Well more spending has taken place today!  I’ve busy sourcing more parts for my build project.  Today’s successful shopping list included:

Blank chrome neck place with screws – I’m not too sure whether or not I’m going to use the provided screws or purchase a more secure fitting kit from Steve Robinson (Manchester Guitar Tech).  I’m going to buy the painting materials from Steve so have to chuck an order in his direction over the weekend.

Stratocaster recessed jack place – I’ve ordered this in black but may later change for chrome.  I’ll have to wait and see how it looks.

Scratch plate screws – black

Knobs – I’ve ordered these in transparent to see how they look; something just a little different to a normal Strat style guitar.  I was thinking of chrome but fancy having numbers.

Marvel strap locks – again in black to match the pick guard

Back plate – Black

Wire – for all that cabling madness

CTS Pots (250k) with a .047 Ohm cap.

Black leather strap – Not essential but I don’t have a decent strap so thought I’d treat myself

Other than paint, primer etc, oh and the neck, I think I’m now pretty much ready to go.  The plan is to get the painting goods ordered over the weekend so I can paint later in the week.  I shall finish sanding the body (sanding pads sourced) tomorrow and get all the old screw holes filled.  I can then get the final sand completed on Sunday.

I also need to have a think around constructing.  The bridge/tremlo isn’t a direct replacement so I need to re-drill the holes.  I need to work out the placement to ensure it’s located correctly.  However, I’m guessing it’ll be safer to do this once I’ve got the neck.  I’m not expecting to get my hands on this until late September / early October.

Not much to mention really…but I shall any way!  Pick guard and pickups received  (YIPPEEEE), I’ll get some photos put together later on.  I’m loving the black on white look.

I’ll be popping out tomorrow (today by the time this is posted) to get some sanding pads, and I’ll be getting the final parts on order.  I’ll then have all the main parts required to complete the body build and will just have to wait for the neck.  I look forward to a few days of sanding, priming and painting!

Earlier this year I treated myself to a Blackstar HT-5 valve amp.  It was BRILLIANT! … but too much for my home needs.  It could produce great tones throughout its entire volume range, but the ones I liked most were at the upper end of the volume knob.  Now if I lived in the middle of a field miles from anything and lived alone, this wouldn’t be a problem.  However, I don’t and Mrs N. wasn’t too impressed with the constant howling coming from the study.  The Blackstar had to go before Mrs N. took a pair of scissors to my clothes (or worse).

SO I then reverted to my computer set-up with is ideal for 95% of my playing.  Things to get a bit challenging though when it comes to noodling in the living room.  Shifting all the gear isn’t an option; I’ve been having thoughts of a small valve amp….again.

I must add here that I do have  Kustom 16Watt practice amp which in the early days of playing, ticked all the boxes.  Now I seem to be getting an ear for tone and am more and more interested with the tone produced.  The Kustom is now started to sound like a cheap practice amp.

Top of my list at the moment is a Vox AC4TV; I’d love the mini stack.  The Vox is of simple construction but has a nice finish to it (white).  What draws me to this amp is that it’s possible to switch between 4, 1 and 1/4 Watt.  Therefore when I’m able I can crank it up…when I’m not I can 1/4 Watt it and thrash away till my hearts content.

Next on the list is a Epiphone Valve Junior which is a fixed 5 Watt Valve amp in its standard form.  However I understand this to sound sweet throughout its volume range.

I’m not GASing for one right now, just weighing up the options…who knows though as I seem to be an impulse buyer.  I know for sure I’ll be visiting the odd review site over the next few days and would appreciate any comments/recommendations you may have.

Well September Santa arrived today and provided me with many lovely new sparkling gifts.

So I now have the my Tremlo, string trees and locking tuners.  No more news really….just wanted to share as it’s all very exciting.  Well it is for me!

I was going to wait a while before purchasing any further items for my build.  However, I got thinking that I’d like to be able to fill any holes, make any adjustments, should they be required prior to painting.  I’ve now added:

1.  Wilkinson WVPC modern 6 hole chrome bridge/tremlo

2.  6 in line, chrome, locking machine heads

3.  Set of two chrome, bar style string trees

That leaves me with the following items to source:

1.  Wire

2.  Pots

3.  Input jack and chrome surround

4.  5 way switch

5.  Black back plate

6.  Neck fixing kit (if not supplied with the neck)

…oh and paint.