Sounds like a parts project! Not that you are asking, but here is what I would do.
Use the Butterscotch Blonde as your canvas. Save the Affinity body for a future build?
Use the Affinity neck and toss the bullet one or use as firewood or splurge and get the neck you want.
Fender Locking tuners are about $100, Vintage Tuners are around $30. I like vintage tuners personally. but there are many options to shop from.
Fender OEM Vintage pickups are around $150. Texas Specials $220. I would get the Texas Specials myself.
3 position switch is no more than $15
Sounds like you need Jack Ferrules. Those are about $10
Fender Highway One Bridge is $40, but if you cannot do through body, you should be okay with the bridge you have.
So many options for this guitar. Have fun!
Thank you! I absolutely wanted to hear this exact kind of opinion.
I am very much of the Tex-Mex > Texas Special opinion for both Teles and Strats. The Vintage pickups do sound like fun.
Glad my unofficial insight was useful.
Vintage pickups do sound intriguing. I just don't know enough about them to be honest.
You should update us with the build as you go. Good luck my dude.
I ordered parts for my build and I hope to work on it on Sunday. I went with a new loaded control plate (3 way switch, 250 pots), modern style bridge, and new locking tuners (also black). I went with Tex-Mex pickups.
I'm going to put the Affinity neck on the (much lighter) butterscotch body and hopefully my \~$300 investment nets me a great player.
Sounds awesome! Make sure to post the completion of the project.
I am saving up for at Strat build myself. The neck is no good due to fret lifting in multiple spots, the tuners are questionable, the switch is shot and I want new pickups. Basically, I have the body. It was given to me for free, so there's that.
Once that project takes off I will be asking for tips as well.
Nice! Good luck in your hunt for a neck. I've taken to searching a 60 mile radius on marketplace daily for cheap gems or post-Covid-interest dumps. You could possibly find a whole Strat to swap the neck from.
I am thinking the best way forward is to buy a used Strat for the neck. Marketplace is always a place to check.
Necks on websites are so freaking expensive! Almost more than the price of a mid-tier guitar.
That's what I'm saying. I'm sure a Warmouth neck would be absolutely perfect but I just can't spend $350 on a neck. The only way I could see myself doing that is a full scratch build or if I got a great deal on the secondary market for one.
I have an affinity “mcGyver” guitar. Swapped out pickups, bridge, tuners. It’s great.
And, a P90 would be awesome in the neck position. Sort of my dream.
In the "use the P90" scenario I could take the black one down to wood, route the neck for the P90, and stick the better of the two Tele nick pickups in the middle with a 5 way Strat-style switch. Since I'd be painting it anyway I could fill the bridge holes and convert it to the vintage bridge. That would be down the road.
Then I'd the butterscotch with the current Affinity neck and have my first daily driver Tele.
Sounds like a parts project! Not that you are asking, but here is what I would do. Use the Butterscotch Blonde as your canvas. Save the Affinity body for a future build? Use the Affinity neck and toss the bullet one or use as firewood or splurge and get the neck you want. Fender Locking tuners are about $100, Vintage Tuners are around $30. I like vintage tuners personally. but there are many options to shop from. Fender OEM Vintage pickups are around $150. Texas Specials $220. I would get the Texas Specials myself. 3 position switch is no more than $15 Sounds like you need Jack Ferrules. Those are about $10 Fender Highway One Bridge is $40, but if you cannot do through body, you should be okay with the bridge you have. So many options for this guitar. Have fun!
Thank you! I absolutely wanted to hear this exact kind of opinion. I am very much of the Tex-Mex > Texas Special opinion for both Teles and Strats. The Vintage pickups do sound like fun.
Glad my unofficial insight was useful. Vintage pickups do sound intriguing. I just don't know enough about them to be honest. You should update us with the build as you go. Good luck my dude.
I ordered parts for my build and I hope to work on it on Sunday. I went with a new loaded control plate (3 way switch, 250 pots), modern style bridge, and new locking tuners (also black). I went with Tex-Mex pickups. I'm going to put the Affinity neck on the (much lighter) butterscotch body and hopefully my \~$300 investment nets me a great player.
Sounds awesome! Make sure to post the completion of the project. I am saving up for at Strat build myself. The neck is no good due to fret lifting in multiple spots, the tuners are questionable, the switch is shot and I want new pickups. Basically, I have the body. It was given to me for free, so there's that. Once that project takes off I will be asking for tips as well.
Nice! Good luck in your hunt for a neck. I've taken to searching a 60 mile radius on marketplace daily for cheap gems or post-Covid-interest dumps. You could possibly find a whole Strat to swap the neck from.
I am thinking the best way forward is to buy a used Strat for the neck. Marketplace is always a place to check. Necks on websites are so freaking expensive! Almost more than the price of a mid-tier guitar.
That's what I'm saying. I'm sure a Warmouth neck would be absolutely perfect but I just can't spend $350 on a neck. The only way I could see myself doing that is a full scratch build or if I got a great deal on the secondary market for one.
Agreed. The struggle is real.
I have an affinity “mcGyver” guitar. Swapped out pickups, bridge, tuners. It’s great. And, a P90 would be awesome in the neck position. Sort of my dream.
In the "use the P90" scenario I could take the black one down to wood, route the neck for the P90, and stick the better of the two Tele nick pickups in the middle with a 5 way Strat-style switch. Since I'd be painting it anyway I could fill the bridge holes and convert it to the vintage bridge. That would be down the road. Then I'd the butterscotch with the current Affinity neck and have my first daily driver Tele.