"SRV Like" Guitar project

[DrakeZero]

Funny enough that's the guy I'm looking at buying from. Was close to getting a set of texas specials but was outbidded. How's the radius on the 62? I read it's 7.5. I'm use to playing with the 9.5 hwy one strat.

 

[A string bounce]

The 62 necks got a real nice feel to it' I've got big hands but it feels very natural for me?
I've never had any probs with 'reliable fender' they are what they say........reliable!
Do yourself a favour Drake and go for a set of the gold/pearl Schaller tuners that Stevie used on his, there's a guy selling some now on ebay? check the link. I used them on mine' they really finish the guitar off! not too many #1 replicas if any at all with those on??

Fender Elite Gold & Pearloid Tuners for Strat Tele SRV on eBay (end time 17-Nov-09 15:58:45 GMT)

 

[DrakeZero]

Expensive but so nice! Yeah I remember those tuners, he chnaged over to those close to the time of his death. I have big hand as well so I'll probably settle on the 62 neck. He has a few on sale I believe, one of them is 30 bucks off so can't lose.

Are those actually pearl in those tuners? Btw how well does it stay in tune? I was thinking of doing a replica of number 1 when SRV was just starting out. He used a nickel bridge with vintage tuners.

Btw what did you use to make the hole for the LH tremolo, and how much of screw do you have to put into the body when installing the claw part?

 

[leftyguitarman]

You could use lacquer thinner for instance to achieve areas of worn paint.

I don't think lacquer thinner will remove poly. I tried it once and it didn't do anything.

 

[A string bounce]

Expensive but so nice! Yeah I remember those tuners, he chnaged over to those close to the time of his death. I have big hand as well so I'll probably settle on the 62 neck. He has a few on sale I believe, one of them is 30 bucks off so can't lose.

Are those actually pearl in those tuners? Btw how well does it stay in tune? I was thinking of doing a replica of number 1 when SRV was just starting out. He used a nickel bridge with vintage tuners.

Btw what did you use to make the hole for the LH tremolo, and how much of screw do you have to put into the body when installing the claw part?

The 'pearl' is actually plastic 'faux pearl' and tuning stability is spot on!
I tend to have the trem pretty much flat down to the body anyway.
I used a 20mm ( I think? cant remember' I'd have to have a measure) Forstner bit, set up in a pillar drill to take out the wood for the trem' then just squared the rad off for the glued wood fillet. I used a piece maple for the front' and alder for the back.
By claw part' do you mean the 'spring claw? again cause' I have the trem pretty much a 'hardtail' their in quite a way' plus I have five springs on as well.

 

[DrakeZero]

Yeah the spring claw. The body I am getting has no hardware whatsoever installed into it so I was curious as to how much of two screws do you put into the body or how much clearance. So you used a piece of maple to cover up the hole and just used wood glue? All this info is so handy I am actually writing it all down as I am still waiting for the body to arrive. lol

 

[DrakeZero]

Yeah the spring claw. The body I am getting has no hardware whatsoever installed into it so I was curious as to how much of two screws do you put into the body or how much clearance. So you used a piece of maple to cover up the hole and just used wood glue? All this info is so handy I am actually writing it all down as I am still waiting for the body to arrive. lol

Another question, I heared from another person saying there is a difference in
string spacing on the mexican necks from the US tremolos. Is this true and if so will I have to buy a mexican tremolo so the string spacing is the same?

 

[captcoolaid]

Not much of a differance but some. I have seen many strat bridges on Ebay for really cheap. they have the specs on them and most are from great sellers with much experience give them a call before you buy.

 

[DrakeZero]

String Bounce, did you have trouble putting in your US 62 neck? I came across one on ebay that I think would be perfect, however the seller tells me the heel of the neck is 2. 1875 inches which of course in mm is about 55.56. I took measurement of my hwy one body and it came out as 55.84mm (2.1984 inches) will this be a problem or can it just be fixed by sanding the body slightly. Thanks

 

[captcoolaid]

Sand the body slightly.

 

[A string bounce]

Hey drake' I had no probs? infact my 62 neck was a perfect fit for the highway?? but if it's a problem as the 'capt' said just relive the neck pocket

 

[Exluthier]

If you're trying to mimic Stevie's number one you're better with a flatter radius, his strat had been refretted so many times that it had evolved to about a 12" radius. I did kind of a copy of Number One years ago out of a warmoth neck and body. The neck was probably closer to Stevies than the signature model because they offer a 1 3/4" nut and fender's is their standard size. I even set it up (With 13s which I play anyway, no hand trouble btw) with the measurements Dan Erlewine took off of #1 in the GPRG. The result? I hated it, except for the left handed trem. I now had the guitar in pieces waiting for a new neck (didn't like the SRV contour), humbuckers, and a new paint job.

 

[A string bounce]

agree the SRV contour is far to clubby? that's why I opted for a 62 neck.

 

[Exluthier]

I don't mind a big neck, but maybe with the combination of the asymetrical profile I didn't like it much...the nut width I like though, I have 1 3/4" nuts or slightly bigger on all my necks.

 

[DrakeZero]

Thanks for the advice guys. Here is the neck I'm talking about.

1999 Fender USA Vintage '62 Strat LOADED NECK Assembly on eBay.ca (item 360204201136 end time 09-Nov-09 16:08:50 EST)

I agree with the large neck, I hate them a lot. I went to a Long and Macquade and tried a guitar with the SRV type neck and it hurt my hand just after a couple of minutes of playing. Didn't have time to try out any of the 62 necks in the shop, but I imagine if I'm comfortable with a 9.5 neck I'll be okay with a 62's smaller radius neck.


Basically what I am aiming for with this build is to create a SRV hyprid of his equipment but also my tastes and liking so it's a unquie guitar. I already have a name for it. Kind of funny when it's nowhere near ready lol.

 

[A string bounce]

Nice neck and not a bad price at the moment seeing as your getting a V stamped neckplate plus tuners thrown in? The frets look bigger than normal has it had a refret???

 

[DrakeZero]

I imagine the bid will sky rocket with a bunch of people sniping at the last moment. I am hopeful it will only be 300 but something tells me it'll hit 500 by the times end.

 

[DrakeZero]

Well I lost out on the bidding but I have gotten a neck for my project finally.

09 USA Standard Fender Strat Stratocaster Neck & Tuners on eBay.ca (item 390116067528 end time 15-Nov-09 19:30:40 EST)

It's not a vintage one but it's almost the same as my hwy one neck, which is comfortable for me so why mess with something that's working for me right?

 

[worn]

I've built Strats with Allparts and Mighty Mite bodies, could save you money over a genuine Fender body, especially if you buy used. You could go with a MIM body, even a Squier as long as its 1 3/4". Trem screw spacing will be different but can be plugged and redrilled for a lefty US trem.
Fitting a left hand trem was not that hard, I did it on my Strat with Mighty Mite body and Allparts V neck. I think its an important step in building an SRV replica that shouldn't be over looked.

 

[A string bounce]

Congrats; Drake!