Partscasters only make sense to me if I have a bunch of parts laying around and don't need to buy everything. If I have a spare set of pickups due to a change and a used pickguard, jack plate and bridge then it makes sense. Building one from scratch will cost ya, and of course as a Partscaster it ain't worth diddly even if it sings like a little bird. Just my two cents of course...
Want to make a partscaster as a complete newbie. Where should I source my parts?
- Thread starter NerfOrNothing
- Start date
I put together my first partscaster at age 20 and have really had little need for factory guitars since, except set neck Gibson style which I need very few of and went with Gibson for Gibson.
Fender style in 1980 I went with used Fender parts because there was little aftermarket, but I did get Duncan and Dimarzio pickups.
Shop for used pickups at auction on ebay and you can get great deals, if you are patient.
Necks now?
I really never regret buying good necks and never keep cheap necks on guitars, so even the name brand import budget necks are to me just not worth saving $100 on a total guitar cost of $400- $800.
Allparts is number one for best neck AND cheaper, if you want to try finish application.
Stratosphere is really pretty good for Fender and Squier because hobby sellers often damage a neck then sell it on ebay without disclosing stripped screw holes cracks or other issues.
Warmoth necks start under $200 unfinished but do need filing drilling sanding and spraying if you go unfinished.
Bodies may not need to be as good as necks, but stuff like GFS often makes the owner happy, and I look at pics and see obvious misshapen milling where the guard does not fit right because the body shape is only sorta close to correct.
One good thing is you can buy one part at a time as you have money.
Start with a good quality unfinished neck and get to work on it.
Or however you choose, but no need to have all parts before working on them.
Unless you buy used from Stratosphere, and only need to screw them together.
Vermoulian
Tele-Meister
As a builder of many partscasters over many years, I also agree that this is the best way to dip your toes into the guitar-building ocean. There are a lot of little things and variables you don't think about until you actually have to deal with all of them putting a guitar together. I recommend going with Squier if you can because for the most part generic Fender-style replacement parts will probably fit. It is still important to know whether and how dimensions (bridge width; tuner hole diameter, etc.) on the parts on your guitar vary from the vintage Fender dimensions that seem to be the norm for aftermarket parts, but even if they do, there are often parts available to fit Squiers that may not be avialable for some less prominent and Fender-connected brand. Taking a Squier and replacing different parts over time will give you experience working with the various parts of the instrument, and perhaps some insight into the characteristics you prefer in different components. You may well end up with a really nice instrument, but even if you don't, unless you've done a lot of drilling or something you can probably swap the stock parts back and sell the Squier for roughly what you paid for it.
This is also true. While I have built some great guitars and had a great time and learned a lot doing it, if the house burned down I probably wouldn't bother building more Strats or Teles versus just buying Strats or Teles and maybe making a couple tweaks.
I've had this too, and for that reason I don't recommend building a ground-up partscaster for your first build if you're on a budget. I've built guitars with cheap components and some of them have turned out really nicely but they all took more work to get things together cleanly, and I've seen multiple cheap instruments and components where the mounting holes for major components (neck, bridge) are not drilled squarely. If you want to build a guitar completely from parts go with either actual Fender parts or Warmoth. After buildling guitars with a couple cheap bodies, and having a friend get one that was drilled wrong, I've sworn off of them for any serious purpose, and would expect to have problems if I did order one.
Finally, there's assembling parts, and then there's turning those assembled parts into a good guitar. Things like nutwork, fretwork, wiring, and setup are hugely important and make a big difference whether you are dealing with a partscaster you made or a pre-made guitar you bought. To build a good partscaster those are skills you need, and you can practice them on any cheap guitar. But bolting together a gutiar and then not knowing how to dial it in to play really great, with smooth level frets, nut slots cut correctly, and a good setup, seems almost like a waste of time.
P.S. If you go with a Tele, note that new Tele bridges and old Tele bridges, while they may both fit, have the saddles in different places, and a new bridge placed in the old bridge location will not intonate, and vice versa. Lesson learned the hard way. Read a lot and don't repeat other people's mistakes, including mine.
dgregory
TDPRI Member
If you're NYC (or other big city) then I'm surprised no one has suggested Craigslist, OfferUp, or similar sites. The partscasters I've got that punch way above their weight (expense) class have all been assembled from parts unused, and sold off, by other builders: a NOS Bigsby B-5 for $50 here, an unused set of Fender Lace Sensor Duallys for $55 there, etc. Picked up a raw Allparts licensed baritone tele neck for $100 just recently. You have to be patient, and ready to jump on a deal when it appears, but if you are, a great partscaster can kind of shape itself, if not for pennies on the dollar, at least at a real discount.
David Menke
Tele-Meister
Lots of folks use Mighty Mite, but talking to my guitar tech, they have not experienced issues with setups on Warmoth Necks, but did mention that Mighty Mite's did offer challenges in some of the items that came into their shop. Just a thought! Maybe check the board on Warmoth site, some necks in the high $170's. Save for a month on your budget and you may find you get a BMW, instead of a chevy.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
Agree, you do not need to have all the parts up front...in fact, you might be better off not having them because builds often change in progress from the original vision. I've built 6, some from scratch, but most from common parts sources and none of them ended up following the original ideas, which was good thing.
Start with a pre-drilled body. Play around with the finishing until you find what you want. Then move on to the electronics, bridge, pickups, etc., the neck can wait for the body to be finished. Each build for me took about 3 months. I was never in a rush and just built them when I had some time on the weekends which allowed me to spread out the costs.
Vojay
NEW MEMBER!
I have had nothing but great experiences buying parts from Warmoth (neck, bodies, pickguards,...), Callaham (bridges, neck plates,...), StewMac (for vintage stealth locking tuners,...), and Bare Knuckle (pickups & pots, etc,...). Yes, it is a lil` higher priced than bargain basement stuff, but you get quality that truly rivals or even blows away real Fender Custom Shop products/instruments~! ...My builds are said to be always valued at least $6,000.00 to over $10,000.00~!!! ...& I`ve build a bunch to sell (almost a dozen~!), ...only to fall in love with each & everyone of them so much I jus` could not sell `em, they are that great~! ....I highly recommend this route to go for truly amazing guitars that you jus`can NOT put down or justify selling to someone else~!
you have to be kind to yourself so don't start a major project if you are going to be jammed with time. for parts i like warmoth. for the ultra frugal use other vendors.
you can also wind up with a pile of cash in tools.
there is something to be said for buying a cheap guitar, changing the pickups, and sorting out the rest of the electronics. you can make a sad guitar into a fine player.
you can also wind up with a pile of cash in tools.
there is something to be said for buying a cheap guitar, changing the pickups, and sorting out the rest of the electronics. you can make a sad guitar into a fine player.
RickyRicardo
Friend of Leo's
Umm okay..
I guess you didn't read the part about the OP being broke..
jdl57
Tele-Meister
My wife bought me a Stew Mac 335 kit for Christmas year before last. I had never painted a guitar, so I bought a cheap Guitar fetish body to practice on, and bought a neck just for the heck of it. I managed to turn it into a playable guitar, but not a guitar I would want to play. I was however enamored with the paulownia body I had purchased, so I looked for one, and found it at Guitar Mill. It's the guitar you see in my avatar. The body and neck cost $800. I went through seven or eight pickup combinations before I found what I really liked, and the final choice cost a mere $700. That doesn't include the two bridge pickups I bought thinking that they were what I wanted. It also doesn't include the specialty tools I had to buy to do the job right. The end result is an insanely good guitar, the one I play most often, I prefer it to my reissue Broadcaster, but it cost $1800 just in the parts installed on the guitar. The Broadcaster was $2,000, and it came with a hard case. You can indeed build a guitar as good as or better than Fender, you just can't do it for less money.
If you want to build a guitar on the cheap, that's just what you'll have--a cheap guitar. You will have at least a few hundred dollars into it, probably more, and it will be worth nothing if you want to sell it. If you want to build a guitar just to build one, have at it, just know what you will have when you are done. If it turns out really great, I take all of this back. If you are looking for a project, and you get finished body and neck, sorry, but it's not that hard screwing a Telecaster together. If you want a guitar to play, go find a used Squire and learn to to a good setup. Building a guitar will probably cost twice what you expect, maybe more, assuming you don't have any parts laying around. I'm not saying don't do it, i'm just trying to inject some realism. Good luck whatever you do.
If you want to build a guitar on the cheap, that's just what you'll have--a cheap guitar. You will have at least a few hundred dollars into it, probably more, and it will be worth nothing if you want to sell it. If you want to build a guitar just to build one, have at it, just know what you will have when you are done. If it turns out really great, I take all of this back. If you are looking for a project, and you get finished body and neck, sorry, but it's not that hard screwing a Telecaster together. If you want a guitar to play, go find a used Squire and learn to to a good setup. Building a guitar will probably cost twice what you expect, maybe more, assuming you don't have any parts laying around. I'm not saying don't do it, i'm just trying to inject some realism. Good luck whatever you do.
David Menke
Tele-Meister
Yes he wrote "no money" but he is creating a partsguitar, and asking for advice. Even some posts here, show the least expensive route and still coming in over $600.. Best advice, is a less expensive Squire and then noodle with it. Trying to make something out of nothing typically = nothing. Yes there are some ways to go about finding spare parts or maybe a diamond in the rough body and neck, are a challenge. Has it been done, most likely, but if this is the first attempt, know that a company like Warmoth, will be able to assist you and give you the tools and knowledge to not waste your time making a future firewood project could be worth it. Save for a few months, or a year. Work part time to get the $$ needed.Umm okay..
Don't limit yourself to a single source for parts, or even a couple sources. Might take more time but you'll be glad you spent the time to get exactly what you want. I typically scour Ebay and Reverb for used parts and mix in some new stuff from Guitar Fetish, Warmoth and others. It's fun seeing what you can put together with parts and pieces from a number of different sources....and on a budget!
Lou Tencodpees
Tele-Afflicted
Even after 8 builds I still deluded myself with the "affordable body" and all the spare parts and neck I had laying around. I even had the garnet shellac flakes I planned on using. Then came a series of purchases from Mixol tints to abrasives to Everclear, to the custom leather pickguard to the electrosocket jack, the fully assembled control plate, black pickguard screws to work with the leather pickguard, more solder, and on and on. Fortunately I already had the leveling and crowning tools, nut files, etc.
Personally I don't see a point in committing to a single build that involves an unfinished body and neck. The tools and supplies required are just too cost prohibitive.
Personally I don't see a point in committing to a single build that involves an unfinished body and neck. The tools and supplies required are just too cost prohibitive.
Sixstring3370
TDPRI Member
I would recommend Mark Jenner and Stratosphere.
CV Jee Beez
Tele-Afflicted
After my experience, I would recommend against buying the neck and body from separate vendors.
Lotta good advice here.
Also some that I don't completely agree with, but only because I don't know what kind of skills you have or if you're experienced at all with working on guitars.
I sold off a lot of my gear back in the mid 80s when I needed money and wasn't playing as much as I used to.
But in the 90s I saw an ad for a Kramer Focus from the old musicyo.com for $69.99+$10 shipping!
I suddenly felt inspired to get another guitar and start playing again.
Eventually I stripped out the he height adjustment on one of the pickups and decided to replace it myself.
Then I decided that since I had to take off the pickguard anyway, might as well replace it with something nicer.
Next thing I knew I started putting together partscasters in my spare time.
Walking into my living room now is like walking into a guitar store.
Putting them together, buying basket cases to refurbish, obtaining endless miscellaneous bits and pieces, if I stopped to count them now I'd forget to finish this post by the time I had a total.
I don't buy anything from Warmouth any more.
I hate dealing with paint, so if I'm not doing a stain or dye or oil finish I buy pre painted bodies on eBay from a seller called Allpartspipe.
I've bought bodies from NoMoonLaser, Tauro Woodworking, Rosser and a couple of others who sell nice quality at reasonable prices.
I love the Howell Guitars necks & have gotten some really nice ones from DIY on eBay.
For pickups I usually go with Tone Hatch, Benson or Guitar Madness for low budget to mid level priced stuff that I like.
All the other stuff you can source on eBay or Amazon.
Just be sure to read the descriptions and specs carefully.
I don't do this to get cheap guitars. I do it because I enjoy it.
If you're willing and able to put the work into it you can save money on some parts and spend it on the stuff that matters to you.
Every one may not turn out perfectly or go together without a hitch, but the more you work on this stuff, the better you get at it.
Also some that I don't completely agree with, but only because I don't know what kind of skills you have or if you're experienced at all with working on guitars.
I sold off a lot of my gear back in the mid 80s when I needed money and wasn't playing as much as I used to.
But in the 90s I saw an ad for a Kramer Focus from the old musicyo.com for $69.99+$10 shipping!
I suddenly felt inspired to get another guitar and start playing again.
Eventually I stripped out the he height adjustment on one of the pickups and decided to replace it myself.
Then I decided that since I had to take off the pickguard anyway, might as well replace it with something nicer.
Next thing I knew I started putting together partscasters in my spare time.
Walking into my living room now is like walking into a guitar store.
Putting them together, buying basket cases to refurbish, obtaining endless miscellaneous bits and pieces, if I stopped to count them now I'd forget to finish this post by the time I had a total.
I don't buy anything from Warmouth any more.
I hate dealing with paint, so if I'm not doing a stain or dye or oil finish I buy pre painted bodies on eBay from a seller called Allpartspipe.
I've bought bodies from NoMoonLaser, Tauro Woodworking, Rosser and a couple of others who sell nice quality at reasonable prices.
I love the Howell Guitars necks & have gotten some really nice ones from DIY on eBay.
For pickups I usually go with Tone Hatch, Benson or Guitar Madness for low budget to mid level priced stuff that I like.
All the other stuff you can source on eBay or Amazon.
Just be sure to read the descriptions and specs carefully.
I don't do this to get cheap guitars. I do it because I enjoy it.
If you're willing and able to put the work into it you can save money on some parts and spend it on the stuff that matters to you.
Every one may not turn out perfectly or go together without a hitch, but the more you work on this stuff, the better you get at it.
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Baron_63 Canada
TDPRI Member
I understand your frustration.
May I simply suggest you investigate Amazon Warehouse Deals/Musical Instruments/Guitar/Parts and Accessories for some wholesome, real affordable deals?
DIY all the way.
I am a "happy camper".
Just a fellow musician, Ken in Canada.
All the best.
Baron_63 Canada
TDPRI Member
By the way, my picture is of a Miao Dao in practice.
Dr Kensington
TDPRI Member
telemnemonics said doing a build you can buy one part at a time when you have the money. This is big deal both for folks like the original poster on a tight budget but for the older married folks too. Coming home from the guitar store with a new $1,000 guitar costs more spouse credits than me spending $100 a month on parts for a year.
Dr Kensington
TDPRI Member
And about building, I would really suggest a cheap kit for a first build and also like others have said, modding a cheap guitar. The number one thing to avoid is bad geometry with body and neck. Make sure your body and neck fit well together
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