I want to start building my own telecaster from soon. it will be my first big project like this so i could use some help. i want a swamp ash or alder body and a maple neck and fret board. the neck pup will be single along with the bridge. i want a reranch blonde nitro finish. i really just want to know where the best price to buy parts is and a price estimate of something like this. thanks!
Custom Building a tele
- Thread starter nick0429
- Start date
MikeRocker
What's Your Forum Nameologist?
Re: Custom Building a tele
I've built about 6 guitars, including 3 Teles, and they are my main gigging guitars...I love being able to build them just the way I want, and people's reactions when they ask what kind of guitar I'm playing and I tell them I built it! Which parts specifically are you looking for...neck/body, or hardware? There are a lot of options, and it depends what you want. For hardware, check out http://www.callahamguitars.com/ or http://www.glendaleguitars.com/ Neither are particularly cheap, but you get what you pay for! I have built guitars with Callaham parts, which are top notch...they make heavier bridges. Haven't used Glendale stuff yet, but they have a lot of options and tend toward a more vintage, light-weight vibe. Also, if you happen to be going vintage style, I suggest Kluson-style tuners...they make locking ones that fit in the Kluson holes and look pretty much totally vintage.
I have built guitars with alder and swamp ash, and I will say that for me, the biggest, most tedious pain about the entire experience of electric guitar building is doing the grain fill on a swamp ash body. The grain filler is like tar, and very messy (do it outside and wear old clothes!). But, the end result under a translucent finish looks amazing (think of all the classic Teles). Here are pics of a swamp ash-body baritone Strat I built, and a swamp ash Tele body with grain filler and clear coats (trying to decide what color I want to make it). Even though grain filling is a pain, you only have to do it once, and to me it's totally worth it. And honestly, all of the classic Teles have swamp ash bodies...get a lighter weight one if you can, they resonate wonderfully!
Let me know if you have any other questions...oh, and one other thing...if you're going vintage (and it's totally fine if you're not!), you gotta go with 21 frets...
I've built about 6 guitars, including 3 Teles, and they are my main gigging guitars...I love being able to build them just the way I want, and people's reactions when they ask what kind of guitar I'm playing and I tell them I built it! Which parts specifically are you looking for...neck/body, or hardware? There are a lot of options, and it depends what you want. For hardware, check out http://www.callahamguitars.com/ or http://www.glendaleguitars.com/ Neither are particularly cheap, but you get what you pay for! I have built guitars with Callaham parts, which are top notch...they make heavier bridges. Haven't used Glendale stuff yet, but they have a lot of options and tend toward a more vintage, light-weight vibe. Also, if you happen to be going vintage style, I suggest Kluson-style tuners...they make locking ones that fit in the Kluson holes and look pretty much totally vintage.
I have built guitars with alder and swamp ash, and I will say that for me, the biggest, most tedious pain about the entire experience of electric guitar building is doing the grain fill on a swamp ash body. The grain filler is like tar, and very messy (do it outside and wear old clothes!). But, the end result under a translucent finish looks amazing (think of all the classic Teles). Here are pics of a swamp ash-body baritone Strat I built, and a swamp ash Tele body with grain filler and clear coats (trying to decide what color I want to make it). Even though grain filling is a pain, you only have to do it once, and to me it's totally worth it. And honestly, all of the classic Teles have swamp ash bodies...get a lighter weight one if you can, they resonate wonderfully!
Let me know if you have any other questions...oh, and one other thing...if you're going vintage (and it's totally fine if you're not!), you gotta go with 21 frets...
Re: Custom Building a tele
Mr Rocker put it quite well....and you can see the results in that beautiful finish! Like he said, it's satisfying building (at whatever level you chose) your own guitar. I've put together quite a few over the years and learned quite a bit along the way. You're off to a good start knowing the wood, finish, neck and pickups you want. Do you know what neck radius and size/shape you want? Also, don't go into this thinking resale value.....do the tings that make it work for you.
When I put together my #1 tele 9-10 years ago, I took the time to spec it out to my preference's and taste. I opted for a chambered mahogany body, neck humbucker, bridge single coil. I had the neck made with a 12" radius, rosewood board, rolled fingerboard edges, soft V profile, 6105 frets. I finished the body in neck in multiple coats of Tru Oil. While not a 'traditional' tele, (whatever that is!) it works for me and I'm happy to say everytime I pick it up, it inspires me like it did on day one.
As far as sourcing parts and cost, let's just say money wise, you would probably be better off buying a used tele and modding it....but that's not what it's about! I was lucky to have many of the parts on hand from years of buying, selling, building, etc. So my main cost output was the body and neck. I told Tommy at USACG what I wanted and he delivered big time. The neck is just outstanding as is the body. Since I had many of the other parts, I was in for around $400- $450.
I would suggest perusing the Trading Post here, the classifieds at the TDPRI, Gear page, craigslist (among others) for the parts you need.....even listing WTB ad's for specific things.
Good luck on your build and most of all, have fun! Enjoy the process and as tempted as you'll be, don't rush things. Also, be prepared for this to become an addiction!
Mr Rocker put it quite well....and you can see the results in that beautiful finish! Like he said, it's satisfying building (at whatever level you chose) your own guitar. I've put together quite a few over the years and learned quite a bit along the way. You're off to a good start knowing the wood, finish, neck and pickups you want. Do you know what neck radius and size/shape you want? Also, don't go into this thinking resale value.....do the tings that make it work for you.
When I put together my #1 tele 9-10 years ago, I took the time to spec it out to my preference's and taste. I opted for a chambered mahogany body, neck humbucker, bridge single coil. I had the neck made with a 12" radius, rosewood board, rolled fingerboard edges, soft V profile, 6105 frets. I finished the body in neck in multiple coats of Tru Oil. While not a 'traditional' tele, (whatever that is!) it works for me and I'm happy to say everytime I pick it up, it inspires me like it did on day one.
As far as sourcing parts and cost, let's just say money wise, you would probably be better off buying a used tele and modding it....but that's not what it's about! I was lucky to have many of the parts on hand from years of buying, selling, building, etc. So my main cost output was the body and neck. I told Tommy at USACG what I wanted and he delivered big time. The neck is just outstanding as is the body. Since I had many of the other parts, I was in for around $400- $450.
I would suggest perusing the Trading Post here, the classifieds at the TDPRI, Gear page, craigslist (among others) for the parts you need.....even listing WTB ad's for specific things.
Good luck on your build and most of all, have fun! Enjoy the process and as tempted as you'll be, don't rush things. Also, be prepared for this to become an addiction!
Falloffthebonetone
New member
Re: Custom Building a tele
I swear by Callaham hardware. Super tight stuff. Pickup recommendations I can help with too but I need to know what you're going for. If you're going for a totally classic sound David Allen pickups and Duncan are great. For woods and stuff I guess warmoth but I've heard there were other places to get them cheaper. Can't say for the quality though. Sounds killer. Love full maple necks on ash. And for vintage in addition to 21 frets, you gotta go 7 1/4 radius.
I swear by Callaham hardware. Super tight stuff. Pickup recommendations I can help with too but I need to know what you're going for. If you're going for a totally classic sound David Allen pickups and Duncan are great. For woods and stuff I guess warmoth but I've heard there were other places to get them cheaper. Can't say for the quality though. Sounds killer. Love full maple necks on ash. And for vintage in addition to 21 frets, you gotta go 7 1/4 radius.
MikeRocker
What's Your Forum Nameologist?
Re: Custom Building a tele
Yes, neck radius is a huge factor...if you're not sure, play a lot of guitars (Fender always lists their radii on the website, so you can know what you're testing). FOTB is correct, vintage is 7¼", which makes for very comfortable chording, but much more difficult bends. Lots of people like the compound radius, but I just can't see how you can set up the bridge and nut to make it work over the course of the neck. I have Teles I've built with 9½" and 12"...I have to say, I prefer the 12". So my guitars "look" vintage, but aren't quite authentic! To that end, I use stainless steel frets too. They don't wear, which is great, 'cause I HATE "fret pits"!! If it makes the guitar any brighter, I can't tell at all - plus, that's what the amp's treble control is for. And I like fat (1" thick) quartersawn necks. Quartersawn is supposed to be stronger and more resistant to warping. And, I figure, the thicker the neck, the more tone. I have an old Strat Plus with a thin neck, and when I would play a chord and hold the guitar up by the neck I could hear the strings go flat...so fat necks for me! Also, if you're going traditional, stay away from "double-expanding truss rods". One other thing: I had a bad experience with a pre-installed nut...I think you have to have the nut cut for the specific guitar for it to be correct. So if you can't do it, find a great local tech.
Yes, neck radius is a huge factor...if you're not sure, play a lot of guitars (Fender always lists their radii on the website, so you can know what you're testing). FOTB is correct, vintage is 7¼", which makes for very comfortable chording, but much more difficult bends. Lots of people like the compound radius, but I just can't see how you can set up the bridge and nut to make it work over the course of the neck. I have Teles I've built with 9½" and 12"...I have to say, I prefer the 12". So my guitars "look" vintage, but aren't quite authentic! To that end, I use stainless steel frets too. They don't wear, which is great, 'cause I HATE "fret pits"!! If it makes the guitar any brighter, I can't tell at all - plus, that's what the amp's treble control is for. And I like fat (1" thick) quartersawn necks. Quartersawn is supposed to be stronger and more resistant to warping. And, I figure, the thicker the neck, the more tone. I have an old Strat Plus with a thin neck, and when I would play a chord and hold the guitar up by the neck I could hear the strings go flat...so fat necks for me! Also, if you're going traditional, stay away from "double-expanding truss rods". One other thing: I had a bad experience with a pre-installed nut...I think you have to have the nut cut for the specific guitar for it to be correct. So if you can't do it, find a great local tech.
ItsaBass
New member
Re: Custom Building a tele
Price is highly variable. I've done to-spec builds (i.e. guitars with bodies and necks made just for the build, not taken from parted out factory guitars) for $600 to $1,100, complete. I'd say the average complete cost for my builds is $800. The most important part of keeping it inexpensive is to do the finishing yourself. Another way to keep costs down is to buy used pickups and hardware. Learning how to properly install and slot a string nut also saves you about $50 per build that you do. Scratch making your own pick guards can also save some decent money – maybe $20 or more per build – and also ensures a perfect fit. Another thing that helps is to get as many of your parts as possible from the same place, as it saves you on shipping fees.
My favorite places for bodies and necks are Rutters and Musikraft, respectively.
Price is highly variable. I've done to-spec builds (i.e. guitars with bodies and necks made just for the build, not taken from parted out factory guitars) for $600 to $1,100, complete. I'd say the average complete cost for my builds is $800. The most important part of keeping it inexpensive is to do the finishing yourself. Another way to keep costs down is to buy used pickups and hardware. Learning how to properly install and slot a string nut also saves you about $50 per build that you do. Scratch making your own pick guards can also save some decent money – maybe $20 or more per build – and also ensures a perfect fit. Another thing that helps is to get as many of your parts as possible from the same place, as it saves you on shipping fees.
My favorite places for bodies and necks are Rutters and Musikraft, respectively.