Need help with Frankenstrat shopping list (first build)

[bodine1231]

I have my K&E neck and body arriving Monday so I'm starting to make a list of parts for my first build. Gonna put together a Frenkenstrat with one bridge pickup and one volume. I am still undecided on the pickup I want to use. Just wondering if anyone can tell me if I'm missing something from this list. I'm buying everything from Warmoth to save on shipping (except the pickup). Also this is a left handed build.

SG38RB Gotoh SG38 Tuner, Right Side, Black
$7.15 6 $42.90

FRLB Original Floyd Rose® Tremolo, Left Hand, Black
Floyd Rose Locking Nut, L4, Black
$180.00 1 $180.00

VKST1B Strat® Tone Knob, Black
$1.50 1 $1.50

RJP1B Recessed Top Jack Plate, Black
$7.50 1 $7.50

MJ1 Mono Jack, By Switchcraft
$3.00 1 $3.00

CTS500 500K Pot, By CTS
$5.00 1 $5.00

SSB1B Standard Strap Buttons, Pair, Black
$3.25 1 $3.25

WK1 Wiring Kit , (1 ft ea of Black, Red & White Wire, 3 ft of Coaxial Wire)
$5.95 1 $5.95

PICKGUARD Custom Pickguard
$25.00 1 $25.00

S5 Neck Screw, Set of 4, Black
$3.00 1 $3.00

NP1B Neck Plate, Black
$6.75 1 $6.75

[vanhalen5150]

Strings.

[metalhead3ecr]

I'm a lefty too....double that order!!!

[Tone Slinger]

I'd get a Seymour Duncan 'Custom Custom'.You could get the 'Frankenstein' pu, but why pay more, they are both real similar. If you listened to Thorny's pu comparison clip, the 'CC' sounded best, and this is my exp. He used different guitars, so it could have been that the guitar that he had the 'CC' in was just a better sounding guitar to begin with.

[JimiJames]

FRLB Original Floyd Rose® Tremolo, Left Hand, Black
Floyd Rose Locking Nut, L4, Black
$180.00 1 $180.00

CTS500 500K Pot, By CTS
$5.00 1 $5.00

*Nut & Saddle shims for precise custom contoured radius... Not included with that FR kit.
*Based on the pup, a 250k & a 300k log taper pots - 1ea.

*ehh, cans of spay paint, roll of masking tape & scissors...beer Good Luck !

[garbeaj]

What paint scheme wil you use? Since you chose black hardware, I'm guessing you are not trying for an accurate Frankenstrat.

[bodine1231]

What paint scheme wil you use? Since you chose black hardware, I'm guessing you are not trying for an accurate Frankenstrat.

I'm going for the black and white paint scheme with my own little changes (banana headstock,black floyd and black tuners,etc). Not trying to make a replica,I just really love the black and white striped design.

I've narrowed down my pickup selection to a Duncan '78 Custom and the EVH Frankenstein,leaning toward the EVH because its almost 40.00 cheaper.

If I go with the Frankenstein what volume pot should I get with the ash body?

[demonufo]

I'd get a Seymour Duncan 'Custom Custom'.You could get the 'Frankenstein' pu, but why pay more, they are both real similar. If you listened to Thorny's pu comparison clip, the 'CC' sounded best, and this is my exp. He used different guitars, so it could have been that the guitar that he had the 'CC' in was just a better sounding guitar to begin with.

The only thing I can add to that is my Seymour Custom Custom sounds real lifeless and thin in a small bodied cheap Steinberger. As did everything else I tried though. I ran out of money and patience with it to continue my search. And never tried the Custom Custom in anything else either.

[vanhalen5150]

If your going for one PU because its cheaper, get a $45 12k StewMac. They as good as anything anybody else is making.

[bodine1231]

If your going for one PU because its cheaper, get a $45 12k StewMac. They as good as anything anybody else is making.

What is the difference between the 'Golden Age' and 'Golden Age Overwound' tone wise? GA=VH2,GAO=VH1?

[Tone Slinger]

The wire, which is 42 awg (thicker strand) on the 9k 'Golden Age' and 43 awg (thinner) on the 'hot' Golden Age 12k. If you buy an extra magnet bar (get alnico 2 bar) you can aproximate a '78 Duncan with the Golden Age 9k. Just take out the alnico 5 and slip in the alnico 2.I did this and it warmed it up and added a creamier mid range.
I dont have the 'hot' Golden age' though, but I am gonna get one based on Vanhalen5150's use of one in the clips he did in the basement back in Oct. Based on the spec, its gonna have a decent amount more push and compression as compared to the 9k though.More turns(wire) also equates to more midrange, because you start losing high end and gaining bottom. The mids get emphasized more due to this.

If you are trying to decide between a '78 and a Frankenstein pu, I'd say get the Frankenstein. A strat style guitar, imo, needs a little more output in the pu than say a Gibson style guitar.

[bodine1231]

Ok thanks,I found a Frankenstrat pickup for 100 so I'll go with that.

I'm going to paint the guitar with Krylon,do I get flat or gloss? Also is it a bright or soft white? I dont think I'll do a clear coat,just straight black and white paint.

[YMI5150?]

head on over to halen dot com. they'll have a ton of info for you to dig through WRT to franky builds. some spectacular works of art over there.

good choice with the EVH pup. what's the rest of the rig like? agreed that the strat sings with a bit more umph. depends on the amp.

cheers!