2010 TDPRI $210 Challenge - TeleSitar

[jimdkc]

I like #2. The bridge helps retain some Tele-ness, while showing off a lot of cedar.

Jim

[BigDaddyLH]

1 or 2. I would miss the cedar in 3.

[myronpro]

I think 3 would tie the whole thing together and complete the Tele vibe.

[RocknDrTom]

I'm going to count Big Daddy's vote as both 1 and 2, so at this point we have 1 for Option1, 2 for option 2 and 1 for option 3...

[Scooby Snax]

I'm liking No. 2

Then again, should I pick something that's not as good, with the motive of derailling your build, and increasing my chances... like that would work.

Nah, I think 2 is better, tele bridge, 'bucker.

[CJFearn]

And another vote for #2 here.

[oigun]

Originally Posted by CJFearn

And another vote for #2 here.

+1
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[Pellwell]

Am i the only one in the tele-universe that think something is really missing when there's no pickguard around?
(My vote goes to #3)

[tuuur]

Originally Posted by Pellwell

Am i the only one in the tele-universe that think something is really missing when there's no pickguard around?
(My vote goes to #3)

No, you're not the only one. My vote goes to #3 as well.

[BigDaddyLH]

Originally Posted by Pellwell

Am i the only one in the tele-universe that think something is really missing when there's no pickguard around?
(My vote goes to #3)

IMO, rear-routed Teles without a pickguard still look like a Tele, but if it also lacks the Tele control plate, that's the tipping point: it starts to look like a generic solid body guitar.

[guitardedzen]

Cast my vote for #3

[guitardedzen]

You could still show plenty of wood with a pickguard like this.



or this one

[RocknDrTom]

I do like that pickguard on the guitar/mandolin doubleneck. very much like what I was originally thinking.
Thanks for all your input so far everyone. Here's the current count:
1 for Option #1, 5 for Option #2, and 4 for Option #3.

[68thinline]

Another vote for #2. I want to see cedar and dare I say it: you'll want the HB in the neck to balance the HB in the bridge.

[RocknDrTom]

just to clarify - the playing neck will indeed have two humbuckers (since that's all I have). I was just using an existing black tele pickguard as a "model" to see what it would look like. The black pickguard will have a humbucker cutout. Sorry if it caused any confusion (I don't have photoshop to mock it up right). Let me know if this sways anyones decision. I may do a paper template and reshoot photo Option #3 if it helps any.
I won't decide until next tuesday on this, since that's what I promised.

[RocknDrTom]

no time to sit and wait for the results, I must continue -so here's today's installment:
Took the body down to the barn, and on the way, spotted a half a snake. Good thing the cats are working cats.
So the barn was swarming with bees and yellow jackets, so I worked quickly. Seems like as soon as I started to kick up the cedar dust with sanding, they all went way. Nice. Here's the top all sanded:


Went back to the house and started to spread the tru oil on the top, again using the professional spreader.


Here's after rubbing in the first coat of tru oil to the top:


Once it dry, I steel wooled the shine out of it, and mounted the sympathetic neck. Now I can line up the tailpiece and bridge area.


Have no fear - after a few more coats, the shine will come back.

[guitardedzen]

Damn that cedar's gonna look good!

[RocknDrTom]

Time is ticking away getting close to the deadline, and I'm going to be away again next week. Got to keep on going!
So here's the next batch of photos.

Getting more ideas and confused in my thoughts, I returned to the source. I wanted to see how the tail piece and bridge were created. This really surprised me. The tailpiece is just three dowels in the end of the instrument, to which ALL strings are tied. This is a bit simpler than I want, but I can see it works.


I also examined the bridge. I discovered that each bridge was notched for string alignment. That was one of my concerns, and glad I see an easy solution.


I also measured the bridge to make sure I have a large enough vibrating area.


Gathered some scrap pieces of Delrin, which should be perfect in density.


I took it to the bandsaw and table saw to cut to size, and also cut a small slot lengthwise. The marks on the masking tape will be cut by hand for each string slot.


Then while that was going on, I stained the sides of the body with the amber tint.


...and stained the back.


Once that was dry, I hand rubbed the first coat of Truoil to the back and sides.

[BigDaddyLH]

BTW, here's another crazy sitarcaster from Google:



It doesn't make many concessions for the guitar player.

[Jack Wells]

That looks like a Rickensitarbacker.