The Cheapest PRO Spec Guitars? The Story of My Partscasters....

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Of the guitars that I play, these 2 are often the ones that attract questions, partly I assume because they look....odd...These are partscasters that I built, so I wanted to share the story, but also some thoughts on the pros and cons of getting into a Partscaster...
/ johnnathancordy you can get my backing tracks and lesson tabs here.
www.buymeacoff... - if you like what I do and
only if you wanted, you could buy me a coffee!
Get my PADs bundle here: www.paypal.com... (this folder will grow, and I'd encourage you to ask for different keys/songs and stuff that might suit this type of preset?)
I've decided to make it possible to grab both my Helix/HX Stomp bundles (the expression bundle with freeze presets has always been separate) together www.paypal.com... - I will then email you a link to both bundles!
Try my general patches for Helix or HX Stomp in this bundle using this link - I will then send out the patches! www.paypal.com...
You can get my EXPRESSION patches in this bundle using this link - I will then send out the patches! www.paypal.com...
Try my patches for Pod GO using this link - I will then send out the patches! www.paypal.com...
/ johnnathancordy get my backing tracks here
www.buymeacoff... - if you like what I do and
only if you wanted, you could buy me a coffee!

[@bryantwalley]

That is definitely not a crap finish man. They both look great.

[@erickmo1188]

That gravity inspired intro was sooooo good. Great job!

[@TLMuse]

Right, never heard you sound so much like Mayer before. I wonder how much of that was the guitar-both tone, and how it inspires you to play.

[@RyanMcQuen]

Heck of a lot of people played that progression before Mayer ever touched a guitar.

[@erickmo1188]

@@RyanMcQuen true. But I was watching the video and my wife who was walking by (and knows nothing about JNC) asked if I was watching a John Mayer vid. I think it’s safe to say it was very objectively similar in chord structure, tonality and styling.

[@trumpy850]

Hi great playing . I noticed the wammy bar flopping around on your guitar in your video . There is a spring thats fitted in the hole prior to screwing in the bar so it stays still . Regards Pete.

[@stickman55100]

I love building partscasters! I’ve built 6 over the past 2 years and find it rewarding and interesting. I’ve found Stratosphere to be a really good source and just completed a build with a Fender Robert Cray Signature body with Fender Noiseless Jeff Beck Pickups and a Rubato Neck. You’re right about the downside, but if you’re building to resell, you should probably learn how to be a luthier and really build something valuable.

[@Tylerchaz]

where do i get good parts from

[@bestboy897]

awesome

[@orryfishburne5326]

Im a big fan of Partcasters. My best guitar is a Partcaster Tele. It feels, plays and sounds incredible. the process of building one is extremely fun and rewarding. Plus having an instrument to your design makes for a wonderful connection to the instrument. I had so much fun building my Tele that i decided im going to do the same with a Strat, then take my Tele's stock neck and use it on a second build, but find a Thinline body instead. You definitely need to do a good set up in order for it to come out good. I cut the nut to 0.020 inch on every string, leveled, crowned, and polished the frets, set the action to my preferred specs, (1.5mm across all strings) truss rod adjusted to Fender's specs for the right neck radius, intonation set right, and got the pickup height just right for my tastes. After all the work was done i ended up with the best playing guitar i have ever owned, but i think the set up is key to any instrument whether it's a purchased, or custom instrument. I think every guitarist should learn these skills in order to set up their own instruments to their own preferences. We all like different specifications, and a tech can only do so much with the information u try to convey to them unless u have them work on it multiple times to dial it in to your liking

[@woodygranger2126]

I built a partscaster strat using the body and bridge of a Squire strat. I replaced the neck with a warmouth neck, staines steel frets, and all of the electronics and pickups with the best I could find. Including a capacitor that I found in a picture of an original '54 strat. I put in Fender '54 Custom Shop pickups and made a bone nut from scratch. Final setup and wow. Best strat I have ever played. A friend of mine that plays semi pro (for Casey Chestnut, and his own person bands/gigs) tried to buy it from me. I backed out. I have never had gas for another strat since 2011 when I built it. I love Telecasters better due to the volume knob on the strat is in my way where I like to strum. My fretwork skills are probably the best thing I've ever learned to do out of building a parts caster and doing several refrets. I can get the strings super close without any fret buzz and polish frets so shiny that it feels like playing on buttered frets😅. Getting everything takes me a very long time, but it is always worth it. I just don't have the time I used to. Cheers from Central Texas.

[@marclouis-boyard]

Partscaster building is so much fun, even if mine isn't perfect. It's unique and personal, and the tone is incredible. I recently shared a video with it, hooked up to an obscure Italian tube amp from the seventies. The clean and drive tones are fantastic.

[@GitShiddy]

I got a full MJT kit done. I went way off book, spec'ing a pine wood thinline with a custom Warmoth neck, a custom pickup layout & pickguard, nitro, relic'd ....the whole nine. Took about 8 months, had to buy my own electronics, cost just shy of $2 grand CAD. But given that the equivalent of the guitar that I could buy (with a Fender logo) when I ordered it would've been $7 grand-ish (now it's close to 9) and would've taken years. It's worthwhile. This is the lightest guitar I've ever played, does exactly what I wanted, plays as good as my best guitar (after I rolled the fingerboard), loud, resonant, plays like it's $4-5 grand but if I ever even fancied the idea of selling it (highly doubt) I know at best it's worth $800. So if you are going to do a kit, especially a custom/full kit....dream big. It's only worth something to you.

[@ToneDeth.]

Awesome. Lockdown I got in to building parts casters. Better than sour dough.

[@PedalScience]

Couldn’t agree more with everything you said. The personal value of it definitely comes from being able to pair up whatever perverse specs you want (I’ve just finished building a 52 relic tele with hot rails / Duncan invader 😂)

[@stultzies]

That Strat sounds great! It's really cool to see the Warmoth neck. With it being from 2016, I can say I did the final QC on it before it went out the door, so hopefully it hit your expectations. 😅

[@johnnathancordy]

Oh really?! That's cool - could you share any info about working at Warmoth?!

[@stultzies]

@John Nathan Cordy What would you like to know? You can reply here or message me direct if you'd like. 😊😊

[@recipoldinasty]

@@johnnathancordydamn why eid you play in israel, such a dangerous cursed place, glad youre okay

[@stupidthefish1979]

@@recipoldinastyconsidering this was posted 7 months ago, the build’s from 2016 and that’s a 7-year gap, he was most certainly not in Israel before Hamas attacked it

[@SBahamondes]

@@stupidthefish1979 As if it wasn't cursed before lmao

[@dejavoodooV2]

dayum!, that snare sound in the opening jam😍

[@kingcal53]

Currently putting together a Telecaster Deluxe style guitar but with a splittable Humbucker in the bridge, a single coil in the middle and P90 in the neck position. Guitar will have an ESP neck. Letting my imagination run wild with this one!

[@NateTheMeh]

I love my Partscaster! It’s my dream tele, and it ended up being the easiest guitar I’ve owned to get dialed in. I totally recommend learning the light setup stuff like radius and truss Rod adjustments, Becuase that can allow you to really get a grasp of what you like to feel and then be able to dial it in exactly on your own build! My tele has been my fav gigging guitar I’ve ever owned.

[@indiedavecomix3882]

The reasons to put a partscaster together: 1. It's fun! 2. You get to learn how to fix stuff on other guitars 3. If you plan well and put a little extra money in, you can have a really nice customized guitar still less than an off the shelf brand name. 4. You can give it to someone who's just learning You won't get good resale on the guitar, but if you're gigging, that guitar pays for itself! I completely refurbed an old Fender, and while I'll never claim it's as good as a custom shop, it's still a fantastic guitar that plays good and looks good on my wall.

[@jessenicholson1777]

The highlight of this video was the closeup of the Twat-o-caster logo. I have a Warmoth Strat which is at the moment my only Strat. Wasn’t great my first crack at assembling it but none of my mistakes were fatal and I was able to sort them all. Really a very nice guitar after that. The fact that the resale value is so awful is a big drawback. My other gripe with Warmoth necks is there is no fret finishing whatsoever. So that leaves you to try and muddle through it or you need to find a pro.

[@michaelmcanuff3993]

Maybe your best intro performance yet. Absolutely beautiful playing.

[@andycasile]

My Tele is a $350 partscaster made from mostly GFS parts. It required a little fretwork, the clear coat on the body has flaked off, and in general it definitely isn't perfect. That said, I've gigged it more than any other guitar I own in the last year. It scratches the Tele itch, and is indestructible without being irreplaceable.

[@primaballerina84]

Parts builds are much fun and Can turn out amazing if you're doing it right 🙏🏻

[@danielkongmusic]

MJT sells complete guitars that start at 1699USD that you can spec out, while the Fender Vintage II line now starts at 2099USD. Props to MJT for keeping the price consistent for the past few years, it's certainly what I'd go for if I were spec-ing out an individualised, nitro-finished, vintage-style strat/tele etc.

[@30smsuperstrat]

I've been building partscasters since the early 90s. One improvement on resale is using the fender necks they have available now. You can always get more for a used fender neck than an off brand.

[@johnnathancordy]

Yes - good shout!

[@aarijsiddiqui9254]

This might be a newbie question so I apologize for that but how challenging is it to change a neck out and have the set up still be done well if you are doing that at home? I have a mexican strat and It has a maple neck, I would really love to have a rosewood neck on it.

[@AlecBourneMidiMadScientist]

Luscious intro jam there. Great video.

[@AnniottOfficial]

I have recently put together a hardtail "strat" for my first build. The body has been a nightmare: String through holes are over 1 inch further back than they should be, neck pocket is massive and routed whole for the jack is too small. All able to be fixed but what a pain

[@colebertram8482]

You always got the content goods never lacking. Underrated Channel

[@ranman58635]

Definitely a great way to toss money away. I do it all so I have choice pick of heat I like. I have yet to do a full on part's caster. I want to. I know it's about good setup, must like you said. If the guitar is capable of handling one.

[@MikeS4628]

I've built 6 parkscasters. I built mine back in the 90s when if you wanted something special and less expensive you had to built. I've gigged them extensively. Carvin used to sell parts. I built a few of those. Two were Squier guitars that I replaces neck, pickups, electronics and so on. Basically it's just the body bridge (I deck my bridges) and the pickguard that are original. Found a ridiculous sale on them and got two stage worthy guitars for about $250 a piece. Still havfe and play them all. The guitar in my profile pic is one of the squiers with Carvin parts.

[@michaelmyers4176]

I’ve built all my Stratocasters. They are my absolute favorites to play for sure. I just built a SRV ish Heavy Relic Strat and right now it’s my number one for sure. The most expensive part of the guitar was the neck then the pickups right behind that. But it has Custom Shop Texas Special pickups and the body is a eBay nitro relic Allparts alder body. The neck happens to be a Fender 62 reissue neck. All the other parts are Gotoh tremolo and even the tuner’s are Gotoh pre reliced parts. In all I’ve got about 500 bucks worth of parts and I did the work myself and for sure it is the best playing and sounding Strat I’ve ever had for sure. Great video. I don’t build my guitars to try and sell them. I build them to keep and play. They all have everything I want in a Stratocaster. Jumbo frets and a great neck really makes this guitar what it is for sure. I would recommend anyone to try building a partscaster. You get exactly what you want in a guitar and if you know how to set up your guitar you will get the absolute best guitar without breaking the bank. I would put my latest build next to any custom shop Strat and I really think it would hold up extremely well. Just my opinion and it’s way way more inexpensive than a custom shop guitar.

[@user-sn3cs2hd8r]

100% - I have about 15 guitars ranging from Custom Shop $4k to part casters that were about $600 and I can tell you my Partscasters get played much more than the Custom Shops. It’s all in the setup and how dry the wood is. My best work was the least money to build - it’s amazing!

[@demodeiowa]

looks cool and unique. I built one purchasing a refurbished teal body strat and swapped out the neck and parts. Flamed Roasted maple neck and rosewood with aged inlays.. came out pretty nice

[@stratless]

Like the gentle backing track. Tone of the lead is really sweet.

[@latheofheaven1017]

I don't think the downside is a downside. Unless you completely failed at building a guitar to your personal specs, there's no reason you'd want to sell it. I speak as someone who has fitted a True Temperament neck to my Fender Strat (amongst other things). I love it. Resale value is irrelevant.

[@martyshwaartz971]

Unless a company magically releases a guitar identically spec’d to mine (which will definitely never happen haha) and it’s better, I’ll never sell my partscaster!

[@anthonychin8610]

Your tastes can change over time

[@martyshwaartz971]

@@anthonychin8610 And the brilliant part of a partscaster is you can change parts if your tastes change. Win win!

[@mikefromusa6902]

I’ve built many many partscasters. Some meh, some good, some unbelievably great. I’m getting better and better at it. You can actually make a great one now for not much money at all!

[@Garkimyer]

I think making parts guitars is something thats only really going to give worth while results if you’re experienced in both woodworking and soldering. I’ve been woodworking for over 20 years and am an engineer so soldering is something I’m also quite good at, and it still took me two attempts at making guitars to get one that I genuinely think stands up to name brand guitars, in both finish and sound. That being said, I did start with blanks for the neck and body and cut and shaped everything myself, and the neck was the only thing that was funky with the first one so I used a premade neck on the second. I found the body to be fairly easy to make with the right tools and knowledge (I have a full woodshop in my basement, and have a Spray booth for applying the finish, which makes things way easier to get a good finish than aerosol cans can give you.) I think that the second guitar is the best value guitar I could have purchased or made for myself, and the feeling of closeness I have with it makes me want to play it all the time 😂. To those who want to try making one but who don’t have the experience in woodworking, I highly suggest buying a guitar finishing guide at the least, and would probably suggest a full guide if you’re not using a premade body and neck. Also when finishing the guitar, waiting is the hardest yet most important part of it. No applying coats before the dry time is up, or you risk the lacquer all sloshing off the wood and being a big pain in the butt. Also make sure that you always apply the next coat within a day of the last or the lacquer will not ‘melt’ into the existing lacquer on the guitar so it will end up having a pebble like finish. Lastly when all coats are applied and its dried for a few hours, just put the guitar somewhere you cant see it for at least a week because the clear coats need to harden, else it scratches extremely easily.

[@joeriffanucci]

I’m right with you on this. It’s a great process that’ll hopefully inspire and help you appreciate full builds by great companies. Resale value is non existent but if you buy a used partscaster it’s usually a decent way to get into parts or someone else’s vision cheap. I have several that I’ve done recently that have turned out great. They did require further setup and fit and finish work. I’m especially fond of Guitar Mill/Mario Martin in TN. All Parts and Warmoth do really nice stuff too. They’ve also been dependable live.

[@Stevewatson3]

Just spent a significant sum at warmoth😂😂 hopefully I got everything right! I’ve got it routed for all pickups so I can swap as I please.

[@BobGuido]

My favorite guitar of yours

[@jdwild1698]

Every one of my parts guitars are killer players and sound amazing and the quality of build is based on a persons ability etc... true you probably can't get what you have into them if you were to sell them but that's not my goal in putting one together ,so that's OK.I do a refret with the gold EVO frets and the necks and play-ability surpass most guitars I have picked up anywhere , as good as any Japanese built whatever which I think are as good as any build . Just MHO The most I've ever spent was about 600-700 and as little as 400 or so for everything upgraded to high end specs. Thanks John , glad to see an appreciation for the "partscaster"

[@BigDinnerBoy]

I have a tele i built out of a warmoth ash body and a musikraft neck and its honestly the best sounding and playing guitar i own. Built it during covid out of boredom. I was picky on the weight etc when shopping for the body and had the neck built to my exact specs. The thing only weighs 6.5 pounds.

[@picksalot1]

I like both your "Cordycaster" S and T models. They sound good and have their own distinctive look. Also, they could make a great platform for trying different pickups and configurations. Just get some extra pickguards, and put in some of the old pickups, pots, and switches you probably have laying around that have been swapped out for other pickups. Install some "Quick Connects," and you can swap the entire units out of the same guitar or different guitars in under 10 minutes. 😎

[@Shiznitt_]

This strat looks wicked. Sounds great in your hands.

[@deeberdave8190]

Thanks John, interesting! I have built a few from parts guitars with varying results, mostly usable, a couple quite good! I like the fact of being able to spec what meets your needs, thick 22 fret necks, variety of pickups and electronics, but like you the instrument is really worth little accept to me! Lately I've been buying used name brand instruments cheap, and modifying them to my specs. These modded guitars seem to have more value for resale! Thanks again for what you do, your intros always sound great!

[@pharmerdavid1432]

Parts-guitars are fun to make, even if you just mate a loaded body to a neck, and sometimes you get lucky and have a new favorite guitar! I have a few....

[@christopherjbutler]

Good god that intro was gorgeous. So many facets to your playing, and they all sparkle, mate. And that harmonic tremolo part at the end, (or univibe, perhaps? ) is not one i hear you using much if ever but man you use it to great effect. Just killer. Made my first vacation day after a 14 hour road trip even better. As for Warmoth, I WILL get me a modern vintage construction 22 fret stainless steel 9.5 to 14" xompound radius ne k with a vintage tint gloss finish some day to upgrade my 2022 Squier Classic Vibe 60's strat, but that last checkbox for thr finish is a doozy. Suddenly the neck will be almost 200 bucks more than I paid for the guitar. But that means mynbeater 90's made in china Squier Bullet will get a new lease on life with the hand me down neck from it's younger brother. (That bullet was from a run where the bodies were full thickness and not made from plywood, it's a good guitar, resonant, the trem stays in tune,etc , would be ok cept for the stripped truss rod nut)

[@mattbrillhart2922]

All three of my main players are partscaster. I just have not been happy with any off the shelf guitar under $1000. At the end of the day, it’s all about the set-up IMO which includes properly cut nut, level frets, and proper intonation.

[@jaltsch1]

Have an earvana nut on a warmoth neck partscaster (my first of 3 partscasters), not sure I’m sold on the idea. Seems like a solution in search of a problem. Never felt the need for it on 2 subsequent builds for which I chose standard nuts. Agree, key to a great partscaster is a good setup and great fretwork (just like any guitar I guess).

[@pipotherium]

The finish is great

[@user-iv4hb6ul5c]

Great Solo

[@renato_guitar2138]

Man that intro was lush🙌🏼

[@gene_the_dev_42]

IMHO, your 'bad finish' looks miles more authentic than one on fender. really dig your strat!

[@gnoogie]

it's a pretty yucky finish to me, but damn does this guitar sound good.

[@kquat7899]

Buy a Fender, swap the neck/tuners etc (fat neck and locking tuners in my case), then you can resell the original guitar if necessary. That's what I do.

[@davidrees1840]

Your dodgy-lkg Strat is one of the most beautiful I've ever seen. If I build another I'll be hard-pressed not to copy it!

[@keithboddy]

Sounds alright to me! I'm hoping to do this with a Fender Player Plus and I also bought a Jet strat that I hope to tweak out.

[@JohanJoosLaur]

Bluesy Doc ♥

[@Herfinnur]

What a great sound!

[@BRAG450]

I really want to build a partscaster but I’m scared of the soldering part for the pickups. I found a way around most of the soldering by looking at a prewired pickguard that fender sells. But I still have to solder the ground and input jack I guess so maybe I should just learn and save some cash not buying it prewired.

[@jfo3000]

Get a good Weller soldering station that can keep the tip of the iron hot when you touch it to "big" metal parts. It will be expensive, but you need a good station to solder quick and not melt your electronics.

[@slinkytones1736]

"obsidian wire" do solderless kits with high end electronics so no need to solder, easy to install. Happy with my kit on my partscaster

[@rudiyantohalim736]

Both are good looking guitar man 👍

[@allenm]

Yes! John, that's it, you're a real blues man, or you mimic very well

[@jesper1320]

man that tele looks so fuckin gorgeous.

[@WindsurfMaui]

First, nice tone. Second, I have assembled a few guitars. Mostly using Warmoth necks with very cheap bodies that I can then customize to my own needs and desires. This has spoil me so much that I no longer wish to buy factory made guitars. Last, when you state what do you get out of them the answer isn't money it is the better playing ability that a guitar customized to your specific needs will give you. In reality a great number of professional guitar players are playing partscasters because there Roadie techs change parts, pickups, etc so much that they don't really reflect an original factory made guitar.

[@chrohm]

Gorgeous intro

[@zeppo20]

Hi, what neck profile is the warmoth strat?

[@nuendo2496]

Love the opening song by Leo Sayer…or was it done by Bread…..or Air Supply….anyhoo..

[@Tylerchaz]

Hey man loved the video. Where can I buy good parts for a parts caster?

[@Sammywhat]

How did you get the "Cordy" logo decal? Was it hard to keep its integrity when applying? Looks great by the way!! Love me a fun partscaster build!! Nice work on both!!

[@Mr.Steve-O]

Great video, would love to build my a HS tele one day. What would be the best wood for the tele, Ash or Alder ?

[@erajad]

Of course, Allen Hinds featured one of his "partscasters" ("$300") in his "what makes this guitar great" series: kzbin.info/www/bejne/mJCcZZ6fgtahitk So I guess there's also that wildcard aspect then, too: it _might_ turn out magical.

[@ksharpe10]

The Cordy Casters, YES they are nice, but KLINE for the WIN!!!! Order the john Cordy Model.

[@AnthonyChhan]

The only downside from parts guitars is having the finish the paint yourself. I would be scared to death to even attempt that. But at least to build them to your liking and not limited to parts chosen by a guitar manufacturer only to replace parts anyways.

[@michaelbevins2405]

Ifyour not in it for profit or tradeing all the time ,Build! If you are a real player and not a collector ,Build and keep your great guitar!

[@kyatzz]

What type of pigment did you use for the finish? It might sound dumb but I really quite like this finish and I want to replicate it on my partscaster, just perhaps in a different color

[@stephenfeldman8104]

What is the appeal of a 7.25" radius for your style of playing? It's a much different playing experience than the 10" radius on your K-Lines.

[@frankiewalnuts]

Can you do a guitar lesson on this solo?

[@craigdros5427]

"Twat-O-Caster" 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣

[@jakeah1175]

How have you found having no string tree? I’ve found with staggered tuners I got away with no dulling or sitar sounds to b and e

[@daderr99]

My question is, where you can get some not fender necks to do interesting builds? I'm from italy, but i guess anywhere from europe will do

[@cloudburst1215]

Could you please tell us your experience with the Earvana Nut? Game changer or makes no difference? Thank you

[@johnnathancordy]

Good question. I think it's probably in between the two extremes haha. I think in a situation where I'm at the business end of putting the guitar together, the Earvana was a pretty easy install compared to a graphtech/bone nut, and had the added benefits of supposedly improved intonation at the end of the fretboard where you'd be most likely to have issues from poor installation....If I was playing a lot of stuff at that end of the fretboard, I'd investigate it potentially? Maybe a mild improvement rather than game changer?

[@cloudburst1215]

@@johnnathancordy Thank you, I always wondered about the Earvana nut

[@jbbourbon178]

I must have missed it. What amp/model are you using?

[@sodium6956]

4:11 when the video starts

[@deanandthebeans857]

And it does mean you can pick up Partscasters second hand for cheap - cheaper than they cost to put together.

[@stratless]

My Partscaster is probably my number one SSH Strat. Its way more of an uglycaster than yours! 🤣. I like the look of the Cordy Strat and your Cordy Tele.

[@progpogs]

Going to buy my Cordy early before this company explodes.

[@cunjoz]

Twat-o-caster lmao

[@EricJohnson-fh8zj]

Did you just say twatocaster? 😂😂

[@johnnathancordy]

YES sir

[@EricJohnson-fh8zj]

@johnnathancordy Never heard that one over here in the states. I'll be sure to spread it and pass it on. I knew there was a reason so many great acts were British. You creative little twat's! 🤣

[@BigSh00tsie]

A $300 guitar with a good pro setup will outplay a $1,000 guitar with a crap setup.

[@chickenlickin3820]

Not seen such rusty strings in decades

[@leehenderson8132]

Someone's a fanboy.how funny.

[@johnnathancordy]

Someone comments weird stuff. How funny.