TK Custom Guitars - Anyone used them?

Hello all!

I'm sourcing parts for a telemaster and came accross TK Custom Guitars. Their prices are great (free shipping, not tax ||to WA State||, and 10% off coupon code!), and they seem to have some friendly customer service people.

Only issue I have is that I can't find many objective reviews on their necks and bodies.

I'm wondering if anyone has ever bought tele parts from them and, if so, what were your impressions? Good quality build? Did they get it to you in a timely manner? If you experienced issues, did they resolve them?

Thanks!

Hi, I bought a 2 piece Alder Precision body in March this year to put together a Vegas period "Jerry Scheff" style.

I was happy with the fit and finish with a few points to note. The outline is accurate but contours were more 70s than 60s, I would have liked them to have had more wood removed, but I didn't ask before ordering from Amazon and I did have the opportunity, so I put that down to experience - always check these details.

I had a bit more of a problem with the pick up route, this was nicely machined to give a really clean finish if you wanted to not have a scratchplate, trouble was, you couldn't fit the brass earth plate, this is larger than the pick up itself. It also means there is little room for manouvre with the sort of variances in scratchplates that I have seen.

I did email Tim and got replies quickly, he seems a genuine guy, but as I live in Australia there wasn't much that could be done. I needed to use the bass and ran out of time to put it together myself so I handed the bits over and had it assembled for me and got the p/u route enlarged at the time.

The wood is good quality and it has made a nice light/medium weight bass with a '79 P-bass pick up. It was also a quick delivery (to Australia) and well packed. I would buy again but would check that it met my expectations.

Fantastic! Yeah, I've been e-mailing back and forth with Tim myself.

I appreciate your comments. I'll (quite probably) be ordering my stuff today or tomorrow, and will keep this thread updated w/ picks when I get my parts.

For what it's worth I have bought bodies from Tim Kroll through his Ebay operation (timbo81) and I've been very happy with the quality of the bodies and the personalized customer service from Tim.

That's good to know! Thanks!

UPDATE: It's been difficult getting a hold of Tim since my initial interactions. He explained that they have frequent power outages in their area and were w/o power for a couple days.

He asked for all my specs (down to the t), and i'll be getting my custom parts for $275(!), with free shipping. A concern of mine was fitting a pickguard, but he said that I could send them one that I buy and they'll make sure it matches up (big deal for this pickguard, as it's a custom telemaster w/ a p90 route). I'll be ordering it from Warmoth and having it shipped directly to TK Custom. Let's just hope I can get a hold of them tomorrow. My GAS is becoming uncontrollable!

This guitar is going to cost you more then buying a Gibson! :shock:

I bought a body from TK Customs thru Amazon.com. I ended up returning it because the edge of the body was rounded more than I preferred. I wanted the 1/8" rounded edge rather than the 1/4" rounded edge. They were very accommodating when returning the neck and i received my money back quickly.

The body was well done quality wise. I would have kept the body had it not been for the 1/4" rounded edges that I didn't like.

i'm currently in the middle of purchasing a Lefty body from him.
he responded quickly and was able to figure out exactly what i needed.

sadly, though, it's been 6 days since i last heard from him. i had some things i needed clarified (including purchasing other products from him) but now i'm wondering if i should just cancel my order and go with Warmoth.

i'm not in a SUPER hurry to build, but i really do need to get the ball rollin'!

i'm currently in the middle of purchasing a Lefty body from him.
he responded quickly and was able to figure out exactly what i needed.

sadly, though, it's been 6 days since i last heard from him. i had some things i needed clarified (including purchasing other products from him) but now i'm wondering if i should just cancel my order and go with Warmoth.

i'm not in a SUPER hurry to build, but i really do need to get the ball rollin'!

I'd say: Marc Rutters

Anybody have a website link?

Anybody have a website link?

www.tkcustomguitars.com/

UPDATE: It's been difficult getting a hold of Tim since my initial interactions. He explained that they have frequent power outages in their area and were w/o power for a couple days.



when was the last time you got a hold of them?

i've been trying for over a week now. i think if i can't get a hold of him by Saturday, i'm just going to ask that he cancel my order (so far the only thing i've paid for is a Seafoam Green Finish) of $175 and go with Warmoth.

i really wanted to support a small business, but i need this project rolling, ya know?

I just joined the site because of this post. I am dealing with him on about 800 worth of bodies and he has about 800 worth of my necks for sizing right now. He has vaporized in the past 8 days. I am starting to really get concerned.

IF anyone hears from him please message me as I am beside myself over this. The necks he has are irreplacable.

I just joined the site because of this post. I am dealing with him on about 800 worth of bodies and he has about 800 worth of my necks for sizing right now. He has vaporized in the past 8 days. I am starting to really get concerned.

IF anyone hears from him please message me as I am beside myself over this. The necks he has are irreplacable.

hmm.

well, objectively, it's probably a good thing that more than one of us is trying to contact Tim. someone had mentioned (not sure on this site or another) that the region TKCG is based has power/electricity issues.

still, i am a bit concerned, but i'm trying to hold my breath.

when was the last time you got a hold of them?

i've been trying for over a week now. i think if i can't get a hold of him by Saturday, i'm just going to ask that he cancel my order (so far the only thing i've paid for is a Seafoam Green Finish) of $175 and go with Warmoth.

i really wanted to support a small business, but i need this project rolling, ya know?

It's funny because I'm in the same boat as you. I haven't heard from him for 8 days. I just left my last message on their phone stating the same thing --> I don't have much time left to wait on this project. Either hear back by Saturday, or I'm going to have to cancel and go with Warmoth. He probably thinks we're the same person :razz:.

I really wanted to support his business, as it looks like good quality stuff (and the prices are great), but the communication is so patchy, it makes me nervous. I started ebay spying, and he was leaving feedback as late as the 15th on people who purchased from him. I tried to direct e-mail him there too, but it said that they have disabled these types of inmails. I've left a few voicemails, called every day multiple times, sent personal e-mails, and "requests for quotes" on the www.tkcustomguitars.com website. Nothing.

Hopefully he's just enjoying a vacation somewhere.

I hate twitter, but I even tried to "tweet" him (I think that's how you say it) to no avail. At least someone is working in their shop, as they posted quite a bit of stuff on Ebay yesterday.

Whoever hears from him should let him know others are trying to contact him.

He may have an autoscheduler running his ebay store, and may also have auto feedback setup for immediate payments. I know I do that on my store.

Im gonna be out 1600 if he doesnt get in touch soon and he isnt going to like the way I get it back.

I'm sure he'll get back to us all soon. He's probably just super backed up.

Success! I heard back from Tim today. He said they've been super backed up, and that they need a better way of handling customer requests.

He's going to give me a ring tomorrow, so I should be getting my gear soon enough!

Success! I heard back from Tim today. He said they've been super backed up, and that they need a better way of handling customer requests.

He's going to give me a ring tomorrow, so I should be getting my gear soon enough!

that's great news!

(sadly, i went ahead and ordered from Warmoth. But rest assured, for my next project i'll be giving TKCG another go!)

30 years ago ,it was not uncommon to wait weeks for something you ordered and not have any communication between parties, and I'm talking about guitar parts here. You mailed in your order and waited. I guess with electronic communications everybody has is now used to expecting instant results :-).

30 years ago ,it was not uncommon to wait weeks for something you ordered and not have any communication between parties, and I'm talking about guitar parts here. You mailed in your order and waited. I guess with electronic communications everybody has is now used to expecting instant results :-).

Perhaps but 30 years ago I dont think I would have been outputting 1600$ to a guy that far away in any way shape or form without meeting face to face or having some sort of middle man

im still waiting to hear back

im still waiting to hear back

me too.
i just need my $175 reimbursed.

I cant get a hold of them im sick to my stomach here. Someone answered the phone yesterday and was a total p$%^ to me and didnt seem to care about my issues. It wasnt Tim.

I have emailed, called, left website messages, facebook messages, ebay messages, ETC ETC

I am beside myself I had them building two of my dream customs made to fit 2 necks that I have had for the better part of a decade. I just dont know what to do I paid them all the way through the finish work...And they have my necks in their posession for sizing...

You guys have scared me off! Sorry both sides are going through all of this. I'd narrowed down a current build's body to two different places. I think I've made my decision...

I promise to update as this goes, some may think I am impatient but we are outside the timeframe we discussed and I just need some updates.

You guys have scared me off! Sorry both sides are going through all of this. I'd narrowed down a current build's body to two different places. I think I've made my decision...

The intent of this wasn't to scare anyone off, and I hope we don't do that! Tim and TK Custom Guitars are experiencing some growing pains, but they're quality is reportedly outstanding. Even though it's been two weeks in the making, I'm still going w/ TK Custom, as they have fantastic prices, and you can customize your neck/body details to an extent I haven't seen at a lot of places (w/o having to pay through the nose).

I'll be expecting my stuff to be here in a couple weeks, as I ordered my pickguard off Warmoth.com today. It'll be direct shipped to TK custom for fitting.

I feel bad that this thread may have scared you off. I'd say give 'em a chance!

Joel I would be all for supporting them, but if you were in my shoes how would you feel. I paid 800 for 2 bodies and sent them another 800 worth of necks. The call me and say the necks arrived we have some questions and then never return a call or message for 12-15 days.

Then when you finally speak to someone they are stand offish and uncaring about your issues and tell you someone will call later. Only to have no one call and now receive a generic MAGIC JACK response and not even a message from them.

Good deal or not this is rubbing me the wrong way. FYI I run an internet business and have been self employed for years. THIS is not how I would ever treat my customers.

Growing pains or issues I can understand. BUT they are listing on ebay and leaving non-generic feedback DAILY in this time frame. To say that they didnt get my messages through any channel would be laughable and a lie at best.

They were all ears and working with me till my necks arrived and my money was sent. Since then NOT ONE PIECE OF COMMUNICATION.

Joel I would be all for supporting them, but if you were in my shoes how would you feel. I paid 800 for 2 bodies and sent them another 800 worth of necks. The call me and say the necks arrived we have some questions and then never return a call or message for 12-15 days.

Then when you finally speak to someone they are stand offish and uncaring about your issues and tell you someone will call later. Only to have no one call and now receive a generic MAGIC JACK response and not even a message from them.

Good deal or not this is rubbing me the wrong way. FYI I run an internet business and have been self employed for years. THIS is not how I would ever treat my customers.

Growing pains or issues I can understand. BUT they are listing on ebay and leaving non-generic feedback DAILY in this time frame. To say that they didnt get my messages through any channel would be laughable and a lie at best.

They were all ears and working with me till my necks arrived and my money was sent. Since then NOT ONE PIECE OF COMMUNICATION.

I totally understand man. I actually just got off the phone w/ Tim concerning my order.

One piece alder telemaster body routed w/ p90 neck, quartersawn maple neck (all to my specs) for $270. Fantastic!

I'd assume my parts will show up in a couple weeks, so I'll post pics and thoughts when they do.

We are totally good now Tim called no excuses made just simply backlogged and it wasnt handled well.

We are still on target and most important right now my necks are safe which was the scary part. The instant I got an email from him I was cool, and the phone call made it better.

I have a history of being burnt. I unlike yall am a pointy guitar guy lol. I got burnt and had someone steal a San Dimas Pre Pro neck and a body from me, and then had another refinisher DESTROY a vintage ESP Horizon by doing a custom swirl with what I assume was melted crayola crayons. It was that bad.

It had taken me years to trust something out like this again, and this scared the crap out of me.

His prices and work is bar none the best in the market, but he admits as well as I can understand that there needs to be some adjustments made in the communication department.

Everything as I said is good and I will post up pics if anyone cares to see some pointies.

I love some teles as well but just a shredder at heart.

Glad you worked it out Zero

We are totally good now Tim called no excuses made just simply backlogged and it wasnt handled well.

We are still on target and most important right now my necks are safe which was the scary part. The instant I got an email from him I was cool, and the phone call made it better.

I have a history of being burnt. I unlike yall am a pointy guitar guy lol. I got burnt and had someone steal a San Dimas Pre Pro neck and a body from me, and then had another refinisher DESTROY a vintage ESP Horizon by doing a custom swirl with what I assume was melted crayola crayons. It was that bad.

It had taken me years to trust something out like this again, and this scared the crap out of me.

His prices and work is bar none the best in the market, but he admits as well as I can understand that there needs to be some adjustments made in the communication department.

Everything as I said is good and I will post up pics if anyone cares to see some pointies.

I love some teles as well but just a shredder at heart.

Glad to hear that. It is a shredder guitar I'm planning on building as well. I'm a tele and strat player at heart but I've missed my Ibanez ever since I sold it so I'm gonna try a shredder partscaster. Honestly I think I like the body Tim does better (soloist) than my other choice (carvin) so I may go for him after all. His prices are GREAT and he is very flexible as far as the routes I want. My order won't be too comlicated, I'm not sending him anything and the body will just be alder, unfinished. I may chance it.

yeah, Tim cleared the air with my order too.
he was very apologetic and refunded as per my request.

i'll definitely consider going through TK again. probably a humbucker-routed Jazzmaster.

TK Custom received my pickguard yesterday, fit it to the Telemaster body, and shipped same day. I'll be receiving my neck and body (hopefully) this week. I'll post picks on the build quality right when it comes in.

Thanks for the head's up on this shop, regardless of the quality vs price debate I would never work with someone who dealt with clients in this manner. Period.

I couldn't care less if they had "growing pains", backlogs, etc. There are simply too many topnotch groups that treat customers (especially PAYING customers!) the right way. I totally understand his being so busy (good problem to have) but it takes what, 5 minutes to send an email or call someone who is waiting for a response concerning scheduled work? No excuses for that.

Quality or not, this type of approach will kill his biz in no time.

fwiw he never made an excuse to me, even came out and said I have a right to remain pissed and ask for a refund and said that he flat out screwed up.

he manned up and has been great with contact ever since.

Ill give him this round and if it goes well he will be building more for me too.

I gotta go play with the new toys I snagged from one of the local pawn shops now...nothing like a 4x10 mesa lonestar cab for 299

I got my neck and body over the weekend. I'll hopefully be able to post pics later today.

I got my parts on Friday and thoroughly inspected them right when they were dropped off. All were in great condition (phew), and looking beautiful.

http://i115.photobucket.com/albums/n295/probablyjoel/P8310023.jpg
http://i115.photobucket.com/albums/n295/probablyjoel/P8310024.jpg

One thing I'll be changing is how deep the forearm cut is. It's fairly shallow on this Telemaster body, so I'll be shaping it bit deeper.

http://i115.photobucket.com/albums/n295/probablyjoel/P8310025.jpg
http://i115.photobucket.com/albums/n295/probablyjoel/P8310030.jpg

My only gripe about the neck is that they don't currently offer 1-piece maple necks. That's really what I was shooting for, but this will definitely suffice.

http://i115.photobucket.com/albums/n295/probablyjoel/P8310031.jpg

Fret slots are cut a bit deep higher up on the headstock, as you can see from the pic. I think I'll try the old saw-dust-and-super-glue before I finish it.

http://i115.photobucket.com/albums/n295/probablyjoel/P8310033.jpg
http://i115.photobucket.com/albums/n295/probablyjoel/P8310034.jpg

Pic with hardware placed to make sure it all fits. The only issue I may run into is that it seems the bridge cavity creeps into the bridge spacing, but we'll see if that's an issue once I wind and install the tele pup. Fits BEAUTIFULLY with my warmoth pickguard. The guard was purchased first, shipped from Warmoth to TK Custom, and he milled it out per the warmoth pup spacing. It fits like a dream.

http://i115.photobucket.com/albums/n295/probablyjoel/P8310035.jpg

There is a good amount of little knots in the wood, but I'm not all that picky about that type of stuff.

One piece alder body, custom cut for a specific pickguard - $135
Quartersawn maple neck (stainless steel frets, totally custom'd out to my specs)- $135

My opinion --> Great prices @ TK Custom, great quality of build.

Suggestions for TK custom --> Hire on that new Customer Service Rep, and start offering 1-piece maple necks :lol:.

I am STILL waiting for my stuff and again cannot get a hold of Tim...fool me once shame on you...fool me twice F'me

I am STILL waiting for my stuff and again cannot get a hold of Tim...fool me once shame on you...fool me twice F'me

Hey zerohour,
Did you get your parts? Noticed you are in Cibolo, TX. I lived there for 5 years and just recently moved to Wimberley, TX.

I am considering a parts bass and am lookin at TKCG for the body. I sent an email several months ago asking about pickup routes and got a reply the same day. Gonna keep an eye on this thread...

I've only just joined, largely because this is one that I feel very strongly about. I bought a custom tele style body from TK custom guitars (korina, rear routed, pickups T-S-H). Largely, I did it because even with shipping the price looked good. First, there were delays. Then, I found that the strat and humbucker pickup routs were fractionally too small. Also, there was only one small wiring channel for three pickups' worth of wires. The string through holes were also set too far from the bridge rout, which was additionally on a slightly wrong angle, so that even when I went to string through top, the bridge pickup rout threw off the angle of the bridge and meant that the low E string didn't go over the pickup, making for serious volume dropoff. I spent an additional £80 (the cost of a cheap alder body in the UK) on further woodwork to make this just usable, and even then, there are issues that have made me fall out of love with what was meant to be my dream guitar. I have had one brief reply from the owner on this some time ago, but when I suggested that he might like to at least partially refund what I paid him since he did not supply what was asked for to a competant standard, I heard nothing further.

Just discovered them today, the snakehead looks interesting!

:cry:
Just been reading the long thread here on TK and even though I didn't get my Tele from them I did get 2 Soloist bodies from them last year and for anyone who is thinking of using them ...... here's the breakdown of how that went.
In June 2011 I ordered a chambered soloist with Korina back and spalt maple top with Nitro finish. The results both visible and sonically on this body were totally sublime. I've had people offer me money on the spot for that guitar.

However, I then ordered another chambered soloist in mid October and when it arrived in November everything looked OK apart from the bridge earth cable hole not being drilled and some poor radius work on the edges, I spent a hell of a lot of time finishing it in nitro and the results were great. I then came to fit the hardware and when drilling the bridge mounting holes through the Myrtlewood top it very quickly became obvious something was very very wrong. As soon as the drill got through the myrtle there was nothing but air. On further inspection the chambers had been routed in the wrong place and there was only air between the ferrules on the back and the top laminate. To Tims credit he immediately said there would be an FOC replacement on its way within a couple of weeks. It got to 2 weeks before Christmas and I'd had no response to several mails and messages so I sent a final promise to open a PayPal dispute for the full value refund if I didn't hear anything positive within 2 days. The next day I got an email from the production manager to say the body would be leaving the next day.

The body arrived on New Years Eve and on opening the box I was pretty pi$$ed off to see no jack hole had been routed, no pickup cable holes drilled, no bridge earth cable hole drilled and then when I got my steel rule out things got worse. The neck rout was not the depth I had specified and the string through holes were not in the right place for a hipshot bridge.

So a few days later and much drilling and re-routing (it would have been easier to make it myself after all) I'm pretty much there. However the old saying firmly applies here, screw me over once shame on you, allow it to happen again, shame on me ............ there will never ever be a 3rd time with these guys, I'm done with them - their QC sucks. From now on, Warmoth or USACG

Does anyone have any recent experience with TK? They have some great looking bodies on the cheap, but after reading this thread, makes me a little nervous....