Official Luthiers Forum!

A lifelong friend, a bassist/guitarist/vocalist, that I gigged with in various bands from 1968 to 1986 when I decided to stop doing bands learned that I had been building.

Living @1,200 miles apart he planned on visiting and get "whatever" I built for him. His only request was to be Strat style and left the rest to me.

I had just noticed that Fender had issued a Strat in their "10 for 15" that I really liked only days before I got his call so thought I'd run with it.
I opted for a Pau Ferro fretboard, Birdseye neck w/wheel truss, Callaham hardware and I'd wind the pickups.
5-way but I did wire it so the tone for middle also controls tone for bridge.
Protective plastic still on guards so looks funky and I do apologize for my lack of photo skills.

He arrived end of April. Knowing that he has owned and owns many excellent instruments by Gibson/Fender and others I was very relieved that he was more than pleased- after all he did leave the neck contour/action and pertinent details to me.

It's an oil finish but I sprayed nitro on the head face. The chrome/metal like name decal doesn't favor being touched and the nitro helps keep it.


Being that so many of my builds are nothing special I don't post them for you guys. This one was/is special as noted so hope it's enjoy.

That Birdseye is outrageous!

I like your access slot for the truss rod adjustment. Well done!

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"Act your age, not your shoe size" - Prince

WOW on that neck.

Yeah, I knew he liked extreme but even so I had two other necks ready, both excellent flame Maple-different contours, so if I had misjudged he would have choices.
I also had another guitar ready if I totally missed- he was traveling far so I wanted to make sure he left with what he came for.

It did more than hit the mark aesthetically to him. It fortunately turned out to be an excellent playing and sounding guitar that he said "perfect fit in everyway".

Perfect. Both of us pleased.

Thanks Chris. A little extra effort but I think it's the right way for this type of rod. Sure makes adjusting easy.

Just a beautiful job!

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Mitch