My Esquire assembly and observations

Hi all,
After 20 years as a strat player, I suddenly developed good taste, and a hankerin' for a blackguard. This will probably be a long post, but I'll try to keep it interesting :-D

Here's the parts list:

Neck one: Hefner tele neck, quartersawn, .83 @ first fret .87 @ 12th. C shape 9 1/2" radius9105 frets(secondhand ebay purchase, never mounted)

Neck two: Musikraft tele neck, quartersawn, 1" all the way up, fat C, 9 1/2" radius, 9105 frets, 1 3/4 @ the nut.

Body: Musikraft Blackguard Esquire #0043 with added rout between neck pickup rout and neck pocket.

Glendale double cut, stainless, vintage style plate.

All other parts supplied by Callaham: Fralin Pickup, pre-wired Esquire controls (cryogenically treated!), bakelite pickguard, slotted screws, neckplate and tuners, string tree, electrosocket, compensated saddles.

Re-pop Fender "Esquire" logo.

The Hefner neck came with the frets leveled and crowned, which was nice, then I applied some reranch lacquer and the logo. I put a lot of lacquer on top of the logo and sanded it flush. I know this isn't how the originals were done, but it looks really nice. I started with a silver logo, but I covered it with tinted lacquer so it turned gold. Bummer.

After I ordered the body I thought that I wanted to do something different color-wise. I dropped a line to Jim @ Musikraft, and he was happy to accomodate the change, even though he didn't list the color on his website. Butterscotch out, Daphne Blue in!

Ordering from Glendale and Callaham was trouble free. Both are top-notch companies, and both provide stunning quality products. I've seen the thread with the rough finish Glendale plates, but my plate came polished to perfection. It is very thin and delicate looking, like jewelry. Twang city!
The Callaham stuff is great too. The knobs are particularly nice and the stainless is all smoothly polished and very pretty. The pots, switch, jack and pickup are as good as one can get, I think.

While I let the neck cure, and waited for my body, I learned as much as I could online about assembly. This forum hase been a great base for knowledge. Yea, I had to wade through some misinformation, but very little from TDPRI. Thanks everyone!

When the body arrived, I got some heavy, sticky backed, aluminum duct tape. Not the silvery cloth stuff, but real aluminum tape. I shielded the body carefully from the jack cup to the pickup cavity, carefully making good ground along the way. I found that I could even shield the wiring tunnels by wrapping the tape around a pencil, sticky side out, and carefully working it into the tunnel. This may be obsessive, but hey, I'm that way! the guitar is exceptionally quiet. good shielding info (http://www.guitarnuts.com/index.php)

After shielding, I installed all of the other parts. Sorry, I didn't take pictures along the way, but there are plenty of others here who have...

The pre-cut nut that came with the Hefner neck was too high, so I gave the guitar to a luthier to finish it. When I got the guitar back, I still wasn't happy with it, so I decided I would learn how to do that. After trying various "alternate" nut tools, I decided that I needed proper tools. Off to StewMac for nut cutting supplies. The nut work isn't really that hard if one is patient and studies the proper methods. Just do it.

The Hefner neck has problems. The truss rod is really tight, and when adjusted, it makes a hump between the nut and the 6th or 7th fret. Not good. I decided I wanted a fatter neck anyway, so off to Musikraft again. I paid the $75 extra for express neck and got it within a week, because I couldn't wait. The neck is perfect. I really can't say enough about Musikraft quality.

The guitar is excellent. The quality compares favorably to my Page/Cunetto custom shop strat. I know that's a bold statement to some, but if you look at it as a sum of the highest quality parts assembled carefully, it's not really a stretch.

Sorry the pics aren't very high quality, I assure you the guitar is!
http://davidmires.smugmug.com/Machines/Esquire/with-pow/696661211_xhWWD-M.jpg

The bass saddle is home made!
http://davidmires.smugmug.com/Machines/Esquire/bridge/696660069_uHyDN-M.jpg
Fat neck.
http://davidmires.smugmug.com/Machines/Esquire/big-neck/696657865_i44kQ-M.jpg
This logo just got a quick shot of clear lacquer on top.http://davidmires.smugmug.com/Machines/Esquire/headstock/696670101_QhHrL-M.jpg

Thats very sharp looking!

Looks great man. Is it my imagination or is the bridge plate a lefty?

Very nice guitar; I like that color combination a lot.

Does that Callaham control plate come with enough wire length for you to flip it around like that out of the box or did you have to mod it a bit? I ask because I'm thinking of Esquiring my 50's Classic using parts from Callaham and I was thinking of flipping the control plate in the process as I'm a heavy strummer and frequently smack the selector switch.

Looks great man. Is it my imagination or is the bridge plate a lefty?
yup, lefty.
more twang on the bottom, no icepick on top:grin:

Very nice guitar; I like that color combination a lot.

Does that Callaham control plate come with enough wire length for you to flip it around like that out of the box or did you have to mod it a bit? I ask because I'm thinking of Esquiring my 50's Classic using parts from Callaham and I was thinking of flipping the control plate in the process as I'm a heavy strummer and frequently smack the selector switch.
I ordered the pre-wired "reverse" plate. Volume in the front, tone in the middle, switch in the back. Standard early esquire wiring. I'm still trying to decide if I want to mod the forward position on the switch...the muddy position isn't doing anything for me

...oh yea, the body is pine.

anyway, the thing sounds amazing. Proper shielding makes a huge difference. This guitar is so quiet, and the pickup is so clear and detailed, I had to switch to flatwounds because my left hand on the strings made so much noise!
I'm also thrilled with the neck. it's 1 3/4" at the nut and 1" thick all the way up. I have fairly big hands, and my fingers get crowded on the "normal" nut width. The big neck is a revelation. I had no idea how much I would like it!
I think the big, quartersawn neck has a positive effect on tone too. I don't know how to describe it completely, but this thing barks. My strat seems to have no personality in comparison.

yup, lefty.
more twang on the bottom, no icepick on top:grin:

Hmmm ..
now then .. thats a thought!

I'm thinking of building another partscaster Esquire - in 'lake placid-esque' blue.
Some of that is 'your fault' ;)
Lovely looking guitar Bro'.

I want the next one to be a a rocker. But also (as you say) No Icepick (zero!) - but with option to twaaang a'plenty .

Pine? - oh yes, for sure.
Since getting my CV, and looking at some of Arlo West's Pinecaster links - etc, I'm convinced Pine has that special property that i crave. Not looking for anything but pine right now.

Would you recommend the lefty bridge trick? - happy with your results?

Hi telepath,
definately do the lefty bridge. I don't know why they all don't come that way, seriously. I'm working on getting some 100 year old pine from a Colorado saloon. 2" thick and clear of knots. I want to make a double bound '67 sunburst Esquire, as a backup to this one. I might be able to hook you up with a slab, if you're interested ...

Dale builds his Dreamcasters with the reverse pup position they are beautiful Guitars

http://www.glendaleguitars.com/g8.jpg

http://www.glendaleguitars.com/Dreamcaster.htm

Hi telepath,
... I might be able to hook you up with a slab, if you're interested ...
oops, I just realized you're in Wales...:oops:

*note to self* don't drink and post!

oops, I just realized you're in Wales...:oops:

*note to self* don't drink and post!

Heh! - indeed , but muchos gracias all the same.

I'm not particularly tooled up for that level of endeavor -i.e. building from scratch anyhoo, so I'll find a pine body from somewhere.

Looking at prices for good pine bodies and good necks, y'know, I think i'll possibly just look for another 2nd hand Squier CV, and use the neck, body and maybe even some of the nickeled hardware for my blue Esquire build.

I'm going to make it a Toploader - a la early Esquire - so now I'll be looking for a Toploading, lefty, 3 saddle, nickel bridge I guess .. could be a challenge ;)

Thanks again :)

Nice guitar.....Love the choice of components....Diggin' the fact that it is Pine too.......You made mention of 2 big time builders......and though you git-fiddle has the best of the best.......NEVER under estimate the quality of workmanship and the fittment of parts.......the devil is in the details and when its done right,one could order up a ALLPARTS-caster and if time is took in fittment and in the details,including fret work,paint and prep, and proper alignment of said parts..........You certain to have a very nice guitar....on par with what some consider "the best"..................



ENJOY !!!!!!!!!!!

Nice guitar.....Love the choice of components....Diggin' the fact that it is Pine too.......You made mention of 2 big time builders......and though you git-fiddle has the best of the best.......NEVER under estimate the quality of workmanship and the fittment of parts.......the devil is in the details and when its done right,one could order up a ALLPARTS-caster and if time is took in fittment and in the details,including fret work,paint and prep, and proper alignment of said parts..........You certain to have a very nice guitar....on par with what some consider "the best"..................



ENJOY !!!!!!!!!!!
I don't understand what you are saying.

I don't understand what you are saying.



He's saying you did a damn nice job. Take the compliment!! I agree BTW! (if this was "practice" and you sell it please email me)

Now, how does the pickup fit lefty? Was the body routed for it, pickup angled differently on the base? Definitely one of my top five favorite Esquire style guitars.

Nice build, beautiful Esquire!

But dang, talk about over-spending!? You musta spent $500 just on the neck alone, after the luthier, tools, new neck, shipping, etc.

I'm thinking you could have bought a CS for all the money?

But it sure turned out nice! Loving that color.

He's saying you did a damn nice job. Take the compliment!! I agree BTW! (if this was "practice" and you sell it please email me)

Now, how does the pickup fit lefty? Was the body routed for it, pickup angled differently on the base? Difinitely one of my top five favorite Esquire style guitars.

Hi Mick, I got the compliment part of it (thanks Jeffro!), I just don't get tha allparts comparison. Apples to oranges, IMO.
I guess you could call it practice, as this was the first one I've put together, but - it's a keeper. If you want one though, I could certainly do another...
Yep, the body has to be routed lefty.
Thanks for the kind words!

Nice build, beautiful Esquire!

But dang, talk about over-spending!? You musta spent $500 just on the neck alone, after the luthier, tools, new neck, shipping, etc.

I'm thinking you could have bought a CS for all the money?

But it sure turned out nice! Loving that color.
Hi Dizi, the neck was less than $300, shipped ( not including the $75 express charge, that doesn't really count here)
The luthier didn't work on this neck, so that doesn't really count either. Besides he's a friend and didn't charge me anything. The nut blank was $5...x3 because I burned two of them. The reranch lacquer was about $35-shipped. I'm not going to include the nut tools and leveling block because they go in my tool box. So, less than $350 for the neck.
I don't think I need to defend how much I spent to anyone but my wife... But I will share my experience with everyone.
The body and the Callaham bill were the most expensive individual bills- about $500 each. If/when I do another one, I will consider cutting and finishing the body myself, as this added a lot to the cost. I'm not so sure I could do as good a job as the musikraft guys though. I would also have to buy a lot of tools that I don't have and add a whole 'nuther set of skills to my bag...
So, the total came out just under $1500. Let's look at this in comparison to a Fender Custom Shop guitar. First of all, Fender CS guitars are not custom guitars, they are production line guitars. One can order a custom guitar from them, but that is mucho $$. My guitar is a custom guitar. Here are the things that I wanted that an off the rack CS guitar won't have: 1 3/4" at the nut, huge fat neck, pine body, lefty pickup rout, stainless parts. These are features that are important to me. Even an off the rack CS Esquire is $3000+, so a custom order one... I shudder to think...
Now, some will say: what about resale value? Well, if I had to sell this guitar at half the cost of the parts, I would have a loss of about $750. If I bought a CS guitar I would lose that $750 as soon as I walked out of the store. I don't even want to think about the loss on a custom order guitar.
But... I put this guitar together to play, not to sell. Am I as good at assembling and setting up guitars as the CS guys? Of course not! It not rocket science though. A solid craftsman(I am) can learn the methods though, and through doing and redoing work and taking time and correcting mistakes can come out with an equal finished product.
Anyway, I appreciate the compliment, but you should know that a lot of thought went into the cost of this project before I even began.
Cheers :-D

Very nice guitar. I love the color.

I just don't understand why anybody puts Fender logo in a guitar that they custom built. I could maybe see it on a restoration...

Jim

Very nice guitar. I love the color.

I just don't understand why anybody puts Fender logo in a guitar that they custom built. I could maybe see it on a restoration...

Jim
Because I like the way it looks. Because it is a Leo Fender guitar, no matter who he sold his name to. Because I would feel silly putting mine or any other name on it. Because I don't like the way it looks without a logo... That should clear that up, lol.
Besides, FMIC got their money in licensing fees from Musicraft.
If anyone else has an opinion about logos, please start a new thread. I know this is a hot topic around here, and I would not like to see this thread turn into that debate. Thanks.
And thanks for the compliment. It is a sweet guitar. :-) :-)

Very nice guitar. I love the color.

I just don't understand why anybody puts Fender logo in a guitar that they custom built. I could maybe see it on a restoration...

Jim



He used a body and neck both licensed by Fender so it's not like they're counterfeit. The only problem I would have is if it was represented as a Fender guitar in a sale.

OOOPs I was typing too slow!:mrgreen:

Can you explain the purpose of the cryogenic treatment on the controls?

Why yes it is supposed to change the electrical conductivity and physical properties of the metallic components exposed cryogenically treated (400 below zero I believe)

Its a no charge feature at Callaham so I can't say snake oil for them but it is a a treatment for tubes and some components.

In Audiophile audio equipment its very big to do it from the mains all the way through to the phonograph cartridge in a complete chain

I say Audiophool

Can you explain the purpose of the cryogenic treatment on the controls?

Hi Otter,
I can't explain it. I was just trying to be funny by stating it in my first post, I guess. Groovey Records explained it a lot more effectively than I could.
The pickup is also cryogenically treated(!)
I don't really know if it has any effect, but the stuff does sound good...

Thats the bottom line Bud use your ears

Thats the bottom line Bud use your ears

:cool: