Which custom Stratocaster looks best?

[Reverend Conehead]

I'm planning on having a custom Stratocaster guitar built. I'll be ordering off for the custom parts to be built by a local luthier. I've narrowed it down to 5 possible basic designs. Feel free to vote or voice your opinion on which one is best, whether you're a guitar player or not.

These are screen shots from the Warmoth preview page. There are some limitations. The previews don't show the volume and tone knobs or the selector switch, and it only shows the first part of the neck, excluding the head stock. However, it gives a pretty good preview of the prospective guitar.

Strat 1

Strat 2

Strat 3

Strat 4

Strat 5

 

[BrAinPaiNt]

Strat with no pick guard is out.

Will give piece of advice... Gold hardware looks ice new, but does not hold up well.

Of the ones you listed I like the last two although I would lose the mount ring around humbucker on last one... Would look smoother imo

 

[Runwildboys]

I'm planning on having a custom Stratocaster guitar built. I'll be ordering off for the custom parts to be built by a local luthier. I've narrowed it down to 5 possible basic designs. Feel free to vote or voice your opinion on which one is best, whether you're a guitar player or not.

These are screen shots from the Warmoth preview page. There are some limitations. The previews don't show the volume and tone knobs or the selector switch, and it only shows the first part of the neck, excluding the head stock. However, it gives a pretty good preview of the prospective guitar.

Strat 1

Strat 2

Strat 3

Strat 4

Strat 5

I'd need to know what genre you play before forming an opinion on which guitar would be most aesthetically pleasing.

 

[Reverend Conehead]

I'd need to know what genre you play before forming an opinion on which guitar would be most aesthetically pleasing.

Classic rock, blues, progressive rock, hard rock (but not metal).

 

[Runwildboys]

Classic rock, blues, progressive rock, hard rock (but not metal).

Then I have to agree with Brain, the last two are my choices, but I personally like the penultimate one more. The last one seems just a tiny bit cliche to me.

 

[Reverend Conehead]

Thanks for you guys' input. I'm leaning toward Strat #4. I'll have to share a photo of the final product. Picksups are going to be Seymour Duncan. The tremolo will be Schaller-made Floyd Rose. The neck and body will be Warmoth. I'm paying a local luthier with years of experience to put it together. I think that's smarter than trying to do it myself. I think the result will be an outstanding musical instrument.

A friend of mine did something like this in the 80s and I loved his result. I want something like it.

 

[jsb357]

No Maple fret boards?

Fail.

 

[YosemiteSam]

I will take #4 for $500 Alex.

 

[Reverend Conehead]

No Maple fret boards?

Fail.

I don't like maple fret boards. I want ebony or rosewood.

 

[jsb357]

I don't like maple fret boards. I want ebony or rosewood.

I've got a U2 with a ebony fret board and my best player (Ibanez) has a rosewood fret board
but I really like the look and slick feel of maple fret board on a Strat.

 

[YosemiteSam]

No Maple fret boards?

Fail.

lol.

Maple is great and my very first strat was maple, but let me be absolutely clear. A majority of all the guitars I ever owned were rosewood or ebony fretboards and for good reason.

If you are going to get a maple fretboard. On a strat is pretty much the only place to get one. I've seen Jacksons and other guitars with them and that is an absolute no-no.

 

[YosemiteSam]

I've got a U2 with a ebony fret board and my best player (Ibanez) has a rosewood fret board
but I really like the look and slick feel of maple fret board on a Strat.

The biggest downside of maple is sliding on it isn't near as smooth as ebony or rosewood. Especially when they are lacquered fretboards which a majority are.

 

[DoctorChicken]

I personally think the 2nd one has a very unique look for a strat. That’s what I would go with.

 

[Melonfeud]

I'm planning on having a custom Stratocaster guitar built. I'll be ordering off for the custom parts to be built by a local luthier. I've narrowed it down to 5 possible basic designs. Feel free to vote or voice your opinion on which one is best, whether you're a guitar player or not.

These are screen shots from the Warmoth preview page. There are some limitations. The previews don't show the volume and tone knobs or the selector switch, and it only shows the first part of the neck, excluding the head stock. However, it gives a pretty good preview of the prospective guitar.

Strat 1

Strat 2

Strat 3

Strat 4

Strat 5

,,,er,,,the one with the Ted Nugent designed left hand disintegrating link belt-feed version feed cover,friend-0!

*numero 3 is my vote ,,, you non 'like' casting pompous A-hole,,,er,,,FRIEND THAT I TRULY LOVE DEARLY

 

[YosemiteSam]

I personally think the 2nd one has a very unique look for a strat. That’s what I would go with.

It's almost the same as a stock HSS strat, except solid color rather than sunburst (or whatever-burst that color is called) of a similar color.

 

[Melonfeud]

,,,er,,,the one with the Ted Nugent designed left hand disintegrating link belt-feed version feed cover,friend-0!

*numero 3 is my vote ,,, you non 'like' casting pompous A-hole,,,er,,,FRIEND THAT I TRULY LOVE DEARLY

As it kinda' grooves to to floor pattern of BLACKJACKS SALOON up in TRINIDAD COLORADO ,,,Once you& yer' freight clears the state line " port of entry",,, my Mother&Father were married in that little burg way back when,,,,,,ya know?,,, last time I was in that saloon joint,I'd damn ner' went blind solely from the cellophane encapsulated azzless Leather chaps them serving wenches were a sportin

 

[DFWJC]

I like 4

 

[Xelda]

The following are all my opinion only and should not affect your decision (don't choose #5 regardless).
#1 isn't bad
#2 is my favorite
#3 reminds me of an old barn
#4 would be my second choice
#5 is unattractive to put it mildly

Classic rock, blues, progressive rock, hard rock (but not metal).

Thank you for your choices. There's no reason to punish a guitar with some of those other genres *cough* Country, Jazz, Metal - living or dead *cough* either.

 

[YosemiteSam]

 

[roughneck266]

#2. 5 is too pimptastic for me, and has already been mentioned Strats must have pick guards. They just don't look like strats without them to me.