New Warmoth Build: "Tennessee Rose" Gretsch-o-Caster

Well, after seeing me build 4 of my own Warmoths, my dad, who also plays guitar, wanted to finally build one for himself. After going back and forth on specs for a long time, he finally settled on the idea of a semi-hollow Tele, with the electronics and "vibe" of a Gretsch Tenessee Rose.

The specs are as follows:

NECK:
Quartersawn Maple. 59 Roundback. Ebony Fretboard. Pearl Inlays. Schaller M6 Mini Tuners.

BODY
Warmoth 72 Thinline Deluxe Tele. Double Bound in White. Translucent Red. Chevron bookmatched Mahogany top. Fender American Standard Hardtail Bridge.

ELECTRONICS
Set of GFS Retrotron Memphis Alnico II humbuckers. (wound really low to simulate the Gretsch Filtertron sound). CTS and Switchcraft components. authentic Gretsch knobs and switch tips.

Visually, the guitar is stunning. Very Gretsch like. The chevron'd matched mahogany top has a 3D quality to it, which is amazing. The finish work from Warmoth was, once again, impeccable.

Sonically, the guitar made both of our jaws drop to the floor. The acoustic like properties from the hollow body, combined with the alnico underwound pickups, give it an amazing, three dimensional chime that I've never heard before. Really, really unique. Absolutely beautiful tones through a Fender clean amp.

We're still in awe of the GFS pickups, and how they can sound THAT good, for under $80 for the set. I know that some of the GFS pickups are less than stellar, but these Memphis buckers are incredible. Very detailed, smooth, clear, jangly, chimey. Nothing cheap sounding about them at all.

Anyway, without futher ado...

The Pierro Custom "Tennessee Rose" Gretsch-O-Caster

http://gallery.me.com/nickpierro/100025/DSCN0674/web.jpg?ver=12456801450001

http://gallery.me.com/nickpierro/100025/DSCN0673/web.jpg?ver=12456801730001

http://gallery.me.com/nickpierro/100025/DSCN0676/web.jpg?ver=12456801670001

http://gallery.me.com/nickpierro/100025/DSCN0671/web.jpg?ver=12456801390001

awesome!
I think my next tele will be home built, either wamoth or usacg...of course that would mean I have to decide what I want.

Making up your mind is the hardest part. Considering there's SO many options to choose from.

My dad's original idea was a chambered, single pickup, mahogany esquire. And it evolved into this!

Very, very nice!

That's a very snazzy looking guitar!

....THAT is GORGEOUS!! Love to know the total build cost.

Looks great!

That would make Chet Atkins smile!:razz:

Total build cost was about $1100. The double bound body added on some bucks. The $15 dollar Gretsch knobs didn't help at all.

We definitely saved some bucks using the GFS's. We were planning on using them until we upgraded to TV Jones's, but the GFS sound GREAT. They're staying in for sure. If it ain't broke, don't fix it!

Just Stunning! I love the description of the acoustic sound in conjunction with the pickups. I've been looking at those same pickups for a long time. It's nice to hear a real world review of the way they sound.

Have you weighed the guitar yet?... I'm guessing.. 7.5 lbs...

Anyway... thanks so much for sharing!

Zack

that is gorgeous !!! i think a Bigsby model in orange should be your next build !!!

Wow, sweet!

*starts chant*

Post a clip! Post a clip! Post a clip!

Very nice.

Love it!

Dude dude dude....Easily in the top-5 coolest and most beautiful Telecasters I've ever seen...hell...maybe even any guitar.

That's gorgeous! Double bound and classy. Reminds me a bit of this gal:

X2 on the clips, if they sound that amazing, we need to hear it!

I've been considering the GFS retrotron sets, I'm looking for that jangley-clean 60's tone in a hollowbody build. Did you request underwound, or are the Memphis pups just made to those specs?

Did I say we need clips?

Guys, thanks for all the great comments.

Rangecaster... you read my mind! I'm already dreaming of a Orange one!

The GFS Retrotrons are already underwound, and are VERY jangly and clear and chimey. They're underwound, standard.

Really great looking Tele!!!

Very tasteful, well executed and seriously pretty. Glad to hear it sounds good too:smile:

What a beauty. Congrats.

Gorgeous job Nick! Congrats!

WOW, what a beauty.

Very nice.

I would be curious to find out how the GFS and the TV Jones pickups compare. Be sure to give us an update if you switch them out.

Fantastic guitar. I absolutely love it.

It's amazing what you can do to a Tele and it still comes out great! Good job.

It's amazing what you can do to a Tele and it still comes out great! Good job.

haha I agree. Even though I still love a "purist" tele that's true to the original, the Tele shape is such a good building block to build something totally different from.

I'll be recording some new tracks for my band soon, and my Dad said that I could use his new guitar on them. So I'll post clip within a few weeks or so.

Looks really nice. I'm not really into red guitars apart from an SG, but that one will do too.

I have a Retrotron Neck pikcup on my modded Squire Affinity. I do like it but the Vintage Vibe Powertrons on my '72 Thinline RI sounds much better. That's why it's my number one Tele.

Beautiful! Did you finish it yourself or did Warmoth?

Very nice! Love the red + binding. How do you two like the 59 roundback? I've played a couple 50s gibbys with amazingly comfortable baseball bat necks (U shaped??)... wondering how the warmoth shape compares.

We had Warmoth do the finishing on the body.

For the neck, this is the 5th guitar that we've done with Minwax Wipe On Poly. Do about 10 coats, and just buff, buff, buff with synthetic steel wool, and it has an incredible satin finish.

Their 59 roundback does feel pretty close to my LP, and I think it's very comfortable. My dad's not a fan of the skinny necks, and wanted something beefier. Definitely fits the vibe of this guitar.

Gorgeous, elegant, guitar.....I'd love to reach through this screen and grab that thing and play a little.

Hey again, Nick!
I'm still lovin' this one