Copper Firebird/Strat build.... "Coppercaster"? "Stratobird"?

stickyfiddle

Neck on and first mockup with parts. Feels good  

stickyfiddle

So today I did some more. Bridge installed and wiring done

I have got as far as stringing and checking signal but not played properly yet because it’s late. 

It works perfectly, is dead quiet, and feels good. Needs a proper setup over the weekend then we’ll see whether I like it!!!!

 

Winny_Pooh

Very very cool, can't help but wonder how a black headstock would look

WezV

Winny_Pooh said:

Very very cool, can't help but wonder how a black headstock would look

Or a copper one

stickyfiddle

Well it’s funny you say that... 

It’s not setup 100% year and km sure the pickups aren’t quite at optimum heights but I like it a lot - all the sounds I wanted are there (bridge, neck, bridge+neck, bridge+middle). Middle+Neck isn't spectacular but I don't really care about that one. 

One thing I have noticed is a really “springy” character to the acoustic attack of the notes, which is exactly the same as the Jazzblaster that previously wore this neck had - quartersawn plain maple with rosewood slab board, 25.5" scale.  So of course now Im thinking that I like the guitar overall a lot, but this neck might not be the best one for it. Usual caveats apply about not making any rash decisions, but I may switch this with another strat neck just to test the theory, and consider a different neck for this in time.

If I do try another neck then maybe mahogany and/or a 24.75" conversion might also be on the cards, in which case I definitely like the idea of doing something fun with the headstock as well. If I do that though I really like the idea of the stepped lower edge like Probett does so well - in keeping with the Fender shape but another nod to the Firebird. And there's a new-improved maker space opening up near me before the end of the year who will almost certainly have the right tools for that job  

stickyfiddle

Just one quick pic from late last night 

stickyfiddle

Also... if I do keep the neck, I gotta change the dots for pearl ones... clay doesn't feel right! Bah! 

andy_k

Ebony board, black reverse headstock.

boogieman

Winny_Pooh said:

Very very cool, can't help but wonder how a black headstock would look

He’s right you know, would look excellent. 

Very nice job though Sticky, looks really good. 

stickyfiddle

boogieman said:

Winny_Pooh said:

Very very cool, can't help but wonder how a black headstock would look

He’s right you know, would look excellent. 

Very nice job though Sticky, looks really good. 

I know I know. And possibly an ebony board. In fact black headstock with a copper strip would be particularly outstanding... And there's room for a 22-fret overhang board as well, since we're not worrying about tradition!! 

The local maker space is due to open in late Q3... 

boogieman

Some copper fretboard markers would finish it off nicely. Use old copper coins or something?