Tobacco Burst Tele (Partscaster)

Here is my first attempt at a partscaster build. I'm really pleased with how it came out!!!

Last summer I won up a pretty rough looking MIJ 50's style telecaster. I'd hopped the body could be salvaged but when it arrived it was just too rough.
The rest of the guitar was fine though. Great neck with hardly any fret wear, Texas special pickups, Fender hardware etc.

Here's how it was -

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7146/6775915269_ac2775d287.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/27448188@N02/6775915269/)
before1 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/27448188@N02/6775915269/) by steveb73b (http://www.flickr.com/people/27448188@N02/), on Flickr

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7021/6775917235_0817cba3a9.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/27448188@N02/6775917235/)
before2 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/27448188@N02/6775917235/) by steveb73b (http://www.flickr.com/people/27448188@N02/), on Flickr

Not long after I came across a new alder body in tobacco burst (Scud). I'd have liked it to have been a two piece, but the price was very good so three pieces was fine!!! The Fender string bushings were a little too big so I swapped them out for a new set (again Scud).

Initially the neck wouldn't go into the pocket due to the finish overspray, but after some careful scraping it slotted straight in. It still had the original Japanese mini pots so I decided to upgrade to a new 4-way harness with CTS pots (TundraTone). All it needed was the holes in the control plate enlarging and a new set of knobs (AllParts).

Finally to finish off I picked up a bakelite pickguard (AllParts) and I was all set to put it together. I think this was made for US Fenders rather than Japanese ones so it required a little widening to make it fit the neck but it wasn't hard to do.

It all went together well but it did need lots of careful measuring and marking out as the only screw holes it had were for the neck pocket and the string holes. I re-used all the original slotted screws to keep the vintage style and put on a set of Schaller strap locks.

If anyone is thinking about building a partscaster I can tell you its really good fun. From having an image of the finished guitar in your mind to sitting down to play it for the first time is extremely rewarding. I wouldn't mind doing it again:grin:

Steve

Here's it is now -

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7010/6775857029_523818ee0f_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/27448188@N02/6775857029/)
P1224784 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/27448188@N02/6775857029/) by steveb73b (http://www.flickr.com/people/27448188@N02/), on Flickr

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7002/6775854537_12fe9dd03a_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/27448188@N02/6775854537/)
P1224777 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/27448188@N02/6775854537/) by steveb73b (http://www.flickr.com/people/27448188@N02/), on Flickr

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7008/6775854187_928236d26f_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/27448188@N02/6775854187/)
P1224774 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/27448188@N02/6775854187/) by steveb73b (http://www.flickr.com/people/27448188@N02/), on Flickr

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7003/6775855577_341aa7de7f_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/27448188@N02/6775855577/)
P1224779 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/27448188@N02/6775855577/) by steveb73b (http://www.flickr.com/people/27448188@N02/), on Flickr

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7145/6775856217_91f7f3528e_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/27448188@N02/6775856217/)
P1224781 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/27448188@N02/6775856217/) by steveb73b (http://www.flickr.com/people/27448188@N02/), on Flickr

Very nice indeed, that's a beautiful burst finish, tobacco is my favourite.

I'm glad you like it. I thought about three tone burst but the two tone tobacco just looked better!!! Plus I don't think they had three tone bursts in the 50's. I also thought about getting a white pickguard but after making one out of paper the black one won. Thanks for looking.

Steve