Tom Morello Copy

[Low_End_Communications]

I've always loved Tom Morello's 'Soul Power' Strat copy. Black + mirror guard = yes plz.

So, I'm thinking of purchasing a cheap Strat copy... been looking at SX & Agile's on Rondo Music, but all of the black model's have a maple fingerboard.

What other copies do you suggest for around $200? I've considered a Mexi Strat, but since they remodelled them with American pickups and shielded pickguard, and I'll be swapping out the guard/ electronics, there's no real point.

It must have a good neck with a solid truss rod. I can do fretwork if need be.

Now for the mods, I'm going with a rail-style humbucker in the bridge and a Tele in the neck (it'll fit, right?), and I need a good pickup in the middle... something with less punch and a little smoother. I want to go with VVT and Strat switch, but also a coil tap on the bridge and an on/off for the neck (like on the Deluxe Strat or whatever it is). There will also be a killswitch and I'm going to block off the trem. I'm considering a built in distortion circuit (Muff style), as a friend of mine has a JB Player with built in fuzz.

Any suggestions on what pickups/brands to use, pickguard, bridge, where to find switches and wiring, etc. are extremely appreciated.

[Peg Dizzler]

I'll you right now, SX's are good for nothing but major project guitars. The necks aren't good. It's a good thing I bought it knowing it be a bitch guitar.

Agiles might be pretty good. I'm pretty sure they have one model with a rosewood board.. or maybe that's an SX.

Whoa, you're a UPer? Awesome :D

[semi]

look at the aerodyne strat. i think that's close to what he has. and his is a fender i think not a copy.
http://www.fender.com/products/search.php?partno=0256505506
no idea how much though.

his is just a a fender strat and i think it's just cosmetic so this what the real thing looks like: http://img118.imageshack.us/my.php?image=soulpower13uj.jpg they only made about 20 and some were on ebay that's one of them. and some have a floyd.

[Specialsauce]

i coulda sworn toms soul power guitar was a tele.

/huge morello whore

[Low_End_Communications]

He has a different modded up Tele, I believe, but Soul Power is definitely a Strat...

http://www.undercover.com.au/pics/audioslavetommorello260403_.jpg

I know ther Aerodyne has binding, and Tom has a Floyd Rose on his guitar, but basically I'm borrowing some cosmetics for my project.

What other cheaper guitars would you suggest as the basis of this guitar?

[the101er]

Cort?

They're pretty solid, even the cheaper ones, and will probably last longer

[Ibanez Slayer]

you could buy the SX, then buy a warmoth neck, then get everything routed....

[moghes69]

i dunno how it would come out, but you could get an SX and paint the fretboard black.

[Low_End_Communications]

A definite no go on painting the fretboard. Bad idea. It'd feel just... gross.

I'm considering the Warmoth route, since I can specify no trem routing, and have the headstock match the body, plus I get a higher quality base for the project.

I've already chosen a Seymour Duncan Hot Rails for the bridge, and a looking at their Tele's and middle's right now. I want this to be a tone monster.

[BurdenInOurHands]

I'd go for a higher-end body if you're wanting a tone monster. There's no good in getting quality pickups and hardware if the body's worthless, which is what I hear about SX guitars all the time.

The Aerodyne Strat with the pickguard (pre-2004, I think, not sure though) is very close to Tom's Soul Power strat. Slap a mirror pickguard on it, route out for a killswitch, replace the pickups to your specs, and you'll have yourself something right nice.

By the by, he uses an Ibanez Edge trem.