Would you ever buy a guitar with the intention of stripping it down for parts?

Hi, 'C. I've bought a few used ones over the years that needed some work, but never a new one with the intent of replacing much of it. I would never buy one with a bad neck, but then I never learned how to replace one. Sloppy tuners, tired bridge or non-adjustable bridge, noisy pots, etc., sure. The other pact I made with myself was only buying with money I made performing. Unlike photographic gear, fast cars, motorcycles, and guns, playing was actually the only passion I had that could pay its way. Never did get some I always kinda wanted, like a twelve-string acoustic, or a Rickenbacker electric.

Your skills in this area are greater than mine, but, if you haven't checked them out (like for neck work), hit this:http://www.superpages.com/bp/Lincoln-NE/London-Str...

Hope you and yours have a happy holiday season!

It would depend on the quality of the body, the price and what I intended doing with it.

The thing is, you're paying $200 (or just under) for a whole guitar that's worth $200 (or just under) and then scrapping most of it. In a guitar like that, everything is going to be of, more or less, the same quality. You might like the look of the body and fittings but they're not going to be great quality.

Having a neck made to your specifications, replacing the pick up (just one of them?), possibly replacing the bridge, and new tuners(?) are going to cost a LOT more than the cost of the original guitar and you are still going to have a "budget" body and a guitar that's worth very little, far less than the money you've spent.

It would be different if I already had a spare neck and maybe other parts, but a project like this can swallow a lot of money!

Edit: I see you've had second thoughts: there's a world of difference between buying a cheap second-hand neck from ebay for $40 and having one made to your own specifications! You take a gamble that you like the "new" neck better than the one already to the guitar and that it can be fitted without too many problems. The link leads to the Carvin website rather than to a particular guitar. I'm not familiar with Carvin guitars (I've heard of them of course) but I wouldn't expect a great deal from those componants judging from the prices you quote. I would say make sure that your replacements are better quality than the tuners, bridge and pick up(s) already there.

A few comments.

I'm surprised you didn't like the neck. It's a maple neck and those are usually very smooth, even on the Squier.

Second, a $40 neck on ebay is going to be way worse that the existing one, and they all have 9.5 radius.

If you are looking for a wider, flatter neck, try this place

http://www.bhefner.com/index.php?l=product_detail&...

The bridge is fine, no need to swap that out. Same with the tuners.. The wiring is fine, you might want to swap the volume and tone pots. The squier pots are a little unresponsive and the gradations of volume aren't as smooth.

If you are looking for a wider flatter neck, then Fender guitars are not a choice for you. Look at Ibanez or something

But to answer the question....NO, I would never buy any guitar that I was going to have to replace everything on to make it "playable" to my needs.

I actually like the 7.25 radius. better than 9.5. I hate Ibanez necks. So it is a matter of personal preference. I have pretty tiny hands for a man.

but why buy a guitar for $200 and then spend $400 on upgrade parts? Just buy a good guitar to start with.

Agree with most everyone here.

If you are really itching to build a guitar (and not from a poor quality body), I would really recommend a kit guitar from scratch... and have a complete custom from start to finish with all the components in place, new and compatible.

You are basically doing it all, just shy of a good body to work with in the first place. Always look under (try to) the painted surface.

But each to their own... and learning by doing can have the best lessons to come and discover true reality checks in the process.

(p.s.: As long as I have known you and what you've contributed over time, of the other members around here... I am surprised you came up with such a question too.)

I would, actually do that. There are actually entire guitar models that are popular for "upgrading". The Epiphone Les Paul models, particuliarly the lower end ones like the Special are pretty popular for just replacing the tuners and pick ups, and getting a pretty good foreign made bolt on for comparatively cheap.

I would be careful about how many upgrades you are making though, because at some point, it just makes more sense to buy the more expensive model.

Nothing worng with that, but at the prices you're listing for parts it sounds like you are putting pretty low quality "upgrades" on it. Most likely of lower quality than what comes on it stock. But if you have used these in the past and are happy with them then go for it. I've found the Classic Vibe and Vintage Modified series to have very good components from the factory.

I could tell you some things about doing that but suffice it to say if you do you would be walking into a mine field of question marks concerning all kinds of compatability issues. like the difference between millimeters and inches. so if you do hit one of those mines then remember what I said. most squires are for small handed people so that is normal to find. replacing the neck takes careful measurements, proceed slowly

Don't even get me started, I use to have an old Tiesco I bought for 50 bucks, almost nothing on it is stock, actually its still mine but my kid is holding it hostage somewhere in Europe at the moment, along with a few other of my guitars. Momma always said your chickens come home to roost.

Creating what I call a "Johnny Cash guitar," reminiscent of his song about a Cadillac being built from differently manufactured spare parts, could be a sound investment on your part.

Why not do it? If you have the technical expertise, as you say you do, then you have my vote. Your creation could become your best guitar ever.

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