Building the ultimate (for me) mutant Tele...

Since I can't seem to find the Tele I want, I'm starting to build it.

Right now, it looks like I'm going with a Warmoth body (bound, flametop with mahogany back) and Gibson scale neck, also from Warmoth.

Pickups will be Rio Grande Twangbuckers in both spots, which they assure me will work well for Tele and bucker tones, while still sounding like a Tele. I might still stick a Black Ice module for the bridge pickup and have been debating on using a spare Chander boost I have laying around.

One option I really want is a B-Bender. I emailed Gene Parsons about it, and I think it'll be around 1K installed (not for the Fender version). I forgot to ask that if I get a waist cut in the back, if it would be in the way or not. That'll put me over budget, so I might have to do it next year, unless I can find the body I want with a B-Bender installed (fat chance).

I'm basicly trying to stick together a Gibson/Tele hybrid, but don't know how good it'll sound until I spend the green on the parts.

Don't waste your time, the Black Ice is a joke, it probably won't even work with those pu's and even if it did the distortion is very raspy and cheesy sounding.
Much better to just use a pedal for distortion.

I haven't used one yet, but WD makes B-Bender bodies and sells benders. Hete's a link:

http://wdmusicproducts.com/Merchant2/merchant.mv?Screen=CTGY&Store_Code=WMPI&Category_Code=BDSBBNDR

Cannot fault the Twangbucker. In my Thinline Tux, it gives me a 335 and killer Tele in one. 8)

I only have the bridge one, opting for a "real" Rio humbucker in the neck. (I don't need single coil neck, but have a split on the bridge.) As for boost, the EMG Afterburner which I added to my Andy Summers tribute tele works great, and is absolutely clean. For any effect I agree, use a pedal.

http://home.online.no/~ge-fj/TuxDone/smallDSCN1692.jpg

Geir :)

Geir, you really likse posting that photo, dont you?
Meh, cant say I blame ya!!!!!!! :D

Geir, you really likse posting that photo, dont you?
Meh, cant say I blame ya!!!!!!! :D
LOL!

As the old saying goes: "If you can't play them, post them!" :oops: :wink:

Geir :)

Uriah, check out this thread:

http://www.tdpri.com/viewtopic.php?t=13847

Ol Fuzzy has posted a pic there of a Bigsby set up for just the E and B strings. Looks like a cool alternative to a B-bender.

Before I decided to buy a 52 RI I was looking at the same thing you are. I found this guy on eBay and got some info from him. They do what appears to be real nice work and have a few options that are cool like an internal soundboard and tuning ports. I still might buy a body from him for a long term project...

Anyone have any other info on his work?

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=2374867889&category=41406

STEVE WHITE [bzt1@shawneelink.net]

I've actually been using the Black Ice units for a number of years now. They work OK, but are not a distortion/fuzz/OD pedal.

When I play I'm constantly switching pickups, adjusting my volume and tone, ect... and they come in handy for what I do (like to give a slight edge to a amp that's already on the brink of breakup). It's pretty supple, but works for what I need. Also adds a little more edge to fuzz if you're into that sort of thing. I use it alot with my UO.

Didn't know WD made anything like that, I've dealt with Warmoth and Stewmac for years. I'll try to contact them tomorrow to see if they have a body (flame with the bender route) that's either bound, or with a flat edge on the front to where I can have my luthier bind it for me. I guess I could always opt for natural binding... looks like their bodies have a nice top, I'd almost hate to route it out to fit the Rio Twangbuckers, lol.