Build #2 Non PitBull Rebuild - Vintage Brand Strat Copy

[Rossc0]

Cheer Waz, next question. Replacement bridge. String spacing on this is 54mil which translates to 2-1/8 inch. The two in the shop here are 2-1/16 and 2-7/32. Either of them good enough, close enough, is it a huge deal?

[Simon Barden]

I'd be tempted to go with a Wilkinson replacement bridge as they aren't expensive and you get a steel trem block included (you could easily pay as much for a steel block as you do for a whole Wilkinson bridge). With the original bridge being Wilkinson as well, you should be able to get an exact match.

If you don't get the same bridge spacing, then the strings on the neck won't run parallel to the neck edges, but will either get nearer or further away from the edges as you get towards the bridge. So it's always best to get as close a match as possible. Also, look on the bridge manufacturer's web sites for dimensions as they might also have them in mm as well as imperial - some mm figures don't translate into imperial very well and most Asian-built guitars were constructed in mm.

However, Strats do tend to come in just two sizes of string spacing, with US builds using the wider spacing and most others using the narrower one.

[Rossc0]

Well that was hard work, but she's finally naked. Nothing to horrible.

Now the prep really begins I suppose.




Plan at the moment is cream / Vintage white, Red tortoise shell pickguard and trem cover. Fender Parchment knobs and pickup covers, new Wilkinson Bridge and a set of Tonerider vintage PUPs

[wazkelly]

Just trying to figure what timber that is? From the colour and lack of any defined grain that would suggest Basswood?

[Simon Barden]

Current ones are now American alder, though depending on the age it may be 'eastern poplar'. But I don't think they've used Basswood for the Vintage bodies.

[wazkelly]

looks too blonde for Alder.

[Simon Barden]

I'd go with the poplar then. Looks a similar colour to a lot of the poplar wood samples I can find on line.

[Rossc0]

Don't think its basswood, No fibres and its been grain filled. Not that I'd really know, haven't seen basswood or played with that I'm aware of.

[stan]

nice progress mate- it will have a cool classic look

[Kick]

I always loved the Olympic white strats so I'm curious how this build will go.