Tele build. Rounding edges?

I just received a Fender reject tele body. It needs some help. The main thing is its just rough cut. What's the best way to go about rounding the edges? There's also a small knot that needs filling. I'm doing a Mary Kaye finish so I'm hoping that will add a little interest to it:)

I use an 1/8" roundover bit in my laminate trimmer for tele bodies. As for the knot, you can use epoxy, DAP plastic wood, Durhams water putty, sawdust & glue, etc. Since it's going to be mary kaye, you really don't need to worry about the aesthetics of the fill as the edges will be opaque.

Bob

Did you get that from a guy in silverlake?

A router?

Router and a 1/8" roundover bit.

Router and a 1/2" roundover bit.

1/2" is pretty extreme for a tele. It would end up more like a strat. 1/8" is the way to go on a tele.

1/2" is pretty extreme for a tele. It would end up more like a strat. 1/8" is the way to go on a tele.

You're right... having one of those days where objects in the mirror are closer than they appear.:mrgreen:

You're right... having one of those days where objects in the mirror are closer than they appear.:mrgreen:

You too huh? It's always one of those days for me! ;-)

Make sure you carefull around that neck pocket with the 1/8 bit or you'll need more filling then that little hole on the horn!!!!

Did you get that from a guy in silverlake?

Wilmington

Thanks. Just bought the bit. I'll post pics once I get it routed.

Thanks guys! 1/8 rounding bit on my kitchen counter did the trick! Neck pocket edges were not an issue, thanks for the warning.

I think I found a neck for it. 79 strat maple fingerboard. Like new condition with tuners. 550. Thoughts?

550 What? Dollars? :shock:

550 What? Dollars? :shock:

Yup. High? Like I said, it's like new.

Yup. High? Like I said, it's like new.

Waaay high. Looks like a "new" reissue neck. You can do so much better price-wise. Does it have to say Fender on the headstock? If not, why not try an allparts neck?

Bob

It's not a reissue. Check out the serial number. That's why I think the price is ok. Though admittedly high. Here's the heel.

I still think it's too high IMO. After all, it's a '79, not a '69.

I still think it's too high IMO. After all, it's a '79, not a '69.

I appreciate your opinion. Thanks. I plan on trying to talk him down a bit in person. But if it checks out I'll probably pay it. I have a 2010 strat with far far worse fret wear!

What about the heel shape difference? (Strat = rounded, Tele = square)

What about the heel shape difference? (Strat = rounded, Tele = square)

Crap. Yeah, what about that?! Might have to rethink this....

Read up on it at the Warmoth website, it may intone correctly, but you'll see ugly gaps at the corners of the neck pocket. Read up to make sure.....

Your neck pocket is squared, but a strat neck will bolt on o.k. & you won't have any intonation issues. You will, however, have to cut your own pickguard to fit the rounded strat heel, so it will cover the gaps in the corners.

Bob

Good info, thanks!

Reissue neck for $329 http://www.ebay.com/itm/Fender-1970s-Reissue-Strat-Stratocaster-Neck-70s-RI-Maple-NEW-/110898026563?pt=Guitar_Accessories&hash=item19d2099843

Reissue neck for $329 http://www.ebay.com/itm/Fender-1970s-Reissue-Strat-Stratocaster-Neck-70s-RI-Maple-NEW-/110898026563?pt=Guitar_Accessories&hash=item19d2099843

USA only!!:)

Where are you?

Where are you?

Location? Cleveland, Oh. The project, sanding the body. I'll have it ready to spray by the weekend.

I think I'm going to defer to you all and go with a modern MIA fender neck. The 22 frets should cover the gap right? I'm watching one on eBay...

WD Music makes a big headstock replacement Strat neck (lic. by Fender, I have one on a jazzmaster I built). You'd need tuners, string tree(s) and a nut, but for $245 it's not a bad deal.

http://www.wdmusic.com/SMVBH.html

USA only!!:)

I'm just curious why it has to be a Fender USA neck. Nothing wrong with that, but it really limits you. You could have a neck built to your specs by USACG or Musikraft for around the same price as an ebay MIA Fender neck. They are made in USA & IMO, are better than Fender MIA necks.

Bob

I'm just curious why it has to be a Fender USA neck. Nothing wrong with that, but it really limits you. You could have a neck built to your specs by USACG or Musikraft for around the same price as an ebay MIA Fender neck. They are made in USA & IMO, are better than Fender MIA necks.

Bob

Not sure why. I just prefer my guitars to say Fender, or Gibson unless they're full custom. Also I believe Fender USA necks are excellent.

This is where I'm at so far. I used brown leather dye then Danish oil to darken the grain. I'm going to fill and sealer next. I'm on vacation in a week. Hoping to make some real progress. I plan to prime and spray the edges solid and do the front and back transparent white.

Nice-looking piece of wood!

This is where I'm at so far. I used brown leather dye then Danish oil to darken the grain. I'm going to fill and sealer next. I'm on vacation in a week. Hoping to make some real progress. I plan to prime and spray the edges solid and do the front and back transparent white.

Looking forward to seeing how the white finish works out...

Lookin' good so far!

Bob

talking of roundovers,

I showed my neighbour a body I'd made that needed a round over.... saying I didn't have a trimmer/bit and I might have to hand sand a radius....or go and buy one for the job...

Hey! he says... I've got a good Makita trimmer you could borrow.. and I'll grab a few round over bits from work for you to use....he's a cabinetmaker..

he dropped them over this arvo.... sweet.... round over time! yee haa.... ;)

talking of roundovers,

I showed my neighbour a body I'd made that needed a round over.... saying I didn't have a trimmer/bit and I might have to hand sand a radius....or go and buy one for the job...

Hey! he says... I've got a good Makita trimmer you could borrow.. and I'll grab a few round over bits from work for you to use....he's a cabinetmaker..

he dropped them over this arvo.... sweet.... round over time! yee haa.... ;)

Lucky! That bit cost me about 20 beans as I recall....

Moving along... A few misteps but I think it'll be ok when it's put together.