i had the same idea as you... build something to my specs, but rugged enough for rough/wild conditions
i got my tele kit from lyric, and built a mongrel of a telecaster -- strat neck pickup, humbucker bridge, slightly re-shaped neck, locking tuners, reverse switchplate, and rat-rod looks (flat black, relic'd, and transparent pickguard)
i learned alot building it, and its fun to constantly modify and evolve!
since you're good with electronics, might i suggest building something with radical switching options.
some ideas:
1. parker fly style switching, with a "blender" to blend magnetic and piezo sounds.
2. "red special" switching:
3. marauder switching: