And now for something completely different

[Ballparkfrank]

A discussion of unusual strat/tele builds over at the Canadian Guitar Forum and a subsequent thread on big necks over at the LPF got me thinking that this would be a good spot for posting pix of non-conventional looking Fedners.

Here's one of mine that does not get lost in a crowd. I suspect that it well fits the question raised by this thread. I'll post a couple of others as well:

- Mechanicland Ballpark Neck (deeper and wider than anything else out there) w/jumbo Dunlop frets
- old Strat Am. Standard alder body w/Schaller straplocks
- old Strat pups w/RW/RP
- custom-built Andrusovich stainless bridge plate/titanium inertia block w/compensated holes
- Greasy Groove custom-made pickguard (greasygroove.com)
- strung to pitch with a set of .12-.54 strings w/unwound .22 G-string

I think of it as "a guitar for the secure player".
It sounds lovely and is a pleasure to play.

[clayville]

I think of it as "a guitar for the secure player".

You're probably right there. But I like it!

[rudutch]

ouch

[elicross]

Are the huge neck and heavy strings compensating for the pink pickguard...or vice versa?

[Joobsauce]

AAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHH!

Thats almost as cool as a hello kitty strat playing death metal! Looks like a fun guitar to play man!

[Ballparkfrank]

Are the huge neck and heavy strings compensating for the pink pickguard...or vice versa?

The huge neck and heavy strings compensate for my lack of real '54 Fender Stratocasters.

The pink plastic compensates for my hard-wired heterosexuality and lack of sensitivity.

Here's another shot:

[elicross]

Whoa! It's the neck with no neck!

I'd like to try one o' those out.

[Daddy-O]

You know, anyone at at gig who over steps the boundry of good taste in commenting on the pink-ish pickguard could easily be beaten to death with that neck!

...and i just think it's a frakkin' COOL guitar!

[Rickenjangle]

Well, if pink is the "new black," then congrats on your maple-necked black-on-black stratocaster!

[Wilko]

Don't make me trot out my pepto strat with the Kluson/Gibson keystones.

(I'll do it)

[Wilko]

[NeoFauve]

That "luncheonette" pickguard would work better on a brighter finish.
Silver or white, maybe.

Sticking it on a black guitar, it just looks gimmicky, like many plaid or graphic guards wind up looking.

[Ballparkfrank]

You know, anyone at at gig who over steps the boundry of good taste in commenting on the pink-ish pickguard could easily be beaten to death with that neck!
...and i just think it's a frakkin' COOL guitar!

The first incarnation of that guitar (with a white pickguard) was put together in response to the folks who, at jams, would "overstep the boundaries of good taste" by asking if they could sit in and shred on my strat. I'm one of those people who doesn't typically let strangers play his instruments.

I'd say "sure", get them up on stage without letting them touch it, them hang the guitar on them, ready to go, .12's and all. Hehehe. The results were always amusing to me, being the cruel fellow that I am.

[hippiebob01]

Don't make me trot out my pepto strat with the Kluson/Gibson keystones.

(I'll do it)

That is a thick neck. Probably thicker than the 62 VHR.

[Kap'n]

The first incarnation of that guitar (with a white pickguard) was put together in response to the folks who, at jams, would "overstep the boundaries of good taste" by asking if they could sit in and shred on my strat. I'm one of those people who doesn't typically let strangers play his instruments.

I'd say "sure", get them up on stage without letting them touch it, them hang the guitar on them, ready to go, .12's and all. Hehehe. The results were always amusing to me, being the cruel fellow that I am.

Albert Collins tuning (Open Fm) would also work.

[NeoFauve]

The first incarnation of that guitar (with a white pickguard) was put together in response to the folks who, at jams, would "overstep the boundaries of good taste" by asking if they could sit in and shred on my strat. I'm one of those people who doesn't typically let strangers play his instruments.

I'd say "sure", get them up on stage without letting them touch it, them hang the guitar on them, ready to go, .12's and all. Hehehe. The results were always amusing to me, being the cruel fellow that I am.

So it's your aim to catch shredders by surprise with your heavy strings and super-duty neck?

I'm afraid I'm a little confused as to who the "secure player" is in the scenario you describe.

And isn't "sitting in" kinda' the whole point of jams?

[Ballparkfrank]

You are right - as far as sitting in, it is indeed the point. And I believe strongly in well conducted jam sessions as a means for musicians to communicate with one another. But I do generally believe that they should bring their own instruments. And by way of explanation, when I am the leader of a jam, I always provide a decent utility guitar and amp on stage as a courtesy to those who simply do not have instruments with them.

I was referring to situations in which I have not been the leader, in which certain people have asked me in a certain way if they could use my gear. I usually simply say no, but every once in awhile am asked in a manner that suggests that "musicians communicating with each other" is not going to be the outcome on stage. Those special people get that guitar.

[TommyJ]

Dont cry if you get carpal tunnel,Charma can get ya...
I put 12's on my 335 and it chewed me up good,
made my little fingers hurt and cramp,I wanted to cry but im a tough guy...LOL!!!!

[Ballparkfrank]

That "luncheonette" pickguard would work better on a brighter finish.
Silver or white, maybe.

Sticking it on a black guitar, it just looks gimmicky, like many plaid or graphic guards wind up looking.

I agree. I was thinking of putting that stuff onto a Burgundy Mist or red guitar body. Maybe even a pink body, like the one posted by Wilko (that guitar makes me laugh - I love it).

[Wilko]

that dinette pickguard needs to be on a turquoise body.

[Ballparkfrank]

that dinette pickguard needs to be on a turquoise body.

Turquoise, light green, light blue. Incipient GAS attack, Argghh. Damn you Wilko, damn you all to hell.

[Wilko]

[blackonblack]

I just had a flashback to Miami Vice

[Wilko]

Or a The Cars tour in 1980

[NeoFauve]

You never know when you might run into someone like this.

[Gravity Jim]

"Crockett.... you're off the case!"

- Edward James Olmos as Lt. Castillo, every week