Custom Guitar using Cheap tele body.

[JacksonKerr]

Hey there, this is my first post on this forum so if its in the wrong place, etc. I apologise and encourage a moderator to remove it :nervous:

So, I'm currently craving the warm embrace of a new telecaster.
I am however a high school student.
You can probably see where this is going

I'm pretty short on funds due to only having a part time minimum wage job so that's kind of a problem. I think I may have found a solution but I'm kid of torn as to whether or not It's a good Idea or not, I'm both worried about the quality of the final product and not sure if it's a very "honest" thing to do.

I saw seen some cheap, nice looking, fake fender telecasters on sites such as Ali Express and what I was thinking is that it might be a good idea to but one and slowly replace parts of it (Neck, pickups, etc) until only the body from the original guitar remains. This would allow me to "Spread" the cost of a new guitar over time and I can even stop working on it it turns out I perfer my current guitar. This will hopefuly also allow me to learn about how to change/replace parts on a guitar and understand how they work.

There's only two problems and I'd love to hear some opinions on them:
1. Would buying a cheap guitar body have a large effect on the sound quality of the guitar, or is the differences in body minimal (Only referring to quality not type of wood or whatever)

2. Should I be ashamed of thinking of buying a counterfeit guitar? It's just that there's not many other options where I live. Not a single local company offers a single nice looking telecaster for under $700 (USD) and I really can't afford that right now.

I'm also leaning towards doing it because I sort of want a guitar that feels like it's "mine" as opposed to something I've just grabbed off a shelf.

I look forward to hearing peoples opinions and I hope I'm not making a fool out of myself by suggesting this.

 

[kramersteen]

Re: Custom Guitar using Cheap tele body.

1. It could but imo the quality here will be more noticeable in the fretwork and possibly spacing of parts, frets etc.

2. I wouldn't care but i can see how some might.

3. What about a tele kit?

I did a great one for a friend of mine, changed up a few parts and made sure the frets were all good, it's a fine guitar to play and it sounds as good as most.

 

[ehdwuld]

Re: Custom Guitar using Cheap tele body.

Squire makes a Tele bullet for around $100
Guitarfetish has Tele styles for just over that

Building one is often more expensive than just buying and tweaking

 

[JacksonKerr]

Re: Custom Guitar using Cheap tele body.

1. It could but imo the quality here will be more noticeable in the fretwork and possibly spacing of parts, frets etc.

2. I wouldn't care but i can see how some might.

3. What about a tele kit?

I did a great one for a friend of mine, changed up a few parts and made sure the frets were all good, it's a fine guitar to play and it sounds as good as most.

Hmm, Sounds like that might be a good Idea, Ill have to have a look into it. Thanks.

 

[JacksonKerr]

Re: Custom Guitar using Cheap tele body.

Squire makes a Tele bullet for around $100
Guitarfetish has Tele styles for just over that

Building one is often more expensive than just buying and tweaking

Yea but then the problem becomes the fact that I own a squire.

I kid.

I would really like to build one so I think I might choose between the Kit as Kram suggested, thanks for the suggestion ��

 

[Rand-O-Monium]

Re: Custom Guitar using Cheap tele body.

+ another for Squier.

nvrmnd...

 

[treyhaislip]

Re: Custom Guitar using Cheap tele body.

Personally, I do not want to support counterfeit operations–if they are fake "Fenders" then I would say stay away.

There are kits online for very cheap that you can save money by assembling yourself and applying a hand rubbed oil finish instead of paying someone to finish it (or you can do what Van Halen did and use Schwinn bike paint.) Guitar Fetish offers some dirt cheap options as well.

Something else to consider...Craigslist for cheap Teles, Pawnshops, eBay, etc. Some brands that make great cheap teles are Jay Turser, Squier, Epiphone (look for 80s and 90s Epiphone T310)

 

[ehdwuld]

Re: Custom Guitar using Cheap tele body.

As I re-read your original post

The bullet squire may not work
Body is thinner

But the fender necks would bolt right up

If you get a dual humbucker version
You can always swap the pick guard and bridge plate to whatever configuration you want

I have a pine body here at the house
And while I have all the pieces to put it together I just can't make my self do it

 

[Mincer]

Re: Custom Guitar using Cheap tele body.

Yeah, I am thinking there would be differences in the new body and the neck- the fit isn't universal, unless you are talking about USA Fenders. So a new body might not fit. I'd say to save for a nice Squier or MIM Fender. You'll love the guitar when you finally save for it, and you won't have the frustrations of ordering parts that take forever to get to you and then wind up not fitting.

 

[BenJB]

Re: Custom Guitar using Cheap tele body.

I would be really concerned about the quality of the fret work on a fake, although I have never played one. My recommendation is to look on Reverb.com for a used model from a reliable manufacturer. I will personally attest that the Greg Bennett Samicks are under priced compared to their similar quality counterparts and are definitely worthy of upgraded pickups when you have more money.