New Guitar Build - Telecaster

[The Dali]

Re: New Guitar Build - Vintage Tele

Re: New Guitar Build - Vintage Tele

So more parts are coming in. The infamous Schaller m6 tuners arrived today. I got a great deal from GuitarCenter.com... they were clearing them out for $49. Now I know why... they must have had these for 5 or 6 years in some random box and just found them during a "clean the warehouse" party over the last month. The box looks like it was used as a doorstop.







Even the top of the box just seems OLD.



But, when I took them out they looked nice and shiny!



I did a test-fit on the neck and they fit perfectly (as they should). So now I'm looking at options for the rest. Probably pick up a Gotoh modern bridge, but I'm waiting to see if I can score a loaded body.

I was playing a few Tele's at GC this weekend and I REALLY dig the two-tone sunburst and REALLY dig the tummy cut of the American series. I don't know if I want to get rid of that much wood though... I also tried a number of different pickup configurations and I liked the Broadcaster/Twisted Tele combo... I haven't heard the Dimarzio Twang King set yet, but I've read that is a very solid set for the 'Tele' sound.

 

[JeffB]

Re: New Guitar Build - Vintage Tele

Re: New Guitar Build - Vintage Tele

Rumpelstiltskin's are the shiz. I put Erik onto them.

Reasonably priced and he's up there with any winder- he specializes in Fender style single coils. If you want a big fat@$$ Nocaster tone, check out the 1950 Blackropes.

Edit- It seems he is re-doing his website, and has since re-named his pickups-Original Black Knight is the new name, I believe




Here's a pic of my old Tele, "Captain Crunch" with them

 

[The Dali]

Re: New Guitar Build - Telecaster

Hi everyone... I collected all the pieces I needed for the build... and I went in a different direction! I had time this weekend to work on the guitar a bit, so some pictures shown below.

Essentially, I couldn't bring myself to build a butterscotch blonde or tri-burst Tele... It seems like those are everywhere, and for the money I was putting into this build (north of $700 for parts) I felt like it needed to be unique. I was scanning the Warmoth showcase and came across this beautiful body and just had to have it.



So, the build consists of:

Warmoth maple/maple neck
Warmoth Candy Tangerine Tele body
Gotoh modern bridge
Schaller m6 tuners
Dimarzio Twang King set with 4-way wiring

See my next post for pictures!

 

[The Dali]

Re: New Guitar Build - Vintage Tele

Re: New Guitar Build - Vintage Tele

Here are some of the build pictures. No major issues... everything went together easily. The vintage tint finish on the neck is all over the frets, so I'll have to clean that off.




The rear string ferrules went in surprisingly easy. I was going to try the drill-press method but my press is too small to reach the holes (common issue among men) and so I just used candle wax and a rubber mallet (same issue, LOL).

 

[The Dali]

Re: New Guitar Build - Vintage Tele

Re: New Guitar Build - Vintage Tele

The tuners for the neck... well... I bought a set of Schaller m6 mini tuners from Guitar Center online. There were on clearance for $35. When I received the box it was stained and ripped up, lots of shop wear. The tuners themselves were perfectly fine.

Until about a week later and my two 11 month old labs decided to take the box and shred it. There were tuner parts everywhere when I got home!!! None of the tuners were damaged (that I could tell) but when I went to install them this weekend I noticed a washer and top-bushing was missing. UGG!!! I searched online for a replacement washer/bushing, but couldn't locate any that I felt comfortable would fit and match the other 5. So.... email off to Germany and Schaller.

WOW - they are AWESOME! I received an email from the owner, Dr. Bunning, within 3 hours on a SUNDAY. He asked me a few questions and then promised to mail me the parts on Monday morning. What a great company!

Ok, so I installed the rest of the parts and with very minimal adjustments it plays super nice! No action updated yet, and intonation not set. I will probably bring to a luthier to get it set "right" the first time. Take a look!

 

[rgand]

Re: New Guitar Build - Telecaster

That tangerine is a good choice. It looks great.

 

[Chickenwings]

Re: New Guitar Build - Telecaster

gorgeous

 

[PFDarkside]

Re: New Guitar Build - Telecaster

I love tangerine so much....

Looks like it went from a vintage to a pretty modern Tele during the course of the build!

 

[VinceT]

Re: New Guitar Build - Telecaster

Suh-weeeet!!!


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[The Dali]

Re: New Guitar Build - Telecaster

I love tangerine so much....

Looks like it went from a vintage to a pretty modern Tele during the course of the build!

Yes, you are SOOO right! LOL

 

[devastone]

Re: New Guitar Build - Telecaster

Looks great! Love the color!