While parts aren't always 100% interchangeable, players have experimented with the classic '50s bolt-on neck designs since the early days. Sometimes when you combine the right parts—a good neck, a body with a cool finish, just the right pickups—you end up creating something unique that tells its own story.
This Partscaster was put together by Southside Guitars in Birmingham, Alabama. It starts with an All Parts LMO Maple replacement neck for a Stratocaster. With a bullet truss rod, flared headstock, and 7.25" fingerboard radius, the All Parts necks are licensed by Fender, and they capture the late '60s vibe perfectly. The body is a no-name S-Style with all the right contours and a swimming pool route that opens up a world of experimentation. It's finished in Daphne Blue, and both neck and body have been tastefully relic-ed and aged to capture the vibe and character of a seasoned vintage guitar.
For pickups, this Southside Partcaster is rigged up with the versatile HSS configuration. The neck and middle are Fender Custom Shop '60s Stratocaster pickups, and the bridge is a Seymour Duncan Jazz Humbucker that is actually marked for the neck position. Like other humbucker sets, the Jazz neck is lower output than the Jazz bridge, so this one balances really well with the lower-powered single-coil pickups. The humbucker can be coil-tapped via a push/pull in the
From there, all of the details are appropriate for the late '60s, and all the hardware is appropriately aged to match the relic look. To be fair, it's hard to tell what (if anything) is actual wear beyond the aging. This Partscaster plays very nicely with low action, and it sounds great in every position of the 5-way switch. The HSS is a popular variation because of its versatility. A little extra meat on the bridge helps you dig in and push your amp. This Southside Partscaster includes a basic gig bag.