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

[benderb9]

First Partscaster 1990-91, Still have it. Warmoth Ash body, LH Fender neck, Chandler Lipstick pups, Schaller lockers. The latest is a GFS Ash body ($!!2 w/sh, Amazon neck ($90) roasted maple/full scallop/bone nut, Fender Clapton mid-boost kit, Amazon mint 3 ply reverse bridge pg ($12), matching back plate ($7), input plate nickel ($9), Fender Standard 2 pt trem ($59), pickguard screws ($%), Fender neck plate/screws ($9). I had some Hipshot open gear lockers ($60) and a set of Bill Lawrence Wilde pups L280S n-m & L290S b ($160). So it can be done, or you could by a good used guitar off Craigs List or from a local music store and upgrade as needed.

 

[vlad paduraru]

Tonerider ! It’s like a comunist’s pickup. I have 3 strat sets, 2 tele an a Rocksong HB . They will pick a fight any day with Seymour or Fender.

 

[Yonatan]

Check out Wilkinson tele bridges with brass compensated saddles here. They are cheap, but awesome!

Yep, it's a perfectly fine bridge. After using it on one build, I can't see why I'd ever need anything else.

 

[wrr3]

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.

Ah, your first parts caster! My first was an Allparts neck. I got a fat one and carved an offset V. It's still a great neck. I've since gone to Warmoth but they are more expensive and it will take a while to get one.

I'd recommend an eBay pine or similar body. Also on eBay are the True Custom Shop Quarter Pounder pickups. They are inexpensive and for me, some of the nicest sounding Tele pickups I've heard. They're warmer and fatter sounding.

You'll have a lot of choices for hardware. Fender makes good stuff reasonably priced but shop around. For me good tuning gears are important. I avoid heavy ones as I don't want the neck to dive.

I like the stock bridge plate and three piece saddles but that's me.

I also like the low torque pots but that's because I use the volume and tone controls a lot. YMMV.

I also like the heavy knurled knobs but they're not cheap. That could be something you check out later.

Most important- get some good tools. They don't have to be expensive. You will also need a place to work. Doesn't have to be a big space but a place you can leave your project and come back to it undisturbed if possible.

Good luck!

 

[Medeltids]

Maybe it was mentioned before but you have to factor in cost of tools. That is a rabbit hole unto itself.

 

[JimZBrewer]

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

Ain't that the truth!

 

[dasherf17]

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.

As a broke college student, I'd start with the Chinese market...just for the first one(believe me, if the first one pans out, others WILL follow)...
Do watch for bodies and necks without holes for attaching, bridges, pots and pickup cutouts...let's make this more finish and attachment...
Do, also, watch for sizes of parts to the dimensions of holes, etc.
It gets iinfectious...

 

[TNTales]

It has been awhile but I've always had good experiences with GFS. Their parts are about what you'd expect from a nicer foreign grade guitar. I've not gotten a neck from them but body, pickups, hardware.

As someone who's built a partscaster before I have a few bits of wisdom.

1) Make sure you have all the tools you need including drill bits, templates, nut files, etc

2) Add at least 100$ to the expected cost of your parts and tools. You will be missing something or something will break or be unavailable. Subsequent builds you can budget more closely.

3) Your end result will never be worth more than the parts so you'll have a hard time reselling it if you need the money. Strip it and sell the bits.

4) The old adages are true. Measure twice, cut once. You only pay once for quality. And you can always remove wood but you can't put it back so go gradually and conservatively when cutting, sanding etc.

5) It will take a lot longer than you expect. It's not a two hours one afternoon thing. More like a nice weekend project if you have everything and all goes well.

Sorry if this is stuff you already know these are just the things I wish I knew in advance. Good luck!

 

[Arfage]

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.

Another thing, I tried some inexpensive pickups on another parts tele called Dragon Fire, a store in Oregon sells them on eBay. they have 1/4" magnets and are wound in the high 7's. They sound FANTASTIC.

 

[Arfage]

As a broke college student, I'd start with the Chinese market...just for the first one(believe me, if the first one pans out, others WILL follow)...
Do watch for bodies and necks without holes for attaching, bridges, pots and pickup cutouts...let's make this more finish and attachment...
Do, also, watch for sizes of parts to the dimensions of holes, etc.
It gets iinfectious...

Yes, good of you to point out, drilling screw holes on the neck or neck pocket is not something a first timer should bother with.

 

[USian Pie]

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.

Warmoth neck and body will fit and work right away with no drilling. They can be bought already finished. Every "Fender spec" part I've ever bought fits Warmoth. Most of the complaints I see right now are about having to wait a long time. But the most common necks and bodies are in stock.

No they are not the cheapest but how much is your time worth? Are you doing this to have a "forever" guitar? If you are just seeing if you can make something that plays, then they might be overkill.

I built my Warmoth Tele shortly after my first son was born and he's close to graduating college now. It's still my number one electric. Take the amount I spent on parts and amortize it over 20+ years... not that bad.

I've personally been disappointed in parts from Guitar Fetish. I don't think they are a rip-off or anything. I've just tried their pickups and a Strat tremolo bridge and wasn't pleased.

It's worth it to me to spend 50% more even if the "name" part is only 20% better. Feedback on GFS seems to be hit-or-miss. The lack of critical holes being drilled tells me they are saving money by leaving the really precise parts to the customer. I'd be comfortable taking a risk with someone like them now but I know what is good, what is fixable, and what needs a refund. That's a result of having built a few partscasters.

Allparts and Stewmac seem to be reasonable choices, too. I've not tried them because I didn't think they were that much cheaper than Warmoth.

Another idea -- if you just want to experience of building a guitar, you can always mix-and-match parts from already built guitars. That's how I started and got comfortable with it.

 

[Spazzmaster]

I bought a finished body on Ebay, neck from Stratosphere, and the other bits from various Reverb sellers. Spread the wealth.

 

[Beachbum]

If you just want a great playing guitar on a budget go Ebay and shop patiently.

Ebay body of unknown origin, used MIM Fender neck, Fender hardware and loaded EMG guard from Guitar Center = $450.

If you're looking for some bling and have more bucks to spend go higher end Stratospher/Warmoth.

Fender American Standard body and hardware from Stratosphere, mahogany/ebony neck from warmoth, same loaded guard from Guitar Center = $950.

One thing to know however is that spending more on the body and neck doesn't always get you better results. In fact with CNC technology the way it is today it often doesn't. In my case the cheaper build having the same loaded guard sounded every bit as good as the more expensive one, weighed less and took a set up better.

 

[Randy Jones]

7 pages of advice!

Some more! When I was in your shoes I got a telecaster kit from Thomann. Planned to upgrade everything. Discovered I don’t need to… I think $69 for everything. Buy with a friend to split the shipping. Build together over a weekend. Just did their jazzmaster kit… even better. I don’t think I’m going to buy another complete guitar. It’s just too much fun to go this route.