Planning my first build

I've seen alot of build threads here and I've gotten ideas and GAS for a pinecaster. I really want to join the Pinecaster Club with my very own pine build. I'm making my budget to see how it'll all turn out to be. I'm opening this thread to get help and as much info for the build as it won't be done right away but in few months.

The project consists mostly of this...http://www.rebelrelic.com/upload/photo/1338657831_DSCF2140.JPG

I really like this guitar. The way it looks and cause it's so simple. I'm not really into tele twang but I love the way teles look and their simplicity. My project would be alittle different that whats above. It will have...

A Pine body route only for a tele bridge pickup, 51 P bass control route, a cut off tele bridge, Wilde pickup screwed to the body ala G.E. Smith (or Andy Summers), a 24 3/4 scale maple neck (still undecided on the fretboard), 9.5 radius, 21 medium jumbo frets, a fat boat contour...

I'll do another post with some more info

So far I have an idea of much would it be more or less...

Neck screws, string ferrules, tuners, wiring kit = 51.91 (shipped)
Control Plate = 10.00 (shipped)
Bridge = 22.00 (shipped)
Pickup = 60.50 (shipped)
Electrosocket = 8.00 (shipped)
Body = 100.00 (shipped)
Neck = Pending
Knobs = Pending
Paint = Pending
Nut = Pending

Total: 252.41

I have a neckplate which I might use for now and some strap buttons. I'm trying to make this the least expensive possible.

I've got my first question to all you out there. Would stainless steel neck screws be a problem or alter my sound in anyway? I saw them cheaper than chrome or nickel plate screws and I thought they might not wear out cause of the ss vs ns frets debate.

So far I have an idea of much would it be more or less...

Neck screws, string ferrules, tuners, wiring kit = 51.91 (shipped)
Control Plate = 10.00 (shipped)
Bridge = 22.00 (shipped)
Pickup = 60.50 (shipped)
Electrosocket = 8.00 (shipped)
Body = 100.00 (shipped)
Neck = Pending
Knobs = Pending
Paint = Pending
Nut = Pending

Total: 252.41

I have a neckplate which I might use for now and some strap buttons. I'm trying to make this the least expensive possible.

I've got my first question to all you out there. Would stainless steel neck screws be a problem or alter my sound in anyway? I saw them cheaper than chrome or nickel plate screws and I thought they might not wear out cause of the ss vs ns frets debate.

I use SS screws on all my builds. If there is any tone difference, it would be so slight no one could prove there is a difference. They are a little tougher than chrome or nickel, but they stell aren't strong like knife blade or surgical SS. They will still round out and twist off.


Im my opinion, I would reccomend a flatter neck radius for the shorter scale guitar, say 12". Just my opinion though.


Are you wanting the body and neck to be aged, or look new?

I use SS screws on all my builds. If there is any tone difference, it would be so slight no one could prove there is a difference. They are a little tougher than chrome or nickel, but they stell aren't strong like knife blade or surgical SS. They will still round out and twist off.


Im my opinion, I would reccomend a flatter neck radius for the shorter scale guitar, say 12". Just my opinion though.


Are you wanting the body and neck to be aged, or look new?

I want to go with a 9.5 radius cause I want something alittle comfortable with chords and I'm going for the gibson-scale cause of the finger streches. As for the look. I don't want to relic it. What I have planned is a matt or satin finish cause I don't like shiny guitars. They look like glazed doughnuts to me. If this relics then it will. I don't really care. I might touch it up if it does or I might not. As long as it doesnt affect sound nor playability.

Sounds like a very cool project.

You could spray that sucker with some white nitro, then clear nitro. After you level the finish, you can simply buff it with steel wool to get a nice warm satin finish that is smooth but not shiny. The nitro will age on its own, and pick up a lot of cool mojo over the years.

Shoot me a PM if you have trouble locating a body and neck.

I was researching more and I'm starting to think I'll have tough time with pine. While I was looking for info I bumped into the a blackguard thread and I started to like a few of them. I started looking for more pine info and I bumped into this... http://rhfactorguitars.mybisi.com/product/diy-telecaster-kit Its a kit with quality parts (thats what they say, I really don't know). Anyone have a view on these? I really want to make good telecaster. I'm tired of glazed doughnut toy guitars.

The idea of the project would change a bit, if I decide to go this route. I'll still hold the original color I wanted (blonde) and the cut off bridge, but will have a fender scale neck and a blackguard look. Here's what I'll aim for...

http://www.jklutherie.com/ProductImages/Blackguard1.jpg
http://www.dv247.com/assets/products/54848_l.jpg

Something in between those two. Colorwise.

Now that seems like a cool project.

I found a some new color options...
http://i265.photobucket.com/albums/ii217/daredevil_237/704032.jpg
http://i265.photobucket.com/albums/ii217/daredevil_237/704030.jpg

This is a call to the owner of this...
http://i265.photobucket.com/albums/ii217/daredevil_237/Relic1.jpg
http://i265.photobucket.com/albums/ii217/daredevil_237/Relic2.jpg

I like the second picture of the reliced one the best. I want to know if a white blonde will age into a light butterscotch blonde like the relic. Thats really what I want to aim for. Well, a white blonde that could age with time to a butterscotch blonde.

I took the pics from here. I believe they were a lefthanded guitar but I switched them to get an idea.

Interested in one of those RH kits myself,let us knowhow it works out.

Interested in one of those RH kits myself,let us knowhow it works out.

I emailed to ask them and they just told that they could get allparts items with a 30% discount. That was all.

I would say that you should expect to spend around 300 dollars when everything is said and done.

I would say that you should expect to spend around 300 dollars when everything is said and done.

Actually, I did a budget and this is what I got...

Neck screws, string ferrules, tuners, wiring kit = 51.91 (shipped)
Control Plate = 10.00 (shipped)
Bridge = 22.00 (shipped)
Pickup = 60.50 (shipped)
Electrosocket = 8.00 (shipped)
Body = 100.00 (shipped)
Neck = 185.00 (shipped)
Knobs = 7.50
Paint = 40 (shipped)
Nut = 8.79 (shipped)

Total: 493.70

I might look for a cheaper body if I find it. They come out randomly. The neck also. This is a more or less of what might come out and its only for the "holy grail" one (single pickup).