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Here's the second in the Americana Series - a Stratocaster / PRS hybrid. It'll feature elements of both guitars, blended into a hybrid model. Call it whatever you want, I can't decide. Paulcaster? Stratosmith? Paulstratreedcastersmith?

Basics - ash body, maple neck, maple fretboard, traditional trem, Squire HSS pup set, Grover tuners

Stratocaster elements - flat body, edge contours, forearm bevel, belly cut, top routed, pickguard mounted electronics, input jack, 2 s/c pups, blade switch, trem

PRS elements - body shape, headstock shape, set neck, belly cut, (probably - need some input/opinions) trebel horn bevel, bridge HB, trem

Americana elements - two of the "Big 3" American guitar makers represented, American woods, flag theme

Flag theme - ash body to be dyed red, maple neck & f/b to be dyed blue, white star inlays in neck, white p/g & pups, eagle inlay in headstock.


Everything in a nice pile.


There won't be much meat under the neck heel, but it's all good.


Neck pocket routed


view from the back


a nice snug fit

_________________
Bad decisions make for good stories.
-------John


My blog - http://poplarmechanics.blogspot.com/

Looking good!

I'd argue that a PRS is essentially the bastard child of a Les Paul and a Strat already, though. Some models more so than others (think swamp ash special), but it's basically what the PRS is; carved top, ergonomics of a strat (belly carve, double cut), les paul woods, and a trem.

It'd be hard to argue against that point.

_________________
Bad decisions make for good stories.
-------John


My blog - http://poplarmechanics.blogspot.com/

All of the routing, forearm contour, belly cut, and heel shaping are done at this point. Next up is finishing.

You're probably looking at the traditional Strat top-route and wondering why I went all the way through. Honestly, I can't tell you how it happened. It's not like I haven't done a control cavity before. I decided to go forward with the rationale that the biggest drawback in p/g loaded electronics is access to the electronics. If I just put a back plate on it, I'll still have the access as well as having the Strat appearance from the front.

Sometimes it's on purpose, sometimes it's what we can come up with to justify it.

_________________
Bad decisions make for good stories.
-------John


My blog - http://poplarmechanics.blogspot.com/