Hahahah, oh boy... yeah, take it to a pro, if you don't get it lined up PERFECTLY you'll screw it all up.. good luck with it

  Don't forget Gretsch!! - http://gretschguitars.com/

Great idea for a thread!! 

I think every little thing adds up to a difference... walk into a big chain guitar store, grab all the guitars they have of a same model (Fender AmStd Strats or Teles work well for this as stores normally have 5 or so in stock) and plug them all in one after the other without changing the amp settings... it's crazy how different they can sound! Sometimes it just comes down to all those pieces coming together perfectly, on one particular guitar, and then some magic happens and that guitar will have mojo none of its brothers do.

In regards to different models from different brands made in the same style (all the various strat copies out there for example), it's most likely to be the electronics, even something as small as the quality & brand of pots & caps used can make a huge difference to your tone, the type of woods & quality can affect the tone, the quality of metal in the hardware (tuners, bridge) will affect the tone, and some will even argue that the thickness & type of finish used will effect the tone to an extent.

I really think every guitar on the planet has it's own unique personality, and will bring that to its tone.

But ULTIMATELY the biggest thing to affect the tone of a guitar is the person playing it. You can hand Segovia a beginners firewood-grade guitar that you think sounds terrible, and when he plays it, it will sound like Segovia. 

Cheers Mick! 

Yep, I absolutely adore this job! Not only having all the spare parts to play with, but also having the opportunity to work on (and test drive) so many awesome kinds of guitars! and trying out all kinds of different pickups while I install them for clients... I think doing this job has saved me thousands in GAS, though I clearly still have far too much of it   

It's definitely a dream job for me, I only wish I could find a way to make enough to live off it & do it full-time.

Alright, some pics for you all... I should know better, I've spent enough time on forums to know gear pics are a must!! I'll start up a rig thread later, too.

Most of my guitars:


My self-built Bass VI next to my Fender Jag:


A Partscaster I threw together out of spare parts:
(pickups are Schecter F500Ts on a pushpull pot for coiltapping)


Amp & Pedals, plus the custom pedalboard I built myself:


My mini-pedalboard:


My humble home studio:

Sorry I can't help Austin.. what's wrong with your bridge? might be something I can talk you through fixing yourself... 

Hey GG peeps!

I'm Tara, a guitar tech based in Berlin, looking forward to getting to know you all & helping with any technical/setup queries anyone has! I've got a pretty insane collection of gear, but my prized guitars are my 2 Gretsch Duo Jets & my Fender Jag.

Rock on! 

Hey guys!

If anyone is looking for a guitar tech in Berlin (Germany) get in touch. I'm cheaper, faster & better than the any of the in-store techs around here.. and I'm way more fun!

http://www.rockinrepairs.com

Let me know you've heard about me on GG & I'll give you 5% off (until the end of 2012).

Rock on 
Tara