59 Inspired Partscaster

[Synapse2k]

I’ve been working on a list of parts for a 59-inspired partscaster for a few weeks. On Friday, I pulled the trigger. The pets started coming in yesterday. I’d like to use this thread to document the progress and the final product. Below are the list of parts I chose. In 58-59, Fender started using those .1uf capacitors. That’s a little dark for my taste, so I went with a .22 orange drop instead. I went with a modern neck profile as that’s my preference. The Pickups are HW Fat 50s out of a 2014 Masterbuilt Strat made by Josefina Campos.

Body - 2022 Eric Clapton Stratocaster Body Torino Red

Neck - 2017 American professional Strat - 9.5” radius, narrow tall frets, deep c profile

Tuners - Fender ClassicGear Vintage Style Tuners

Bridge - Fender vintage/narrow Strat assembly

Pickups - 2014 Fender CS HW Josefina Campos Fat 50s

Pots - CTS 250k with orange drop .022 capacitor.

Switch - Fender 5 Way

Wiring - Cloth covered

Pickguard - Fender 1 ply 8 hole Parchment

Plastic - Fender Parchment

Kluson Aluminum Full Pickguard Shield

 

[Synapse2k]

Here are the first items received - the body and bridge. The bridge mounted perfectly. Later today the neck should come in along with the tuners and a bunch of screws and other hardware.

 

[GrooVey]

Oh man. Very exciting!

 

[NobodyReally]

I love the part when boxes start flowing in

 

[Intune]

Love the colour and I too love when parts starts arriving. It’s like Christmas every other day! I always do the same and pick a year or style to recreate my own version it bring a specific year or era. That way it narrows down the loads of parts hunting.

 

[Synapse2k]

The neck came in and fit well. Now, I just need the electronics.

 

[Mr Dunlop]

That's proable the most modern 59 inspired strat I have seen.

 

[Synapse2k]

That's proable the most modern 59 inspired strat I have seen.

Yeah it does seem that way I think mostly because of the neck. I was originally going to go with the .1 fender capacitor that they used around that time but it really cuts out a lot of highs so I figured I’d try the orange drop first.

Otherwise I think what reminds me of a 59 is the red with 1 play 8 hole pickguard which was the last year they sold them with those guards. 59 is also the first year the rosewood was available.

 

[Stu78]

The neck came in and fit well. Now, I just need the electronics.

View attachment 633701


View attachment 633702

Looking good. One thing i'd recommend is taking the Classic Gear tuners off and giving them a good grease. The first set I bought were dry out of the box and were really tight to the point of having to force them to turn. Might not be the case with yours, just saying!

 

[Synapse2k]

Looking good. One thing i'd recommend is taking the Classic Gear tuners off and giving them a good grease. The first set I bought were dry out of the box and were really tight to the point of having to force them to turn. Might not be the case with yours, just saying!

Thanks for the tip. I have a few days until the rest of my parents come in so I’ll try to get some by then.

 

[Mr Dunlop]

Yeah it does seem that way I think mostly because of the neck. I was originally going to go with the .1 fender capacitor that they used around that time but it really cuts out a lot of highs so I figured I’d try the orange drop first.

Otherwise I think what reminds me of a 59 is the red with 1 play 8 hole pickguard which was the last year they sold them with those guards. 59 is also the first year the rosewood was available.

Yah the 22 frets throws it off a bit.
I like it though. I have plenty of vintage based models with modern features.

 

[Synapse2k]

Yah the 22 frets throws it off a bit.
I like it though. I have plenty of vintage based models with modern features.

I have a couple of MIJ 50s reissues. The Strat has CS 54 pickups with vintage spec chunky neck 7.25” radius and tiny vintage frets. I love that guitar. It’s just not as easy to play as a modern neck. I have a harder time bending when the frets are small and the action is too low.

 

[Synapse2k]

So, I received the wiring harness today and put everything together. I'm still on the fence about using the parchment pickguard. it looks more yellow against the red than I though, but I'm wondering what all of you think? I may end up going with all white or possibly white with parchment accessories. I have all the plastic stuff already to go all white.

 

[Intune]

So, I received the wiring harness today and put everything together. I'm still on the fence about using the parchment pickguard. it looks more yellow against the red than I though, but I'm wondering what all of you think? I may end up going with all white or possibly white with parchment accessories. I have all the plastic stuff already to go all white.

View attachment 634892 View attachment 634894 View attachment 634895

Looks great but yeah I think just a 50’s white pickguard with the parchment accessories would do it. If doing the 59 look try and find the mint pickguard in the ultra rare 8 hole pattern.

1959 Fender Strat 9 Hole Green Nitrate Pickguard & Shield

1959 Fender Strat 9 Hole Green Nitrate Pickguard & Shield

www.eddievegas.com

 

[AMeador]

The Celluloid Nitrate 8 Hole Vintage from Creamtone is spectacular. I have one myself, waited 3 months though.
Gorgeous build so far, enjoy the process!
https://creamtone.com/collections/p...ocaster-nos-or-lix-patina?variant=40202797262