A Mark In Time
Mark Knopfler Discussion => Mark Knopfler Discussion Forum => Topic started by: trundler on March 04, 2015, 12:05:11 AM
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Not sure what the rules are here and certainly not wanting to cause any offence or complaints but I had been looking for a long time to buy a MK Strat with no success (and now there are two for sale on EBay Grrrr! :) ) so I decided while waiting I'd have a go at building my own version...anyone interested? If not, then no worries. Thanks :)
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So, first the body. MK Strat is meant to be a '57 Ash body but is actually more like a '62 Ash body. Now Ash has such a lovely grain to it IMHO I find it a shame to paint over it so I chose an Alder light weight body.
When it arrived it needed sanding with 400 paper and the rear Tremolo cavity and the bridge pickup cut away needed slightly enlarging. I then sealed the wood using Sanding Sealer and rubbed it down with 1200 paper - it felt very smooth! I then pre-drilled the holes I'd need and let it rest for a week.
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Next came the painting of the body. Hot Rod Red is very hard to get hold of and I didn't want to use Fiesta red so fortunately for me I work at a car manufacturers so looking at what colours were available I chose St. James red which is a cross between Hot Rod red and Dakota red. Anyhow, I was very pleased with the result and comparing it with my original MK Strat it's very very slightly darker but only just.
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The photos aren't great but you'll see later that the result is perfect. There is no fading it's just the light and camera used, apologies!
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After a couple of weeks to allow everything to harden and settle down I had managed to source most of the hardware. I was very lucky with the bridge as I found a cheap unused Eric Johnson bridge with the unpainted steel block, I know there's a lot of myth about tone etc. but having owned an EJ Strat in the past I always rated the bridge, paint or no paint! If you look carefully you can just make out the EJ stamped on the block ;)
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Before I could fit the bridge I needed to know if the screw holes were correctly drilled and for that I would need a neck. I spent a long time deciding whether to build one from scratch or look for a good one - in the end I found a '62 Mex RI that was in perfect condition which had also just had medium jumbo frets added! The soft C shape neck is gorgeous and felt just right. Obviously no Mark Knopfler signature on the headstock though!
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Fortunately for me the neck lined up beautifully using a set of strings and a long steel ruler. So, on went the bridge...
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All well and good so far :) next came the Earth or Ground tag which sits in the "wormhole" of the bridge pickup cavity. This caused me a real headache trying to find one! Eventually I found one for sale in Germany but the postage was stupidly high for it Grrrr! Anyhow, in it went...
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In order to pre-drill the holes for the Tremolo Claw screws you need a very long 1/8" drill bit in order to minimize the angel (unless anyone has any better ideas?). Very gently I drilled the holes and the fitted the Tremolo Claw. I saw a clever alternative to soldering the Ground wire to the claw which instead uses a crimp or terminal ring which goes on one of the screws, very neat!
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Nice work, man.
I don't like the sound of the MK strat that much. Don't know if it's the pickups. They sound a bit "raspy" to me (Red Bud Tree is a good example). What are you using?
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Very interesting, keep posting!
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Eww, vintage tuners :-X get these replaced before you spend hours and hours replacing strings ;D
Very interesting, keep posting!
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I built my first guitar about 6 months ago, my cousin makes acoustics and inspired me to give it a go.
Good luck man, it's the most rewarding thing i've ever done and hope to make it my profession
I tried to upload a pic but the size is too big
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Next came the decision as to how many springs to fit - but I played it safe and went for 3 - I might change the configuration to a triangle in due course but wanted to keep everything simple at this stage...
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Great story, keep those pics coming! Is the axe finished already, do you have some soundfiles yet?
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Right now for the tricky bit - the wiring and electrics! I managed to buy a correct 11 hole Mint pickguard (with the screw hole between the neck and middle pickups) okay and also a matching pickguard aluminium shield for it. The 5 way CRL switch and correct CTS pots were sourced without any difficulty as was the vintage cloth wire and pickguard screws. The pickup covers, switch tip and knobs were Fender aged white parts however I needed to find the correct counter sunk raised chrome mounting screws for the pickups and switch - again these were more tricky to find but eventually I found a source in the UK. The capacitor needed to be a 0.1uF although maybe I might change to a 0.45uF at some point just to see what the difference sounds like. I found a oil and paper Russian cap and decided to give it a go! So, that just left the pickups. As mentioned earlier the MK Texas pups can sound overly bright and on the harsh side so I contacted my friend at Shed Pickups. Spence makes some of THE best pickups I've ever played and he very kindly made me a set of perfection!! Huge thanks :)
Anyhow, using leaded solder (I'm not the best at this) I put the pickguard together and waited a couple of weeks for the pups to arrive. The end result....
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All good so far, everything fitting fine. Time to connect up the jack socket....
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And not forgetting the correct Tremolo cover plate with the off-set middle holes...
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Eww, vintage tuners :-X get these replaced before you spend hours and hours replacing strings ;D
Very interesting, keep posting!
Everyone is entitled to their own opinion, but the MK Strat has them fitted as standard - I've had no problem with them
on the MK Strat or on my Mexican classic 50's Strat. Would you like to expand on why they would cause you to change strings more often ? :hmm
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Eww, vintage tuners :-X get these replaced before you spend hours and hours replacing strings ;D
Very interesting, keep posting!
Everyone is entitled to their own opinion, but the MK Strat has them fitted as standard - I've had no problem with them
on the MK Strat or on my Mexican classic 50's Strat. Would you like to expand on why they would cause you to change strings more often ? :hmm
I have them on my 50's strat too, I use elixer strings. No need to change often. D'addario strings are crap, sound is gone very soon. So then you have to change a lot :D
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That is just outstanding ! Well done. :clap
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Thank you :)
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Very neat soldering and wiring job. Looking great on the inside is important as well :)
Please post some soundclips when you're done. I'm curious to hear those pickups.
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Thanks for this guitar geek porn. By the way, my strat is also self-assembled, with original MK Strat neck though. The wood grain of it is unbeatable:
(https://pp.vk.me/c622030/v622030999/22f75/yTF-4ViatIY.jpg)
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I plugged a guitar lead into the socket and gently tapped the pickups just to make sure the switch worked and nothing too serious had gone wrong but all okay ;) now time for the neck.
Oh forgot to say that all the screws were waxed using an old candle on the threads to make the job smoother and easier screwing into the pilot holes I'd drilled - good tip!
Okay back to the neck. Now I need to be clear about something here...this guitar is my version of the Knopfler Strat and not trying to create a fake or pass it off as the real deal! The reason I mention this is because ages ago someone was selling a MK neck plate on EBay and I bought it just because I thought it might be valuable one day, anyhow it's been kicking around and so just for fun I thought I'd use it on this guitar hence the above...any way with the neck screws waxed and plate in hand I held my breath and set about putting the neck on...
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Phew!!
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Foma, that neck is gorgeous! Congratulations!
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Nice job. :)
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Thanks for this guitar geek porn. By the way, my strat is also self-assembled, with original MK Strat neck though. The wood grain of it is unbeatable:
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Phew!!
LOL
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Well now with it all set up with the Tremolo floating, action low and intonation spot on its time to compare her with my original...
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What do you reckon? Either way I'm very happy with the way it turned out and it plays like a dream!
Many thanks all :)
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Beautiful.
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Sound clips to follow soon ;)
If you've any questions please ask - many thanks
More pics here...
https://www.flickr.com/photos/58739461@N04/sets/72157650599417397/
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Well the good news is your colour looks more like a "real" MK Strat than my early Dakota Red version!
But personally I think the Texas Specials make up a big part of the sound. I love them for what I need to do, except maybe the neck pup.
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Don't get me wrong, the Texas Specials sound great but the Shed pups have a warm depth to them...as soon as I can I will submit some sound files.
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Nice work, man.
I don't like the sound of the MK strat that much. Don't know if it's the pickups. They sound a bit "raspy" to me (Red Bud Tree is a good example). What are you using?
Nothing wrong with the sound of an MK Strat - personally it's the best sound I've ever heard and played!
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Very nice! If she sounds as good as she looks, it's going to be amazing! Can't wait for the soundclip...
How long did the entire project take you, from start to finish? I can imagine the paint would take a while to dry. Also, on the subject of paint, is it a nitrocellulose finsih, like the original?
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Hi, just spending the odd evening and occasional weekend it took around 6 weeks. The painting, drilling and sanding about 3 weeks plus had to wait 2 weeks for the pickups. The rest of the time was spent sourcing parts, assembling and dreaming lol! :) The paint is automotive cellulose not Nitro. I need to work out the best way to record some samples and get them on here!
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Eww, vintage tuners :-X get these replaced before you spend hours and hours replacing strings ;D
Very interesting, keep posting!
Everyone is entitled to their own opinion, but the MK Strat has them fitted as standard - I've had no problem with them
on the MK Strat or on my Mexican classic 50's Strat. Would you like to expand on why they would cause you to change strings more often ? :hmm
I have them on my 50's strat too, I use elixer strings. No need to change often. D'addario strings are crap, sound is gone very soon. So then you have to change a lot :D
I've got a classic 50's Mexican Strat too, with vintage tuners. I ment to say I find it much harder changing strings on it than with regular tuners, especially the b and high e-strings, it "takes me hours and hours" ;)I find them unpractical, but if they are on the MK strat, trundler should use them!
btw I use Ernie Ball string and don't need to change often :lol
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In my experience the Kluson Vintage Tuners have never been a problem for me and I like the fact that they are part of the heritage of the Strat :) plus, they are indeed used on the MK Strat so I had no option in that sense.
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Looks amazing.
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Many thanks Fez :) sounds great too but struggling to know how best to record and post some clips!
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Many thanks Fez :) sounds great too but struggling to know how best to record and post some clips!
Now there's a whole other thread . . make that a whole other forum ! ;D
I use Cubase elements but I wouldn't recommend that for just putting together some quick sound clips.
It's a full music production program, well worth the effort if you want to get into more serious recording but a steep learning curve !
Audacity is supposed to be good, (although I haven't tried it) & it's free.
p.s. Mark uses & has endorsed D'addario strings for many years - as I said, everyone is entitled their own opinion. The coated strings from D'addaro & Elixir do stay fresh longer, but IMO the ordinary D'Addario's last as long as most other uncoated strings.
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Okay 3strats I'll give it a go - thanks :)
D'Addario strings are my "go to" strings, I really rate them IMHO
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Both of my MK's have D'addario's fitted (9's & 10's)..... I really like them and IMHO are better than the Fender's.....
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Just having a fettle and play with a maple neck - yes there isn't a string tree fitted and yes the pickguard would need changing I know but interested in your opinions :)
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My first Fender Strat was (is) Torino Red with a maple neck. I've got a soft spot for that combination. Personally, I'd leave the"MK" Strat as it is and find (or paint) another body Candy Apple red, than get one of Ingo's "Schecter" pick guards with the correct pickups & switching. ;D
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Both of my MK's have D'addario's fitted (9's & 10's)..... I really like them and IMHO are better than the Fender's.....
Daddario make the Fender strings. :)
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3Strats, that's not a bad idea!!
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FOR SALE!
I've decided to sell the guitar as I already have the MK now.
With or without both necks and plus hardcase and strap, ashtray etc. etc.
Anyone interested then send me a PM or email.
Cheers
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Will sell for cost or offers :)
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Both of my MK's have D'addario's fitted (9's & 10's)..... I really like them and IMHO are better than the Fender's.....
Daddario make the Fender strings. :)
Only since 2011 ;)
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You splitting hairs? Lol ;)
Very happy to accept offers for my Strat, would rather it went to a fan :)
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Very nice build. How much did it cost to put together?
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Including cost of painting and necks + case around £750 but can take offers
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If no offers I shall advertise it on Gumtree, thanks
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Also selling my MK Strat - offers?