TDPRI 2010 $210 Tele Build Challenge - IKEAMaster

The plan is for a telemaster type build using ikea shelves. It worked ok last time i used them.
I should be going to Ikea tomorrow, so i'll post the official entry when i get back.

:cool:

Most probably the laminated body of my build will contain pieces of IKEA shelf too! :grin:

oooooooooh, interested

(spider smile) ::::)

I think Leo would have loved IKEA.

I'm back from Ikea. I searched through every shelf they had, and bought the one that had the least knots and the best looking grain. This will make the top and bottom layer of the laminate. I bought another shelf for the middle layer, but wasn't too concerned about the knots and grain pattern.

http://i805.photobucket.com/albums/yy334/cjthompson321/2010%20challenge/1.jpg

http://i805.photobucket.com/albums/yy334/cjthompson321/2010%20challenge/2.jpg

I love this grain
http://i805.photobucket.com/albums/yy334/cjthompson321/2010%20challenge/3.jpg

I forgot to print the patterns at work yesterday, so there'll be no more progress until Monday.

That's excellent grain, much better than the ones I got now!

Not much to report tonight.
Tonight I have been working on the templates. I've got them rough cut.
It's too cold outside so i've quit for the night.
Hopefully will have the templates done on Friday and the body glued up on Saturday.

IKEA makes nice shelves! :wink:

Hey crispy king, what's the name of the shelf that you got?

It's a BRODER. You'll need to look through the whole pile for a good one.
You'll need three layers. A long shelf will give you two layers.

Subscribed. :-)

It's a BRODER. You'll need to look through the whole pile for a good one.
You'll need three layers. A long shelf will give you two layers.

Thanks, I might get one to use as a veneer.

Good luck with the build.

The templates are proving to be a problem. How do you cut cavities neatly? Mine are always wobbly. I might start again tomorrow.
Today though i've been gluing.
http://i805.photobucket.com/albums/yy334/cjthompson321/4-1.jpg

A couple of years ago I bought an Alba Tele copy off eBay.
It was pretty awful, but it was only £25.

http://i805.photobucket.com/albums/yy334/cjthompson321/5a.jpg

After having it sat around taking up space for far too long, today i decided to strip it down.
I thought about using the neck, but as the rules say you can't use a neck you already have I'll have to buy one.
I might not use any of these parts, but if the budget is tight I have options.

http://i805.photobucket.com/albums/yy334/cjthompson321/5b.jpg

So much other stuff to do today, not much time for guitars.
But...
I visited my father-in-law, or rather, his band saw. Got the body rough cut.
http://i805.photobucket.com/albums/yy334/cjthompson321/6-1.jpg

I wasn't happy with how my template was turning out so I decided to start again.
Didn't get far.
http://i805.photobucket.com/albums/yy334/cjthompson321/7-1.jpg

Here's a quick shot of my tiny workshop.
http://i805.photobucket.com/albums/yy334/cjthompson321/8-1.jpg

The templates are proving to be a problem. How do you cut cavities neatly? Mine are always wobbly.


I'm unclear what you mean by that.

Here's a quick shot of my tiny workshop.
http://i805.photobucket.com/albums/yy334/cjthompson321/8-1.jpg

At least it's relatively uncluttered... :grin: Good progress already!

I'm unclear what you mean by that.

I drill out the corners of the cavities, but can never seem to get a good straight line between the holes.

I drill out the corners of the cavities, but can never seem to get a good straight line between the holes.
You can use a woodfile or route it with your template bit and some straigt pieces of scrap like I did with this neckpocket:
http://www.mijnalbum.nl/GroteFoto-VJUJFQQW.jpg
Use doublesided carpettape.

A router loves a good straigt edge.

Thanks for the advice guys.
Today I've spent about 6 hours in the workshop.
I completed my template. Only one mistake. I had double-sided-taped a straight bit of mdf to the template so I could route a straight line. The tape came unstuck. d'oh.

http://i805.photobucket.com/albums/yy334/cjthompson321/2010%20challenge/9.jpg

Once the template was done I started routing the body.
The depth stop on my drill press has broken, so I had to be very careful I didn't drill the cavities too deep. I wasn't deep enough, but finished them off by plunging the router to the right depth.

This is where i'm at so far.

http://i805.photobucket.com/albums/yy334/cjthompson321/2010%20challenge/10.jpg

http://i805.photobucket.com/albums/yy334/cjthompson321/2010%20challenge/11.jpg

Next job is the roundover. I've got a 3/8 radius bit ordered. So no more progress until that turns up.

I also ordered an Eden neck from eBay. I'd wondered what the quality of these was like, and a budget build seemed like a good time to find out.

Looks like nice clean work.

Nice

My roundover bit arrived.
Crud, I ordered the wrong one.
I now have a 1/4" radius, but i want a 3/8".
Oh well, it might come in handy for a future build.

Ok, replacement roundover bit arrived, and i've done it again. This time i ordered the correct radius, but a 1/2" shank.

I've been doing this a lot recently. Out of my last 4 web orders all 4 have been for the wrong part.

I've now ordered the correct bit (triple checked), and some Rustins Plastic Coating. If it was good enough for Brian May it's good enough for me.

CK, looking good and a very cool build.

Saw some of the Broder shelves today at my local ikea. Didn't have time to look through the whole stack. But, most looked to be about 10 strips of wood. Does the nice one you picked up have that many pieces as well? Also, they had a pretty strong sap smell. Did the wood seem not dry enough at all?

Still very tempting to make a body blank since I don't have a jointer.

Will be following your build!

There are 10 strips in mine too. I was lucky to find one with that grain, it really does disguise the individual strips.

I don't know it it's as dry as you'd ideally want, but my last build with Ikea shelves seems ok. What happens if it's not dry enough?


Not much to report at present, i was away at the weekend. I got the two wrong roundover bits returned and bought the correct one. I also bought my finishing supplies, grain filler and Rustins Plastic Coating.

Total spent so far:
Wood £10
Neck (when it arrives) £13
Grain Filler £3
Finish £10

No pics today, but I've been out in the workshop for an hour tonight.
I've been sanding the edges to remove all the marks left by the router, and get the curves smooth. Need a nice clean area for the roundover bearing to run against.

I would have started on the roundover, but it was late and didn't want to disturb the neighbours with powertools. Looks like Friday will be my next opportunity.

Yesterday I did the roundover before it got too late.
http://i805.photobucket.com/albums/yy334/cjthompson321/2010%20challenge/12.jpg

And today I marked up where the belly and forearm cuts would be, drilled between the cavities, then started on the jack hole. Then my drill ran out of juice. It's charging now.
http://i805.photobucket.com/albums/yy334/cjthompson321/2010%20challenge/13.jpg
http://i805.photobucket.com/albums/yy334/cjthompson321/2010%20challenge/14.jpg

I like the side view... I would stain it to show that it is mutliple peices of wood ( I am probably in the minority here on that though!)

Look dee-lucious:mrgreen:

This is gonna be so cool

I spent a couple of hours today with a surform and a random orbit sander working on the contours.

I didn't get them as deep as I wanted as the surform wasn't very sharp and it was hard work. As it turns out it's pretty comfortable, which is what matters.

http://i805.photobucket.com/albums/yy334/cjthompson321/2010%20challenge/15.jpg

http://i805.photobucket.com/albums/yy334/cjthompson321/2010%20challenge/16.jpg

http://i805.photobucket.com/albums/yy334/cjthompson321/2010%20challenge/17.jpg

That is very cool looking ck. It's so cool, I think you should just hit it with a couple coats of clear and submit it to a museum of modern art. The grain patterns with those body contours is a beautiful combination.

That is pretty. One question....why no neck pocket?

That is pretty. One question....why no neck pocket?

No neck pocket because no neck to make the template from.
It's still somewhere between here and Hong Kong.

Well, everything has turned up... everything except the neck. That's still on its way from Hong Kong. 7-15 days they said. It's been 18 days so far. Recent Ebay feedback says other people have had necks delivered in around 10 days. Not happy. If it doesn't turn up soon I won't have time to complete the build.

http://i805.photobucket.com/albums/yy334/cjthompson321/2010%20challenge/18.jpg

This is turning into one very nice looking guitar, Mr. Crispy King!

Another fine uk entry, good work fella.

I like the side view... I would stain it to show that it is mutliple peices of wood ( I am probably in the minority here on that though!)

+1. I think the contrast layer would look pretty cool.

This is the second tele/master hybrid build that I've seen on here and they are cool looking guitars. This one is going to be sweet, I know it.

What pickups are you using if you don't mind my asking?

Very nice job, Mr. Crispy King. Cannot wait to see the finished guitar. What color? Candy Apple Red would scream!!

I want to make a feature of its construction, so will be going for a natural finish. Maybe just a little stain to make the grain pop a bit more.
Plus i'm on a tight budget and can't stretch to fancy colours. £10 Rustins Plastic Coating for the win.

What pickups are you using if you don't mind my asking?

I've got a hotrail humbucker for the bridge http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=130335365074

and an IronGear Platinum 90 for the neck http://www.axetec.co.uk/axetec%20guitar%20parts%20spares%20pickups_081.htm

The bridge pickup has 4 conductors, but i'm not going to split it. Not yet anyway. Maybe if upgrade the pots after the competition.

I've got a hotrail humbucker for the bridge http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=130335365074

and an IronGear Platinum 90 for the neck http://www.axetec.co.uk/axetec%20guitar%20parts%20spares%20pickups_081.htm

The bridge pickup has 4 conductors, but i'm not going to split it. Not yet anyway. Maybe if upgrade the pots after the competition.

Sounds like a versatile setup. Do be sure to rock out on completing it.

Looking really good. How thick is that body?

I want to make a feature of its construction, so will be going for a natural finish. Maybe just a little stain to make the grain pop a bit more.
Plus i'm on a tight budget and can't stretch to fancy colours. £10 Rustins Plastic Coating for the win.

+1, Good call.... :smile:

Just had word about the neck. It was sent back to the seller for "uncertain reasons".
They are trying again. But with a delivery estimate of 7-15 days I might not get it in time to finish the build by the closing date.
I'm pretty bummed right now.

Does anyone have a spare paddle headstock neck they'd be willing to sell for £13 and could get delivered by Friday?

Just had word about the neck. It was sent back to the seller for "uncertain reasons".
They are trying again. But with a delivery estimate of 7-15 days I might not get it in time to finish the build by the closing date.
I'm pretty bummed right now.

Does anyone have a spare paddle headstock neck they'd be willing to sell for £13 and could get delivered by Friday?

Not exactly what you wanted, but I've got this here if you can't find anything else. You can have it for the price of postage, which would be €16. It's maple that's had a bit too much antiquing done by someone (not myself :grin:). It's also got a (bad) Fender decal on it, but I doubt seriously that it is ever came from Fender. It is new and unused though.

Thanks for the offer. There'll be a bit of work involved in stripping that down, so I'll keep it in mind, but i think i'll wait a bit longer for the original. I had my heart set on a rosewood fingerboard and my own headstock design.

Sorry to hear about the neck issues, never ordered one of those Hong Kong necks but hear the delivery issue is common.

I love the layered look as well, the build as a whole is coming out very well.

Well, the neck still hasn't arrived, so i've decided to switch the order of things around a little bit. I'll now get the body ready for finishing before cutting the neck pocket.

I forgot to drill the string-through and ferrule holes earlier, so i'll do them now.

Because my drill press isn't big enough for this I had to use a hand drill. This is my method.
I clamped a straigh edge to my drill press and glued a cutout of the string-throughs to a piece of MDF. I drill a hole then slide the MDF along the straight edge to the neck hole position. This way i might mess up the distances between the holes a bit, but at least they'll be in line. I used thick MDF so it will hopefully stop the drill bit wandering while drilling into the body.
Once I have the tempate made I positioned the bridge onto the body and started off the first and last holes.
I then put a couple of broken drill bits into those holes and then lowered the template on top.
Next I drilled middle four holes as deep as I could, moved the broken drill bit into these holes and drilled positions 1 and 6.
Removing the template I drilled holes 1 and 6 all the way through. Then repeated the process on the back.

http://i805.photobucket.com/albums/yy334/cjthompson321/2010%20challenge/19.jpg

Hey, it's straight(ish).
http://i805.photobucket.com/albums/yy334/cjthompson321/2010%20challenge/20.jpg

Now for the ferrule holes.

Using some tape around the drill bit I marked the correct depth and drilled holes 1 and 6.
Then I clamped a straight edge to the body to line up with the top edge of the ferrule holes. This gave me something to butt up against as i drilled the other holes.

Pretty straight.
http://i805.photobucket.com/albums/yy334/cjthompson321/2010%20challenge/21.jpg

The back is completed.
http://i805.photobucket.com/albums/yy334/cjthompson321/2010%20challenge/22.jpg

I've now wiped some water all over the body to raise the grain. Just waiting for it to dry then I'll sand it all flat and apply grain filler.

That's a cool looking piece of wood.

Looks great thus far! I'm working on a t-master myself and since I don't have access to a drill press ill definitely be stealing that little string through hole trick of yours :wink:

Not exactly what you wanted, but I've got this here if you can't find anything else. You can have it for the price of postage, which would be €16. It's maple that's had a bit too much antiquing done by someone (not myself :grin:). It's also got a (bad) Fender decal on it, but I doubt seriously that it is ever came from Fender. It is new and unused though.

Hm, I like me some over antiquated necks... I'd be interested!

Another weekend mostly wasted.
The neck has made it to England, but is now in the ParcelForce depot waiting for customs to decide how much import duty to charge. It's been there since Monday.

I've been testing different stains and dyes to see if I can get a nice golden tint.
These are my results.
http://i805.photobucket.com/albums/yy334/cjthompson321/2010%20challenge/23.jpg

I wasn't happy with any of the stains, but just the clear coat did it. Here's a stripe:
http://i805.photobucket.com/albums/yy334/cjthompson321/2010%20challenge/24.jpg

Much better. So clear coat only it is.

I've been messing about in Adobe Illustrator as well working on a logo.
Here are two options on my headstock shape.
http://i805.photobucket.com/albums/yy334/cjthompson321/2010%20challenge/25.jpg
http://i805.photobucket.com/albums/yy334/cjthompson321/2010%20challenge/26.jpg

Hopefully I'll get the neck during the week, then I can get the heastock and neck pocket cut. That will give me two weeks to do the finish and electrics. I may have to take a day or two off work.

This thing is looking great! I like the 2nd headstock logo better personally.

This thing is looking great! I like the 2nd headstock logo better personally.

Second that

Like #2 as well. Great use of the IKEA logo!

Looking nice! I'd say #2 as well.

Very nice, loving the colron mellow pine finnish on your test peice.

Awesome build... I've often thought about doing one like this myself. Either way, you should submit pics to http://ikeahacker.blogspot.com/ just for fun.

Wahey, the neck is here.

http://i805.photobucket.com/albums/yy334/cjthompson321/2010%20challenge/27.jpg

It's a bit rough though. It will need a good sanding. Also, they forgot to send a nut.

really liking this one! can't wait to see the finish!

I've now got the neck pocket routed
http://i805.photobucket.com/albums/yy334/cjthompson321/2010%20challenge/28.jpg

The headstock cut and drilled.
Front
http://i805.photobucket.com/albums/yy334/cjthompson321/2010%20challenge/29.jpg

and back
http://i805.photobucket.com/albums/yy334/cjthompson321/2010%20challenge/30.jpg

It's starting to look like a guitar
http://i805.photobucket.com/albums/yy334/cjthompson321/2010%20challenge/31.jpg

I sanded and polished the test piece of clear coat.
It looks pretty good.
http://i805.photobucket.com/albums/yy334/cjthompson321/2010%20challenge/32.jpg
http://i805.photobucket.com/albums/yy334/cjthompson321/2010%20challenge/33.jpg

The neck has some slight back bow. I went to loosen the truss rod, but it felt loose already. I turned it anti-clockwise a bit more and the nut stiffened. Is that normal?

Nvm, post deleted. Sorry.

Monday was finishing day and I forgot to take pictures. D'oh.

I am using Rustins Plastic Coating and brushing it on. It seems not many people use this, and those that do spray it.
It needs to all be done in one day. Once it's cured (12 hours or so) subsequent coats won't adhere properly. So I was putting a full coat on every two hours.
Too much on the brush and you get runs, which don't run at first but slowly as it's drying. Too little and you leave patches without a coat.
I'm not sure i perfected the technique in 10-12 hours, but it seems pretty even.

http://i805.photobucket.com/albums/yy334/cjthompson321/2010%20challenge/34.jpg

In between coats I tru-oiled the neck. I would have taken a picture of this, but my camera battery has died and there really isn't much to see anyway. It's darkened the maple slightly, which is a good thing.

So, this coming weekend I will be sanding and polishing the body - RPC is great for curing time. I'll also be building a router table so I can cut out the pickguard. And I will be applying the logo to the headstock and shooting some Nitro on top.

I may just get this completed in time.

The clear coat looks great with that grain. Nice work thus far.

How are you finding the RPC? I've seen some good results from this but never tried it myself. Will nitro go over it ok?

Looks like you'll finish with time to spare :wink:

Looking great, I really like the shape and grain

I'm still undecided on the RPC. It's quite time consuming. From what I've read you need to put the next coat on after two hours, and must all be done in one day. So I used a whole day to apply or 6 coats.
The test piece I sanded an polished only had two coats, and isn't very tough.
I'm sanding it now. I'll post results when i'm done.
I don't know about nitro, but i've seen someone use poly over the top and it just flaked off.

I've been busy today.
Applied the decal to the headstock and shot some nitro satin clear over the top.
http://i805.photobucket.com/albums/yy334/cjthompson321/2010%20challenge/35.jpg

Cut the pickguard
http://i805.photobucket.com/albums/yy334/cjthompson321/2010%20challenge/36.jpg

Sanded and polished
http://i805.photobucket.com/albums/yy334/cjthompson321/2010%20challenge/37.jpg

Installed ferrules
http://i805.photobucket.com/albums/yy334/cjthompson321/2010%20challenge/38.jpg

Shielded the cavities
http://i805.photobucket.com/albums/yy334/cjthompson321/2010%20challenge/39.jpg

a sneak peek

http://i805.photobucket.com/albums/yy334/cjthompson321/2010%20challenge/40.jpg

Still need to wire up and fit the nut

Man, thats gonna be a beast!! love it!

Looking good!

Right, I'm off to Ikea this weekend and for the first time, I'm not being dragged there kicking and screaming by the missus...

That's really nice, Crispy King.

wow, what a beauty. love the headstock logo, too.

thumbs up

Oh no, what am I gonna vote for? These are all so good!!

That is one great looking guitar, bet its going to sound awesome!

this looks awesome.

Just to let you know... some IKEA forums have pickup on your guitar and I think are featuring your thread. I'll post a link if they post something on this... they asked me for permission yesterday but as of this time nothing is showing there.

a sneak peek
Wow! That is beautiful.

Just to let you know... some IKEA forums have pickup on your guitar and I think are featuring your thread. I'll post a link if they post something on this... they asked me for permission yesterday but as of this time nothing is showing there.

well now i've heard everything.

got a link for us? i'd love to see what IKEA fanbois say about the guitar

Cool,
I was on that site yesterday. Must have been just before it was posted.
I'm famous. Woo hoo.

Cool,
I was on that site yesterday. Must have been just before it was posted.
I'm famous. Woo hoo.

As you should be, sweet guitar :smile:

Ok, it's all wired up and put together.
Completed at last.

http://i805.photobucket.com/albums/yy334/cjthompson321/2010%20challenge/43.jpg

http://i805.photobucket.com/albums/yy334/cjthompson321/2010%20challenge/44.jpg

http://i805.photobucket.com/albums/yy334/cjthompson321/2010%20challenge/45.jpg

http://i805.photobucket.com/albums/yy334/cjthompson321/2010%20challenge/46.jpg

http://i805.photobucket.com/albums/yy334/cjthompson321/2010%20challenge/47.jpg

http://i805.photobucket.com/albums/yy334/cjthompson321/2010%20challenge/48.jpg

http://i805.photobucket.com/albums/yy334/cjthompson321/2010%20challenge/49.jpg

http://i805.photobucket.com/albums/yy334/cjthompson321/2010%20challenge/50.jpg

http://i805.photobucket.com/albums/yy334/cjthompson321/2010%20challenge/51.jpg

http://i805.photobucket.com/albums/yy334/cjthompson321/2010%20challenge/52.jpg

http://i805.photobucket.com/albums/yy334/cjthompson321/2010%20challenge/53.jpg

And now for costs. (ex vat)

Body wood........................ £8.51 (Ikea Broder shelves)
Neck.............................. £13.00 (Eden)
Tuners............................. £5.11 (Squier from ebay)
Neck Plate........................ £1.70 (from old Alba Tele)
Pickguard Screws............... £0.85 (from Alba Tele)
Strap Buttons.................... £1.70 (from Alba Tele)
Bridge............................. £13.19 (AxesRUs)
Prewired Control Plate........ £13.19 (AxesRUs)
Jackplate.......................... £3.83 (AxesRUs)
String Tree....................... £2.38 (AxesRUs)
Pickguard sheet................. £8.51 (AxesRUs)
Ferrules............................ £3.83 (AxesRUs)
Bridge HotRails................. £14.85 (eBay)
Neck P90........................ £19.53 (AxeTec)
Rustins Plastic Coating........ £2.81 (1/3 bottle)
TruOil............................... £0.51 (2 capfulls)
Grain Filler......................... £2.13 (1/2 can)
Nitro................................ £4.26 (1/2 can)
TOTAL.......................... £119.89

Just beautiful ck.

That is truly stunning. This is going to be a week of tough decisions, the general election and more importantly the build challenge.

Truly inspired by this build. Off to Ikea tomorrow with the missus. Definitely going to be on the hunt for those shelves.

http://i805.photobucket.com/albums/yy334/cjthompson321/2010%20challenge/53.jpg

:mrgreen::mrgreen:

And now for costs. (ex vat)

Body wood (Ikea Broder shelves) - £8.51
Neck (Eden) - £13.00
Tuners (Squier from ebay) - £5.11
Neck Plate (from old Alba Tele) - £1.70
Pickguard Screws (from Alba Tele) - £0.85
Strap Buttons (from Alba Tele) - £1.70
Bridge (AxesRUs) - £13.19
Prewired Control Plate (AxesRUs) - £13.19
Jackplate (AxesRUs) - £3.83
String Tree (AxesRUs) - £2.38
Pickguard sheet (AxesRUs) - £8.51
Ferrules (AxesRUs) - £3.83
Bridge HotRails (eBay) - £14.85
Neck P90 (AxeTec) - £19.53
Rustins Plastic Coating (1/3 bottle) - £2.81
TruOil (2 capfulls) - £0.51

SubTotal - £113.51
VAT - £19.86
Total - £133.37

You don't factor in VAT for the actual 'competition' price, do you? How much was delivery?

But yeah, this is an amazing Scandinavian guitar! :razz:

Fantastic work, something different too, good work fella.

You don't factor in VAT for the actual 'competition' price, do you? How much was delivery?

I know that now, but when I bought everything I thought it was included. That's why I'm under budget with and without.

Shipping for the neck was £13, not sure about the eBay items. Everything else had free shipping. Glad it's not included in the total.

That looks so cool. The grain on thet is amazing. Natural finish was definetly the way to go. I'm guessing it plays great to...

Rocky is going to be mad as hell with me when he finds out you built your dog such a nice a guitar and I didn't build him one! :mrgreen:

Just bee-you-tee-full! First Class Mr. Crispy King! :grin::grin::grin:

Thanks for the comments guys.
It's heavy as hell, but plays nice. It still needs a little more setup.
It frets out on the B and e string at the 17th fret. What's the best way to correct that? Fret levelling? Shim?

Well, i'm off to bed now. When I wake up the competition will have closed.
I wish you all the best of luck, and no matter who wins, we've all got great guitars out of it.

I know that's a French Poodle, but damned if it doesn't look British to me! ;)

I know that's a French Poodle, but damned if it doesn't look British to me! ;)


:lol:


Amazing work, lovin the grain in that.....IKEA should be proud!