BungleTele - first electric build

Hi all - posting my first electric build here so I'm likely to ask questions. I usually keep most of my posts on my blog (http://learnerluthier.blogspot.com), but for you lovely users I'll post a digest as regularly as I can.

Over the past few weeks I've been collecting the various parts for my Tele build. My intention is to work off the Terry Downs plan to make a couple of templates on MDF, so I cut out a to-scale print of the plan and mounted it like so:

http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-15K0TMur4Og/T3y-i9SWZSI/AAAAAAAAA1w/ujNP0rZf5_8/s1600/IMAG0251.jpg

I'm using a Wilkinson bridge (Sung-Il) and the various other bits and bobs come from Axesrus. I bought a pre-made neck (will maybe make one next time) and a slab of poplar for the body, which I hope to give a natural finish.

http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-98MR_isQVF4/T39a0z_iNyI/AAAAAAAAA2A/LOT4bgH-bvc/s1600/IMAG0253.jpg

The bits and pieces fit nicely on the plan, like so:

http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-pBAD0YZxktM/T4fvTnaIsoI/AAAAAAAAA2g/trESNW_RTDE/s1600/IMAG0263.jpg

Although I have one or two issues with the control plate fitting in the scratchplate / pickguard, as you can see there's a bit of a gap.

http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-EsZXdbI1-dg/T4fvPYhS18I/AAAAAAAAA2Q/1uEek8Z0v8U/s1600/IMAG0261.jpg

Also the pickguards I bought (I got 2 in case the first one I got was a bit iffy) deviate slightly from the plan - in the pic below the control plate recess doesn't quite match the control rout on the plan (slightly off to the left of the plan, even when everything else is matched up like the neck pocket etc.). Will this cause a problem - should I just change the position of the rout or will there be enough play in the existing one?

http://3.bp.blogspot.com/--Qzik0ZSFls/T4fvYR5XnVI/AAAAAAAAA24/4_WZwF9pjh8/s1600/IMAG0267.jpg

Well, once you rout the the switchplate hole, you will have a little play room to adjust the plate before drilling screw hole for said plate. As far as the pickguard, nothing a little
dremel sanding, or scribing to get an exact fit!, nothing is ever perfect when parts are bought from different company's as I have found out!..lol, just go slow and accurate.
Looks like it's going to be a nice axe!!

Bought a jigsaw today and roughly cut out the template (to make another template with).

http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-dx4XWi18Mag/T4tpwf9J5yI/AAAAAAAAA3A/g--T9svchSk/s1600/IMAG0269.jpg

templates making templates... sounds like a Sly song

How's it coming along? That poplar's looking good!

I assume you mean https://whyweprotest.net/asset-proxy/931a3fe437b014605cee62e107e127b96bca7593/687474703a2f2f7777772e706f70617274756b2e636f6d2f67 2f6c2f6c6770703031323725324262756e676c652d67656f72 67652d7a697070792d7261696e626f772d706f737465722e6a 7067/http://www.popartuk.com/g/l/lgpp0127%2Bbungle-george-zippy-rainbow-poster.jpg?

Luke.

Bungle is a nickname from my school days that has stuck somewhat, from Rainbow indeed!

Since last post I've worked on the template a little using my limited collection of tools and borrowing circle cutters from work. I also used a disc sander to tidy the edges as well as some hand sanding in the tight spots.

http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-_8xVwDsD6R4/T49bN8s5nTI/AAAAAAAAA3w/9zA49-zi53g/s1600/IMAG0307.jpg

The routs aren't perfect but I'm running on the assumption that they're going to be covered by the scratchplate and control plates anyway, but the bridge pickup rout is neat enough - I need to buy some pickups to actually try in the thing to make sure. From what I can tell the edges are nicely curved where necessary, at least I can't find any inappropriate flat bits. It looks nice with all the gear on it anyway.

http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-cdoXJeFr-Mo/T49bcsMPpfI/AAAAAAAAA4Q/OcrTSRCv2F0/s1600/IMAG0311.jpg

Do I need to cut out the wiring rout as well? I noticed some people don't bother. I still need to drill the bridge screw and string holes - if anyone has any advice I'd appreciate it, the plan at the moment is to use a drill press for accuracy.

More detailed info on my blog (http://learnerluthier.blogspot.com)!

I would say, yes: cut the wiring channel IF you don't plan on buying a 12" drill bit. Your regular bits will only be able to reach from route to channel. If you don't mind spending money on the drill bit, then no, not necessary, although planning for it on a template wouldn't hurt as you can leave that part uncut once it gets to your poplar.

Other advice, build at least two templates, one with neck pocket, the other without. Make sure you transfer center lines on each. You can also build other templates for alternate pickup routes (2xP90s, 2xhumbuckers) and mix and match templates for example if you were doing a Keith Richard's Macabre tele clone.

When I built my last set of templates I screwed 3 pieces of MDF under the master template and cut the three at the same time with a long bit. This insured the alignment was identical on all three. Before I unscrewed them I used a square to pencil in the center lines on the edge of the templates in case I need to align it from the back of the template (for example when you drill the ferrules). When I screwed them together I used screw locations that wouldn't impact normal screw holes (ie. I screwed into the horn and forearm area). When you cut your poplar you just ignore those holes. Cut the pickup routes after your separate them.

I drilled the bridge and string holes nice and neat with a drill press.

http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-8XN-np2R_rs/T5R7lbWLEOI/AAAAAAAAA4g/zoyFyiQhT0M/s1600/IMAG0315.jpg

Then purchased some off cuts of 3/4in MDF (for significantly less than the sheet of 1/4in MDF), roughly jigsawed out the Tele shape and then screwed the finished one and the thick one together, ready for the routing table.

http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_iL0dO5f46Y/T5R7465xd1I/AAAAAAAAA5I/7IeD9xDc7Hk/s1600/IMAG0327.jpg

I've noticed a small flattish bit at the bottom end of the thin template, between the flat jack section and the end pin point, so I'll have to be careful when routing to leave that bit out and sand manually to get the right shape back. There's very little in it though. I've ordered some pickups as well to double check that the pickup pockets are adequate.

I took the template to the workshop today and after doing some work to the classical guitar I got the edge taken off the thicker MDF with the routing table.

http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-NSx-K3Q5H8k/T5iFwhmefoI/AAAAAAAAA6Y/9MER66HMJZE/s1600/IMAG0338.jpg

My pickups have just arrived so I'm just going to check if the routs I've made are suitable for them or if I need to make any adjustments.

I'll not be using MDF any more after this though as I'm super worried about breathing in the toxic dust...

So my Tonerider pickups arrived and I tried them out in the template to see how well they fit.

http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-WtQPl3rYsog/T5r32RQBwVI/AAAAAAAAA60/88RUWFgV-go/s1600/IMAG0341.jpg

http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-fqSMbEIKJa8/T5r3x8P_bAI/AAAAAAAAA6s/NlIyJZC10qs/s1600/IMAG0340.jpg

http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-2u1W5Tw6nGg/T5r3ttsRZiI/AAAAAAAAA6k/4M1DwwpQRDQ/s1600/IMAG0339.jpg

Pretty well I think. I took the template to the workshop today and cleared out the routs. As you can see their not perfect - will this make a difference? Are they acceptable?

http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-HGB4Lo2SU9s/T5r4DrWf3eI/AAAAAAAAA7M/MwSu3Pt4-W0/s1600/IMAG0344.jpg

http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-pJ84EsTS5dY/T5r4HPCm5PI/AAAAAAAAA7U/0eoK0RW8Q60/s1600/IMAG0345.jpg

Thoughts welcome.

Not too sure about the white pearloid guard - depends what colour your doing the body as that seems to really chnage the guards look - perspective or contrast I guess

I'm also interested to know what the toneriders sound like.

What's the best way to seal the edges of the MDF?

Some progress has been made. Body blank was cut out roughly.

http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-jwEGovoy4ms/T67In1T1iZI/AAAAAAAAA7g/fIJdeX9E78g/s1600/IMAG0351.jpg

String holes drilled - a little off on the back as you can see, though this can be compensated for when drilling the ferrule recesses. Human error, of course.

http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Tz38lNs3Jcc/T67IsZxoOrI/AAAAAAAAA7o/qCEOCjULbj8/s1600/IMAG0352.jpg

Cavities were routed (first time using a big router properly) and body refined on routing table. I didn't cut the wiring channel as the workshop didn't have a small enough cutter, but I may have access to a nice long drill bit.

http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-BIPkjcfdVFc/T67IwyX8cRI/AAAAAAAAA7w/M5Jj2HU9Was/s1600/IMAG0353.jpg

Edges rounded over with laminate trimmer.

http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-DQqrEsCPDCA/T67I0bAaG9I/AAAAAAAAA74/56N8h7FLCI8/s1600/IMAG0354.jpg

Some sanding at home later to remove some burn marks, and a quick mockup.

http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ZapbrtQdjXk/T67I5a2S_sI/AAAAAAAAA8A/3xDLybgxL28/s1600/IMAG0355.jpg

http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-y0zJRcVjDJo/T67I869966I/AAAAAAAAA8I/i8KWuko34ww/s1600/IMAG0356.jpg

Couldn't decide if I was going to stain the wood or not, but after the mockup I've decided that I don't think I will, as it looks pretty sweet as it is.

Next time I'm in the workshop I need to sand the sides a little more to make them absolutely smooth. I also need to get stuck into making a neck pocket template, which worries me slightly in case I get it wrong. It's looking good so far though!

Keep it up Bungle - looking good!

Made a bit of progress this past while.

I've started soldering the control plate stuff together - been a while since I've soldered, so it's a little mucky.

http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-BX_rGJG5S04/T8Dt2lKKuuI/AAAAAAAAA9o/uPNok0QEdmc/s1600/IMAG0372.jpg

I also widened the control cavity a little to compensate for the scratchplate not matching. I spent some time making a neck pocket template using plywood and wood filler to essentially make a mould.

http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-cTjfNGl8III/T8DuK0QvPUI/AAAAAAAAA-I/V8DTJspzj94/s1600/IMAG0376.jpg

http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-yHWtVOQqdm8/T8DubZNOy0I/AAAAAAAAA-o/xt2NHNPXyGI/s1600/IMAG0380.jpg

And finally I managed to get my tuner bushes bashed in and tuners installed, after a little reaming of the headstock holes and some filing of the sides of the tuners as they were a bit too tight to fit.

http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-z-DL2cqAnGY/T8DuTLfXb5I/AAAAAAAAA-Y/xmgFJT_63Fg/s1600/IMAG0378.jpg

http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-DvLAQ3MUOY4/T8DuXgd4IGI/AAAAAAAAA-g/pTWxvBRQcGk/s1600/IMAG0379.jpg

Next time I hope to have the neck pocket routed and the body sanded up for finishing, though I still need to drill the wiring channels out.

Neck pocket done - not long to go now...

http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Vqe0ctZ8ltA/T8s-ZOOkoSI/AAAAAAAAA-0/2zMUNSH_ztk/s1600/475250_365291880201986_866533130_o.jpg

for a long drill bit for the wiring channel... I use electric welding rods of different sizes with the flux knocked off.... with the end flattened to a spade/diamond point as wide as you need it..... they do the job and are more flexible than a hard drill bit....

you can bend them while drilling.... hold it in the middle to guide it in while it's spinning...

and they're cheap..;)

It was going well for a while but a few things have gone awry, so I'm not entirely happy with the results, but it is my first electric build so I'm chalking it up to experience.

I had to adjust the neck pocket, and in doing so made it too wide, leaving a gap. Knew I should have screwed that template in.

http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-8RNnSqo7yLk/T8--OCdznII/AAAAAAAAA_Q/nKXVPhKKgTw/s1600/IMAG0395.jpg

I made a good stab at the recesses for the ferrules after plugging up the holes, but they still came out a bit funny.

http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-EQFYH6btJ7Y/T9EoKn0b5iI/AAAAAAAAA_k/VijJcytxPmk/s1600/IMAG0397.jpg

My jack socket channel isn't centred.

http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-M08P9sr7Usk/T9UpRqN0D8I/AAAAAAAABAI/hZVO-CwvPPQ/s1600/IMAG0403.jpg

So all in all I'm disappointed with the results, but as I say I will take what I've learned back to the next build.

That's one of the reasons I build it in different order.
First started with routing the neckpocket to have a perfect fit.
After this you could align the bridgeplate and set it to a correct scale.
See my post here. (http://www.tdpri.com/forum/tele-home-depot/331181-ikea-butcherblock-telecaster.html)

That's one of the reasons I build it in different order.
First started with routing the neckpocket to have a perfect fit.
After this you could align the bridgeplate and set it to a correct scale.
See my post here. (http://www.tdpri.com/forum/tele-home-depot/331181-ikea-butcherblock-telecaster.html)
\



I also start with the neck pocket to me it’s just a no-brainer. It is something I learned the hard way.

First-- Nice looking piece of poplar. I agree it's worth a clear finish, rather then opaque.

Neck pocket width--I've seen worse. Pickguard will cover some of it, you could sand some of it back, and minimize the gapped area that is visible. Even shave some thin shim from waste stock, glue it in place, and sand/shave it for tight fit. Not bad at all for first shot, IMHO.

Ferrule holes--I think once you get the back sanded niecly, and your ferrules bashed in (love that phrase!), they'll look fine. It is a big PITA, but it seems there is no way to drill the through string holes and have them line up straight on both sides of the guitar, except for the use of a pin board aligned with the drill bit on your drill press.

Jack Socket Channel--drilled my first couple intentionally off center, thinking I'd not have it exit completely in the control pocket, and I don't think it looked all that bad. 99.9% of people looking at it wouldn't notice, or assume there's a reason it is that way.

Hope you're not too disappointed. Pretty good for a first build of the type. I also liked how you cast the exact neck butt profile for the neck route template. How did you protect the neck from the moulding compound you used?

How did you protect the neck from the moulding compound you used?

Put some parcel tape around the butt area, being careful to make sure that there are no bubbles or folds and the like, and try not to overlap separate pieces of tape! You can thank my instructor for that one.

First build finished bar a couple of things, such as strap anchors and a decent jack plate (the push in ones are terrible, I have an electro plate on order but it might not fit correctly in the current jack channel). The finish is super, but I would like to think so considering what I paid (long story).

http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-gauBn5O2LV4/T-d-TGBMjOI/AAAAAAAABAo/d7RXunJGVfc/s1600/IMAG0413.jpg

http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-OxNENvQtvwQ/T-d-OYsBpNI/AAAAAAAABAg/mUjsxxp0DWQ/s1600/IMAG0412.jpg

Uo5F10WS_-8

Reasonably happy overall, things to improve upon in the next build. Would you pay £500 for this one? Tonerider pickups, Wilkinson bridge.

Beautiful! I'd be very happy with that :grin: