COMPLETED -- $100 Telecaster Challenge-The $124.01 CADocaster

Well my wife will probably divorce me but.................
I go away for a day and I find this
I have to give it a try.Things have been pretty busy at work and I have WAY to many builds going but why not.
If this keeps guys coming to the best forum on the internet I will try to do my part
Since the wood cost does not count in the total,I am actually going stray away from the dark side and actually use some real wood.
I have a couple swamp ash blanks here so I will use one of them
http://i221.photobucket.com/albums/dd297/prairiecustomguitars/100/PICT0330.jpg

They actually have some pretty nice grain
http://i221.photobucket.com/albums/dd297/prairiecustomguitars/100/PICT0334.jpg
So it was off to the jointer so Icould get this blank glued up tonight
http://i221.photobucket.com/albums/dd297/prairiecustomguitars/100/PICT0336.jpg
http://i221.photobucket.com/albums/dd297/prairiecustomguitars/100/PICT0337.jpg

Since I have a few days off I better get a good start on this.
The fastest I have ever finished a complete build was the "Gift" and that one took 6 weeks:shock:
Got a few ideas to maybe make this one a bit different :wink:
The end grain matched up quite well
http://i221.photobucket.com/albums/dd297/prairiecustomguitars/100/PICT0338.jpg

Good luck Marty!

Marty is doing a build for me, so I will be a little biased in my support :)

Good to see you jumped in the ring.

Good luck Marty.

another build that will blow my socks off i'm sure

Well I have the day off,waiting on stuff for some other builds so.......
I got up and pulled the clamps this morning and decided on which way to use the blank
http://i221.photobucket.com/albums/dd297/prairiecustomguitars/100/PICT0344.jpg

Then I set my master template on and positioned it to where I wanted it and traced around it

http://i221.photobucket.com/albums/dd297/prairiecustomguitars/100/PICT0345.jpg

Then it was off to the bandsaw to rough cut it

http://i221.photobucket.com/albums/dd297/prairiecustomguitars/100/PICT0346.jpg

Now the template goes on and off to the router
http://i221.photobucket.com/albums/dd297/prairiecustomguitars/100/PICT0347.jpg

I set up a 3/4"x1 1/2" pattern bit in the table.
http://i221.photobucket.com/albums/dd297/prairiecustomguitars/100/PICT0348.jpg

Then I made one pass

http://i221.photobucket.com/albums/dd297/prairiecustomguitars/100/PICT0349.jpg

Off comes the template and then I use the routed part as the template and make another couple passes

http://i221.photobucket.com/albums/dd297/prairiecustomguitars/100/PICT0350.jpg

This is when I find is the worst time for tearouts.A nice sharp bit helps.I change to a flush trim bit,turn the blank over and do the parts that tend to tear out the worst backwards.Then I do the final pass

http://i221.photobucket.com/albums/dd297/prairiecustomguitars/100/PICT0351.jpg

After the final pass we have what resembles a tele:grin:
http://i221.photobucket.com/albums/dd297/prairiecustomguitars/100/PICT0352.jpg

Now the template goes back on and off to the drill press to do the neck mounting and string through holes.I don't go all the way through,just enough so I have a good guide after the template comes off

http://i221.photobucket.com/albums/dd297/prairiecustomguitars/100/PICT0353.jpg

http://i221.photobucket.com/albums/dd297/prairiecustomguitars/100/PICT0354.jpg

While the template is on I do the cavities.I set up my hand held router and a pattern bit

http://i221.photobucket.com/albums/dd297/prairiecustomguitars/100/PICT0355.jpg

I use my digital caliper to measure the depths.I set it to 3/4",then zero it.
http://i221.photobucket.com/albums/dd297/prairiecustomguitars/100/PICT0356.jpg

Now I just start making passes,checking my depths until I have them deep enough

http://i221.photobucket.com/albums/dd297/prairiecustomguitars/100/PICT0357.jpg

I go as deep as I can with this bit with the template on.Just have to make sure I get deep enough I can remove the template to finish them but don't have to make a real deep first cut.
We have cavities
http://i221.photobucket.com/albums/dd297/prairiecustomguitars/100/PICT0358.jpg

Now with the template removed it's back to the drill press to finish the neck mounting holes,making sure I keep the body tight to the sacrificial table so I get no blowout when the bit comes through and make sure I move to a fresh spot for each hole

http://i221.photobucket.com/albums/dd297/prairiecustomguitars/100/PICT0360.jpg

And here we sit.

http://i221.photobucket.com/albums/dd297/prairiecustomguitars/100/PICT0361.jpg

Time to have a shower and so skating with my daughter.Maybe when I get home I will tackle some more

That's a really nice body. I wish I had some of that just lying around. You wouldnt believe how hard it to find that stuff out here. Windsor Plywood carries it but at $23 bf. and the quality isnt that great.

That's a really nice body. I wish I had some of that just lying around. You wouldnt believe how hard it to find that stuff out here. Windsor Plywood carries it but at $23 bf. and the quality isnt that great.

I was actually given this by a guy that was going to try to build a guitar.He just never got around to it.
It was either use this or the one piece mahogany blank I have.Thats all I have here at the moment.The closest place for me to even buy a 2x4 is 50 miles away so it would not make much sense driving that far to buy some "cheap" wood so I could go in the challenge.Believe me I searched the farm looking for something but I could not even find any OSB:wink:
Too bad I would not have waited to do this
http://i221.photobucket.com/albums/dd297/prairiecustomguitars/PICT0191-1.jpg
Pretty much used up all my scrap pieces on this :sad:

Nice ASH!:oops:


-24.01

That scrapycaster is pretty cool Marty but Paul's not counting the price of the wood anyway.

BTW - that's one sweet looking piece of ash you got there.

Wait a minute, that's not what I meant............

Lotsa fine wood in this thread! i would've made a square body of that ash.

Great looking Tele body. Thanks for sharing your methods.

Marty, the pictures are missing from your last three working posts.

The toughest part of the challenge will be the neck.I do not have the tools or the time to build one so we can't do that.
A while back on evilbay I made an offer on a Eden neck for $20 and was surprised he took it.Since I have received many emails from him trying to sell me more for that same price.Actually it is a pretty decent neck for $20
http://i221.photobucket.com/albums/dd297/prairiecustomguitars/100/PICT0365.jpg

http://i221.photobucket.com/albums/dd297/prairiecustomguitars/100/PICT0366.jpg

Only one thing,it's left handed........
There is actually even a bit of flame in the maple
http://i221.photobucket.com/albums/dd297/prairiecustomguitars/100/PICT0363.jpg
Tough to see in the pics
It does have a pretty glossy finish but it seems very well done
There is only one problem with it and thats the reason it is still sitting in the cupboard........
http://i221.photobucket.com/albums/dd297/prairiecustomguitars/100/PICT0362.jpg
The heel is quite a bit smaller than Fender specs.I guess now is as good of time as any to use it,but first I need a template to do the neck pocket

I have never made a template like this before so we will see how it turns out
First I mounted my master neck template to the 3/4 MDF.
http://i221.photobucket.com/albums/dd297/prairiecustomguitars/100/PICT0367.jpg
I drilled the index holes into the stringthrough holes and dropped a pin in each
This will be how I line it up on the body.Now I clamped the neck to the bottom edge of the master template.I figured I better use that as a starting point or I will have a huge neck shelf.
http://i221.photobucket.com/albums/dd297/prairiecustomguitars/100/PICT0368.jpg
Now I removed the master but leave the neck clamped to the MDF

http://i221.photobucket.com/albums/dd297/prairiecustomguitars/100/PICT0369.jpg

I cut a long strip off a piece of scrap and run it through the jointer to give me a nice straight edge.I then cut it into three pieces.
Then I screwed them tight to the edges of the neck,doing the back of the heel first and then the sides
http://i221.photobucket.com/albums/dd297/prairiecustomguitars/100/PICT0370.jpg

Now it was just a matter of going to the bandsaw and taking out the major part of the MDF and then to the router table.
I used a 1/2" flush trim bit to take out the remaining MDF.I then chucked up a smaller bit and did the corners to get the correct radius for the corners of the heel.These Eden necks have a very small radius on the corners so there will be some more trimming for a good fit
http://i221.photobucket.com/albums/dd297/prairiecustomguitars/100/PICT0371.jpg
I pulled the strips off and tried it
http://i221.photobucket.com/albums/dd297/prairiecustomguitars/100/PICT0372.jpg
Pretty decent fit
I am happy :grin:

OK so total cost so far $20

A lefty... did you put the calipers to it to see how much it was off?

20 is a steal - good grab.

No pictures.

The heel is quite a bit smaller than Fender specs.


My 03 MIM Tele neck fit loose like that in US bodies...

A lefty... did you put the calipers to it to see how much it was off?

20 is a steal - good grab.

Well considering 2 3/16 is 2.1875"
http://i221.photobucket.com/albums/dd297/prairiecustomguitars/100/PICT0374.jpg

Lets see if this thing will work
Lined it up with the string through holes and screwed it down.I put a screw through the template into the neck pocket cavity to just to be safe
http://i221.photobucket.com/albums/dd297/prairiecustomguitars/100/PICT0375.jpg

Then a few passes with the router
http://i221.photobucket.com/albums/dd297/prairiecustomguitars/100/PICT0376.jpg

Hmmm,notice something??????
Looks like we will have a 70's style body
http://i221.photobucket.com/albums/dd297/prairiecustomguitars/100/notch.gif
http://i221.photobucket.com/albums/dd297/prairiecustomguitars/100/PICT0377.jpg
Seems the neck was just that much narrower that we wont have a notch

Before I go any farther I better do the flatspot so I don't forget
Over to the sander
http://i221.photobucket.com/albums/dd297/prairiecustomguitars/100/PICT0378.jpg

http://i221.photobucket.com/albums/dd297/prairiecustomguitars/100/PICT0379.jpg
Better check the table on my sander.I will square it up with a sanding block:oops:

Now the part that scares me the most on doing a body
The wire channels.The front one is easy.Through the neck pocket,catching the pickup cavity on the way by,into the control cavity
http://i221.photobucket.com/albums/dd297/prairiecustomguitars/100/PICT0380.jpg

This one scares me.I am always afraid I will get too steep.Why do I fear this,don't ask:roll:
http://i221.photobucket.com/albums/dd297/prairiecustomguitars/100/PICT0381.jpg

Success,with no extra holes in the back!!!!
http://i221.photobucket.com/albums/dd297/prairiecustomguitars/100/PICT0382.jpg

With that I am going to call it a night
We will see what tomorrow brings.Have a gig tomorrow night so there may be a nap involved

Well considering 2 3/16 is 2.1875"



Not that loose, the 03 MIM is 2.179"

just shy of 55mm. I wonder if it was intentional or due to shrinkage... it's a mystery. The frets seem well dressed at the edges.

Very tempting at that price.

just shy of 55mm. I wonder if it was intentional or due to shrinkage... it's a mystery. The frets seem well dressed at the edges.

Very tempting at that price.

I give the frets a bit of a workover.The ends were pretty sharp,but what can you expect for $20:wink:

just shy of 55mm. I wonder if it was intentional or due to shrinkage... it's a mystery. The frets seem well dressed at the edges.

Very tempting at that price.


Eden's shipping borders robbery last I looked, no?

Seems the neck was just that much narrower that we wont have a notch

Judging where the point hits the neck may not be ultimate measure of notchedness :lol:

Eden's shipping borders robbery last I looked, no?

I didn't get that far... The page I found with necks on it listed the heel width at 2-3/16, but had no mention of the board radius. :?: Maybe it's the grab bag spec.

Nice work so far Marty.

Beautiful, Marty!

http://i221.photobucket.com/albums/dd297/prairiecustomguitars/100/PICT0382.jpg


Marty, As always, Fab job. Love the grain pattern.

The scary part here Marty is that I do everything pretty much like you have done. I don't use a disc sander, I use the belt part and I sand the perimeter, I don't rout it. Our pix will be quite similar up to this point. If you drill your ferrule holes last, that will be even scarier.
Marty

The scary part here Marty is that I do everything pretty much like you have done. I don't use a disc sander, I use the belt part and I sand the perimeter, I don't rout it. Our pix will be quite similar up to this point. If you drill your ferrule holes last, that will be even scarier.
Marty

I cheat:wink:
I have a template that I use to drill them :smile:

Well must of had a few too many after the gig last night.Feelin a bit poopy today so not a lot got accomplished:lol:
I did manage to drag myself out to the shop for a bit after dinner and get the ferrule holes finished.Like I said,I always seem to have trouble doing the ferrule holes and getting them straight so I finally made myself a template.
http://i221.photobucket.com/albums/dd297/prairiecustomguitars/100/PICT0386.jpg

Just stick it on with two sided tape and head to the drill press.Takes all the fun out of it.
http://i221.photobucket.com/albums/dd297/prairiecustomguitars/100/PICT0387.jpg

Wow
You guys are going nuts!!
Well one thing,I am definitely not as young as I think.Still a bit poopy feelin today.Must be a flu bug :lol:
Anyway,even though it is a Holiday here in Alberta,seeing I work in the oilpatch,I had to work today.
Did manage to get a bit done.Got the roundover set up in the router
http://i221.photobucket.com/albums/dd297/prairiecustomguitars/100/PICT0388.jpg
Did the back and then sanded the edges.There are times I think it would be just easier to do it by hand
Anyway got that all sanded up
http://i221.photobucket.com/albums/dd297/prairiecustomguitars/100/PICT0389.jpg
Hmmmm,seemed to have forgotten to do the top!!
http://i221.photobucket.com/albums/dd297/prairiecustomguitars/100/PICT0391.jpg
Must be that flu bug messin with me
I will take care of that sharp edge tomorrow

Well it is time to go over the budget and see just what we have
I had some sealer left in my gun after shooting a couple other bodies
Figured I might as well give it a coat to help empty the gun
http://i221.photobucket.com/albums/dd297/prairiecustomguitars/100/PICT0392.jpg
Now that there is a coat of sealer on it,glue wont soak into the pores:wink:
I wonder if there is room in the budget :smile:

that is some awesome grain

that is some awesome grain

yes it is, very, very tasty......

Must be one of those days
Didn't get much done myself.Ended up having to work late.
I did manage to give it a block sanding
http://i221.photobucket.com/albums/dd297/prairiecustomguitars/100/PICT0394.jpg

And another coat to empty the gun out
http://i221.photobucket.com/albums/dd297/prairiecustomguitars/100/PICT0395.jpg

Looks like I better get my butt in gear.Family is gone until tomorrow.Maybe I can get something done tonight :lol:

OK,lets get the jack hole drilled
http://i221.photobucket.com/albums/dd297/prairiecustomguitars/100/PICT0398.jpg
Hmmm,while I wasn't looking someone routed a big groove around this thing:shock:
http://i221.photobucket.com/albums/dd297/prairiecustomguitars/100/PICT0400.jpg

http://i221.photobucket.com/albums/dd297/prairiecustomguitars/100/PICT0401.jpg

Hmmm,while I wasn't looking someone routed a big groove around this thing

Those basturds! :mrgreen:

That is a big groove! Some major binding action incoming - black/white/black or some such?

BTW: Very clean work, as usual, martyb1 - I aspire to the same result but will be pleased with a close resemblance!

I was hoping to see some binding appear in one of these threads!

I was hoping to see some binding appear in one of these threads!

That's bound to look good! :mrgreen:

That's bound to look good! :mrgreen:

Nyuk, Nyuk, Nyuk. :lol:

and THAT is how Marty got his groove back!
:oops:

and THAT is how Marty got his groove back!
:oops:

But what to do with it :lol::wink:

Ladies and gentlemen, place your bets... What's going in the groove?

checkerboard binding - 5:1

rubber baby buggy bumpers - 3:1 ('cuz that sharp 1/8 radius edge really cuts into the forearm)

a feather boa or fake fur à la ZZ top 7:1

a strip of ever color in the rainbow for the Rainbow Bright caster - even money

a mini atomic superconducting super collider - 2:1

i have and inside source that said marty was planning to use little jewels from his kids be dazzler kit. you know like a blinged out guitar$$$$

I like the ZZ-Caster at 7:1

i have and inside source that said marty was planning to use little jewels from his kids be dazzler kit. you know like a blinged out guitar$$$$

A NudieCaster:shock::wink:

He hasn't bound with rope yet!!!!! or bindertwine.......some how I wish I was competing but I ended up being rational for a change.

He hasn't bound with rope yet!!!!! or bindertwine.......some how I wish I was competing but I ended up being rational for a change.

http://i209.photobucket.com/albums/bb248/dietje-bucket/smiley/shhh.gif

Not a lot accomplished yesterday,got called back into work last night and didn't get home until about 9pm,but......
Before I come home I stopped at the local beer store and picked up a six pack of some of the cheapest beer I could get.We are not as fortunate here in Canada as some places,the cheapest I could get was $7
Anyway,I stopped in at the local Hutterite colony.For those that don't know what a hutterite is,they are similar to Amish,but use more modern equipment.They make much of what they need themselves and each colony has a huge woodshop,garage etc.The local colony has a huge saddle and shoe shop.Did I mention they also like beer:wink:
They make their own alcoholic beverages but love it when someone brings them real beer.
Anyway,they were so happy that I scored this
http://i221.photobucket.com/albums/dd297/prairiecustomguitars/100/PICT0405.jpg
Should be enough for at least 3 guards,so $7 CAD=$5.59US/3 is
$1.86

Hate to split hairs but I am going to need every penny :wink:
So,as of now I am at $21.86(neck and guard)

Let's see if I have this ...

Trading Hutterites beer for leather as a resourceful way to spiff up your entry in an international $100 Telecaster build challenge?

Brilliant! Downright poetic even.

All this reminds me of a super Tele player from Canada named Grant Siemens. Plays with Corb Lund and the Hurtin Albertans. Great band -- don't miss them if they come your way.

Here's a sample (banjo instead of tele in this case) that even features some Hutterites ...

<object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/pDY6bWT5oTM&hl=en&fs=1"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/pDY6bWT5oTM&hl=en&fs=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object>

corb lund and the hurtin' albertans are a fabulous band!

and before that corb played bass in another band called "the smalls" another great band!!!!

Hey,home at at decent time today
What to do,how about a switch tip and a string tree
http://i221.photobucket.com/albums/dd297/prairiecustomguitars/100/PICT0408.jpg

Once we have the correct calibers,06 for the tip and a 223 for the tree:wink:
Cut down the 06 to the correct length.
http://i221.photobucket.com/albums/dd297/prairiecustomguitars/100/PICT0409.jpg

Make myself a insert out of a scrap of ash

http://i221.photobucket.com/albums/dd297/prairiecustomguitars/100/PICT0410.jpg

Cut a slot in the insert,cut it off
http://i221.photobucket.com/albums/dd297/prairiecustomguitars/100/PICT0411.jpg

Now a little gap filling CA glue,tap it in and.......

http://i221.photobucket.com/albums/dd297/prairiecustomguitars/100/PICT0412.jpg

On to the tree
I cut down the 223 brass a bit.Now I need to remove the spent primer
A finishing nail works well

http://i221.photobucket.com/albums/dd297/prairiecustomguitars/100/PICT0414.jpg

Now we have a screw hole!!

http://i221.photobucket.com/albums/dd297/prairiecustomguitars/100/PICT0416.jpg

Now cut it down and file a couple slots in it,insert screw
http://i221.photobucket.com/albums/dd297/prairiecustomguitars/100/PICT0419.jpg

My slots are a bit rough.I have about 2000 of these so I will try to clean it up,if not I will just make another one

http://i221.photobucket.com/albums/dd297/prairiecustomguitars/100/PICT0420.jpg

Cool......

Forgive me for going off-topic - but I NEED info. The finish on this jewel looks like Nocaster blonde:

21128


If it is, HOW, HOW, HOW! pray tell did you achieve that color!?!?!? I have been chasing it for a long time with no success.

Forgive me for going off-topic - but I NEED info. The finish on this jewel looks like Nocaster blonde:

21128


If it is, HOW, HOW, HOW! pray tell did you achieve that color!?!?!? I have been chasing it for a long time with no success.

Actually that is just sealer on pine

Wow...subscribed. I might need to copy that '06 switch for my personal tele, that is GENIUS!

Forgive me for going off-topic - but I NEED info. The finish on this jewel looks like Nocaster blonde:

21128


If it is, HOW, HOW, HOW! pray tell did you achieve that color!?!?!? I have been chasing it for a long time with no success.

Is this the color you are after?
http://i221.photobucket.com/albums/dd297/prairiecustomguitars/zebra/PICT0143.jpg

Time to try that $1.86 pickguard:shock:
When I was in elementary school we use to do leathercraft,but that was some time ago.I even have some tooling stamps here somewhere.Better see if I can hunt them down.
Anyway,just not to sure how to cut this guard out.I did a test piece with the router and it actually seemed to work pretty well.As long as I ket it sandwiched between two pieces of wood it cut pretty well with out many fuzzies(not sure if thats the technical term) so I decided to give it a shot
I put the leather in between my template and another slightly larger piece of wood so the router bit had wood to cut too.
http://i221.photobucket.com/albums/dd297/prairiecustomguitars/100/PICT0421.jpg

I used the largest flush trim bit I had and made a pass,then switched to a small one for the corner radius of the neck pocket and the bridge cutout

http://i221.photobucket.com/albums/dd297/prairiecustomguitars/100/PICT0422.jpg

Turned out pretty good.Now where are those tools!!!

http://i221.photobucket.com/albums/dd297/prairiecustomguitars/100/PICT0423.jpg

The hutterite guy asked if I wanted the leather split.We will have to see if it is too thick.Better be included in the six pack!!!

Need a nut for this thing
Sure a bone blank is only a couple bucks but........
I have tons of these around here
http://i221.photobucket.com/albums/dd297/prairiecustomguitars/100/PICT0424.jpg

Slice one up and head to the sander

http://i221.photobucket.com/albums/dd297/prairiecustomguitars/100/PICT0425.jpg

Man this stuff stinks when you sand it

http://i221.photobucket.com/albums/dd297/prairiecustomguitars/100/PICT0426.jpg

Gettin close,time to move to the sandpaper
http://i221.photobucket.com/albums/dd297/prairiecustomguitars/100/PICT0427.jpg

Well it fits in the slot,after I removed some goop out of it
http://i221.photobucket.com/albums/dd297/prairiecustomguitars/100/PICT0429.jpg

Cut it down closer.Think we will leave it there for now
http://i221.photobucket.com/albums/dd297/prairiecustomguitars/100/PICT0430.jpg

Hmmm,there is a lot of horn left
What can I make with these??
http://i221.photobucket.com/albums/dd297/prairiecustomguitars/100/PICT0431.jpg

Well I don't have a lathe,but I do have a little drill press.
I set it to as fast as it would go
http://i221.photobucket.com/albums/dd297/prairiecustomguitars/100/PICT0432.jpg

http://i221.photobucket.com/albums/dd297/prairiecustomguitars/100/PICT0433.jpg

Hmmm,not sure about these yet
http://i221.photobucket.com/albums/dd297/prairiecustomguitars/100/PICT0435.jpg

Maybe if I added something

http://i221.photobucket.com/albums/dd297/prairiecustomguitars/100/PICT0437.jpg

Might be better to use this on top of the knobs.Stick to the theme
http://i221.photobucket.com/albums/dd297/prairiecustomguitars/100/PICT0440.jpg

How about some .45 casings? Those would be nice and big! Great ideas Martyb1 and cool work!

Uh, nice rack, Marty! Sorry, it had to be said. :oops:

You could use .50 BMG brass for the knobs! Love the antler though.

and before that corb played bass in another band called "the smalls" another great band!!!!

One of the best Canadian bands ever. They were way ahead of their time. Sort of country meets Danzig sound.

a guy I know makes bone string trees....

you could use some horn for that..

(awesome as usual Marty!)

Hang in there Marty...Get Doc to go back in time...Oh wait a minute...sorry wrong movie...at any rate, hang in there and kick some serious Canadian booty!

Might be better to use this on top of the knobs.Stick to the theme
http://i221.photobucket.com/albums/dd297/prairiecustomguitars/100/PICT0440.jpg

How about some 12 ga shotgun shell brass. Those are big enough for knobs and would match the ammo theme. Well, 12 ga maybe a little big, I don't know 20 ga, or 410 maybe?:?:

How about some 12 ga shotgun shell brass. Those are big enough for knobs and would match the ammo theme. Well, 12 ga maybe a little big, I don't know 20 ga, or 410 maybe?:?:
Probably 20 ga, a 410 is the same size as a .45acp or the butt of a 30-06.

Probably 20 ga, a 410 is the same size as a .45acp or the butt of a 30-06.

Yeah, I should've realized that when I was typing it. Duh!:roll: I just wasn't thinking. 20 guage brass is exactly the same diameter as my MIM tele knobs. That would be about perfect I think.

I was thinking the exact same thing last night.I have some but they are unfored.Called a trap shooting buddy last night and he is getting me a couple long brass 20 guage hulls from the NFG pile:wink:
I agree it would look better.I am not real happy with the way the horn knobs turned out.Must have been my hi-tech approach to making them.All I managed to do was stink up the shop:shock:

I was thinking the exact same thing last night.I have some but they are unfored.Called a trap shooting buddy last night and he is getting me a couple long brass 20 guage hulls from the NFG pile:wink:
I agree it would look better.I am not real happy with the way the horn knobs turned out.Must have been my hi-tech approach to making them.All I managed to do was stink up the shop:shock:


You could integrate a a log horn into the style with the shells too. ;)
And some barbed wire pressed into the wood 1/2" from the face perimeter, pulled and filled as an inlay. Or wood burned in would be cool too. I have a jpg stock of different barbed wire for such previous madness/concept I could post. I have a few long horn patterns for burning in or pasting on too. ;)

Gotta make sure I loose so I can keep my 48-9 Broadcaster Tribute C-NoteCaster, so I will give yo all the help I can. :mrgreen:

You could integrate a a log horn into the style with the shells too. ;)
And some barbed wire pressed into the wood 1/2" from the face perimeter, pulled and filled as an inlay. Or wood burned in would be cool too. I have a jpg stock of different barbed wire for such previous madness/concept I could post. I have a few long horn patterns for burning in or pasting on too. ;)

Gotta make sure I loose so I can keep my 48-9 Broadcaster Tribute C-NoteCaster, so I will give yo all the help I can. :mrgreen:

My first idea was actually to use barbed wire as binding :shock:
Decided against that though
Going to pick up the shell casings tonight,we will see how it looks

Sweet, I can't wait to see it. Perhaps this could be the Cowboy-caster or ooh, I know the TEXocaster!:lol::cool:

Not a lot of action tonight.Ended up working late.
I did go by the buddies house and pick up the 20 ga shells
Pretty straight forward,just cut off the plastic casing,sanded a piece of wood to fit and give it a nice drink of CA glue
http://i221.photobucket.com/albums/dd297/prairiecustomguitars/100/PICT0441.jpg
Then it was just drill the holes for the pot shafts and push them on.Nice and tight too
http://i221.photobucket.com/albums/dd297/prairiecustomguitars/100/PICT0442.jpg

http://i221.photobucket.com/albums/dd297/prairiecustomguitars/100/PICT0444.jpg

http://i221.photobucket.com/albums/dd297/prairiecustomguitars/100/PICT0445.jpg

Hmmm,i see my switch tip is crooked,we will have to make sure that is fixed

damn that looks good!!!

OK
Before anyone says anything,notice something????
Guess you could call it a "LOADED" control plate!!!!
Just so you know,the primers are unfired.The only 20 gauge shells he could find were live,but....they were free..................yes I did
Started with the complete shell
http://i221.photobucket.com/albums/dd297/prairiecustomguitars/100/PICT0446.jpg

Cut off the plastic and removed the powder

http://i221.photobucket.com/albums/dd297/prairiecustomguitars/100/PICT0447.jpg

Then to defuse the primer I drilled out the guts

http://i221.photobucket.com/albums/dd297/prairiecustomguitars/100/PICT0448.jpg

Then filled the empty primer with gap filling CA glue

http://i221.photobucket.com/albums/dd297/prairiecustomguitars/100/PICT0451.jpg

I would hate to have a knob go off!!!

Bravo, looks sweet!

That was about it for the night.I have some other builds I have to get some stuff finished on so I worked on them.I did give the body another block sanding.
I decided that for other than the actual color(?),I will just be using the leftovers.If the grain doesn't get totally filled so be it.Probably go better with the theme anyway
http://i221.photobucket.com/albums/dd297/prairiecustomguitars/100/PICT0453.jpg
That said I didn't spray anything tonight so it did not get anything

...
I would hate to have a knob go off!!!

Indeed! Don't know about you, but I'm too old for that sh .... you know what I mean!

Then filled the empty primer with gap filling CA glue

http://i221.photobucket.com/albums/dd297/prairiecustomguitars/100/PICT0451.jpg

I would hate to have a knob go off!!!

Marty man you crack me up :lol:

'have a knob go off"

What do the shells look like arter they are shot?

Marty man you crack me up :lol:

'have a knob go off"

What do the shells look like arter they are shot?

The primer has a little dent in it
http://i221.photobucket.com/albums/dd297/prairiecustomguitars/100/PICT0440.jpg

Schweet! Me likey this Tele!! Gun's and Tele's seem to go together....

Absolutely Gorgeous!

And not a bad suggestion of a band name, TB - Guns 'n Teles! They could use Marty's creation as cover art!

New knobs look great Marty!

Me 2. Those knobs are looking great.

I'm really enjoying the whole $100 challenge project. Anyone can just order fancy parts from a catalog and put together something impressive, but restrictions like this really get the creative juices flowing.

This is looking really cool Marty.

Then to defuse the primer I drilled out the guts

http://i221.photobucket.com/albums/dd297/prairiecustomguitars/100/PICT0448.jpg

Then filled the empty primer with gap filling CA glue

http://i221.photobucket.com/albums/dd297/prairiecustomguitars/100/PICT0451.jpg

I would hate to have a knob go off!!!

Since CA heats up as it cures, if you hadn't removed the primer that's a distinct possibility.
I LOVE this guitar! Sweet!

Fantastic work - as always - Marty!.........:cool:

im thinking you have that bigger than usual binding rout on the top ?
can you bind a guitar with an ammo belt ?

Hmmm,not sure why,but since this challenge has started I have had to work late just about every day
Anyway,got a bit done tonight.Had a terrible time with my camera.Only seemed to record about every 2nd or 3rd pic??????
I sanded the body down a bit more just to see where I was at.I had to shoot some sealer on a couple other bodies tonight so I figured there would be some sealer left in the gun:wink:
Had to do "THE BEAST" and a Thinline body I am working on
http://i221.photobucket.com/albums/dd297/prairiecustomguitars/100/PICT0460.jpg
http://i221.photobucket.com/albums/dd297/prairiecustomguitars/100/PICT0461.jpg

Camera seemed to work OK when it was pointed at me!!!
Maybe it couldn't take the image
http://i221.photobucket.com/albums/dd297/prairiecustomguitars/100/PICT0469.jpg

There is 2 nice heavy coats of sealer on this.It is pretty good stuff.High solids and builds pretty well.I have actually done ash bodies without filler and just more coats of it
There is still quite a bit of grain here
http://i221.photobucket.com/albums/dd297/prairiecustomguitars/100/PICT0458.jpg

http://i221.photobucket.com/albums/dd297/prairiecustomguitars/100/PICT0459.jpg

Got another pretty good coat while emptying the gun:wink:
http://i221.photobucket.com/albums/dd297/prairiecustomguitars/100/PICT0453.jpg

I noticed in preeb's 55 strat thread that he uses sealer before grain filler. Is that your technique as well, marty? Guess I've never noticed that step - always thought it was straight to grain filler.

I noticed in preeb's 55 strat thread that he uses sealer before grain filler. Is that your technique as well, marty? Guess I've never noticed that step - always thought it was straight to grain filler.

I usually do one coat,then sand it back,just to fill the small pores.
This one won't be getting grain filler,just maybe another couple coats of sealer.Like I mentioned,I have actually just used this on ash before with great results.Just takes lots of coats.

Late to the party but Daaaaarrrn those shells look great as the controls!!!

j

Well this -30* weather has kept us pretty busy at work,keepin the gas flowin so haven't had a lot of time the last few days.On top of that,one of my ears has been buggin me so I broke down and went to the Doc today.Seems I have infection in it.I have been fighting a cold for the last week and it seems to have settled in my head.You know what they say,it goes to the weakest spot!!!!:wink:
Anyway,I did manage to drag my arse out tonight for a bit and give this thing a sanding.Gettin pretty close
http://i221.photobucket.com/albums/dd297/prairiecustomguitars/100/PICT0471.jpg

http://i221.photobucket.com/albums/dd297/prairiecustomguitars/100/PICT0470.jpg

That is some Nice lookin ash !
Hope you feel better!

Tried to have a nap but no such luck:sad:
So I decided to call it good and headed back out and give this a shot of lacquer.
I wont be spraying any more sealer for a few days and need to get this thing moving along.
This will be a buffer coat so if I don't like the color I can sand it off without removing the sealer
http://i221.photobucket.com/albums/dd297/prairiecustomguitars/100/PICT0480.jpg

http://i221.photobucket.com/albums/dd297/prairiecustomguitars/100/PICT0479.jpg

Hmmm,not sure why,but since this challenge has started I have had to work late just about every day
Anyway,got a bit done tonight.Had a terrible time with my camera.Only seemed to record about every 2nd or 3rd pic??????
I sanded the body down a bit more just to see where I was at.I had to shoot some sealer on a couple other bodies tonight so I figured there would be some sealer left in the gun:wink:
Had to do "THE BEAST" and a Thinline body I am working on
http://i221.photobucket.com/albums/dd297/prairiecustomguitars/100/PICT0460.jpg
http://i221.photobucket.com/albums/dd297/prairiecustomguitars/100/PICT0461.jpg

Camera seemed to work OK when it was pointed at me!!!
Maybe it couldn't take the image
http://i221.photobucket.com/albums/dd297/prairiecustomguitars/100/PICT0469.jpg

i likey the esquire thinline........

Tried another nap,no luck.Maybe it's a sign
I grabbed the spray gun and headed back out to the shop.
I am pretty surprised how level this is already
http://i221.photobucket.com/albums/dd297/prairiecustomguitars/100/PICT0482.jpg
Since I can't sleep,might as well make the best of it.
Now we need to mix up some color
http://i221.photobucket.com/albums/dd297/prairiecustomguitars/100/PICT0483.jpg
Amber is the first ingredient
http://i221.photobucket.com/albums/dd297/prairiecustomguitars/100/PICT0484.jpg
I don't like amber alone,to yellow for my tastes so I give it a drop of burnt sienna
http://i221.photobucket.com/albums/dd297/prairiecustomguitars/100/PICT0485.jpg

Now it's just real light coats
http://i221.photobucket.com/albums/dd297/prairiecustomguitars/100/PICT0486.jpg

Nope,not yet


A couple more light passes

Now we are getting some where

http://i221.photobucket.com/albums/dd297/prairiecustomguitars/100/PICT0487.jpg

Hmmm,I see a problem developing
The neck is pretty white.Not going to match up very well

http://i221.photobucket.com/albums/dd297/prairiecustomguitars/100/PICT0490.jpg

I have to say I have never tried this water based lacquer over poly
Might as well give it a try.Worked over the neck with some steel wool,wiped it down good with some naphtha
http://i221.photobucket.com/albums/dd297/prairiecustomguitars/100/PICT0491.jpg

Lord hates a coward.Just happen to have a bit left in the gun

http://i221.photobucket.com/albums/dd297/prairiecustomguitars/100/PICT0493.jpg

I was really surprised how after just the first pass the subtle flame in the neck showed up

http://i221.photobucket.com/albums/dd297/prairiecustomguitars/100/PICT0494.jpg

http://i221.photobucket.com/albums/dd297/prairiecustomguitars/100/PICT0495.jpg

Doesn't seem to be any issues.It laid down real nice
http://i221.photobucket.com/albums/dd297/prairiecustomguitars/100/PICT0500.jpg

http://i221.photobucket.com/albums/dd297/prairiecustomguitars/100/PICT0497.jpg

http://i221.photobucket.com/albums/dd297/prairiecustomguitars/100/PICT0504.jpg

NOw time to clean up the gun and hit the sack.Got to be able to sleep now :sad:

Marty let us know if we can send you any parts to help you with the build.

Kyle

Gorgeous. Absolutely gorgeous!

looking great marty!!!!

bullet knobs and switch.....now we're talking OUTLAW..Ole Fuzzy would be proud

I think I am on the mend.Feel much better today,got home from work at a decent time and I have 4 DAYS OFF!!!
Time to go check the color
http://i221.photobucket.com/albums/dd297/prairiecustomguitars/100/PICT0505.jpg

That will do fine.Neck matches much better now
Now it is time to get out old faithful

http://i221.photobucket.com/albums/dd297/prairiecustomguitars/100/PICT0507.jpg

Still my favorite gun.$9.99 at Princess Auto(one of them cheap tool and parts stores).This thing has shot a ton of stuff

I shot a coat of clear on the neck first

http://i221.photobucket.com/albums/dd297/prairiecustomguitars/100/PICT0506.jpg

Now just add some black to the lacquer and to my initial black ring.This makes sure I get all the edges covered and kind of gives me a guide to spray the next color.I have read that some guys use templates to do bursts,tape off parts etc.I just go by the seat of my pants.I tried the templates,taping but it just gives you hard lines and makes it tough to do a nice transition between colors.My bursting method is probably exactly how NOT to do it but it works for me

http://i221.photobucket.com/albums/dd297/prairiecustomguitars/100/PICT0508.jpg

http://i221.photobucket.com/albums/dd297/prairiecustomguitars/100/PICT0509.jpg

Can see that some grain showing on the edges.It is sealed but just still showing.I am hoping that the lacquer will fill it,but if it doesn't.......
http://i221.photobucket.com/albums/dd297/prairiecustomguitars/100/PICT0510.jpg

Now the nice thing about this water based lacquer,after a color its off to the kitchen sink,turn on the tap,a few swishes and the gun is ready for the next color.No thinner needed

http://i221.photobucket.com/albums/dd297/prairiecustomguitars/100/PICT0513.jpg

I will give that about an hour and then do the next color

those are my favorite guns too

What is the eventuality of that top edge body route ?

What is the eventuality of that top edge body route ?

wouldn't you love to know!!!!!!!!!:lol::lol:
i know the answer..... :twisted:

What is the eventuality of that top edge body route ?wouldn't you love to know!!!!!!!!!:lol::lol:
i know the answer..... :twisted:

Here I was being all nice & patient, and now you've got me wanting to know too.. not fair :mad:

Black is dry
http://meatballhat.com/py/FrizzleFry/img/onward.jpg

Now it's back to the little bucket of colors

http://i221.photobucket.com/albums/dd297/prairiecustomguitars/100/PICT0515.jpg

Some of this....

http://i221.photobucket.com/albums/dd297/prairiecustomguitars/100/PICT0516.jpg

Some of that.....

http://i221.photobucket.com/albums/dd297/prairiecustomguitars/100/PICT0517.jpg

wouldn't you love to know!!!!!!!!!:lol::lol:
i know the answer..... :twisted:


I;d like to know or I would not have asked, if the answer goes the way of the 'Who's Chet' methodology of disclosure I can always delete my subscription to the thread the way I look at it. Like I did on the Who's Chet Thread...:rolleyes:

Dump it in the gun

http://i221.photobucket.com/albums/dd297/prairiecustomguitars/100/PICT0518.jpg

Quick wipe with the tack cloth

http://i221.photobucket.com/albums/dd297/prairiecustomguitars/100/PICT0520.jpg

And we start very light(on the back,in case I screw up!!)

http://i221.photobucket.com/albums/dd297/prairiecustomguitars/100/PICT0521.jpg

At this point I have very little fan in my spray pattern and very little lacquer.
Once I make a few passes on the back,on to the front

http://i221.photobucket.com/albums/dd297/prairiecustomguitars/100/PICT0522.jpg

I;d like to know or I would not have asked, if the answer goes the way of the 'Who's Chet' methodology of disclosure I can always delete my subscription to the thread the way I look at it. Like I did on the Who's Chet Thread...:rolleyes:

Soon Grasshopper
http://www.digitallard.com/images/dvd%20review/content420/kungfu22.jpg:wink:

Back to the back....

http://i221.photobucket.com/albums/dd297/prairiecustomguitars/100/PICT0524.jpg

The front......:roll:

http://i221.photobucket.com/albums/dd297/prairiecustomguitars/100/PICT0525.jpg

Ok,we will stop here for now

http://i221.photobucket.com/albums/dd297/prairiecustomguitars/100/PICT0527.jpg

Back to the sink!!

i'm bursting with joy! haha

I;d like to know or I would not have asked...

All I know is that if it's a neon tube, the hum is going to be unbearable.

Still just not to sure what I am going to do with the guard.I did find my leather stamps,but it has been a long time!!!!
Just for curiosity,I give a scrap a shot of this water based lacquer,just to see what will happen

http://i221.photobucket.com/albums/dd297/prairiecustomguitars/100/PICT0528.jpg



Will let that dry and see

Before I tinted the lacquer,I give the neck another shot

http://i221.photobucket.com/albums/dd297/prairiecustomguitars/100/PICT0529.jpg

Then I tinted it with some brown and killed a bit of the red.I want this to have an aged look

http://i221.photobucket.com/albums/dd297/prairiecustomguitars/100/PICT0530.jpg

http://i221.photobucket.com/albums/dd297/prairiecustomguitars/100/PICT0531.jpg

Then it was more brown and just a touch of black to finish up the edges

http://i221.photobucket.com/albums/dd297/prairiecustomguitars/100/PICT0534.jpg

Let that dry and hit it with some clear

Hmmm

http://i221.photobucket.com/albums/dd297/prairiecustomguitars/100/PICT0532.jpg

:wink:

I thought Scatter Lee was in the lead , but you sir, have proved me wrong, it'll be a close finish.
BTW: That burst is amazing!

Soon Grasshopper
http://www.digitallard.com/images/dvd%20review/content420/kungfu22.jpg:wink:

Blough me Hopper-Son.... Nice burst there...

Blough me Hopper-Son.... Nice burst there...

Hehe
If all goes well,tomorrow will be the day!!

OK,last one tonight
Give it a nice coat of lacquer to melt the colors together
http://i221.photobucket.com/albums/dd297/prairiecustomguitars/100/PICT0535.jpg

Tomorrow we will work on the guard and maybe get that route filled :grin:

Hehe
If all goes well,tomorrow will be the day!!


I was starting to think you were just doing an early Albert Lee type Tele top edge / GMP type top lip once I saw you painting over it.

Lookin' fine, Marty. :grin:

I was starting to think you were just doing an early Albert Lee type Tele top edge / GMP type top lip once I saw you painting over it.

Oh there is something going in there
:wink:

Excellent thread Marty...keep er goin...it ain't over till it's over...

Oh there is something going in there
:wink:


Barbed wire!! :mrgreen:

Barbed wire!! :mrgreen:

I actually contemplated that,even did a little test.Just no real good way to secure it,and it would be rough on the forearm:wink:

I actually contemplated that,even did a little test.Just no real good way to secure it,and it would be rough on the forearm:wink:

Yes, we covered that early on. I never thought about the forearm lacerations :shock:

I thought maybe you could encompass the wire in some of Dikker's sparkle goo or something...

Just use authentic wire staples and bury it all in the goo with the wire maybe. :mrgreen:

Yes, we covered that early on. I never thought about the forearm lacerations :shock:

I thought maybe you could encompass the wire in some of Dikker's sparkle goo or something...

Just use authentic wire staples and bury it all in the goo with the wire maybe. :mrgreen:

That all crossed my mind.The wife had some casting resin in her craft stuff.Just wasn't sure if it was still good because it was pretty old and that stuff is too expensive to buy for a $100 build :wink::grin:

That all crossed my mind.The wife had some casting resin in her craft stuff.Just wasn't sure if it was still good because it was pretty old and that stuff is too expensive to buy for a $100 build


I propose: she was going to toss it with it being questionable value. :wink::wink:Garbage = Zero?, well, not always of course... I have heard the dumpster behind Gibson here in NashVeggies used to have some nice garbage before they caught on and started cutting it all up into small pieces. ;)


Anyway, Dog day for us, off to the Meet and Greet to show of our hounds.. ;)

Later gator, try to sty outta trouble now. ;)

What kind of hounds are you showing off there Robert?

Just had to see what it looked like

http://i221.photobucket.com/albums/dd297/prairiecustomguitars/100/PICT0540.jpg

http://i221.photobucket.com/albums/dd297/prairiecustomguitars/100/PICT0542.jpg

Then I wiped it down and give it another shot of lacquer

http://i221.photobucket.com/albums/dd297/prairiecustomguitars/100/PICT0543.jpg

http://i221.photobucket.com/albums/dd297/prairiecustomguitars/100/PICT0547.jpg

I see I have a few foreign objects in there.The hazards of spraying flat
That will have to do for now.I will have to wetsand out the spots after it cures

Give the neck another shot too

http://i221.photobucket.com/albums/dd297/prairiecustomguitars/100/PICT0545.jpg

http://i221.photobucket.com/albums/dd297/prairiecustomguitars/100/PICT0544.jpg

That will do for it too until I get the decal made.Have to pick up a new power supply for my other computer.It died on me the other day and it has my printing program on it.
Now what to call it?????????

Suggestions?

OK,now off to find that binding,I know it is here somewhere:wink:

AARRRGGHHHH!!! This teasing is worse than my high school sweetie's!

Hmmm,can't find exactly what I was looking for,but I did find a couple different options.
Also,just realized that there will need to be some fret markers installed on the neck since it is LH:idea:

What kind of hounds are you showing off there Robert?


These little 80 & 90 lb pups:

http://home.comcast.net/~7511/0_0/TigerANDJelly.JPG

That was what I thought of when you said meet and greet. We have 6 of those guys and gals here! The wife started a Greyhound adoption group with a friend about 6-7 years ago.

I mentioned about the fret markers.I was just going to use a sharpie and put some dots on but thats no fun.Keeping with the spirit of the build,I rounded up a bunch of .22 casings and cut them down

http://i221.photobucket.com/albums/dd297/prairiecustomguitars/100/PICT0554.jpg

Took the neck over to the press,drilled some holes,a drop of CA glue,tapped them in and now we have some markers

http://i221.photobucket.com/albums/dd297/prairiecustomguitars/100/PICT0555.jpg

I put a dab of black on the 12th fret marker.They were a little big to try to get 2 on there :wink:

Thought I would do a little on the guard tonight.
Like I said before it has been a long time since I did any tooling,so we will keep it simple.
First wet the leather and then cut the line with the swivel knife
http://i221.photobucket.com/albums/dd297/prairiecustomguitars/100/PICT0556.jpg

Then use the shader tool to make the line stand out
http://i221.photobucket.com/albums/dd297/prairiecustomguitars/100/PICT0557.jpg

Now the easy part
http://i221.photobucket.com/albums/dd297/prairiecustomguitars/100/PICT0558.jpg

Now I have to decide what I am going to put on the bottom part :lol:

Nice - even if it does almost look like Texas!

OK,I slept on it and still can't decide
They mystery binding was actually going to be this

http://i221.photobucket.com/albums/dd297/prairiecustomguitars/100/PICT0551.jpg

Then I had a friend say that braided leather would look good.I checked into it and there is no way I can budget it in,but I did find an old rein from a halter hanging in the shed.

http://i221.photobucket.com/albums/dd297/prairiecustomguitars/100/PICT0548.jpg

It is a little big though.Sticks up a little proud but would match the guard pretty well

http://i221.photobucket.com/albums/dd297/prairiecustomguitars/100/PICT0552.jpg

Then yesterday I had to go pick up my wife so I stopped into the farm supply store,just to see what was hanging in the tack department.Not much that would work but there was some pretty cool braided rope,just the right size.It was $1.89 for 6 feet

http://i221.photobucket.com/albums/dd297/prairiecustomguitars/100/PICT0550.jpg

So any suggestions
Got to get this on,whatever I decide

The white/black looks pretty cool in a Dikkers kind of way,

If you know what mean. ;)

Very, Very COOL. Do they have it Dark Brown & Tan?

Marty, this just keeps getting cooler every time I peek in here.

These little 80 & 90 lb pups:

They look like my 40mph Couch Potatoes.

I like the last one that is black and white... and no doubt one of the judges will like it...

the white rope has the most flare, but the leather seems to go more with your theme....:wink:

My vote is for leather. You may be able to rework it to fit a bit better.

While I like the look of the leather, the fit of the white/black wins out.

My vote is for leather. You may be able to rework it to fit a bit better.

Exactly what I was thinking.I went out and to see just how much bigger of route I would need for the leather.
If I used the same bearing on my bit,just make the route deeper

http://i221.photobucket.com/albums/dd297/prairiecustomguitars/100/PICT0559.jpg

http://i221.photobucket.com/albums/dd297/prairiecustomguitars/100/PICT0560.jpg

It will fit not too bad.The bad part is I am pretty sure it is going to chew up the lacquer around the edge :sad:

I'm afraid that the route will just be too big and it will not fit all that great anyway.If I had a smaller diameter braided leather rope it would work but.....
Now I just have to see how the black and white rope reacts with the glue.MIght not be an issue but I better check:grin:

Marty, this just keeps getting cooler every time I peek in here.

They look like my 40mph Couch Potatoes.

They do sleep a lot, ours are relegated to accommodations lower than furniture on their collection of comforters and Doggy beds et al. ;)

But for a few minutes every day they romp, and it still makes me smile to watch them chase each other at full speed in the yard.

We are going to miss the huge back yard when we get to Portland, OR I suspect, as are the hounds...

That white and black tack just gave me the answer for a direction on the 3TB body that has been sitting on my secondary work table for a months it seems like.

Thanks Marty

Boy, if you could somehow cut that braid in half (maybe impregnate it with something like glue to hold it's shape), it'd be perfect. I think that's by far the best look, even if you do go with the full round and it sticks up.

Could you unwind the leather or rope and rewind it around a smaller diameter core?

Could you unwind the leather or rope and rewind it around a smaller diameter core?

I actually thought about that but this stuff is pretty stiff.IT has been hanging in there for a long time.Even if I was to wet it I am not sure I could get all the kinks out:neutral:

OK,going against and completely ignoring my better judgment,I decided to go for the deeper route.I cut a piece of paper out to cover the top to help stop most of the scratches.I am pretty sure I will need to sand a re-shoot the edges after but.......
IT went pretty well
http://i221.photobucket.com/albums/dd297/prairiecustomguitars/100/PICT0561.jpg

Until............................................. ..

I got careless and didn't let the router come to a complete stop before I went to pull it away.The bit caught the top edge of the route and :shock:

http://i221.photobucket.com/albums/dd297/prairiecustomguitars/100/PICT0562.jpg

We wont post what I said.Anyway I have a little bottle of black tinted lacquer that I use for touchups.I covered the oops with a coat.
http://i221.photobucket.com/albums/dd297/prairiecustomguitars/100/PICT0563.jpg

I will let it cure,do a couple more fills,then when I sand and re-shoot the edges,I will blend it in,hopefully.
Man it sucks when you screw up

Yea Marty, I am fighting farting pine blowing Nitro bubbles on my Proto Tribute finish. There is always something. Funny, as soon as I saw that pic of you opps, I involuntarily spouted F#%-U^$*K out load [can I type that? ] ;)


Feces occurs, then you drop fill, sand and polish...

They say every cloud has a silver lining???
How about a brass lining.While I was looking for the little bottle of tinted lacquer,I ran across a little bag.Inside was this

http://i221.photobucket.com/albums/dd297/prairiecustomguitars/PICT0143.jpg

I was trying to think where these come from and then I remembered.It took a bit to find the thread

http://www.tdpri.com/forum/telecaster-discussion-forum/91207-bargain-bin-score-not.html

I was going to try to budget a set of Allparts saddles or just use some Fender steel ones I have here.I think the $2 will work nicely in the budget:grin:

Stunning work here Marty.

Your burst finish looks great as they always do.

And that is some way cool binding you got going on here.

I think that you will be glad that you routed deeper and went with the leather. It's a much better trim.

Are you going to leave it with the leather texture? or are you going to fill it all with epoxy and finish it smooth with the wood finish?

Looking good!

Looking awesome, good choice to route deeper to allow for the leather; it looks the best. Bummer about the boo-boo. I'm sure it will be invisible after your fix :)

hi Marty, finaly found the Home Depot site :shock: cool lookin body, just wait until the world gets a look at my Guinicaster :smile: by the way, i think its starting to warm up (just kidding, -28 last night)
yes world, i'm getting a Martycaster, thanks Marty

Gee I wanted bindertwine. Don't I count? I still wish I was in this race.

OK
Dragged my sorry but back out to the shop after gig practice.Did a little sanding and filling.Now we wait until it dries again
This is going to slow down production :wink:
http://i221.photobucket.com/albums/dd297/prairiecustomguitars/100/PICT0564.jpg

I don't feel so bad now for my screw up on the pickup lead hole!

The leather's gonna look great in the long run and make a little error disappear!

small error aside.... it's looking pretty nice, Marty!

I don't feel so bad now for my screw up on the pickup lead hole!

The leather's gonna look great in the long run and make a little error disappear!


Good thing my 48 Broadcaster Proto tribute C-Note-caster is opaque white. I totally forgot it was 1-1/2" thick when I drilled for the wire tunnels and drilled right through the back of the darn thing.. From 2 directions....

A little more sanding tonight and some more drop filling.We will leave that until morning,sand it back and see how we look

http://i221.photobucket.com/albums/dd297/prairiecustomguitars/100/PICT0567.jpg

Some more sanding and another round of drop filling

http://i221.photobucket.com/albums/dd297/prairiecustomguitars/100/PICT0568.jpg

http://i221.photobucket.com/albums/dd297/prairiecustomguitars/100/PICT0569.jpg

Almost gone :smile:

Whats a guitar without a strap
Well my dad never threw anything away!!
I remembered about 1o years ago him packing around a bunch of old harness,so we went on the hunt
Got to be something in this mess we can use for a strap
http://i221.photobucket.com/albums/dd297/prairiecustomguitars/100/PICT0570.jpg

I wrestled out a good looking candidate

http://i221.photobucket.com/albums/dd297/prairiecustomguitars/100/PICT0571.jpg

After I rolled it around in the snow for a while and took the wire brush to it!!
http://i221.photobucket.com/albums/dd297/prairiecustomguitars/100/PICT0572.jpg

Now this has been in that cupboard for a long time.I figured since it was wet I would give it a stretch to straighten it out a tad.Not a real cool Scatter type jig but it works

http://i221.photobucket.com/albums/dd297/prairiecustomguitars/100/PICT0574.jpg

http://i221.photobucket.com/albums/dd297/prairiecustomguitars/100/PICT0573.jpg

I seem to be having deja vu
It's like I was right here a day and a half ago:shock:
http://i221.photobucket.com/albums/dd297/prairiecustomguitars/100/PICT0577.jpg
There is a small spot I can still see that might need a touch of drop fill but it is pretty much gone.After a coat or two of lacquer I will see how it looks
I see I have a hair in there too :mad:

who'd have thought that strap was "beat"

keep up the awesome work marty

brewws

Did ya soak that chuck of cow in hot water an lanolin before the rack ??

Did ya soak that chuck of cow in hot water an lanolin before the rack ??

I'm not sure what it was.Something my mother had that she said would work.I never asked what it was :roll:

I'm not sure what it was.Something my mother had that she said would work.I never asked what it was :roll:


Was it very white and like plain yogurt looking?

Was it very white and like plain yogurt looking?

Ya kinda,smelled too :wink:

Ya kinda,smelled too :wink:


Smell like a sheep? Or a wet danky wool sweater or scarf maybe?

Back on track
Here is how it looks today
http://i221.photobucket.com/albums/dd297/prairiecustomguitars/100/PICT0580.jpg

Now time to figure out the binding :shock:

Where the heck is the case? And I am sure that you'll make strings next .. ya got a few days.

Not sure about the case,but as for the strings
I got a couple sets of Allparts no-namers.For the $1.75 they cost me,there is no sense not using them :wink:

All your pictures posted after 12PM on the 1st are missing. And of course now you can't edit what the problem might be.

Hmmm,not sure about the pics?
They are still showing on mine and I just tried the wifes computer and they work on there?

Well let me tell you,that was an adventure to say the least!!!!
None of my methods I had thought of wanted to work to hold it on.I ended up having to use a hot glue gun and some little tacks:sad:.I guess it goes with the theme but I didn't want to have to use anything that could be seen from the outside.
Didn't match up as well as I liked but there was no turning back after I started.Couldn't really take pics.I guess it will have to do

http://i221.photobucket.com/albums/dd297/prairiecustomguitars/100/PICT0590.jpg
No matter what I do I think there will be some gap between the leather and the body,too bad.I was hoping for a better fit

http://i221.photobucket.com/albums/dd297/prairiecustomguitars/100/PICT0590.jpg

YIKES. Sunburst looks really nice though.

i wouldn't worry too much marty!!! i think it looks great!

and i aint having any troubles with the pics either. ironwolf it might be your computer, or connection?

I will see what I can do with the joint.MAybe do a mock-up.If the channel wasn't so big I could do reg binding but I just checked,it would take 5 layers of 0.060 binding to fill it:shock:
I will just lick my wounds and see what I can make out of it:sad:

I'd have done it with that White&Black one. They make folded leather braid that might be easier for the task. I hope you do not mind my putting my nose in your binding. :shock:

I'd have done it with that White&Black one. They make folded leather braid that might be easier for the task. I hope you do not mind my putting my nose in your binding. :shock:

Nope,just going to be more of a challenge now to get it to look decent :wink:

Well at least the leather will be comfortable on the inner forearm.
You do beautiful work!

I Donno Marty... looks pretty good to me as it is.

Well.........................................
To say I am unhappy with the leather is a major understatement:sad:
So...............................bye bye
http://i221.photobucket.com/albums/dd297/prairiecustomguitars/100/PICT0591.jpg

Now that is one honkin route I am going to have to deal with :twisted:

All I know is that it is WAY to late in the challenge to be having to do this :neutral:

Something that has some kind of a pattern like that 'herring bone" (sp?) binding might look really cool.

Or I remember you mentioned you know a guy who does laser etching. Maybe he could put a cool pattern on some kind of material for you? Something with a similar pattern to the rope, but without being tough to manage like the rope?

I really like the pattern, but the rope itself does really overwhelm the rest of the body. You only know by trying though! Good effort!

and i aint having any troubles with the pics either. ironwolf it might be your computer, or connection?

Nope, I've got a straight pipe to the net through my web and domain servers. The only pictures missing anywhere are the ones on this thread between noon on the first and when the post count rolled into this page. Everything on this page is hunky dory.

You could round over the top edges like on a Rickenbacker. Either that or you can cut up some belts to the proper dimensions (three-ply leather binding???).

How about rope?

the herringbone is a good idea. but it is a large gap to fill.
goodluck marty you know i'm banking on you winning!!!

How about some Yacht rope Tight clean and readily available??

Nope,no more goofy binding.Wasted too much time.Got to go some other route

Nope,no more goofy binding.Wasted too much time.Got to go some other route

Marty, you're the binding wizard. You'll come up with something cool.

There's lots of room there for some multi-layer magic. :grin:

If we had have had more time to prepare for these builds, I would have liked to do this kind of binding, but getting stuff sent over from the US takes a month at least.

http://www.stewmac.com/product_images/1lg/2020/Natural_Wood_Bindings_Detail.jpg

I think the idea that someone had earlier of suspending barbed wire in clear epoxy would be sweet, and interesting to see the rig built to make it happen.

Just dye the leather a more subtle colour. I'll give $124 Canadian Tire money if you don't win.

A bigger route for a flush fit, dye the leather black, and epoxy it in place. Would look great. Too late?

A bigger route for a flush fit, dye the leather black, and epoxy it in place. Would look great. Too late?

Yep,there has been a major morph in the direction in which this build is progressing:wink:
Pics to follow:twisted:

Well I think my last marble has fallen out:shock:
Pretty much figure since I have this big route with nothing to go in it,why not make it BIGGER!!!!!
I have a multi profile edging bit,have never used it,so............
I set it up in the router,picked a spot on it that would take out the square route.However doing that it added a couple more routes

http://i221.photobucket.com/albums/dd297/prairiecustomguitars/100/PICT0594.jpg

We have one majorly weird carved top now:twisted:
Didn't take into consideration the output jack hole though
http://i221.photobucket.com/albums/dd297/prairiecustomguitars/100/PICT0592.jpg
So I made a plug from the cutoff from the body,glued it up and drove it in and run it by the router again

With all the router work I managed to scratch up the burst pretty bad,so it had to come off
http://i221.photobucket.com/albums/dd297/prairiecustomguitars/100/PICT0595.jpg

Since this is going to be totally weird,lets make it weirder and add some binding
The route is so low that part of the binding will go all around the body
http://i221.photobucket.com/albums/dd297/prairiecustomguitars/100/PICT0597.jpg

Hmmm,what color.
Well lets make it stand out!!!:shock:
http://i221.photobucket.com/albums/dd297/prairiecustomguitars/100/PICT0598.jpg

Pulled the tape and trimmed it up a bit
http://i221.photobucket.com/albums/dd297/prairiecustomguitars/100/PICT0601.jpg

http://i221.photobucket.com/albums/dd297/prairiecustomguitars/100/PICT0602.jpg

http://i221.photobucket.com/albums/dd297/prairiecustomguitars/100/PICT0603.jpg

http://i221.photobucket.com/albums/dd297/prairiecustomguitars/100/PICT0604.jpg

Give it a shot of sealer to help smooth out the new routes
Probably should have give it more but times a tickin and I am back to work for 10 days.
Now tape off the binding to put the burst back on
http://i221.photobucket.com/albums/dd297/prairiecustomguitars/100/PICT0605.jpg

Hmmmm,what it we taped off the next ledge and made some natural binding too!!!
http://i221.photobucket.com/albums/dd297/prairiecustomguitars/100/PICT0606.jpg

Now the amber goes back on
http://i221.photobucket.com/albums/dd297/prairiecustomguitars/100/PICT0607.jpg

That output jack was bothering me.I knew I had an old jack I took out of a Japanese tele a while ago.I'm sure I saved it.While the amber was drying I hunted it down
http://i221.photobucket.com/albums/dd297/prairiecustomguitars/100/PICT0608.jpg

Good thing I didn't make my plug full depth

Now for the black,again:roll:
http://i221.photobucket.com/albums/dd297/prairiecustomguitars/100/PICT0610.jpg

Mixed up way too much so I will save it for late.Good old baby food jars
http://i221.photobucket.com/albums/dd297/prairiecustomguitars/100/PICT0611.jpg

Then after the black was dry,on goes the middle ring
http://i221.photobucket.com/albums/dd297/prairiecustomguitars/100/PICT0613.jpg

Now touch up the black
http://i221.photobucket.com/albums/dd297/prairiecustomguitars/100/PICT0617.jpg

There back to where we were,almost:roll:
http://i221.photobucket.com/albums/dd297/prairiecustomguitars/100/PICT0618.jpg

Now let that dry a bit and pull the tape

http://i221.photobucket.com/albums/dd297/prairiecustomguitars/100/PICT0619.jpg

I had a little seepage under the tape.Not too bad though.I will call it a night and let it cure.When I get home tomorrow I will scrape the binding and see if I am going to keep the natural binding

You are a bursting Mofo! Nice creative direction there!

I really like the sunburst and how it looked before you pulled off the tape. Solid black around that routed edge was really really nice.

I really like the sunburst and how it looked before you pulled off the tape. Solid black around that routed edge was really really nice.


But it will look sweet when that routed bead matches the center of the burst.

Great save Marty. The leather binding looked nice but this is much better. The double bound look is sweet!

Pick up, march on, don't look back, don't cry over it. That is the way of the artist. Good going.

Just another wonderful March day in Alberta
-14*c with wind gusting between 60-100kph
I normally check 40-50 gas wells each day.Today I got stuck going to the first one!!
Here is a pic I took with my phone from the door of our office.The trees you see are about 40 yds away
http://i221.photobucket.com/albums/dd297/prairiecustomguitars/mail.jpg

Just another wonderful March day in Alberta


You're lucky, Marty! We're either under ten feet of water or catching fire. Now I look at the weather maps and what do I see? A tropical cyclone, aka a Hurricane currently at category 2 rising to 3.... :shock:

Have a look at the NE tip of Australia, at the top of the Great Barrier Reef.

http://www.bom.gov.au/gms/IDE00035.200903052230.jpg

Not sure if you would call it lucky!!!
I have to admit,I can take the cold better than I can the heat.You know what they say,you can keep putting on cloths but you can only take so many off :shock:

One good thing was we got to come home early.13 miles took me over an hour to get home.
Figured I better clean up the binding.I found that one of those finger nail emery boards sanded square worked great for cleaning up the faux binding
http://i221.photobucket.com/albums/dd297/prairiecustomguitars/100/PICT0622.jpg

As for the pearloid,just the regular utility knife blade and the home made scraper

http://i221.photobucket.com/albums/dd297/prairiecustomguitars/100/PICT0623.jpg

But it will look sweet when that routed bead matches the center of the burst.

You know I never even thought of that.If I would have I would have taped it off after I shot the amber.Good idea though so...........
Out with the tape
http://i221.photobucket.com/albums/dd297/prairiecustomguitars/100/PICT0624.jpg

Pretty sure it would have worked without taping it off but wanted to make sure.Then a shot of the special mix
http://i221.photobucket.com/albums/dd297/prairiecustomguitars/100/PICT0626.jpg

Give it a few minutes and then pull the tape
http://i221.photobucket.com/albums/dd297/prairiecustomguitars/100/PICT0627.jpg

http://i221.photobucket.com/albums/dd297/prairiecustomguitars/100/PICT0628.jpg

After it is dry I will wipe it down and give it all a shot of clear
Thanks for the idea robt57!!!!!

wow!!!
looks awesome.
great save.

It is going to be impossible to pick a winner in this contest given all the talent, artistic ability and innovation. I am glad I am not judging. Inspiring work!

That is just too cool. Way to go Marty.

First coat of lacquer(I hope for the last time:roll:)
http://i221.photobucket.com/albums/dd297/prairiecustomguitars/100/PICT0634.jpg

Now I have a P90 here I got on ebay a long time ago for $4
I have no idea who made it.I wonder if I can squeak it in there
http://i221.photobucket.com/albums/dd297/prairiecustomguitars/100/P90fit.jpg

as my brother who dwells in Alberta would say ...

Marty you are a .... beauty...and I'd agree...:)

Thanks for the comments.I am surprised how it is looking actually:lol:
Well I am sure I can stuff that P90 in there.
On goes the template
http://i221.photobucket.com/albums/dd297/prairiecustomguitars/100/PICT0635.jpg

This is another plus with this water based lacquer.Don't think you could do this an hour after a coat of nitro :wink:
Yep,just fit!!!
http://i221.photobucket.com/albums/dd297/prairiecustomguitars/100/PICT0636.jpg

I'm a thinkin a regular tele guard is not going to work very well on this :lol:
So time to try to design one.
Out with the paper and pencil,do a little tracing
http://i221.photobucket.com/albums/dd297/prairiecustomguitars/100/PICT0637.jpg

I am kind of limited on what I can do.All I have here is a small left over piece of pearloid from another build.Can't see cutting up a $25 guard for this,and it's also not in the budget:wink:
Well it's coming.I measured my piece of pearloid and I cant any higher.
http://i221.photobucket.com/albums/dd297/prairiecustomguitars/100/PICT0639.jpg

Needs a little refining but it's getting there

Awesome recovery....truly inspirational to someone (me) who is building my first guitar right now... little mistakes can lead to interesting things...

With all that binding and contouring and non-standard pickup'ing, you should name it the "Deluxe 'tele-deluxe' deluxe" :lol:

How about no pickguard? You don't need one for that P90 anyways, and the finish is incredible.

Maybe cut the PG between he P-90 and bridge at an angle like a old LP Special Double Cut....

http://www.philsguitars.com/images/parts/54_gibson_lp_special_pkgd/IMG_1081.jpg

How about no pickguard? You don't need one for that P90 anyways, and the finish is incredible.

+1