TDPRI 2010 $210 Tele build challenge-Tidycatster II aka ? and the mysteriocaster

I managed to escape the last winter blast and drove down to Florida for a week or so. I left snow drifts almost up to the top of the chain link fence.
I figured I had better make my intentions known now about the contest before I forget. I want to continue with the cat theme but also had some other " unique" ideas, so I need to figure which direction I want to go. I should be back in the PineMart laboratory in a week or so.

I know what you mean. I want to enter the contest, but I don't have an idea to run with and I don't know if tje weather is going to cooperate.

Anything going on?

Nope..... I wanted to make sure I could do a guitar if I had the opportunity, and so far I'm still working on earlier projects. Never say never.....

Is it done yet?

I'm sorry to say I don't think there will be an entry this year.... too bad it didn't start early Feb like we hoped. Now I have too many projects going and well.... maybe next year.

I'm sorry to say I don't think there will be an entry this year.... too bad it didn't start early Feb like we hoped. Now I have too many projects going and well.... maybe next year.

I really hate to hear that.Last years challenge, and the amazing good will I see here is what is what prompted me to finally become a member, not a lurker.It seems America is quite under-represented this year :confused:

Dave

It seems America is quite under-represented this year.

Not sure how you got that idea. Most of the builds are American.

Stay tuned.... I got a squire neck and tuners for 20 bux at the guitar show in Buffalo on Sunday. We may have an entry.

Good luck getting it done in time!

Is that a dare?

Is that a dare?

Ya... I Double Dog Dare ya... You can DO it.

I'm working out the scheme in my mind. Something do-able in the time permitted.

You've got the neck, you've got to do it. You know you want to. Everyone else is doing it.

Is that a dare?

Oh yeah :lol::wink:

And we're off. One piece pine plank. I spent all day trying to come up with a unique idea. No great ideas.... just one poor to mediocre one. I guess I'll go simple this time. I believe I have everything I need for this to go together. 8/4 pine @$5.60 bf+ tax=22 dollars.

Next up layout of body perimeter and neck rout.

http://i152.photobucket.com/albums/s162/mmgguitars/contest001.jpg

Brilliant! the TDPRI $210 12 day challenge!

This is going to be an exciting thread!

Good luck GB!

Don't get too excited . :-)

Don't get too excited . :-)

Too late!

The best part is that you're doing it all on a dare.

-The DoubleDareCaster-

Whaddaya think?

The neck. Purchased early in the day at the Buffalo guitar show this past weekend for 20 bucks. I also scored a Gibson 490 humbucker for 20 bucks and a small amp for the workbench for 15 too. The key is getting there early. All the good stuff is gone by the time lunch rolls around. This neck and tuners are a bit on the heavy side. The fretboard is really nice and it hardly looks like it was used. The previous owner buffed off the Squier logo and the "made in wherever" too. Total so far. $42

http://i152.photobucket.com/albums/s162/mmgguitars/contest002.jpg

With that HB,neck a jazz,bridge a Jr.Sweet axe either way :-)

And the race is on!

That fretboard is rather nice looking

Perimeter scribed, strat neck cavity routed, and neck and bridge holes located.

http://i152.photobucket.com/albums/s162/mmgguitars/contest3.jpg

Decided to go with a trem due to the neck. I dub thee Cabo Neato for semi obvious reasons. Wife took the decent camera. I'm stuck with the old camera for a while.
http://i152.photobucket.com/albums/s162/mmgguitars/contest5.jpg

Remove bulk with forstner bit.
http://i152.photobucket.com/albums/s162/mmgguitars/contest6001.jpg
Rout with wooden template I had around for trem block.
http://i152.photobucket.com/albums/s162/mmgguitars/contest6002.jpg

Top side routed out.
http://i152.photobucket.com/albums/s162/mmgguitars/contest6003.jpg
Started on the spring cavity. I had this from a tele with trem I built.
http://i152.photobucket.com/albums/s162/mmgguitars/contest6004.jpg

Here are the routs.
http://i152.photobucket.com/albums/s162/mmgguitars/contest6005.jpg


Drilled holes for controls with 3/8 bit. Have to delete the pix from the camera for the next step.
http://i152.photobucket.com/albums/s162/mmgguitars/contest6006.jpg

The control rout pattern. I had this from an earlier build.
http://i152.photobucket.com/albums/s162/mmgguitars/contest7001.jpg
The control rout.
http://i152.photobucket.com/albums/s162/mmgguitars/contest7002.jpg

Used my rabbeting bit for the control cover rout.

http://i152.photobucket.com/albums/s162/mmgguitars/contest7003.jpg

Drill the wiring hole.

http://i152.photobucket.com/albums/s162/mmgguitars/contest7004.jpg

Bandsawed it out and drilled the neck screw holes.
http://i152.photobucket.com/albums/s162/mmgguitars/contest7006.jpg

And see how the parts fit together. Time to quit as I have 3 hours into it today. http://i152.photobucket.com/albums/s162/mmgguitars/contest7007.jpg

This is the beauty of having multiple routers with the various bits all set up and ready to go. You can spend more time changing bits than routing. I pick up cheap routers at the flea market when I see them. Sometimes you can get an older craftsman for 10-15 dollars around here. People getting out of the hobby unload them cheap.

Bandsawed it out and drilled the neck screw holes.
http://i152.photobucket.com/albums/s162/mmgguitars/contest7006.jpg

And see how the parts fit together. Time to quit as I have 3 hours into it today. http://i152.photobucket.com/albums/s162/mmgguitars/contest7007.jpg

This is the beauty of having multiple routers with the various bits all set up and ready to go. You can spend more time changing bits than routing. I pick up cheap routers at the flea market when I see them. Sometimes you can get an older craftsman for 10-15 dollars around here. People getting out of the hobby unload them cheap.

Routing out the cavities before you cut out the body. Why haven't I thought of this? I'm so stupid!

Make it so! Actually it gives you more support on the drill press for drilling screw holes and more surface area for routing.

Me like it, yam yam! Great choice of components!

Make it so! Actually it gives you more support on the drill press for drilling screw holes and more surface area for routing.

Yeh, I got that after seeing you do it.Talking about a "DUH" moment. Guess I'll try to blame age I suppose.........lol
That is going to be a sweet looking guit,

Dave

Thanks guys!

Time to quit as I have 3 hours into it today.
Think I had 3 hours just in making the templates...

Glad to see you've accepted the challenge. So far, so good.

OK, we're drilled, rounded over, sanded, and grain raised. Now if the paint gets here on time, we could start painting.
http://i152.photobucket.com/albums/s162/mmgguitars/contestcaboneato.jpg

Yesterday was nice weather wise and the black nitro was delivered so I sanded a bit more and shot a can. Today assembled some parts. I found out why my neck was 20 dollars, there are nicks in 3 of the high frets . I'll have to grind them a bit later on. All that is left is soldering, pickguard, and relicing. Lacquer is offgassing quite a bit....phew.
http://i152.photobucket.com/albums/s162/mmgguitars/contest10003.jpg

Yesterday was nice weather wise and the black nitro was delivered so I sanded a bit more and shot a can. Today assembled some parts. I found out why my neck was 20 dollars, there are nicks in 3 of the high frets . I'll have to grind them a bit later on. All that is left is soldering, pickguard, and relicing. Lacquer is offgassing quite a bit....phew.
http://i152.photobucket.com/albums/s162/mmgguitars/contest10003.jpg

Looks cool Marty! I would love to hear it in action. :cool:

OK we're done. Pix coming as soon as the camera gets here.

I went with list prices on most of these parts just to be fair.


one piece pine body blank-22.00
can black lacquer-10.00
neck and tuners-20.00
Trem- 30.00
Pickup- 60.00
2 bass pickup screws-.65
2 pots -17.00
1 used cap-.25
strings -5.00
1/4 sheet of pickguard material-3.00
6 pickguard screws-1.20
2 tele knobs-8.00
neckplate and screws-9.10
1 set strap buttons-3.50
electrosocket -8.65
jack-3.65
2 feet wire .40

Total 202.40

http://i152.photobucket.com/albums/s162/mmgguitars/contest002-1.jpg
http://i152.photobucket.com/albums/s162/mmgguitars/contest003.jpg

:mrgreen:WOW great, I want one!!:mrgreen:

Gotta love the sweet simplicity of that combo and it ought to have a pleasingly unique sound.

I knew you could do it. Nice job!

Thanks guys... I didn't really do much the last couple days....just procrastinated....now back to work on that other stuff I was involved in.