Squier body.

When I got the Squier I liked it so much I decided not to mess with success.

So now I’m past the point of no return with bodies and pickguards sourced from lands far and near arriving at my doorstep.

 

[M2roadwarrior]

I voted the 1st option though I would by off the shelf again. My partster is my favorite electric, got lucky and had a new guitar shop open locally, the owner built me a lovely guitar for under $900 and it’s my favorite most played guitar!

 

[Sax-son]

Provided the parts cost stay reasonable, I will continue to build and use them. However, if the manufacturers start to "scorch" us on prices, I will go back to modifying existing built guitars.

 

[schmee]

Nope, no shangri la in partscasters. Great guitars are "the sum of all the parts". Those parts cannot be predicted.
One of the worst Strats I ever played was a Fender Custom Shop one. It was $2500 in 2004 and terrible dead sounding.
Same thing happens when you build one, it might be shangi la, but more likely not to your liking....
On line guitar purchases yield maybe 5% keepers for me...

But partscasters are fun for tinkerers....

 

[MugHimself]

For me the partscaster is never done. It’s just assembled from the best parts I have at any given time from used gear. I don’t part out my new stuff but when I buy a used guitar and one of the parts is “better” than the one on old number 1 then it gets swapped. Number 2 has all the 2nd “best” parts etc...

 

[telemnemonics]

Nope, no shangri la in partscasters. Great guitars are "the sum of all the parts". Those parts cannot be predicted.
One of the worst Strats I ever played was a Fender Custom Shop one. It was $2500 in 2004 and terrible dead sounding.
Same thing happens when you build one, it might be shangi la, but more likely not to your liking....
On line guitar purchases yield maybe 5% keepers for me...

But partscasters are fun for tinkerers....

I would say the exact same thing about something like the ingredients in a Chili.

Hot peppers don't all taste the same.
Even Jalapeno peppers don't all taste the same.
Crushed chili flakes don't all taste the same.
Chili powder varies wildly, oregano I sometimes just throw out because it's no good, cumin varies a good bit as well.
Onions don't all taste the same.
Garlic varies a bit but it pretty consistent.
Tomatoes vary wildly, even more so if canned.
Ground beef varies massively!
Beans? Totally inconsistent.

So if a cook makes a lousy chili, can they blame the process?
Can they blame the unpredictable ingredients?
Can they just insist it's impossible to control the outcome?

Or is a cook a person with years of skills development, and the capacity to judge ingredients for desired outcome?
While a hobbyist or beginner goes through the motions hoping for the best.

How about great Chili?
Is that just a happy accident?
Do Chefs secretly make five pots of chili hoping one will be good enough to serve?

Same as making a pot of chili, put together a partscaster then taste test.
If you don't pretty quickly know what ingredients to adjust, you need a couple more years of skills development!

 

[dogmeat]

... already did. a couple times.... uhhhh 5 or 6 actually. some for friends

 

[telemnemonics]

Right now it’s running about 67% have a positive view and 33% have a negative view.

That seems to be kinda typical IMO

I think the biggest error some make in building PartsCasters is they just use catch as catch can leftover/junk parts from kinda standard or less guitars

My thought is think the design through top to bottom and don’t worry about $$ just order top shelf custom stuff you want

And realize you might change a few things once you have it together

I gotta say, YMMV and all but I really think the hyped up boutique parts mojo market screws up the process for many who are trying to learn to assemble a good partscaster.

First, the idea to "think the design through" can mean many things.
Strats and Tele's?
What is there to design?
IME it's more about responding to the parts once you get them.
You can't think names of woods and have those thoughts come out of the amp.
You can think "Broadcaster reproduction", and buy all Broadcaster style parts, but that's list making.
I think virtually nobody can think up a sound, order parts and assemble that sound.

Second, IME there is no tone or insurance in buying "top shelf custom stuff".
I think that is both the most popular myth and the worst idea that results in unhappy assemblers with big money in guitars they don't like or play.

Consider all the whining about not being able to get the $1500- $2000 investment back, or in seeing "slightly used" assemblies of top shelf custom parts for sale at near the parts cost.
Those are all unhappy hobbyists who ordered all top shelf custom parts and failed to get the results they thought through.

What I do is buy parts when good deals come up, none custom but all USA or MIJ, no bottom of the barrel cheapo stuff.

After assembling parstcasters for over 40 years I'm pretty certain that by the time you've spent a whole $1000, you're already past the point where paying more gets a better guitar.
Depending on how much of a rush you're in and your willingness to learn anything, somewhere around $600- $800 is all it takes to get playability and sound on par with any of the best guitars.

But it does take time to know how to select and prepare parts.
Unwillingness to learn to put a finish on wood will add an easy $400, unless you like cheapo Chinese parts, which may or may not hurt the end musical result. A nice Chinese finish covers up dead crap wood handily, but you can't really tell.
A need for a pro relic finish will also add a lot of cost, but has nothing to do with musical instruments.

Trying to learn to assemble partscasters that excel might require learning first, decorating later.
But those who want to make wall hangers and tribute guitars, again, hobble your build with a tutu and tux, that';s gonna hold back the musical instrument quality by limiting options and putting money into non-musical places.

 

[Telekarster]

Not only yeah but heck yeah! In fact, I'm collecting parts for a 70's strat rebuild right now. The body is original, but that's all I have of it so.... going to bring her back to life as soon as I have the time to work on it. I also have a slab of 130 year old wood that I'm gonna cut a tele body out of and build a narley lookin' woody. I have fun putting them together, and no 2 are ever quite the same. Each have their own personalities and I rather like that

 

[vhilts1]

I gotta say, YMMV and all but I really think the hyped up boutique parts mojo market screws up the process for many who are trying to learn to assemble a good partscaster.

First, the idea to "think the design through" can mean many things.
Strats and Tele's?
What is there to design?
IME it's more about responding to the parts once you get them.
You can't think names of woods and have those thoughts come out of the amp.
You can think "Broadcaster reproduction", and buy all Broadcaster style parts, but that's list making.
I think virtually nobody can think up a sound, order parts and assemble that sound.

Second, IME there is no tone or insurance in buying "top shelf custom stuff".
I think that is both the most popular myth and the worst idea that results in unhappy assemblers with big money in guitars they don't like or play.

Consider all the whining about not being able to get the $1500- $2000 investment back, or in seeing "slightly used" assemblies of top shelf custom parts for sale at near the parts cost.
Those are all unhappy hobbyists who ordered all top shelf custom parts and failed to get the results they thought through.

What I do is buy parts when good deals come up, none custom but all USA or MIJ, no bottom of the barrel cheapo stuff.

After assembling parstcasters for over 40 years I'm pretty certain that by the time you've spent a whole $1000, you're already past the point where paying more gets a better guitar.
Depending on how much of a rush you're in and your willingness to learn anything, somewhere around $600- $800 is all it takes to get playability and sound on par with any of the best guitars.

But it does take time to know how to select and prepare parts.
Unwillingness to learn to put a finish on wood will add an easy $400, unless you like cheapo Chinese parts, which may or may not hurt the end musical result. A nice Chinese finish covers up dead crap wood handily, but you can't really tell.
A need for a pro relic finish will also add a lot of cost, but has nothing to do with musical instruments.

Trying to learn to assemble partscasters that excel might require learning first, decorating later.
But those who want to make wall hangers and tribute guitars, again, hobble your build with a tutu and tux, that';s gonna hold back the musical instrument quality by limiting options and putting money into non-musical places.

good post....a lot here I agree with...if it’s done with care and skill

for me....I’ve found much of what I like about PartsCasters and I stick to it

I gotta have a roasted swamp ash f hole body ....and that’s based solely on looks and weight and weight for me has no real bearing on tonal considerations.....I want a lightweight guitar because it’s comfortable.....

I gotta have safety post tuners because i like the looks of them....

I gotta have a brass hard tail half plate and 6 brass saddles because I like the way it sounds feels looks and intonates...

etc etc

I could go on but you get the point....lol

I will worry about dialing in whatever tone I want from the thousands of custom wound highly detailed PUPs available and pots capacitors and wiring options

 

[gpilgrim]

Depending on how much of a rush you're in and your willingness to learn anything, somewhere around $600- $800 is all it takes to get playability and sound on par with any of the best guitars.

That describes my first experience building a partscaster. Mine sounds great and plays great but the looks are bit rough as a result of my inexperience with finishing etc. Some day I'll make another one, and try to get it to sound great, play nicely and look pristine.