Modding a Squier Super-Sonic to be left handed

[zgw3kszo]

I'm in the process of buying a Squier Paranormal Super-Sonic so that I can convert it to be left handed. By that I don't mean stringing it upside down. I want to do something similar to Omar Rodriguez Lopez but more clean.

I want to strip the paint, fill the right side control cavity and trem cavity, cut a new pickguard and flip the controls to the other side, and add a tone knob. I want to install a Mustang or Jaguar style bridge in place of the Strat bridge because I loathe the Strat's bridge design. Finally I would like to make a new circuit that has a 3-way toggle for the pickups, a kill switch, a phase switch for each HB and a single coil split switch (stripping functionality ideas from the KC Mustang and Jaguar). I've also thrown around the possibility of removing the contour while the paint is stripped but I'm not exactly sure how much work that would entail. In the end I want to repaint it Olympic White, cut a red tortoise shell pickguard for it, and replace the Atomic HB's with some DiMarzio HB's.

[zgw3kszo]

This is the general plan draft I drew up digitally, if you have any suggestions I'm open to hear them. One problem I do currently have is that I don't know how to wire up all of the components to what I am wanting so if someone would be willing to assist me with that I would be more than elated!

[threewordname]

Things to think about:

the beer gut contour will be on the bottom and behind your control route

The forearm contour if it has one will be under your pickguard

The spring cavity and trem route should probably be filled. I think stew Mac sells a precut block for this.

[CROSS_guitars]

Don't do it!

[andy_tchp]

Seems like way more work than building a suitable body from scratch and then painting it?

[Shadoweclipse13]

Seems like way more work than building a suitable body from scratch and then painting it?

As a lefty who loves to mod stuff, this was my thought as well. I think a fresh chunk of wood and a router with templates would be easier. I think the plans can be found online. I feel like the site was called "Fenderish" or something like that.

[Steadyriot.]

I have to agree with everything said. It's possible to do this, but I'd personally just get a different body altogether. There's sources enough out there or you could even make your own.

[hillerheilman]

As a lefty who loves to mod stuff, this was my thought as well. I think a fresh chunk of wood and a router with templates would be easier. I think the plans can be found online. I feel like the site was called "Fenderish" or something like that.

+1

Fellow lefty here. I think the simplest route would just be to just get a lefty body designed whatever way you prefer and then paint it. It would avoid the ultimately unnecessary effort of stripping, filling, rerouting and repainting the existing body:

Fully agree with what others have said

[zgw3kszo]

Since I've already ordered the guitar I'm thinking of doing a mix of what you all are advising me. I have had an alder body blank sitting around for a few years so I'm thinking I use the main guitar as a base to take parts from and cut, rout, fit, etc. a new body from the blank to the current neck. That would alleviate the contour, stripping, etc. and all of the other work that would happen with my original idea. Then I would steal the control plate, neck, and parts of the wiring harness from the original. What are your opinions?

[threewordname]

If you want the creative problem solving of moding the existing body, I say go for it. None of the issues are impossible to work around. I've seen a vintage jaguar modded into a Vox Phantom, and then back into a jaguar. As Kevin Garnett once said:



That being said, building a body from scratch will likely be less of a headache.

[Sweetfinger]

I would also advise just building a body rather than trying to remake one. The best part is that after, you'll have the perfectly good body you can sell. I need a pickguard from one of those.

[Ceylon]

If you want the creative problem solving of moding the existing body, I say go for it. None of the issues are impossible to work around. I've seen a vintage jaguar modded into a Vox Phantom, and then back into a jaguar. As Kevin Garnett once said:

[CROSS_guitars]

Best case scenario is, if you use the existing body and mod it, it will end up in the
"Why did you do it? Why did you do this thing to me?" thread and someone will say "I'd still rock the hell out of that!"

[zgw3kszo]

Best case scenario is, if you use the existing body and mod it, it will end up in the
"Why did you do it? Why did you do this thing to me?" thread and someone will say "I'd still rock the hell out of that!"

It didn't have to be this way Mr. Supersonic, but you are a child of necessity and circumstance. The necessity is a Fender offset, and the circumstance is being left handed.

[s_mcsleazy]

just gonna leave this here.