There is a Cuckoocaster in every Stratocaster
Chisel away and unearth your Cuckoocaster.
Set it free from its Stratocaster shell.
"There is a Cuckoocaster in every Stratocaster", I told myself at a time I wanted to play my beloved Stagg Strat Copy live -- but really, really never liked the Strat shape... So I cut off what I didn't need... Or thought I didn't.
Below you can download various stencils to cut your personal Stratocaster copy into pieces and turn it into your personal, unique and beloved Cuckoocaster.
Freshly hatched in 2007
The two existing Cuckoocasters spotted in the studio of ausland-berlin
The world's first Cuckoocasters side by side in the studio of ausland in Berlin, recording in 2007 for ACO's album 'Das Summen der Teile'. Both equipped with single coils, the yellow one with the cheap hardware of the China-import, the beige one with two P-90 copies from the 80s.Guitars Built
The 'Curveball' Cuckoocaster came to me as a coathanger.
12 April 2024 • guitar in process
The 'Silly Bro' that came from the KINDL Workshop in Berlin.
15 November 2023 • guitar built
Wiring Diagrams
4-Way Blade Switch Mod - Adding Parallel and In Series Option
Versatile sounds using a 4-Way Blade Switch including in series alongside parallel pickup combinations.
2021 • Guitar WiringDIY Hacks
I will be adding here what I learned along the road of trails and fails. In the words of Kurt Vonnegut: live and learn.
DIY Guide: Placing Cuckoocaster Logo Decals on a Guitar Headstock
My Step-by-Step Tutorial for Cuckoocaster makers and other guitar modders.
- guitar hack
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DIY Hack: Nut Repair with Superglue and Baking Soda
Mixing superglue and baking soda creates a hard chemical compound which works well for fixing stuff on your guitar.
- guitar hack
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DIY Guide: Create Routing Templates
Routing beats the jigsaw in quality, but you need templates.
- tutorial
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Original Cuckoocaster Stencils
Start jigging that jigsaw, here you can download PDFs from existing designs or make your own.
These designs are original Cuckoocaster designs. The number will grow over time. All genuine Cuckoocaster designs feature an UPPERCASE name. Below the image galleries you'll find the download links. The PDFs have the actual size of a Strat body, allowing you to print them on multiple pages and transfer the outline to your guitar.
Inspired Designs
Building your own Cuckoocaster also allows to enjoy some lost designs or shapes you wouldn't dare or afford otherwise.
The below designs are inspired by contemporary or historic guitars. All inspired designs feature the prefix "The". Download links at the bottom of the page.
