Custom Strat finished!

pektel · 10-05-2010, 11:26 AM

Got the email today. Hadn't heard anything back from this guy since he shaped the body back February, and life happened so I never checked back with him. So email shows up saying it's done! I hadn't even paid a deposit yet to order materials! Anyways, everything built to my specs (finish, neck shape, pups, pickguard) and some things he took a little creative license with (tuners, trem, etc.). He took it to a trade show, and had some guy at his booth bashing strats, so he let him play mine. His mind was changed in 10 minutes, and said it's the BEST strat he's ever played. Anyways, here's a few pics, and some specs:

1 piece Alder Body
Vintage Sunburst finish
Nico’s Vintage – American Voodoo ’69 pickups– Vintage tone with a bit of a bite!
V-to-C Neck Contour – a soft V at the nut fades to a thin C at the 12th fret
9.5″ Radius Rosewood Fretboard
Neck finished in our new standard Tung Oil finish
6-Inline Headstock with Sperzel Locking Tuners
Trem King TK-1 Tremolo system – Always in tune

And a few pics:

I was actually pretty particular about the sunburst finish. I wanted a 3 tone sunburst, but without the distinct lines of black/red/natural. They did a fantastic job freehand spraying the finish.

Needless to say, I'm a happy camper so far

Emjaysmash · 10-05-2010, 11:38 AM

That, is one sexy guitar!

yourchoice · 10-05-2010, 11:39 AM

I know nothing about guitars, but that thing is sweet!

stewshi · 10-05-2010, 11:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by yourchoice

I know nothing about guitars, but that thing is sweet!

Dont know much about guitars either but for a custom job that looks absolutely beautiful

Dave128 · 10-05-2010, 12:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by yourchoice

I know nothing about guitars, but that thing is sweet!

Quote:

Originally Posted by stewshi

Dont know much about guitars either but for a custom job that looks absolutely beautiful

DITTO!!

boom · 10-05-2010, 11:47 AM

Very nice....

gvarsity · 10-05-2010, 11:54 AM

Simply gorgeous. Congratulations on an awesome cigar.

pektel · 10-05-2010, 12:06 PM

Thanks, guys. I can't wait to receive it! Gonna be a decent chunk out of my bank account, so probably have to lower the number of cigars I smoke per week for a while. Which is okay by me. I'll be busy playing this beast instead anyways

Quote:

Originally Posted by gvarsity

Simply gorgeous. Congratulations on an awesome cigar.

Thanks! but I'm thinking you mean guitar

BigFrank · 10-05-2010, 04:21 PM

Nice looking axe.

kelmac07 · 10-05-2010, 04:25 PM

She's a beauty!!

bigdix · 10-05-2010, 04:27 PM

They did a great job on the finish! Did you customize the hardware (bridge, p/u, etc.) as well?

pektel · 10-05-2010, 05:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bigdix

They did a great job on the finish! Did you customize the hardware (bridge, p/u, etc.) as well?

I let him pick the trem, tuners, and knobs. And, because of a timeline issue, the pickups. I chose the neck shape, finish, body shape, neck material, PG, etc. The neck shape is very similar to an EJ sig strat.

AD720 · 10-05-2010, 04:33 PM

Wow! Looks great.

I've been thinking about those Nico's pickups myself.

pektel · 10-05-2010, 05:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AD720

Wow! Looks great.

I've been thinking about those Nico's pickups myself.

I was originally going to go with BG pups, but his lead time was way too far out. Then it was almost Tonerider City Limits, but my guy recommended these. Can't wait to hear them in person.

Cigar_Noob · 10-05-2010, 06:14 PM

I'm not a strat guy, but I gotta say that is one fine guitar. I'm scared to ask how much this is putting you back?

pektel · 10-05-2010, 06:27 PM

Cheaper than a Fender Custom Shop, that's for damn sure.

It was actually very reasonable. Under 2500.

G G · 10-05-2010, 06:53 PM

I am embarrassed to play my regular old black mexican strat now.

That is an awesome guitar bro.

cort · 10-05-2010, 07:45 PM

Sick!

G G · 10-05-2010, 09:13 PM

Shut up Gary.

cort · 10-05-2010, 10:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ggainey

Shut up Gary.

10-05-2010, 11:26 AM	#1
pektel I'm nuts for the place Join Date: Jul 2010 First Name: Peter Location: Grand Rapids, MN Posts: 4,320 Trading: (28)	Custom Strat finished! Got the email today. Hadn't heard anything back from this guy since he shaped the body back February, and life happened so I never checked back with him. So email shows up saying it's done! I hadn't even paid a deposit yet to order materials! Anyways, everything built to my specs (finish, neck shape, pups, pickguard) and some things he took a little creative license with (tuners, trem, etc.). He took it to a trade show, and had some guy at his booth bashing strats, so he let him play mine. His mind was changed in 10 minutes, and said it's the BEST strat he's ever played. Anyways, here's a few pics, and some specs: 1 piece Alder Body Vintage Sunburst finish Nico’s Vintage – American Voodoo ’69 pickups– Vintage tone with a bit of a bite! V-to-C Neck Contour – a soft V at the nut fades to a thin C at the 12th fret 9.5″ Radius Rosewood Fretboard Neck finished in our new standard Tung Oil finish 6-Inline Headstock with Sperzel Locking Tuners Trem King TK-1 Tremolo system – Always in tune And a few pics: I was actually pretty particular about the sunburst finish. I wanted a 3 tone sunburst, but without the distinct lines of black/red/natural. They did a fantastic job freehand spraying the finish. Needless to say, I'm a happy camper so far __________________ The problem is not the problem. The problem is your ATTITUDE about the problem. Last edited by pektel; 10-05-2010 at 11:39 AM.

10-05-2010, 11:38 AM	#2
Emjaysmash The Hebrew Hammer Join Date: Oct 2008 First Name: M.J. Location: Milwaukee, WI Posts: 7,025 Trading: (76)	Re: Custom Strat finished! That, is one sexy guitar! __________________

10-05-2010, 11:39 AM	#3
yourchoice Down the stretch Join Date: Oct 2008 First Name: Joel Location: South Jersey Posts: 4,095 Trading: (36)	Re: Custom Strat finished! I know nothing about guitars, but that thing is sweet!

10-05-2010, 11:47 AM	#6
boom Central Cali Cigar Crew Join Date: Mar 2009 First Name: Troy Location: Cen Cal Posts: 1,659 Trading: (107)	Re: Custom Strat finished! Very nice....

10-05-2010, 11:54 AM	#7
gvarsity still crazy Join Date: Oct 2008 Posts: 621 Trading: (15)	Re: Custom Strat finished! Simply gorgeous. Congratulations on an awesome cigar.

10-05-2010, 04:21 PM	#9
BigFrank 5 3 1 Join Date: Nov 2008 First Name: Frank Location: Gym or Sofa. Posts: 1,896 Trading: (25)	Re: Custom Strat finished! Nice looking axe. __________________ " Hope is the first step on the road to disappointment. "

10-05-2010, 04:25 PM	#10
kelmac07 Resident Maduro Whore!! Join Date: Apr 2009 First Name: Mac Location: Newport News, VA Posts: 27,322 Trading: (218)	Re: Custom Strat finished! She's a beauty!! __________________ Dom in the MLB thread "I could probably get you to wear a Yankee hat for a Maduro!"

10-05-2010, 04:27 PM	#11
bigdix Cigarmurai Join Date: Jul 2010 First Name: Dan Location: Oki Posts: 669 Trading: (1)	Re: Custom Strat finished! They did a great job on the finish! Did you customize the hardware (bridge, p/u, etc.) as well? __________________ There's no secret handshake. There's an IQ prerequisite, but there's no secret handshake.

10-05-2010, 04:33 PM	#13
AD720 I'm nuts for the place Join Date: Oct 2008 First Name: Andrew Location: The City of BOTL-erly Love Posts: 2,684 Trading: (73)	Re: Custom Strat finished! Wow! Looks great. I've been thinking about those Nico's pickups myself. __________________

10-05-2010, 06:14 PM	#15
Cigar_Noob Still learning the art Join Date: Oct 2009 First Name: Josh Location: Socialist Republic of Vermont Posts: 246 Trading: (1)	Re: Custom Strat finished! I'm not a strat guy, but I gotta say that is one fine guitar. I'm scared to ask how much this is putting you back? __________________ "...pipe smoking is properly an intellectual exercise."-Christopher Morley, 1916

10-05-2010, 06:27 PM	#16
pektel I'm nuts for the place Join Date: Jul 2010 First Name: Peter Location: Grand Rapids, MN Posts: 4,320 Trading: (28)	Re: Custom Strat finished! Cheaper than a Fender Custom Shop, that's for damn sure. It was actually very reasonable. Under 2500. __________________ The problem is not the problem. The problem is your ATTITUDE about the problem.

10-05-2010, 06:53 PM	#17
G G BR549 Join Date: Oct 2008 First Name: Greg Location: Taylor, FL. Posts: 12,730 Trading: (10)	Re: Custom Strat finished! I am embarrassed to play my regular old black mexican strat now. That is an awesome guitar bro.

10-05-2010, 07:45 PM	#18
cort ◤◢◣◥ Join Date: Oct 2008 First Name: Gary Posts: 4,478 Trading: (41)	Re: Custom Strat finished! Sick!

10-05-2010, 09:13 PM	#19
G G BR549 Join Date: Oct 2008 First Name: Greg Location: Taylor, FL. Posts: 12,730 Trading: (10)	Re: Custom Strat finished! Shut up Gary.