Telecaster Build Thread

[The Dali]

Hi everyone, about a year ago I built a Telecaster with a Duncan '59 in the neck. I played it for a while and just couldn't get the guitar to play right. The neck and the body just didn't seem compatible. Plus, I never could strike the right balance between the humbucker in the neck and the bridge pickup. The humbucker always seemed muddy and changing out the pots just made a mess of things. I then switched to single coils and a 4-way switch and that didn't work either. So, in a mad frenzy I decided to dis-assemble the guitar and sell off the parts. (Plus, I was going through a divorce and didn't want to deal with it)

Everything sold except for the body and the bridge... I got a bunch of offers on the body, but none were acceptable to me given how FREAKIN' AWESOME the body is!!!! So... I've decided to re-build the guitar with slightly different specifications.

The body is a 2-piece Fender FSR ash body finished in clear poly. It is so nice! Totally mint! Here are a few photos:

These are bad photos, but I'll try to get better ones once I start the build process. Here is an old photo of it together:

So, I've decided to change the specs and build with a rosewood neck. I think it will work nicely with the coloring of the ash body. My question... do I go with a Warmoth neck, Fender MIM neck, Fender/Squier neck? Something else? I think I can get a rosewood fretboard with cream dots at Warmoth direct for about $215 shipped. I could also get a Fender Blacktop (MIM with 22 frets) neck on ebay for $225 or so. I'd like to keep the overall costs down, so I don't want to spend $400+ for a USA neck. Any thoughts?

 

[The Dali]

Re: Telecaster Build Thread

FYI... the blacktop Telecaster neck on ebay looks nice, has a nice logo, is rosewood, and comes with tuners. Just not sure of the quality of the Blacktop necks versus Warmoth.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Genuine-Fender-Black-Top-Telecaster-Tele-Neck-Tuners-Rosewood-22-Fret-/400328672592?pt=Guitar_Accessories&hash=item5d3572c550

 

[AlexR]

Re: Telecaster Build Thread

All depends on your fretboard radius likes. I've found most of Warmoth's gallery necks (especially the LH ones I buy) are all compound. As that feels wrong to me I have to budget more for anytime I want to go for Warmoth as non compound is extra $$.

USAGC has also got a good report from users here as has B.Hefner. I'd say if you're looking for the best woods, then the latter has it......but my neck from them got forgotten then rushed (read - there was a lot of setup and fret work required to get it in playing condition).
It might be different if you are RH as they seem to be less of a custom type order

 

[The Dali]

Re: Telecaster Build Thread

I picked up a set of Texas Specials from the "American Special Telecaster" line of guitars. Has anyone tried them versus the CS Texas Specials? I got a great deal on them so I think it is worth a shot to see how they sound.

Need to nail down the neck to get started.

 

[FretFire]

Re: Telecaster Build Thread

I'd go USACG or Warmoth. I've got one of each - the USACG is solid rosewood with a straight 9.5" radius, Warmoth is black limba/rosewood with a compound 10-16" radius. Both play great and needed very little in terms of setup.

Plus both of these "exotic" necks were less than $325, well below USA Fender neck prices.

 

[AniML]

Re: Telecaster Build Thread

I just bought a Warmoth showcase neck for $170 shipped
all maple, straight 9 1/2" radius, standard contour

Just watch the showcase and something you like will eventually show or there are always CV Tele necks on eBay for under $150

 

[The Dali]

Re: Telecaster Build Thread

Well, I found a great deal on a MIM Tele that was pimped out... the neck is very nice and it has upgraded electronics. I'll be selling off some ofthe extra parts that I don't need. I should have pictures up tomorrow as I have the guitar semi-put-together.

 

[The Dali]

Re: Telecaster Build Thread

Hi, will get some photos up tonight. The guitar looks great, but I haven't done any wiring yet. It looks very classic... which I'm not sure fits with me!!! But, I does look nice. It has a pearloid white guard that had a little routing done to accomodate a mini-humbucker (single-coil size) so I'll need to get a new one.

I dig the light tint of the neck.

 

[The Dali]

Re: Telecaster Build Thread

Ok, some pics!

The new neck. Mint, unplayed.

Pic of the neck and the body.

Here are a few more of the body:

For pickups I'm going with a set of Texas Specials taken from a 2012 American Special Tele.

Picture of the harness and neckplate.

 

[The Dali]

Re: Telecaster Build Thread

I came across a Babicz Tele bridge. Pretty cool design. I think the Gotoh standard bridge works just fine. Here they are side-by-side.