I frequent the MJT eBay auctions to see if I can get a good deal. Recently I was trying to win a Stratocaster body that was not relic’d and in the color of Metallic Purple. I had it in mind to build a guitar for myself and not sell it. I had set aside a Fender US neck with a rosewood fretboard and a large headstock. All the things that I like in a neck.

I ended up losing the auction. I had set a limit for myself for $400. I then saw a purple Stratocaster with also a Buy it Now price of $399 so I moved forward and purchased it.

I did not pay attention and did not realize it was a different purple finish. It is a translucent color of purple. I am not a fan of translucent finishes but decided to go forward anyways. I hoped it would grow on me.

It was then two things happened. First, I realized I had purchased another color of purple paint. It is a translucent purple called Royal Purple. I am not a huge fan of translucent colors on my guitars. I was a little disappointed but was committed to moving forward since I had already paid for it.

Then the second thing happened. The winner of the other body that I had wanted backed out of the deal and they offered it to me for $400 as I was the runner up winner of the auction. I was tapped out, so I let it go and moved forward with Royal.

Not to stop the Fender US train of parts I also had a loaded pickguard that was from a Fender US American Vintage II 73 Stratocaster to use in this project.

The bridge and all other parts were also Fender made parts.

I also shielded the cavity of the body as I had experience with the 73 pickups prior and found they were on the noisy side, so I wanted to nip that in the butt right from the get-go. Yes, I am trying to use as many colorful expressions as possible in this video.

This was really an easy guitar assembly since I was not really manufacturing anything. I installed the bridge. That was easy because MJT predrills for a Vintage-style 2-7/32" mounting spacing bridge. It drops right in. You do have to drill your holes for the tremolo spring claw but that is easy with the right tools. I use two tools that really help me make this an easy experience.

First, I use a 7/64" x 12" Extra Long drill bit to drill the holes. This has served me well on many bridge installations. Having the length and the drill away from the body of the guitar really decreases my chances of damaging the finish of the guitar.

Next, I use a #2 Phillips Screwdriver 12 inches long. The one you see me using I have had for like 30 years. There are so many uses where you need room to move. I am able to have the handle and my hand at the end of the body instead of trying to move around inside the tremolo spring cavity on the guitar. You also will have less of a chance of scratching the finish on your guitar.

Moving on.

I ended up not liking the Fender US neck on the guitar and pulled it off and installed a Fender 1970s Reissue MIM Three Bolt Neck in maple with the bullet truss rod. This I found I really liked and it played well too which is the most important thing.

I did have to forgo factory recommend height adjustments for the pickups and adjust by ear. When I set the pickups to the factory heights for bass and treble strings, the guitar did not sound good. It had this kind of hollow echo’y type of quality to the sound. As soon as I lowered the neck and middle pickups it went away. Kind of proves that the correct pickup height is the one that sounds the best to you. Your ears are the best tool for measurement.

She is a really pretty guitar named Royal after her color. She is fast to play with the maple neck and sounds great clean as well as distorted.