So the decision I have to make. I'm leaning more towards doing a Frankenstrat tribute rather than a Frankenstrat clone. I want to have something that looks pretty much the real deal on first glance to the untrained eye, but I also want to have something that's playable with less of the hacks. So, the differences I'm looking at compared to a clone:
1) I think I'll drop in a Floyd Special, but I feel like I want to route it out so it sits as designed rather than having to add a shim to the neck pocket to get a decent action.
That works, and you can have it floating too. Probably a more difficult job than shimming, as it is straightforward to set up as the strings don't need to be removed, just loosened so the Floyd can be lifted from its pins
2) Keep the design as close as I can get it, but forego the standard relicing. I'd be happy if it got worn down through use however.
Fair enough, I like the relicing so i don't have to worry about a case
3) Not put any reflectors on the back. I can imagine that wouldn't be overly comfortable when playing.
You don't notice them, at least I don't
4) (this one I'm not too sure of) Wire up the neck single coil. I won't be using the kit pickup but I have no idea what I will put in there yet. Of course, this will mean having to install a selector switch. The more I think about this, the less I'm inclined to do it, but I'm leaving it here as a placeholder.
Yes great idea. I did that, with a micro switch in the place of one of the tone controls. I also coil-tapped the humbucker, with a push-pull on the volume. Gives loads of tonal variations. You could put a 3-way in the slot instead
5) I've already got the Grover upgrade rather than going for the Schaller tuners. Even if I were going for a clone that would be good enough for me.
You might want to hang on to them if the kit machine heads are OK (most are), as the kit ones are the correct shape, and as you will be reliant on the locking nut and violin style tuners on the Floyd for fine tuning the Grovers might not be best utilised there (assuming you have other projects they might work on, if not, great excuse to buy one!)