UK Builder - strat body

darcym

I would like to buy a 60's period correct hard tail strat body. I could jump onto Warmoth or MJT and grab one easy, but I'm keen to buy from UK people who make the bodies in the UK, rather than import and sell bodies.

I know there are few builders on here who do their own thing and are not really interested in copying main builders works, but I also know there are some people who love making this stuff.

Who is the goto UK guys (again must stress UK built rather than UK sold) Fender bodies guys ?

ThePrettyDamned

I think guitar build on ebay do hard tail strats.

They use alder, swamp ash and pine as woods, and you can custom order for the nicest grain and best weight if you want. I snagged a very light pine strat body from them.

They're an eBay store primarily.

darcym

yes, found their website already, I was going to use alder but swap ash would be quite nice too.

Mailed them to confirm that their work is infact made in the UK.

Megii

Guitarbuild definitely do make their own stuff in the UK (near Lincoln in fact). I while back I made a strat using one of their '62 strat replica bodies - a) it was great, and b) I'm sure they'd do a hardtail if asked. Phil the owner even sent me a pic of my body next to the original '62 one he took the dimensions from:

Jez6345789

Hi

I may be wrong on this but I think if you want the authentic 50's/60's stuff Guitar Build has scanned and CNC'd you need to order specifically from their website. The cheaper stuff they do through ebay is very good but more generic Strat,I have done at least a 1/2 dozen strats for friends and one for me over the last couple of years and currently have a pinecaster in the works to see what they sound like.

I might be wrong about this but this was the impression I got from speaking to Phil, for me the Ebay ones are really good value and you can get some really nice lightweight Swampash or Alder bodies for not silly money.

Megii

Jez6345789 said:

Hi

I may be wrong on this but I think if you want the authentic 50's/60's stuff Guitar Build has scanned and CNC'd you need to order specifically from their website. The cheaper stuff they do through ebay is very good but more generic Strat,I have done at least a 1/2 dozen strats for friends and one for me over the last couple of years and currently have a pinecaster in the works to see what they sound like.

I might be wrong about this but this was the impression I got from speaking to Phil, for me the Ebay ones are really good value and you can get some really nice lightweight Swampash or Alder bodies for not silly money.

No, I think you're right on that - if you want the vintage spec bodies, it's a case of going via the website.

ThePrettyDamned

Megii said:

Jez6345789 said:

Hi

I may be wrong on this but I think if you want the authentic 50's/60's stuff Guitar Build has scanned and CNC'd you need to order specifically from their website. The cheaper stuff they do through ebay is very good but more generic Strat,I have done at least a 1/2 dozen strats for friends and one for me over the last couple of years and currently have a pinecaster in the works to see what they sound like.

I might be wrong about this but this was the impression I got from speaking to Phil, for me the Ebay ones are really good value and you can get some really nice lightweight Swampash or Alder bodies for not silly money.

No, I think you're right on that - if you want the vintage spec bodies, it's a case of going via the website.

Mine looked exactly like the example above I think.

Megii

My walnut strat build used one of their more modern standard dimension bodies - the differences are fairly subtle tbh - the forearm contour on the 62 extends a bit further over the body, and is more of a gradual curve, with no obvious line where it starts. Also the belly contour is a bit deeper. Also very subtle differences to do with the routing dimensions, and the outline shape, but it's not at all obvious if you look at both guitars side by side. Phil told me mine was the first '62 spec body off the "production line", hence why I got the picture I think. They do a 50s spec body now as well I notice. Whatever the spec, it's all excellent stuff though.

darcym

Glowing recommendations, and I got an email back from them this morning confirming most of what's said above, looks like they may be a good business to give my support to.

thank you.

ThePrettyDamned

Fabulous, glad you're sorted mate

@megii thanks for clarification, devil in the details. Mine is regular.

Megii

ThePrettyDamned said:

Fabulous, glad you're sorted mate

@megii thanks for clarification, devil in the details. Mine is regular.

When I first got my walnut body, I thought it was a 62 style as well, until Phil put me right - so that does show how close they are.