Planning a telecaster build

[FretFire]

I think I've decided to assemble a tele later this year to take care of my tele GAS. My parts strat is my go-to guitar, and it will never leave me, so I can only hope that putting together a tele to my exact specs would yield a similar result. Here's what I'm thinking so far:

• USA Customs body, swamp ash, Mary Kay white finish, standard tele top route w/ American Standard bridge prep
• USA Customs neck, quarter sawn maple neck/maple fretboard, 1 11/16" nut width, 9.5" radius, Sperzel tuner ream, satin finish, black dots, *possibly* LSR roller nut prep. I'm not sure if I want to use the same back contour I used on my strat, "The '54", or maybe the EB asymmetrical contour.
• Callaham American Standard bridge assembly with compensated slant saddles (stainless steel for E/A saddle, brass for the D/G and B/E saddles)
• Callaham pre-wired electronics assembly, 3-way switching (I love their knurled knobs and control plates, killer stuff)
• Warmoth pickguard, either plain black or possibly black pearl
• I am completely unsure what pickups to go with, I want more of a vintage sound with something a bit more ballsy in the bridge. I definitely want a vintage look, though, with singles in both positions.

I am still not sure if I want to go with a standard nut, or with an LSR roller unit like I have on my strat. I'm definitely going with Sperzel tuners though, I know they don't fit in what is otherwise a pretty vintage-looking build but I just love 'em.

Comments? I don't have any clue what pickups to go with at this point, I really don't know much about the tele offerings out there.

 

[the guy who invented fire]

Re: Planning a telecaster build

Why a roller nut and locking keys on a hardtail guitar??

FWIW, that Callaham Tele bridge, as nice as it is kind of ruins a Tele tone IMO, I'd go with a plain old Fender bridge with some better saddles or a Glendale bridge.

Pickups I'd go Duncan vintage neck and a Duncan Hot Tapped Tele and the 5 way switching. That gives you a vintage Tele neck tone and a bridge pickup that sounds not unlike a Duncan Broadcaster on the cool tap and a much hotter/thicker pickup with the hot tap. I know this kills the pre wired control plate but no worries, it's a great set up IMO!

 

[FretFire]

Re: Planning a telecaster build

I'm definitely thinking "no" on the roller nut, I like it on my strat with the trem but as you mentioned it's not really necessary on a hardtail. I love the easy string changes with Sperzels though, and personally I like their stability and ratio too. Out of curiosity, what would other tuners would you guys recommend? I'm all for exploring other options!

Interesting comments about the Callaham, sounds like I need to read up some more on them and see exactly what other options are out there. I looked at them first because of how much I love their bridge block on my strat.

Pre-wired controls aren't necessary, I'm plenty comfortable with a soldering iron! If I can get something that sounds great and is super flexible some other way then I'll go for it. I'll look into those pickups for sure, sounds like that combo could be right up my alley.

 

[XSSIVE]

Re: Planning a telecaster build

skip the LSR and you'll have yourself a cool guitar!

as for other tuners, check out the new hipshot locking tuners, they seem to be getting great reviews.

-Mike

 

[the guy who invented fire]

Re: Planning a telecaster build

Tuners for me...Klusons, they hold tune just fine and I like the light weight.

Callaham bridges...some guys dig them but they are thick and they really clam down the toen IMHO.

Wiring with a tapped bridge is great, easy and looks stock...no mini switches or push pull pots to mess with...

 

[stevie_bees]

Re: Planning a telecaster build

I don't have a problem with locking tuners, but I wouldn't personally fit the roller nut. Go for vintage pickups, and a 4-way switch to give the series tone. That way, it still looks stock, and you get the ballsier series tone along side your traditional Tele tones. I have my 4-way with a SD Broadcaster bridge and a Fralin Blues Special neck.

 

[FretFire]

Re: Planning a telecaster build

The Glendale bridges look fantastic, I'd not heard of them before. Sounds like I've got a lot of reading/listening to do before I decide on a set of pickups!