I've always tinkered, and have had 3 pretty successful partscaster builds/major renovation projects.
My latest though... not really been fun. Everything looked good on paper, and I've built an attractive guitar, but it just doesn't feel right, doesn't sound right, and I don't love it at all.
I think in my head I equate them as being a cheap way of getting a guitar I want - but the reality is that I end up spending probably ~£500-600 on each, maybe more! And as this last build demonstrates, the finished item may not be something that I'm happy with or that I bond with.
I'm probably better off forgoing 2 builds, and buying something really good off the shelf.
I guess I'll always do the modding - I love trying out new hardware and pickups, and my Charvel has been awesome since I put a new neck on it - but I don't think I'll do any more partscaster builds from scratch.
Comments
I know I’ve put a few together over the years and the missing link has often been getting it into my tech for the final setup.
FWIW I do agree though. Cheap partscasters can be fun, but you have to spend a pretty decent chunk of money to get a really good guitar at the end.
It's not dead yet - maybe it'll be a grower? But unlike my other builds, I'm not loving it. Like I said, my modded Charvel is the best guitar in the world
Trading feedback: http://www.thefretboard.co.uk/discussion/72424/
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MHmzsoZuk1U&feature=push-u&attr_tag=icl6E2dACUzhQTir-6
Trading feedback: http://www.thefretboard.co.uk/discussion/72424/
It works for some and not all. I’ve found I prefer all singles or all humbuckers most of the time. HSS only when I specifically want neck, and neck and middle single coil tones that are less loud than the bridge.
Trading feedback: http://www.thefretboard.co.uk/discussion/72424/
*I also hate this turn of phrase, it doesn’t work in any other capacity.
Do people say "I went to go and see the dentist that I am registered as a patient with?"...
They usually say "I went to see my dentist, and now I'm poor and they just bought another PRS"
Bandcamp
I guess one of the frustrations is that I've had these pickups working in another guitar before, and they sounded amazing. Can't remember how I'd set them up though...
Trading feedback: http://www.thefretboard.co.uk/discussion/72424/
I used push pull pot to split coil the paf and the volume is used to balance the full humbucker with the single coils which are both 60's mojo ones
The idea was to roll the bridge volume down and then for lead type volumes just turn it back up, I don't really do pedals so this is a nice boost
works really well imo and I'd do this again
(formerly customkits)
- Fixed the electrics - removed the 500k pots and resistors, went with straight 250k vol, tone, tone, split 4th position for the humbucker.
- Resoldered grounding, removed buzz/hum.
- Dressed the sharp edges off the Earvana nut.
- Rolled the very sharp fretboard edges.
- Corrected the relief in the neck, dressed the frets and lowered the action at the bridge.
Much better guitar.Still don't really like it much.
Trading feedback: http://www.thefretboard.co.uk/discussion/72424/