Buying a new Guitar VS Building a Partscaster

After recently building 4 Fender electric guitar Partscasters I now have enough experience to share my thoughts and opinions on the topic. This video is my tips and recommendations about doing each guitar build, and a list of pros and cons on the topic.

Fender Parts:

TIMESTAMPS:
0:00 - Hello
3:00 - the WHITE Telecaster - 50s Style
5:13 - the BLUE Telecaster - Fender Elite Style
7:00 - the RED Telecaster - Fender Professional style
10:05 - the BLACK Stratocaster - David Gilmour inspired
13:18 - My Tips and Recommendations
17:43 - Summary - Pro & Cons
26:09 - My fav build
28:18 - Goodbye

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[cautiousoptimist]

I have assembled a half dozen partscasters. Is it worth the time, trouble and expense? There are many things to consider.
If the guitar you want is only slightly different from an available instrument it is better to modify. However, choosing your parts can be difficult and frustrating. There are no industry standards. Just because something should fit doesn't mean it will. For instance, Fender/Squire has made quite a few variations of their stratocaster tremolo bridge: string spacing, post spacing, saddle width, block size, metal quality, dimensions can be expressed either in millimeters or inches. Aftermarket parts are a crapshoot regardless of whose name is on the package.
If you want something that is truly unavailable than building it yourself is a good option. It will cost a fraction of what a custom builder will charge you, but when it's completed it won't even be worth what you've spent on parts should you try and sell it.
You really have to enjoy the process, and see the expense as money well spent on a hobby you enjoy. I do resent all the time I've spent poking around the internet trying to locate suitable parts at reasonable prices when I could have been practicing.
And one more thing, no matter how knowledgeable you are, you can only approximate what it will sound like when you're finished.

[jah]

Nothing to say so commenting just to help the algorithm

[shaunw]

Four very successful builds Landon . Carefully chosen quality components and carefully assembled and set up ; they're all worthy of the Fender decal 👌

[marshallbrooks]

I think Landon might like tele’s. Idk why though

[ChrisRash]

I vote for building.
I've built many guitars using Warmoth parts. Love using exotic woods. And can do that at a much cheaper price than a fender. But a koa strat with a wenge-ebony neck. Padauk tele with a padauk neck, Bare Knuckle pile driver pickups. An exact copy of Gilmour's black strat. Each guitar was under $1000 complete. I was able to get the exact specs i wanted (neck profile, electronics, tuners, pickups, etc)

[sccottheaston]

i recently just assembled a DIY tele kit and i really enjoyed the experience and have sine completed a LP style one as well again really enjoyed the experience !!!!

[markonmac]

I would love to see a video about Fender Esquire. You love the Telecaster, of which the Esquire is the progenitor. Sweetwater is selling an exclusive Squier Classic Vibe Esquire. That would get you a quality guitar on the cheap. Please consider.

[davidriel]

You built it !!!! Not sure why someone would nit pick that

[Shaun.Stephens]

Your build videos gave me the confidence to do my own thing. Not a Fender partscaster, more a Frankencaster. I wanted a 'beater' so I wouldn't dent the finish on my Chrome Red Fender when I'm drunk. It started as a black Encore E2 with a nice neck but horrible pickups. Now it's got a (Fender) MiM style 6-saddle bridge with a Fender '52 Vintage' bridge pickup (made in USA) and it sounds so much better already. I did a fret level and recrown too which made a difference. I have an IBZUSA H2 pickup that I'm going to use as the neck pickup (once I re-magnetise it - don't ask...). You're right about 'sunken cost' though. The Fender bridge and pickup cost me more than I paid for the whole guitar and I'm not done yet! Cheers.

[Giggiyygoo]

You don't have to totally build from scratch either. I started with a squier with a color I liked, and eventually it ended up being a frankenstein, and just what I wanted for a fraction of the price of a new fender.

[davidriel]

Very cool guitars. I have re- assembled two guitars now. I want to build one. I am inspired to start with my own design, cut the wood rout out the cavities etc. But use fender parts to finish it. That’s my goal! You are I spiting. Love watching and getting ideas. Thanks.

[thetattedpharmacist]

I just got done putting together a tele kit. So had to shape the headstock from a blank "paddle" with a jigsaw, belt sander and a file, sand the neck/body/headstock, grain fill and finish sand the body, stain it, iron on my own headstock logo and "serial number" (sailor jerry logo and a serial no. made up of his initials and year of birth and death) custom ordered pickguard with traditional American tattoo designs... fret dress and crowning with a tru oil finish over the whole thing. Awesome experience and now just beginning a mosrite style kit.

[kevinrobb]

Thanks for your video guitar reviews! You have inspired me to get the best guitar I have ever owned in my 35 years of gigging, recording ect. The Fender player Telecaster butterscotch blonde. It has a special mojo that inspires me and takes me into new directions songwriting, jamming, and performing. I always thought the tele was for old dudes, now I'm older, and wiser, I'm getting tones now that I've never been able to get with my 3000 dollar Gibsons! I am much happier with my strats, and now my #1!!!! Thanks again, love your videos man!

[stephanematis]

I sadly discovered STRATosphere Parts ... now I have crazy ideas of what I am franken'ing together. Solving puzzles seems to make my brain happy ... wish practicing guitar was that drug🤷‍♂️

I keep telling myself that the right guitar ... and I will play more. 🤣

[kirillevgenevich]

Landon thanks for sharing your experience. You made me think to build a guitar for myself

[peterschattmann]

Lando, thanks for the fun video. I am in the process of collecting bits and pieces for my first build. A while ago I ended up with an unusual neck that I bought as a replacement for one guitar but it didn't work with that body (eBay seller posted pictures of a different neck). Just found and ordered a body for that neck and from here I have to consider pickups etc. Taking my time..why rush anyway? The guitar world is my oyster or sumpthin.

[hawleybrowder]

I’ve built two kits, replacing with Fender parts. 22 years ago I did a strat style with Carvin and Fender parts. It still plays awesome. I recently completed a Fretwire telecaster and replaced pick ups with Fender Custom Texas specials. Very nice sounding and feel.

[SammyFender]

Very nice video, Landon! I’ll pass on building one myself and build vicariously through you! I do have a HUGE walnut tree that fell if you want to build you next one from the “ground” up! Until the next, if you wish to let the Strat go, I’m interested!! Great job!

[Trauzzinator]

I'm a hands on kinda guy so building is always my pick. Even if I spend more money it's always worth it to me because I'm putting my blood, sweat, and tears into something that I built myself.

[kolchak]

The Elite style Tele is my favorite of the bunch. Looks fantastic and I love the sound of the noiseless pickups. That one turned out perfectly imo.