Partscaster people..MJT vs GuitarBuild?

spacecadet

So as much as I would like one, I don't think I can get the money together for CS strat so I'm looking to make one! Anyone had both MJT and Guitar Build bodies to compare? 

ThePrettyDamned

Not had an MJT, but guitarbuild are good - eBay bodies are 'standard' style - just generic.  If you write to them, they can do exact copies of real vintage bodies they have access to. 

I suspect MJT are very, very good, too.  

If you want the very, very best consider writing to a luthier - I've had some gspbasses stuff, including a P bass, PRS b-stock and my strat neck and it is, without exception, perfect.  

This is my guitarbuild strat with faded fiesta wudtone and gspbasses maple neck with a perfect ebony board. 

<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/aguywitholdcameras/15886289815" title="IMG_20141126_130608 by Paul Allum, on Flickr"><img src="https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7461/15886289815_62f29b8cf5_c.jpg" width="600" height="800" alt="IMG_20141126_130608"></a>

The slight orange peeley look is from my wudtone application, not a reflection on the quality of the body.  It's smoother now. 

Hope that's of some use to you! MJT seem very popular, with plenty of happy customers so I doubt you'll go wrong either way you go. 

Oh, that guitar now has saddles and strings... And it sounds great (thanks @theguitarweasel!). ;

themeinside

^that's beautiful @theprettydamned!

Megii

Afraid I'm another person who has never seen or used an MJT body. All I can tell you is I have made 4 guitars with Guitarbuild bodies, and been very happy with the quality on all occasions.

mudslide73

MJTs main thing is their aged finishes... they don't even make their bodies afaik. Mine was a Wildwood body finished by MJT (see avatar).

Jez6345789

Big fan of guitar build and have used both the more general ebay bodies and my light wait swamp ash to do my own custom shop thing. As much as MJT has a good rep if you won't go wrong with guitar build in my mind.

JookyChap

Agreed with all above, you aren't really comparing like-for-like. 

GB are great, and the ones you have direct from them, rather than via ebay tend to be better wood (better as in a couple of lbs lighter). MJT use Allparts and others and then finish them, and are excellent at that. 

Depends what you want really. 

As @ThePrettyDamned says, first port of call for me is @GSPBASSES as they are the real deal, the man is a total artist and his b stock is custom shop quality from the few I've seen. 

As for finishing, Wudtone gets a lot of love, but if MJT were floating your boat and you are looking at spraying, @Iamf68 does amazing work, I prefer his to MJT, and I've been really impressed by what I've seen @Deadman do on here too, though I don't know if he takes much on in between aircraft carriers.

As for some of the things young @WezV does...well, I've ripped most of them off, but they never quite look as good as his

Deadman

Thanks a lot @JookyChap. Good to have you back. The guitarbuild bodies seem spot on to me, absolutely bang on for the money. I've never handled an MJT either unfortunately.

Yes I'm a seasoned paint sprayer and have a spray booth at my disposal. Never been asked to take anything on and doubt I'd have the time to take much on. I'd do stuff for people who are close though, possibly!

By the way. You probably missed my first Tele build when you were away. Just in case:http://www.thefretboard.co.uk/discussion/27482/finished-ish-first-guitar-build#latest