I like this. An interesting twist on the Gilmour's Black Strat theme. I've been eying a similar Mighty Mite body for a while now, only, with the input jack in its traditional place.
 

 
 
But then again... Maybe I should leave it as is and invest in something entirely different:
 

 
:P

That bottom one does not look comfortable at all. :)

I modified my 50th Anniv. (Co. not model) not long after I got it...years ago. Knew I wouldn't be
selling it. The 50th Strat Anniv. model is the only one I haven't modified...it's just sweet as is.
I guess I should get them gathered up and take a photo since I don't plan on buying anymore...to much
fun to build them now.
 
It has the original pups but I blacked it out - had white parts. Fun to change stuff up on some guitars.
One may want to check clearance between the pickguard and fretboard  if you change it out. To thick
a guard like this metal one is and it wouldn't be good if it didn't have the tilt screw.
I'll more than likely put it back as it was and put these parts on one I build.
 
 
 

That looks very good.
 
Mine's a 96, haven't changed a thing on it, but abused it badly. A friend of mine in SD who build his own is supposed pick it up when he's in Vegas and take it to put a humbucker in there (maybe one of those Seymour Duncan single-coil sized ones), fix the electronics and evaluate what else we could do, and for how much... The nice part is that he offered to leave one of his Tele in exchange while he's doing the repairs. :)
 
The thing with that strat is that, every time I start thinking about what I want to change, I end up considering that I may as well find a Japanese or a Mexican that I like. The body is in pretty bad shape and fixing it would cost a decent amount, so maybe changing it would be a better option. But it also needs new electronics, and pick ups and all... So in the end, the only thing I'd keep would be the neck - and I'm not sure if I wouldn't prefer a rosewood one at this point...

Personally I don't really care about the condition of bodies. I do take care of my guitars but
wear from using is just part of it and adds character.
With the neck I have a different view. If dents or anything about it distract me it has to be corrected or replaced.
 
The problem is that all necks and bodies just don't fit correctly.
Many places state that their bodies are cut to fit their necks- something you may want to think about.
 
It's good you have a luthier friend...very weird things can take place when assembling guitars.
 
Thanks for the kudos Rain.
I don't have a HSS Strat.  but having one with a single HB and a volume (no tone) appeals to me. I think that'll
be my next build.

Pity about the neck pocket. Fender style guitars are the easiest to build up on your own and it can be very rewarding. Most of the time I encounter something messed up it's because the guy assembling it was impatient. Rather that taking the body to a luthier to have the neck pocket routed for the neck they just keep jamming things together.
 
I was restoring an old Fender tweed and had completed fixing the cab but we had to stop the project for a month. I told the guy I wanted the work to settle and cure for a month and then would put on a nice aged finish. He couldn't wait, so he went online to see how it's done and ruined the entire job.
 
Assembling an instrument can be very rewarding. You just have to know that some things require proper tools, or knowing when it's time to consult somebody with proper tools.

spacey
Personally I don't really care about the condition of bodies. I do take care of my guitars but
wear from using is just part of it and adds character.
With the neck I have a different view. If dents or anything about it distract me it has to be corrected or replaced.
 
The problem is that all necks and bodies just don't fit correctly.
Many places state that their bodies are cut to fit their necks- something you may want to think about.
 
It's good you have a luthier friend...very weird things can take place when assembling guitars.
 
Thanks for the kudos Rain.
I don't have a HSS Strat.  but having one with a single HB and a volume (no tone) appeals to me. I think that'll
be my next build.

The neck is in a relatively ok shape, despite a couple of little spots where it's dented. But there is one annoying spot on the back where there's a relatively big hole in the finish. The wood is okay, though...
 

 
 
 
I don't mind normal wear and scratches but the body has got some major ones. The guitar has been smashed a few times... Young and idiot I was.
 
Top side.
 

 
Bottom side.
 

 
Obviously, it also has the normal signs of use and wear.
 

By the way, the single pick up + volume thing is also right up my alley. Eventually, that's something I'd like. But for now, the priority is a semi-hollow body, and I'll have to settle for minor repair work and a pick up change on the strat.
 

ampfixer
 
Assembling an instrument can be very rewarding. You just have to know that some things require proper tools, or knowing when it's time to consult somebody with proper tools.

 
For me, that's the very first step - consulting someone w/ proper tools. I just don't trust myself doing anything but minor adjustment - like adjusting the bridge and saddles on my SGJ.
 
I can't tell you how many time I've tried to figure out that stuff, to evaluate if a neck needed to have the truss rod adjusted - I don't even see it, not with a ruler, not with anything. It's like my brain can't compute the visual information.
 
Anything I can do by ear I'm absolutely fine though. I hear even the tiniest difference in pitch. But visually, I'm hopeless.

Trust me - the biggest problem you might run into is that it comes out too good.
 
This can lead to severe issues.
 
Particularly when you start swapping parts out and have leftover stuff just sitting there.