Dave Murray Strat Build Thread

[Diocletian]

Plans have changed slightly. I found a near mint MIM strat with a 50's logo already applied. So... I will likely use that as the basis for the Murray.

With that said, I think I will use the Squier to build a poor man's Gilmour to sell. I'll post those pictures as well.

Good to hear you found a nice MIM.

On the Squier thing, I did exactly that with one - turned it into a poor man's Gilmour, and when I came to sell it all I did was break even given the money I'd spent on new pickguard, tuners and an SSL-6.
You may be better just selling it as it is, save some hassle.

[The Dali]

The beauty is that I have a bunch of pickups and electronics that are free, so converting it shouldn't be too big of a cost issue. Even if I break even it wouldn't be the worst thing in the world.

Is that Ian Anderson as your avatar?

[Diocletian]

Yeah - didn't you know I was a big Tull fan?!

[CTN]

everyone should be a tull fan! lol

but back on topic, i'm lookin forward to seeing this progress.

[The Dali]

Saw "Ian Anderson plays Acoustic Tull" this past year here in Connecticut. He played his little teeny parlor acoustic. Pretty good show.

But, yes, back on topic.

Should have most of my material this weekend and will post pics as soon as I have progress!

[DankStar]

looking foward to more pics

[The Dali]

Ha - got my stuff from Warmoth today and they cut the pickguard wrong! They sent me a H-x-H pickguard sintead of H-S-H. Bah!

I sent them an email and within 2 hours they had promised to cut me a new one at no cost and mail it to me. It is nice doing business with a decent company.

[super rad stuff]

Ha - got my stuff from Warmoth today and they cut the pickguard wrong! They sent me a H-x-H pickguard sintead of H-S-H. Bah!

I sent them an email and within 2 hours they had promised to cut me a new one at no cost and mail it to me. It is nice doing business with a decent company.

so whatcha gonna do with that HxH 'guard?

[dominus]

Ha - got my stuff from Warmoth today and they cut the pickguard wrong! They sent me a H-x-H pickguard sintead of H-S-H. Bah!

I sent them an email and within 2 hours they had promised to cut me a new one at no cost and mail it to me. It is nice doing business with a decent company.

Too bad it wasn't an H---- guard, so you could properly put together a Strat.

[The Dali]

Why use one humbucker when yuo can use two!!


Pics to come shortly, I waiting on the MIM guitar and the new Warmoth pickguard.

I did line up the Gotoh tuners on the Squier I have and they fit fine with no overhang, which is great. I'm still not against using teh Squier because it really is a nice guitar, but at the very least I can build a cheaper Gilmour with it.

I got all the other stuff today. The two Dimarzio humbuckers, tuners, pots, switch, etc... Once I get the guitar and pickguard I should be able to make quick work of this one!

As Tom Petty once said... "waiting... is the hardest ... part..."

[The Dali]

Ok, so I received the MIM strat today and there are pros and cons. The body is very nice and the bridge is nice with a full block. The neck is "ok" but not going to work for me. The logo that was applied by the previous owner is not a high quality logo and looks like it was printed on an inkjet printer. The neck feels unfinished on the board as well, so I'll likely sell it and look for a nice Warmoth neck, or possibly a Fender 50's reissue.

I'll get some pictures up shortly. I started this project as a "slight relic" but now just about everything is new! Given that, I'll be on the look out for a mint or near mint neck.

Ok, more to come!

[BloodRose]

Just a thought - back when dave modded his there probably weren't F-spaced hbs, so the one you have would actually be period correct would it not?

my thoughts exactly! More authentic than he realizes! Great score!

I want one!!

[The Dali]

ok, some updates...

Here is the body I'm going to use. This is the body prior to removing the pickguard.



The bridge...



The body without the guard. I'll be routing the neck pickup for a humbucker and also shielding the entire cavity.





Here is a photo of the area I need to route (shown with the wrong Warmoth pickguard, but still shows the neck humbucker)




Here is the hardware and electronics I'll be using.



And the pickups.




Soon I'll get the new pickguard and I'll be able to start the elctronics. The next step is to route the pickup cavity, but I want to wait until I have the actual pickguard before I start.

I also bought a Fender Classic 50's neck with tuners that should be arriving soon.

[Grandturk]

I hope you didn't order the volume hole drilled in the pickguard. You may prefer to move the knob slightly down because with the humbucker ring its going to be tight. It should still fit, but the Murray Strat has a displaced volume knob.

[Diocletian]

I hope you didn't order the volume hole drilled in the pickguard. You may prefer to move the knob slightly down because with the humbucker ring its going to be tight. It should still fit, but the Murray Strat has a displaced volume knob.

I had to move mine down, never thought to mention it.

[The Dali]

Well, I guess I needed to do more research on that... I haven't gotten that far, so we'll see. Perhaps the Warmoth guard is already offset to compensate for this?

Damn!

[Grandturk]

Perhaps the Warmoth guard is already offset to compensate for this?

No. But I did suggest they think about offering the Dave Murray Volume position on their pickguards. The sales guy said he'd look into it, but...

[Agileguy_101]

No. But I did suggest they think about offering the Dave Murray Volume position on their pickguards. The sales guy said he'd look into it, but...

Don't they already offer to move the volume pot? IIRC it's the D-long option.

[Bass_Medic_05]

Nice

[The Dali]

Well, damn you Fender and your stupid volume knob placement!! The freakin volume knob runs right into the chrome humbucker ring. What the f...? I guess it is a lesson for all you girls and boys... always fully research your projects before you jump in.

Ok, well The Dali is not deterred. In placing the volume knob over a slight bit I can cover the original hole and get clearance from the ring. I'm going to look for some material I can cut and pop into the existing hole. Pictures to come once I jump into this...

Bah!