They are all part of "hardware"...Lol, those 'other' bits are essential, but cheap and easy to get
Maybe so, but cheap and easy to buy. 3 way switch by Fender would be a tenner on eBay etc.They are all part of "hardware"...
IMO, everything you listed in your post is also cheap and easy to buy if you choose to go that route. GFS pickups can be had for $30-40 and I've had great results with them.Maybe so, but cheap and easy to buy. 3 way switch by Fender would be a tenner on eBay etc.
Another really good bridge is the Rutters bridge. I have two of his Half Bridge units on guitars here, one of which replaced a Callaham unit that I'd sawed off in 2008. One has the E/A bridge saddle in steel with the other two in brass, which adds a little bit of bite on the low strings.The Warmoth body is nice . Remember when you come to assemble the guitar there is an order you must use to properly determine the position of the control plate to perfectly align with the pick guard .
You should fit the neck and bridge first to give you reference for straight on the pick guard .Then when the pick guard is screwed down you can position the control plate. On the subject of hardware I have some firm recommendations. Bridge The best vintage sounding three saddle is the Gotoh , available with or without sides
View attachment 82320
Next the control plate and jack;
The jack should be and electro socket;
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The controls plate and pick guard need to be a perfect fit for USA or Mexico Fender or you will have problems.
Obviously these are just my recommendations but they are from extensive testing of pretty much all that is available . I was shocked to hear the difference between the brands of brass saddles and how many compensated ones didn't get even close it correct intonation. I compared the tone on a real 53 and whilst I still thought the original bridge had the best tone (F knows why) this Gotoh was a close second and quit a bit better than the others. It also was pretty much dead on intonation with a set of 10s.
I wasn't convinced by the steel but it is a good bridge. The intonation is good and a set of these saddles on a vintage fender plate is a good look for a vintage build.Another really good bridge is the Rutters bridge. I have two of his Half Bridge units on guitars here, one of which replaced a Callaham unit that I'd sawed off in 2008. One has the E/A bridge saddle in steel with the other two in brass, which adds a little bit of bite on the low strings.
https://ruttersguitars.com/bridges
Very good point about finishing. I’ve always opted for pre-finished bodies when buying from Warmoth. The price is $100s more compared to unfinished, but I could never get the good of a result on my own - not without all the right equipment and space, a mentor, and a LOT of practice.There is NOTHING beginner about the finishing part ( and I don't just mean painting). Essentially that is the difference that costs X$$$$ when you go custom shop. If you can't speck out a decent list of the hardware and know if it is suitable your not ready to build a guitar. You won't even begin to know what you don't know, never mind if you can actually do it. As for Crimson, Ben is an excellent woodworker but he makes some crazy awful instruments. More about the idea and if you can do it than does it actually work or sound good.