THE CHEAP STRATOCASTER THAT'S KILLING YOUR REAL FENDER!! An In Depth Comparision!

In this video, we’re going to take a look at three Stratocasters. One that is completely non-Fender made just from some parts I found on Amazon. After doing this comparison, myself, I honestly feel like I’ve been getting ripped off all these years for a sticker. I had never seen a Fender style guitar taken completely apart until I was 39 years old. I had no clue everything was so simple. If you want to make your own partscaster using these parts here’s a list it’s not an affiliate link but maybe it’ll help you out. Now I really appreciate you watching. Thanks and please share if you dare.
www.amazon.com/gp/product/B09...
www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00...
www.amazon.com/gp/product/B09...
www.amazon.com/gp/product/B08...
www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07...
www.amazon.com/gp/product/B09...
www.amazon.com/gp/product/B09...
www.amazon.com/Maple-Fretboar...
Here's the fretting tools
www.amazon.com/Crowning-Stain...
Want a holder downer 5000?
www.amazon.com/BUYSK-Opening-...
There's a new review on the channel here
• I Bought the cheapest ...

[@scarmyguitar]

If you're watching, please hit that like button and then get butt naked and go yell at your wife..... "Hey, DON'T YOU TOUCH MY SCARRED GUITAR!"

[@74dartman13]

😂🤣😂🤣

[@peter2712771]

🤣🤣🤣

[@jimmyz2098]

Liked and subbed. And I tried this. It didn't work. Got butt neked.... yelled at her. She yelled back, and beat the crap outta me. Bad advice, Brother! Now I'm drinkin.'

[@scarmyguitar]

@@jimmyz2098 Did she at least go away and let ya drink?

[@sirbillygoat4885]

I don’t have a wife… that way never gonna need one anyway 😂😂😂

[@markpetten9777]

The fact that you can build a partscaster for $300 that sounds as good, if not better, than the Fender or the Fender partscaster says a lot about how we get sucked into stickers. Well done man.

[@TechValleyJeff]

In my opinion, it's got much better tone. If it were mine, I'd be more likely to play and practice with the guitar where my fingers produced the best sound.

[@waynemcconnell8131]

Man I love the way you call a spade a spade, well done man

[@mikes9759]

You took the words out of my mouth! Doesn't pull any punches!!

[@bpmore]

As someone who puts together partscaster T style guitars, it was good to see your build. The quality of parts are so much better than when I was a kid.

[@Allen-tm9xn]

That's like the monoprice 15 watt amplifiers.I bought one when they were 199.00 , and I've got so many compliments on the sound ! I've had it five years, no problems u can't judge, and instrument buy its price tag !

[@balijukka9963]

That neck humbucker is a beast. I think you just created a new Fleor customer.

[@philgretz]

Subscribed. I started by buying a knock-off double bound tele deluxe. Disassembled it, did a fret leveling, crowning and polishing. Replaced the tuning machines and bridge, bone nut, and re-wired in a 4-way switch. Then I did a typical set up job for the action, relief, pickup height adjust. That guitar plays wonderfully. So much fun. My background? Piano player and bike mechanic. Now I'm enjoying guitar. Love your channel with its straightforward approach. Thanks!

[@thespian1961]

In all my sixty odd years, I have yet to cut myself on any sharp edged fretwork.

[@Craig52-zq1bt]

When drilling holes that do NOT go all the way through, wrap some duct tape around the drill bit to give you a 'stop drilling mark'. Easy and no holes coming through the fretboard.

[@DaisyHollowBooks]

I swear I learn more from five minutes of your videos than from a week’s worth of other videos.

[@maraudermusic2714]

Awesome video!! I'm an old school DIY myself. You showed what it takes years to lean the hard way into one short video. You rock brother! Guitars sounds great! One note: If someone is building this make sure the pick-guard is not pushing up the lip on the neck too much or you will crack the fingerboard. Also, once years ago I "cleaned" out the neck pocket of all paint on a MIM Fender to get a "more connected" wood to wood. This was a major fail as it reduced the break angle across the bridge reducing downward pressure on the bridge and thus sucking the tone out! It hurt it more than it helped! Peace!

[@charliemcgrain]

Great job, brother. many thanks. I bought a Grote 335 copy off Amazon. It cost 129 delivered. I spent another 200 on tuners, pickups, bridge, etc. It plays as good as my original Gibson 335 that cost 3 grand. Plus, I can drive it like I stole it!!!

[@scarmyguitar]

Good stuff!

[@guitarzan0515]

This is just GREAT!! I’ve been building Kit Guitars for awhile now, and love this video, and channel!! Thx for the “wake up call”, and showing us folks out here we can do it!! Good Stuff!!

[@bennettshapiro7711]

Very cool build. You have a great way of making things accessible to people. Thanks for doing this.

[@nychold]

Run a sharpie down each fret when you're filing. If you file evenly, it'll tell you when you're done.

[@Pegasus4213]

Nice job all around! Loved the simple clarity of your work and the result spoke for itself!

[@phillipvisnaw2355]

Thanks for your video! I've been wondering about that so being in my 70s playing guitar from a lifetime ago with crippled up hands you've convinced me- my next gitfiddle gonna be a Tele on the cheap.. using your video as a reference. . I've watched other people's videos on the same subject but it's your homegrown charm and sense of humor that appeals to me, keep up the good work!

[@dancotterman1267]

I always wondered how you get the holes to lineup on a blank body and neck. Thanks for showing us how. Really good video. I’m too old now to make one (77) but lots of people aren’t so this helps. Thanks. Fun watching it all come together. Rock on!

[@stringedaz]

I have a few partscasters, and I agree with you--cobbling together your own strat is way more fun and cost effective. Putting it together is fun and easier than ya expect, too! Love the channel!

[@davechapman7735]

great demo, they all sound great and for parts caster you have proved a point that shopping with integrity can deliver a brilliant result! thanks for showing us and cheers from NZ

[@indiedavecomix3882]

The Gen Fen Partscaster sounded in the first setting like the tone knob was all the way down. I'm slowly refurbing an old beat up Fender and don't have any shame about putting a $50 loaded pick guard in it and a few non Fender parts. My first build and I've made a few cock ups, but I'm enjoying the process! Great channel!

[@ManfredElsingBielefeld]

So the things are working!!!!Very good work and thanks for post it here!You did a good job!I like that!

[@parzival1958]

I've only just started learning the guitar this week (aged 65). Got a long way to go, I know. Loved the guitar you made!

[@allancopland1768]

That's a mighty fine Partscaster. Excellent. Never be a sticker sucker.

[@jazzalmenasmusic]

Shaun, I'm gonna build my own strat & tele from scratch! Watching your channel has inspired me to do my own projects! I have a slightly different config than yours, but I will show em to you when I'm done!

[@luciusfox7792]

This was super interesting and informative. Really opened my eyes to what it takes to get a great sound.

[@adpitts1]

Great job of busting myths and encouraging folks to get into modifying and customizing.

[@scarmyguitar]

Thank you!

[@petercnixon]

I really like your vibe. Nice relaxed video without any fluff, to the point and honest. Even before you said it yourself I thought the partscaster sounded better.

[@2good2betrue3]

Amazing partscaster walk thru. I just bought parts and will soon create one and this video is really helpful and gave me insights in creating a guitar. 👍 SUBSCRIBED!

[@gtr1952]

I agree! If your just a little handy, there's a ton of options for building your own out there! I did my last one a little different. BTW I'm 71 and have been around guitars since I was 16! I also have a small shop in my house. I wanted a David Gilmour Strat, but $4200 was too much $$ I 'hawked' Craigs List till I found an old Clapton Strat with a broken truss rod and no PUPs. I paid the guy $500, that included a TKL TSA approved flight case! ($300 case!). The black body was well used, and looked like a natural relic! I ordered a neck from Warmoth, exactly what I wanted! Then I ordered an exact copy of Gilmour's loaded pick guard from a shop in Ca. I used the hardware from the Clapton guitar. Put it all together, and it's just as good or better than the Fender Custom Shop aged one!! Sounds amazing! Fender CS = $4200, my build = $1900. JMHO's 8) --gary

[@Afurthyclays]

Beautiful! This video NEEDED to be made. 🤘😎

[@kentravitz7395]

My brutha.. I've been buyin the cheapest guitars and parts, teachin myself to do it all myself for a few years now. I'm more proud of my collection now than ever and ya know what.. I swear it sounds better. Much appreciation for a channel that's keepin it real.

[@djmessina9278]

Dude, I LOVE your style. Just discovered your channel and watched one video. SUBSCRIBED. Thanks for telling it like it is man!

[@timesurfingalien]

5:45 "I believe in ya man" 👍

[@michaelw6277]

I thought about this just this morning and something I realized… creative types don’t realize that guitars are pretty simple instruments because the music kids in band in high school weren’t the same kids who you’d find in wood shop. I feel like I’m constantly repeating myself, but anyone with a high school wood shop education can build a guitar.

[@scarmyguitar]

Bingo!

[@chaptermasterpedrokantor1623]

You will never find a bunch more conservative then ISIS, more gullible then Nigerian email scam victims, more superstitious then old Sicilian women, then guitar players. They will pay top dollar for tonewood, a simple logo on the headstock and socalled 'vintage' NOS unicorn electronic parts. And if you try to tell them they can save a lot of money with some rudimentary DIY skills they will against you faster then a Twitter cancel mob.

[@douglowe5355]

The one you built to my ears sounded the best too dude! I'm amazed that it came in at just over $300--$308 I believe. I wonder how bad some companies are puttin' the squeeze on us and their parts aren't any better... Thanks for opening my eyes (and ears)! A little more comparing while shopping sure didn't sound like a bad idea to me!

[@carlholten8523]

Your eyes said it all, "wow, this sounds better!" Great job

[@scarmyguitar]

Thanks for listening

[@alinchitown7556]

Nice job I’m just finishing up a Tele, good on you bro showing people the way.

[@BenjaminGonzalez-wv3cy]

I learn so much from Shawn, thank you for educating us little guys🎉🎉🎉❤

[@tomdellinger3710]

Great video! I've built two parstcasters and am very happy with the results. It's a fun journey.

[@larryfried7742]

it's a pleasure to watch you work. You're a really good teacher and I've learned a lot from you. Thank you, Man 🙂

[@scarmyguitar]

Glad to hear that!

[@caseylee12]

Man, I love this kind of video! I'm gathering the parts for a partscaster now. But I'm gonna make a telecaster, and call it a "TeLEEcaster". Can't wait to get it started! Thanks for the post, I'll keep watching

[@garytudor4655]

Another great video Shawn. Keep them coming. I really enjoy watching them and I learn a few thing as I go. Been wanting a fret leveler but the ones that you can buy are in different degrees, so you have to buy more than one, that gets expensive. The one you made can work on any neck. Moral of the story is that I guess I'll have to make me one. Thank you.

[@danpost4755]

Great video, Shawn! I'm really enjoying your channel. Wishing you and Kathy all the best.

[@scarmyguitar]

Thank you sir!

[@danteedee8204]

Great video and instructions. Great guitar!

[@craigsphilhower8505]

Good friend of mine been building and repairing guitars for over 30years. The short story, I have a severely damage spine and couldn’t stand four hours gigging wearing a nine pound guitar. One day while driving he notice a broken carbon fibre surfboard in the trash, took it home. Traced out a fender body and built for me a slightly less than three pound guitar i could stand and play for four hours. One night at a live gig, he brought it in and gave it to me to try out, that guitar sings, as good if not better than my 68 blond on blond Strat. My Partscaster sounds incredible, plays incredible and it was built with spare parts laying around.

[@Allguitarinfo]

Man what a great friend.. and your the man for still loving to play enough thru the pain. Sorry about your back friend.. glad you still play...

[@doktabob328]

Fantastic vid. In every respect. You covered a lot, covered it well, and made your point. Great education for guitarists. And I love that far-away look in your eyes when you’re playing, lol. Cheers, Dokta Bob

[@tehcarey]

Cool video came just in time. I'm going to be putting together my partscaster (mine's neon pink with a scalloped fretboard🎉) and you helped with the confidence levels in regards to drilling the holes in the neck and his call on putting the pickguard down first - I definitely would have ran into trouble there

[@Icebergwallst]

Best tutorial ever, I also upgraded some Squire Strat guitars with those loaded pickguards and big time improvement, I only have 3 genuine Fenders, a twelve string, an acoustic I got from a Goodwill for $120 and a telecaster bought from a former coworker for $400, it sold for $699 at the time and is now selling for $999.

[@mikes9759]

I guess I have to build one now. I'll probably do it a little different, but good vid bud! And good job!

[@xx_perrito_sandia_xx]

Dude this video is genuinely helping me out this guy is better than ANY youtube guitar build helper like i sold my floyd rose because i couldnt figure out how to tune it and i bet this guy could teach me much love man thank you again for this video i was looking to do a partscaster!!!!

[@andiestwo5]

What a wonderful video ❤ answered so many questions. Thank you!

[@Mindboggle100]

You have a lot of skill, you made that build look so easy. Lovely Strat Enjoy!

[@Ilurk247]

You're almost to 22k now, congrats. I'm a gear head, went to tech school just to learn how to fix the stomp boxes I kept blowing up. I could tell immediately the $300 guitar has a higher output. I'm mainly an Ibanez fan but I found a Peavey Predator Plus at a pawn shop cheap and it sounds as good as the high dollar Ibanez.

[@dmbar1953]

Thanks Sean. As an old garage band 60s rocker (yep, we practiced in a garage and played in bars) we had little $ so had pawn shop guitars and had to tweak them like you do. Wish we had parts available now! hehe. Anyway, love your show. Thanks.

[@edwardbrown4455]

Looking forward to a t-shirt! Great review. I like when you do the comparisons. And I agree the total non-Fender parts-caster has more bite. Who needs a sticker!!

[@edwardbrown4455]

Hey Sean. Is this telegram thing legit?

[@robertclarkguitar]

I love the HSS choice you took in these as my next purchase will be HSS. I hope. Great video bro. 😊

[@whitepunch1392]

I got both and play my cheap strat more than the other one . This video helped validated my claim . Also you did a great job showing the proper way to assemble one .

[@jeffbaker8074]

My new favorite channel. I have almost 30 "budget" guitars I've picked up in less than 2 years. Only 2 cost more than 300 but no more than 500. Everyone has had some kind of mod or upgrade and most I would put up against guitars costing way more.

[@6dbthreshold]

Great video. Not enough difference in sound between the 3 to justify the price gaps. Thanks for trying to motivate people to do their own setup/assembly work. Some guitars just have a “mojo” to them that makes me like them more than others. I think it boils down to just a few unique combination of decent parts and time spent setting them up correctly. You reinforce the the most important factor: setup. Congratulations on the 20k.

[@matthewmilner8308]

In under 2 minutes this guy has me positively READY to drop $300 on guitar parts. Love it. New favorite channel!

[@williamwoodward4054]

Love the new custom “not” fender strat style guitar, great job with that bro 😊👍👍

[@jeffyoung8726]

I like your approach to this kind of thing... No nonsense! You tell it like it is. That's very cool man! Thanks for this informative video brutha!

[@scarmyguitar]

Glad you liked it!

[@Ron_Masterjohn]

Great channel Shawn and really glad I ran across your channel this morning. I’m a drummer but my granddaughter and I have started to learn guitar on a couple acoustics. So I have to learn how to even string them yet but being I’ve been doing my own car repairs and a tile and marble contractor there’s not much I cant learn and do myself. So I think soon I’ll build her a Strat. Thanks for all the great videos.

[@scarmyguitar]

You bet! I'm doing a series on building one from scratch with minimal tools.

[@edhauser6052]

I thank you for showing me that I can build one of these! Great video. I'm a fan!

[@scarmyguitar]

Awesome! Thank you!

[@simonpark843]

This is a genuinely great video - you explain things in a direct, no-frills way. I enjoy all your videos but this one is a standout. I thought all three guitars sounded good, but the one with the Grover tuners did have a distinct sound to it. It's most likely due to the pickups as you said, but the one you built in this video was the one I liked the sound of the most.

[@recycology5468]

Got me convinced. I've got a few Strat style guitars hanging around that I wanted to do the opposite with and install Fender parts. Watching your video got me to thinking of a no fender parts a Fender 51, Strat-Tele combo. I have a Squier 51 I could use as a guide. Thank you for your video now I'm gonna watch another one of yours.

[@scarmyguitar]

That's cool bro! Wish I could see the build when done!

[@Lespaul13100]

Great job! I love working on my guitars/ modding! That partscaster does sound brighter! Subbed!

[@chizorama]

Love the file block, nice & simple, new subscriber, good shtuff.

[@stuartfox480]

I just found your channel and love your attitude and building skills. I just subscribed keep up the great work 👍🎸

[@scarmyguitar]

Awesome, thank you!

[@RobertJene]

10:35 OMG! 👀I always wondered about a cheap easy way to set a neck straight! This was a thing holding me up on my kit build!

[@decleafs4]

Excellent! New subscriber and I have built more than a few Fender guitars. Good stuff!

[@dr123hall]

Absolutely! I am a fan! Beautiful guitar, confident builder! Thanks my friend!

[@REX-ks1os]

i love down to earth guitar channels. Your doing a great job Keep it up, I'm now a regular here.

[@scarmyguitar]

Thanks

[@charlesshoemaker3622]

I happened upon your channel by luck because I became disabled with a spinal cord injury. Anyway I was looking for something I can do at home and decided I will take up the guitar. I bought a cheap Yamaha and modeling amp and have already bought some specialized tools and now my guitars neck is flat and the frets are level. I think I’m going to build my next guitar. Thank you for the knowledge you have given to me!

[@jckelley10]

Great video! I just might build my own now! Thank you!

[@jimmyz2098]

Cool vid. I dig this stuff. Liked and subbed. I hope to see a lot more of this type of content. I've done lots of builds. Some mods. Some start-up builds / parts-casters.. just like what you did here. I love this stuff. So much fun. If I'm being honest... I have a couple actual Fender Strats... and a couple actual Fender Teles. And it's hard to get my parts-casters just like them. But I tell you what - I can get pretty damm close. And like you said... for less than half the price of a Fender. Plus... I can spread the cost out a little bit. But the big thing is.... I get to have all that fun working these projects. I love it. I've done a couple that are genuine masterpieces... and I like to find unique bodies that don't look like everything else out there.... and start from there. Good stuff bro!

[@thaynes1963]

I have made a few parts casters...The one truth is that they can be every bit as good as a name brand. You touched on the biggest key...Spend the time to work on the neck! If the neck edges are not rolled, the sanding sponge is a great idea to cut down that edge while you fix the fret sprout. Sound is always in your head. As long as you can get that sound you're good...otherwise you may be chasing that tone! Great channel thanks for the good ideas!

[@jeffrowlette]

My new favorite channel!

[@shawnbruce6934]

This was Great! You are very entertaining.

[@frankswildyear]

Wow, first time I’ve seen anything like this. Must be a tremendous sense of pride and ownership. Each time you play it, knowing you actually made it

[@markkenward7040]

Great reviews and tips for anyone who has an issue and needs it fixed. Scar My Guitar does it all sooner or later. I had to learn most all of his talents by myself and with books, but Scar nails it down for you. Thank you Scar my Guitar.

[@scarmyguitar]

Glad it helped!

[@DathSwian]

Very cool. I've used those Fleor pickups for my basses and guitars and they are great.

[@AverageHuman7026]

That sure was fun to watch! Mister, you just earned yourself a new subscriber 😎🎸

[@scarmyguitar]

Awesome, thank you!

[@Ron_Masterjohn]

Awesome idea on your fret leveling file

[@donaldstansfield9085]

Very nice! Loved it! I don’t own one. Just starting out. Sounded great. I just subscribed also, thanks.

[@grantkoeller8911]

Fantastic build!!!!!! All 3 guitars sounded great!!!!!!!

[@richharris2864]

Bro, you talk to me, not above me. Subscribed. And you’re right, I’ve been playing too long to pay people for set ups!🤙🏾

[@scarmyguitar]

Boom!

[@charleswidmore5458]

Wow~! That is awesome. I actually need a electric and you got me thinking maybe I could build my own. Thanks! You earned a sub with that.

[@DaronMacke]

Really cool vid Man! VERY eye opening.

[@sassycat]

Congratulations on hitting 20K subscribers Sean, keep speaking the truth to power! #DYTMSG

[@ladyluckdrums]

Great video as always Shawn! I put Fleor alnico pickups in my chibson les paul and my chender telecaster. With your inspiration I did the fret level, crown and dressing myself. I wouldn't do it on anyone else's guitar but I had a blast doing it on my stuff. Thanks for the motivation and inspiration! Ps. You look so much like my cousin Keith (RIP) .

[@scarmyguitar]

That is awesome!

[@truescotsman4103]

if you don't have enough clearance for your pickguard under that 22nd fret overhang you're going to separate the fingerboard from the neck or break the neck.

[@steverushforth7009]

Very good vid, sounds good to me, and the work finishing was spot on, Do you use the trick to increase sustain on bolt-on-neck guitars? IE with the guitar fully tuned, slacken all neck screws a quarter turn, then retighten.

[@stevemercure902]

Fun video to watch, and I'll bet it was fun for you to make? To my newbie ears the Partscaster sounded much brighter with more punch than either of the other guitar. As you say, the homebrew guitar had more "bite".

[@Phillipmann-2019]

I built a couple of budget guitars mainly 250 and under. Yeah you may have to work a little bit to get everything lined up but there’s something about the accomplishment of actually putting parts together and making things work out. I usually play my cheap guitars when I gig out. A lot of the techniques you used i thought I was the one that thought of them but I see great minds think alike ha ha now go have a cold one😊

[@Tellitasitis72Joe]

To me, It doesn't matter how much it cost. "You can make all women squeal if you play them right" BTW, Thanks for the video

[@WickedFesterBand]

I do this and I enjoy it. I’ve collected tools over the years. Great video!

[@Amp497]

Great video! However, I already have a Fender Mexican made Texas fat Strat which I bought in 2004 for $330 new. It looks just like the one you are making. Thanks for all the information on how to level out the frats and finish them. You make it look easy. I will be giving it a try someday soon.

[@MrSparks54]

I built a Fender Jazz bass clone the same way. The only pricey thing I bought were Aguilar humbuckers for it and it sounds better than my $2k Ultra Jazz. I love these builds, I don't play guitar much being a full time bassist for 2 bands but I do love watching your channel. Cheers