Advice for 1st Time Guitar Build

[maltiero]

Thanks in advance for any tips or advice. I’ve wanted to try a build for years now and have always talked myself out of it. But with the winter months coming to NJ I figured it was a good project to finally tackle.

Just wanted to see if anyone could share their tips or advice. The original idea was to do a 5150 replica, but now I want to build my own thing for this first go. Will end up being a 1 pickup body with a Floyd, still want to go for that 5150 sound.

Thanks for your help (and thanks to Jedi for your tips and recommendations on IG!).

[masong]

Are you planning on a scratch build or will you be sourcing a body and neck from somewhere?

Good luck on your project, either way, number one thing is to have a solid plan from day one, and get all the parts before starting to ensure fitment, compatibility etc.

[bsbll4]

I've only done my Frankenstrat build from scratch, but I was a complete beginner. I had painted a guitar with spray paint before that one, but that was about it. Depending on the project you're going for I can give more specific advice, but off the top of my head:

1) Get the right tools for the job. That would have saved me a ton of headache. Things like having a soldering iron that wasn't powerful enough just caused needless frustration.
2) Test fit everything before you screw, glue, or otherwise lock it in place.
3) If you're repurposing a body or neck, be prepared for them not to fit properly together and having to do some work to make them fit.

[maltiero]

I’ll be buying a body and neck online, most likely from a combination of KNE, Musikraft, and/or Warmoth. As for tools, I have most of what I need, except for paint which I’ll buy later. Jedi gave me some great recommendations there.

The only thing I’m not sure about is how I want to approach the paint from a design perspective, but my brother is an artist and is going to help out with that so I’m sure it’ll end up great once I think of something that looks cool!

[fudd]

I’d wait for Johnny bean or Jedi’s input before I pulled the trigger.

They know their shit.


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[Mikey Metalhead]

I have built about 50 Ibanez and fender projects. half stained , half painted. two things

1. paint hides nothing which leads to
2. sand sand sand
before you even spray primer the wood should feel like glass. imagine what a new guitar feels like. I sand mine to feel like that before any paint.
then after you spray primer, wet sand and it should feel like glass.

[maltiero]

The project officially kicked off tonight! Bought my neck and body from Warmoth. Should be here in 4-6 weeks. Plenty of time to watch videos, do research, buy hardware, and think of a cool paint job. Definitely excited to try this out.

[MD 5150]

Which style neck and body did you buy from Warmoth?

[maltiero]

Which style neck and body did you buy from Warmoth?

I went with a Soloist body and a roasted maple Warhead neck.