which is cheaper?build from scratch or parts

[Willin]

Overall, would it be cheaper to buy a (strat) guitar body and neck from warmoth for around 325 dollars total, or get body and neck blanks, plans, and tools to fashion my own strat out of?

I have access to things like routers and saws, but I am concerned about the cost of things like fret-setters and other instrument-specific tools.

Thanks for any information - sorry for the newbie question but this is the best place to get answers!

[Mickguard]

Overall, would it be cheaper to buy a (strat) guitar body and neck from warmoth for around 325 dollars total, or get body and neck blanks, plans, and tools to fashion my own strat out of?

I have access to things like routers and saws, but I am concerned about the cost of things like fret-setters and other instrument-specific tools.

Thanks for any information - sorry for the newbie question but this is the best place to get answers!

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My understanding is that nothing comes cheap from Warmoth...all that marketing aside, a strat body is no big deal...unless you're into those fancy exotic woods.

You'll end up spending much less making your own body. You can probably even find some good scrap wood for it too. You'll also have a lot more fun. Building a strat body shouldn't be that difficult--there are plenty of plans available. I don't think you need any fancy specialist tools for the body.

As for the neck...well, I hear you on the fret part. *Maybe* I'll attempt to build a neck one day, but that's a pretty big maybe. There are plenty of good quality necks available (and even more cheapo necks).

Put the money you don't spend on the body into a nice neck (a genuine Fender goes for $100-$200) and upgraded electronics. (Although I bought a complete Fender Strat pickup/pickguard assembly for $50)

Another advantage to making your own body? You can make your own design!

Edited May 9, 2005 by idch

[westhemann]

it would be much cheaper to buy your body and neck from usa custom guitars or a kit from carvin or similar than it would be to buy all the wood,tools,and such..

http://usacustomguitars.com/index.html

http://carvin.com/products/single.php?Item...r=GK1&CID=GTR/K

or you could buy a saga kit from universaljems.com if you want an even less expensive option

[Robert_the_damned]

Another option is to buy second hand parts from ebay. its a cheep way to get some good parts. Though I would keep an eye on some of the prices. I've seen some secondhand items go for more than it would cost to buy them from a store!

[RGGR]

All depends what you want. Want a ringerdieding dime a dozen Ibanez, Strat, Tele or Gibson......buy second hand or parts on evil*bay, or so...

Want something special.....build your own.....or when less comfortable with building your own.....buy selected parts (body/neck) from mentioned companies, all to own specs.

Biggest satifaction.....built your own from ground up. Body, neck......maybe buy fingerboard pre cut and pre radiused.....Also chance for biggest screw-ups.

If you want something special ......built....if you just want cheap guitar......buy second hand.

[Mr.Churchyard]

Overall, would it be cheaper to buy a (strat) guitar body and neck from warmoth for around 325 dollars total, or get body and neck blanks, plans, and tools to fashion my own strat out of?

I have access to things like routers and saws, but I am concerned about the cost of things like fret-setters and other instrument-specific tools.

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I also vote for doing the body yourself! Buy a great neck, maybe even custom like from doug at soulmate...

[thedoctor]

I never kidded myself that building your own guitar is a way to save money. It is not. Spend your money getting the things you are not very good at done for you. Only 50% of the builders on this forum make their own necks, a whole lot more make their own bodies, and all but about 5% buy pickups from someone else.