From the Home of Tone bench
A custom left handed Delonge spec Strat project
I was contacted last year, as to whether left handed versions of the Tom Delonge signature Stratocaster were readily available. Which of course the answer, was sadly, no. Fender haven't put out a lefty version of this popular pop punk signature guitar, which is a shame really. Although I'm sure the LH guitar playing community is well used to this exclusion from popular RH production models.
I suggested to the inquiring customer the various ways you could capture the idea, through a mod project, refinishing and customising an existing guitar, via a luthier brand for a custom build or a partscaster too. After a bit of discussion, the customer asked if I could quote on a quality, as close to spec partscaster version and we went ahead with the project. My brief essentially was to capture absolutely as many details from the modern production of the Fender instrument, but of course, left handed.
Spence's SPARKLEMASTER build project
An awesome Ferrari Yellow Super Strat for Ryan!
I won't go into lots of detail of each step of the assembly, as I've covered a lot of the same kinds of things a number of times on the blog via other partscaster builds. But I'll share the photos nonetheless.
Very much an EVH inspired build, featuring some wicked parts, some of which I was lucky enough to supply as well as install, such as numerous Gotoh hardware items, the Vega-Trem bridge, Tesi Switch kill switch button and all of the wiring.
Nick's custom Telecaster Deluxe!
A unique mod to an already versatile PJ bass
1988 Fender Strat Plus for some major TLC
Getting the most out of factory pickups; MIM Fender Classic Series 50s Strat
Left handed 'Delonge' conversion!
Chris' Tele partscaster project
Squier Bass VI
A partscaster build for Ryan
Ryan kindly asked me to be part of his partscaster project, and I had a wicked time going through the ideas, remaining parts needed and progressing through the build. I was provided with a Guitar Build body, painted beautifully by Paul at Retro169, in a NOS lacquer checked Shell Pink body, a Hosco neck which Ryan had done a lovely job on oil finishing himself. Oil City pickups. A pickguard, some control knobs and other hardware bits from Charles Guitars, and I supplied the Gotoh tuners, Gotoh bridge, some other items here and there like jack plate, strap buttons, screws etc. And I of course made the loaded pickguard! Here's some photos from the process, where I had to get everything aligned, carry out a fret level, radius, crown and polish, rolled the fretboard edge, full assembly and setup. It turned out great and sounded beautiful, especially when Ryan played it on collection!