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04.06.21, 07:58 AM #1
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Brody VH's First Frankenstrat Build
After years of wanting to do this, I'm finally going to take the plunge and build a Frankenstrat. I've decided to go with a '78 for a few reasons:
First, it's a little bit easier to paint.
Second, I love the black and white Franky. I almost bought the EVH Striped version earlier this year, but the wait time was ridiculous.
Finally, I believe I'll be able to make this on a very reasonable budget.
Don't get me wrong, I'm not going all in to make the most accurate replica known to man. My goal is to make it as accurate as possible while still saving a little bit of money.
To give credit where it is due, I was inspired to do this because of this video I was recommended on YouTube:
I recommend watching the full video because it's really good, but if you don't have time here is the basic idea: To build this on a reasonable budget, this guy took an old Starcaster by Fender Strat and transformed it into the black and white Franky. This is cool for me because I actually have one of these guitars.
Granted, this one has a rosewood fretboard, but I don't love this neck anyway so replacement isn't an issue. Either way, a huge thank you to my soon-to-be wife for giving me her old guitar she doesn't play. I believe this has a basswood body, so it's a decent wood. Additionally, the body is full thickness so I can use a slightly wider variety of tremolos.
Before I get started on disassembly, sanding, etc., I just need a little advice/resources from anyone who is interested:
- Does anyone have any painting advice/tips?
- It would help if anyone has a stripe template and/or high res photos. I've got the Zloz books, but more photos would be great.
- Any advice on affordable but good quality hardware? I'm thinking of primarily going with Guitar Fetish stuff, but other recommendations are welcome!
- What is my best option for a neck, Musikraft or Mighty Mite?
Thanks in advance for your help! I can't wait to share this process with everyone!I'm just here.
Hotty Toddy, gosh almighty,
Who the hell are we? Hey!
Flim flam, bim bam,
Ole Miss, by damn!
"I can't complain but sometimes I still do" - Joe Walsh
Rest In Peace, Edward Van Halen. Thank you for the memories.
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Thanks / Likes - 2 LikesScottyBHarris, N/A Liked This Post
04.06.21, 08:43 AM
#2


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Congrats on taking the plunge! Building the guitar that is, not getting marriedjust kidding of course--congrats on both.
I did the same thing as you, actually. I had an old Fender Squier that was black with a white pickguard and a maple neck. You can check out the build thread here if you want. I had a maple neck on it, and although it wasn't 100% accurate, it gave the right look to the guitar and made the process super easy.
First piece of advice, get an electric sander if you don't have one already. I sanded the finish off by hand it was a miserable endeavor. It took forever, made a giant mess, and it was really unnecessary in retrospect. You'll probably still need to hand sand some of the smaller areas like around the horns, but it will save you a ton of headaches.
I probably didn't have to sand mine back to the wood like I did, but I thought I might end up relicing it at some point (I didn't) so it felt like a good idea at the time. As for templates, I don't have any on hand, but if you just google image search "frankenstrat tape template" you'll see a bunch of options.
As for necks, I haven't purchased one from either, but I've heard nothing but good things about Musikraft. I just swapped out the existing hardware, although I did buy a brass nut to put on at one point but just never did. The tremolo system was never quite functional to where it needed to be on my Fender so I figured it wasn't worth the hassle. I could get away with some slight tremolos on sustained notes, but if I tried to give the same abuse Ed did with dive bombs it would, and still does, go completely out of tune. He did so much voodoo to make his work that I just didn't bother with it until I did the RBW frank where I could put on a Floyd Rose.
CNN may think my opinion matters, but you shouldn't.
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Brody VH Liked This Post
04.10.21, 05:07 PM
#3


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First Update
Well, as of right now I've made a little bit of progress.
First, I stripped the guitar down to the body. I began some preliminary sanding by hand, but man I can't wait to be able to use a friend's sander to get the rest of the finish off.
Second, I ordered a Duncan Designed HB-102 for the bridge. It's supposed to be a copy of a JB. I know it's not really the sound of the first Van Halen album, but I'm just happy to save a little money where I can while still getting a good product.
Third, I got the required 3/4 inch masking tape and 1/8 inch black pinstriping tape.
The obligatory photo update:
Lastly, I'm needing to make a small sim for the pickup because of how deeply cut the pickup rout is. Does anyone know the best way to do this? Should I order a small board of basswood, or should I just get some scrap wood from a hardware store? Thanks!
I'm just here.
Hotty Toddy, gosh almighty,
Who the hell are we? Hey!
Flim flam, bim bam,
Ole Miss, by damn!
"I can't complain but sometimes I still do" - Joe Walsh
Rest In Peace, Edward Van Halen. Thank you for the memories.
Thanks / Likes - 2 Likes
ScottyBHarris, MF5150 Liked This Post
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