Well, I going to start building the guitar I dream about but...

[badscrew_projects]

Just for inspiration, attached are some pictures of the Black Strat during its assembly

Oh wow, beautiful result

 

[2HBStrat]

Just for inspiration, attached are some pictures of the Black Strat during its assembly

Nice work!

 

[TX_Slinger]

My dream guitar was my first build though I've swapped pickups a few times before finding the right ones. That said, I got lucky building the body. Curved neck heel came out fine but my neck pocket was sloppy. I used some wood veneer to shim it up and it's been great since. If your body is already finished the rest should be gravy. You'll enjoy putting the time in on fretwork and such.

 

[Vibroluxer]

My dream guitar was my first build though I've swapped pickups a few times before finding the right ones. That said, I got lucky building the body. Curved neck heel came out fine but my neck pocket was sloppy. I used some wood veneer to shim it up and it's been great since. If your body is already finished the rest should be gravy. You'll enjoy putting the time in on fretwork and such.

Thank you. Yes, Im just assembling things, not making anything. I'm gonna give it a go. I really appreciate the advice and support. Thanks so much!

 

[Telenator]

I wrote and published the first book of it's kind titled, "Custom Guitar Building: A New Approach for a New Era" Available on Amazon in digital format.
It is far and away the most complete, detailed book on building a Custom Strat from finished parts you buy on line. The techniques and methods are for building a Strat, but also apply to guitars in general. The book also contains a detailed planning and parts compatibility section.
5 Star Rated!

 

[Happy Enchilada]

Absolutely!! And thanks for asking.

It's a Warmoth swamp ash body finished in transparent blue. It's routed to hold a Filtertron in the neck and bridge with the middle route holding a Tele neck pickup. So the configuration is HSH with the 2 Filtertrons being TV Jones Classics and the middle pickup being a 52 RI neck pickup. I might leave the middle pickup out for right now.

The white pick guard is from Warmoth and has been cut for 3 pickups and 5 mounting holes in it. I'll buy another if I use just the 2 Filtertrons.

All screws are slotted, no Phillips head used.

The neck is a new MIM Tele Deluxe. I don't know what Deluxe version of a Tele has this neck but it has thin 'Fender" and "Deluxe" in fairly heavy font.

Kluson tuning keys.

Control plate is from Callahan and will be used if I use 2 pickups. Eventually I will try 3 pickups and then the control panel will be set up with the S1 system.

The bridge is a Callahan hardtail strat bridge with 4 mounting holes.

Electrosocket input jack.

Standard 3 position selector switch for the 2 pickups and a 5 position switch should I go to 3 pickups.

That should just about wrap it up. Any advice you're willing to share, please do.

Paul

As Mr. Eastwood once said on film, "A wise man knows his limitations."
Because of your stated lack of tools and knowhow, I'd start by finding an honest and competent luthier.
He might have some ideas @ what would work best for this build - i.e., what's possible and not.
Get an estimate for his labor. Trust me, this will be the best money you ever spent.
It sounds like you have a good handle on some of the parts you'll need.
I'd go ahead and start accumulating them one at a time.
When you are satisfied you have all the components, call your luthier and get things rollin'.

One word of advice from a guy who's been down this rabbit hole a few times:
Partscasters either turn out AMAZING. Or they don't.
So take your time and make sure everything works together well during the build.
You could end up with a winner like my Linda Lou:

Good Luck!