Tele Build 2 Progress - What do you think?

OttoMatick

OttoMatick

New member
Watta ya think so far?

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Especially on the sides it is hard to make the wood accept the stain with the same consistency, looks darker in some spots and light in others… back looks good to me… Minwax Oil Cherry on swamp ash…

So next is some nitro sealer, then color the top. Then clear nitro spray until I get the requisite number of coats… Color suggestions for the top anyone?

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The neck will be a mighty mite MM2914 birds eye maple.

Should I do the neck back and head stock in Cherry, color the same as the top or leave natural with only nitro or oil it with tung, teak or gun? I usually do them in clear oil first to get a grain highlight then clear nitro.

The pickups will be SD Tele Hotrials set. Fender chrome locking tuners… I can hardly wait.

Thanks in advance for your comments and suggestions.
 
Re: Tele Build 2 Progress - What do you think?

Looks cool so far! Mighty mite necks usually have a thin satin poly coat so staining or oiling would be impossible without sanding to bare wood first. Also backs of necks painted don't look right unless its a set neck IMO, just spray clear or a tinted nitro or poly over the top. I think headstocks look cool painted the same colour as the body though. Are you spraying or staining the body colour?
 
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Re: Tele Build 2 Progress - What do you think?

Thanks for your comments. I will sand the MM neck to wood before clear oiling it and then spray nitrocellulose over that.

I stained the back and sides with the old fashioned wipe stain on with a rag method. To be honest, I never even considered spraying an oil based finish. As soon as the first coat of stain drys I will take steel wool to the sides and even out the application and color to match the back better. I am sure I caused some of the build up using the rag. I will likely leave the neck natural with a clear oil then nitro on top finish.

To be decided is wiring. I may use two volume pots with push pulls for coil splits. That way I can get SH, HS, HH or SS. I might use a couple switches for the tone like a Gretsch. This switch on gives the .022 cap, the other switch on uses a .047 cap and if both are off then no tone cap at all.

I think the top is going to be green, bright lemon yellow or amber(gold) or a bright cherry red. I have some time to decide these user options.
 
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Re: Tele Build 2 Progress - What do you think?

Seymour,

It would be really cool of you to donate some silver wire zephers for this build!

Dave
 
Re: Tele Build 2 Progress - What do you think?

I think I'd stick with the stain for the top - it looks good!
 
Re: Tele Build 2 Progress - What do you think?

I wouldn't spray the top! That grain is gorgeous.
Use that dark bubinga colour from the first picture and watch everyone's jaws drop :)
For me nothing beats the feel of an oiled neck left bare (no nitro/polishing)

What pickups were you planning on using?
 
Re: Tele Build 2 Progress - What do you think?

Hey thanks for asking, I plan on using the SD Tele Hotrails set. Considering just two volume pots with coil split push pull pots rather than the traditional volume and tone pot. I was thinking a switch cap selection for tone ala gretsch with 2 switches, one with a .022 and one with a .033 cap.
 
Re: Tele Build 2 Progress - What do you think?

I remember a few years back, Fender had this speical color that was some sort of see-through, very warm orange. Think it was called "sunrise orange". I think that would look awesome. Just on the top, keep the rest just stained and clear coated.

Or paint the top blue, like Gibsons Midnight Manhattan or Chicago blue. That usually accentuates the raw wood of the back very well, and also looks good with a maple fretboard.
 
Re: Tele Build 2 Progress - What do you think?

If the top gets any color at all it will be with tinted nitro like this build here:

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Re: Tele Build 2 Progress - What do you think?

I'm still really digging that pinkish look from the first few pics. It looks like natural raw bubinga (African mahogany)
And that grain is beautiful! Any clear-ish coat will look superb!
 
Re: Tele Build 2 Progress - What do you think?

I would go with a cherry stain, just a little see-through effect, maybe even in good old orange. You'll have to get one of their amps then though ;).
 
Re: Tele Build 2 Progress - What do you think?

If you want to even out the color difference between the top and sides, finish sand the sides with a finer grit sandpaper (however, don't skip to a significantly higher grit). In other words, finish the top with 220 grit paper and finish the sides with 400 grit, moving through the various grit papers till you get to the finish grit.

Nice build! It's a fun process, isn't it?
 
Re: Tele Build 2 Progress - What do you think?

so dudes and dudettes check it out... i went with Chocklit_thunder's, MrTondo and wifeys suggestion and the whole body is now a nice cherry oil stain... and using sand paper, steel wool and stain as mentioned by pzaxtl, the sides and uper/lower bouts are looking good to me. So here were are now:

Top

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Back

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Better sides:

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I ordered up the neck, tuning machines, bridge and all that is on the way except for the Seymour Duncan Tele Hotrails set because Guitar Center back ordered them. Seymour, what up with that?! lol.. oh back to the axe...

My wife thinks it should have more stain on the front and back. I think it looks pretty cool the way it is and is ready for some nitro sealer and lacquer. Please vote Here: More stain Yes darker cherry ____ No, spray it ____

Thanks!!! :18:
 
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Re: Tele Build 2 Progress - What do you think?

Don't forget to vote, more stain for more cherry OR no more cherry, seal it and start spraying lacquer.

I personally remain in the ready for sealing and lacquer because if it is stained too much more, it is going to start looking like a piece of Cherry wood furniture night stand door I made into a Telecaster... but cuz the wife said it, I gotta ask, do you think it needs more cherry?

Thank you in advance for your participation.
 
Re: Tele Build 2 Progress - What do you think?

Finish it. Now. Less is more. Don't f up that gorgeous slab by over working it.
Just my .02c
PC
 
Re: Tele Build 2 Progress - What do you think?

I love cherry so I would put some more on, yet this is also a classy look you cannot go wrong with.
 
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