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

stickyfiddle · July 15

Neck on and first mockup with parts. Feels good

stickyfiddle · July 18

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!!!!

Image: https://tfb-user-images.eu-central-1.linodeobjects.com/5fb01022320837f09b7b89c72705dd83e78740c4605953f1b2

Image: https://tfb-user-images.eu-central-1.linodeobjects.com/0a2621900f129649d73df0148074399bd787f15edb544bfbc8

Winny_Pooh · July 19

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

WezV · July 19

Winny_Pooh said:

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

Or a copper one

stickyfiddle · July 19

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 · July 19

Just one quick pic from late last night

stickyfiddle · July 19

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

andy_k · July 19

Ebony board, black reverse headstock.

boogieman · July 25

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 · July 25

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 · July 26

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

PeteC · 3:15PM

6mm Copper tubing - cut - for the fret markers - centred with some emerald coloured epoxy would look fab i reckon

Airmiles · 4:30PM

Have a wow...and another for the Bel-Ray

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

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