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XGP guitar body


NHTom

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Just thought I'd post my recent experience here as I know there are some people who like to tinker, etc.

 

I just did a body swap on a Fender Highway 1 strat.

 

Went to guitar fetish and got one of their XGP strat bodies. Because I was using a strange pickup combo (two mini hums) on a strat, I went with one of the "swimming pool rout" bodies. Did not weigh it, but it felt a tiny bit lighter than the original highway one body, which is to be expected given poplar vs. alder.

 

Body was $69 and even got to use a coupon for a couple bucks off.

 

Came well packaged. I chose the Capri Orange. Looked great right out of the box. Very nice finish.

 

Neck pocket fit very snug. Nicely done.

 

Everything off my Highway One fit the body very well. Because it is Poplar and I'd heard these were softer wood, I was careful to pilot drill all the holes.........it only comes with the 4 neck screw holes drilled.

 

The small pick guard screws and such only needed a firm hand with a good screwdriver and they went right in. No drilling necessary. The six bridge screws do not come drilled, so after masking off the body, some VERY careful measurements off the old body, crossing my fingers and drilling the bridge holes, everything came together perfect. Again, I pilot drilled on the smaller diameter and short a little on depth and all screws went in fine and locked up well. Did the trem claw screws......interesting given the angle of the drill, etc, but it worked fine.

 

Mounted the pick guard, jack plate, etc and wired it up.

 

Between how snug the neck pocket is and being VERY particular about my measuring to drill the bridge holes, everything lined up perfect.......string spacing on the neck edges is great and square, to the point that I only had to adjust two saddles for intonation!!! Plays and sounds/sustains just as good as the original fender body.

 

The end result was very pleasing!

creamsicle2_zpsv4a2jhe7.jpg

 

Is it as nice as a Warmoth body?..........probably not..........but for $69 and a great little Sunday afternoon project, I'm VERY impressed with it.

 

Hope this is useful to any other partscaster people out there.

 

NHTom

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Just thought I'd post my recent experience here as I know there are some people who like to tinker, etc.

 

I just did a body swap on a Fender Highway 1 strat.

 

Went to guitar fetish and got one of their XGP strat bodies. Because I was using a strange pickup combo (two mini hums) on a strat, I went with one of the "swimming pool rout" bodies. Did not weigh it, but it felt a tiny bit lighter than the original highway one body, which is to be expected given poplar vs. alder.

 

Body was $69 and even got to use a coupon for a couple bucks off.

 

Came well packaged. I chose the Capri Orange. Looked great right out of the box. Very nice finish.

 

Neck pocket fit very snug. Nicely done.

 

Everything off my Highway One fit the body very well. Because it is Poplar and I'd heard these were softer wood, I was careful to pilot drill all the holes.........it only comes with the 4 neck screw holes drilled.

 

The small pick guard screws and such only needed a firm hand with a good screwdriver and they went right in. No drilling necessary. The six bridge screws do not come drilled, so after masking off the body, some VERY careful measurements off the old body, crossing my fingers and drilling the bridge holes, everything came together perfect. Again, I pilot drilled on the smaller diameter and short a little on depth and all screws went in fine and locked up well. Did the trem claw screws......interesting given the angle of the drill, etc, but it worked fine.

 

Mounted the pick guard, jack plate, etc and wired it up.

 

Between how snug the neck pocket is and being VERY particular about my measuring to drill the bridge holes, everything lined up perfect.......string spacing on the neck edges is great and square, to the point that I only had to adjust two saddles for intonation!!! Plays and sounds/sustains just as good as the original fender body.

 

The end result was very pleasing!

creamsicle2_zpsv4a2jhe7.jpg

 

Is it as nice as a Warmoth body?..........probably not..........but for $69 and a great little Sunday afternoon project, I'm VERY impressed with it.

 

Hope this is useful to any other partscaster people out there.

 

NHTom

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Just thought I'd post my recent experience here as I know there are some people who like to tinker, etc.

 

I just did a body swap on a Fender Highway 1 strat.

 

Went to guitar fetish and got one of their XGP strat bodies. Because I was using a strange pickup combo (two mini hums) on a strat, I went with one of the "swimming pool rout" bodies. Did not weigh it, but it felt a tiny bit lighter than the original highway one body, which is to be expected given poplar vs. alder.

 

Body was $69 and even got to use a coupon for a couple bucks off.

 

Came well packaged. I chose the Capri Orange. Looked great right out of the box. Very nice finish.

 

Neck pocket fit very snug. Nicely done.

 

Everything off my Highway One fit the body very well. Because it is Poplar and I'd heard these were softer wood, I was careful to pilot drill all the holes.........it only comes with the 4 neck screw holes drilled.

 

The small pick guard screws and such only needed a firm hand with a good screwdriver and they went right in. No drilling necessary. The six bridge screws do not come drilled, so after masking off the body, some VERY careful measurements off the old body, crossing my fingers and drilling the bridge holes, everything came together perfect. Again, I pilot drilled on the smaller diameter and short a little on depth and all screws went in fine and locked up well. Did the trem claw screws......interesting given the angle of the drill, etc, but it worked fine.

 

Mounted the pick guard, jack plate, etc and wired it up.

 

Between how snug the neck pocket is and being VERY particular about my measuring to drill the bridge holes, everything lined up perfect.......string spacing on the neck edges is great and square, to the point that I only had to adjust two saddles for intonation!!! Plays and sounds/sustains just as good as the original fender body.

 

The end result was very pleasing!

creamsicle2_zpsv4a2jhe7.jpg

 

Is it as nice as a Warmoth body?..........probably not..........but for $69 and a great little Sunday afternoon project, I'm VERY impressed with it.

 

Hope this is useful to any other partscaster people out there.

 

NHTom

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Support for my GAS Fetish;

 

I was originally hesitant with any dealings with GFS. Started with the warehouse clearance.. Be very sure

what you want from this sale!!

I'd grown tired of building from offered kits and their "beginner style" with the pre drilled holes

and mandatory included cheapo options. I started looking and buying separate necks and bodies.

This is where GFS really shines. I want to do my own finishes.. Oil stain, oils and wax. Both neck and body.

The necks either the XGP or the less costly version are as good as you can find in the under 2 Franklins

and costing less than one. Well finished and fret work is as good as I've found.

I am currently started on a Statocaster Swamp Ash, red Sedona and honey stains to bring out what I like to

see in this Ash, Buffed out to blend in the stains. Total amount of combined stains.. about 1/3 teaspoon.

will add Hipshot closed locking tuners. GFS Big Block Brass tremolo bridge and last a very big positive.

Seymour Duncan's Everything Axe loaded pick guard.

 

Hmmm. Haven't mentioned the two telecasters that I built from with their necks and bodies.. They are GREAT!

one has the Sullivan Texas vintage> They both have Gotoh Bridges and the other has DiMarzio True Velvets.

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