'53 CNC build

[quote=ehawley;940801]I mix the Bartley paste filler with mineral spirits to thin it down to the consistency of ...lacquer.
I then pour a fair amount onto the body.

I hold the scraper at a 45 degree angle to the grain and pull it straight DOWN along the grain. Almost like shaving the wood!
You want the filler IN the grain, not on top of the wood!

http://i227.photobucket.com/albums/dd248/ehawley/scraping.jpg (http://i227.photobucket.com/albums/dd248/ehawley/scraping.jpg)

[quote]

I have used cheapo plastic putty knives to remove grain filler - each time I use one I think of Bucko...99 cents for a 3 pack. The 1.5 inch knife works great for the side of the body (see pic below). It bends easily and it is not sharp enough to scratch or cut the wood.

http://www.higgydude.com/tdpri/10810_8-25-07 Building Esquire - Grain Fill Body 400X300.jpg
http://www.higgydude.com/tdpri/10480_8-19-07 Esquire - Remove Grain Filler Side.jpg

As I explore the process of finishing my first body one of the tricks I used was for sanding. I took one of those foam rectangular sanding sponges and cut it into pieces. I made 3 pieces - 1 small, 1 medium and then 1 approximately half the size fo the sponge. I use the small one with the grit side down and wrap strips of sandpaper over it. The grit (180, 220 or 320) on the end of the sponge "grips" the strip of sandpaper and I can "form" it to contour the various parts of the body. It provided me an easier and more uniform way to sand the horn areas of the body.

http://www.higgydude.com/tdpri/13600_9-15-07 Esquire Body - Sanding the Horn 400X300.jpg (http://www.higgydude.com/tdpri/13600_9-15-07 Esquire Body - Sanding the Horn 400X300.jpg)

Another quick tip - to keep all my sandpaper organized and easily accessible I bought an expandable file folder from Staples. I then put the packages of the sandpaper in the various slots. I can easily identify the grit size and keep the sheets or partial sheets flat and protected. I also added the red tab to mark where my tack cloths were kept. For my shop it was well worth the (approx) $5.00 - another Bucko special...

http://www.higgydude.com/tdpri/20050_8-26-07 Sandpaper Holder - File Folder 400X300.jpg (http://www.higgydude.com/tdpri/20050_8-26-07 Sandpaper Holder - File Folder 400X300.jpg)

http://www.higgydude.com/tdpri/20060_8-26-07 Sandpaper Holder - File Folder 400X300.jpg (http://www.higgydude.com/tdpri/20060_8-26-07 Sandpaper Holder - File Folder 400X300.jpg)

That folder thing is really an amazing idea!

Sometimes there are these just amazing simple ideas that you wanna kick yourself for not thinking about earlier!


Amazing thread

Cheers
André Ripoll

Wow, you guys are spendy..:lol:

I use an old credit card, and sawed off an old wooden broom handle for sanding the horns and sides.

I use the accordion file folder, too. It only took me 40 years to figure that one out. It works great.

Wow, you guys are spendy..:lol:

I use an old credit card, and sawed off an old wooden broom handle for sanding the horns and sides.

I use the accordion file folder, too. It only took me 40 years to figure that one out. It works great.

I tried a wooden dowel and found that I was sanding uneven as I was putting too much pressure trying to keep the dowel "flat" against the side edge...

The putty knife thing was one of those "what the hell let's try this..." but I did find the flex and handle helped remove the filler more consistently. But, to your point Rich - it's all about being "creative" and using your smarts (for me lack thereof...) and what you have on hand.

I was jus' pullin' yer leg, man.. Whatever works for you is the right thing to use.:grin:

I even used to put a 3/8" dowel in my hand held drill, and tape rolled up sandpaper to it to do the tight spots. Gotta be careful with that rig.:roll:

I was jus' pullin' yer leg, man.. Whatever works for you is the right thing to use.:grin:
:roll:

Rich,

I know you were kidding. I just think its really cool that we invent so many "tools" on the spot - and then when you talk to a group you realize others had the same idea...its adds a bit of credence to the moment of insanity I decided to "use this doohicky for that purpose..."

I often thought it would be a great reality to show to put a bunch of guys in a garage with basic tools and items and see which team concocted the craziest and most useful tools. I'm sure your shop has tons of such items around...many that have morphed over the years as you steadily improve their efficiency and function..

hmmmmm


Thats a great reality show pitch!


Build a Telecaster in seven days.....

We could have themes for every week, like 50's style, then thinlines, then HH's.... And at the end of every week, some Tele Big Shot comes over and tells one of the loosing team members: "You're fired!"



¬¬

=DDD

That folder thing is really an amazing idea!

Daymmmm after all the gizmos I have made to store sandpaper.... that just floors me.... so simple......

Ron Kirn

Another cool, easy thing for helping with final shaping/sanding/leveling that I (duh) thought up was to use a brand new 18" steel ruler as a surface scraper. They're cheap, and often faster and more consistent at scraping stuff off the face and back than a sanding block.

At this point the body is ready for the color coats...With that said...Has anyone tried the Mohawk Blonde toner? The reranch butterscotch blonde is a bit to "yellow" for what I'm looking for! I'm hopeing to use a blonde and "tone" it to the right color.
Cheers
ED

Here is a test I made with Mohawk Blonde toner

http://www.tdpri.com/telephoto/data/677/medium/White-Blond.jpg

This is what I used for this build, with some White Wash under it

http://www.gtechblues.ca/images/Blonde/NewBlonde.jpg

Hi All...just got back in from vacation! Funny thing...my wife thought she got away from guitars for awhile... We were sitting at the bar and I and the guy sitting next to me struck up a conversation and guess what?... Since he was 10 years old he was working at his dads shop in Philadelphia fixing guitars and amps!! He's in his mid 40's now (I think) and has been doing it for a living all his life! We had some great conversation and the wives complained...not too much though! And we both came to the conclusion that ...If you have to do it for a living..it's not as FUN!!!

Any how...I see some stuff happend while I was away...Great stuff...RnB...beautiful!...Higgydude..great pointers!...Gtech...your a saint!! Just what I needed! I'm going to order some up (no one seems to carry it around here!) and give it a try on this build! Thanks!

Pictures of the fret leveling and electronics soldering will go up this weekend.

It's good to be back!
Thanks all
Cheers
ED

Back again! The fret leveling and dressing took place a few days ago. Here are the pics.

I don't use any fancy jigs or fixtures to do frets. I adjust the truss rod to give me a neck as straight as can be and rest the neck on a FLAT section of table. I use a 6" file to lightly run along the frets to check for extra high frets. I use no pressure except the weight of the file. When you hit a high fret you will feel the file bite into it. When the really high frets are taken down (about 5 min of work) I switch to the 12 " file. I've had this file for a long time. It is one of the FLATEST files I have ever seen. It works great for the leveling of all the frets. ( about 5 mins again) It is run along the neck using its own weight.

http://i227.photobucket.com/albums/dd248/ehawley/neckfiles.jpg

NOW, after the frets are all level I switch to a 24" high density cast iron bar. This has been ground flat on one side. I doubleface tape 600 grit wet or dry to this face. I use this for the final leveling.

http://i227.photobucket.com/albums/dd248/ehawley/neckcastbarback.jpg

Tape 600 paper

http://i227.photobucket.com/albums/dd248/ehawley/neckcastbartop.jpg

Bar is run along frets to final level.

http://i227.photobucket.com/albums/dd248/ehawley/neckcastcut2.jpg

After this is done I LIGHTLY run the 9.5 sanding block along the frets to shape them. You don't really take anything off the frets. You just insure that they are at the proper radius. It's all a matter of FEEL!

http://i227.photobucket.com/albums/dd248/ehawley/necksandingblock1.jpg

When this is done you have perfectly level frets with a flat on top.
I don't know if you can see it clearly in this picture.

http://i227.photobucket.com/albums/dd248/ehawley/neckflats.jpg

I now have to crown the frets. If you don't you will have intonation problems and "Sitaring" because of the string not hitting a "sharp" fret. Hmmm....it's hard to explain!

I tape off along side the fret to protect the fingerboard. I use a florescent yellow highliter to color the fret in order to see the "transition" from flat to crowned fret.

http://i227.photobucket.com/albums/dd248/ehawley/necktaped.jpg

I lightly run the fret file along the fret. I look for the sides of the fret to start to crown. When I have a narrow band of yellow left (about .010) I stop. I now polish the fret with 800 paper and 000 steel wool.

http://i227.photobucket.com/albums/dd248/ehawley/neckfretfile.jpg

I do this with all the frets. It takes about 40 min to do all.

When the neck is done I check with a straight edge. It should not rock anywhere!

http://i227.photobucket.com/albums/dd248/ehawley/neckend2.jpg

I then put the tuners on

http://i227.photobucket.com/albums/dd248/ehawley/tunersend.jpg

http://i227.photobucket.com/albums/dd248/ehawley/tunerstop.jpg

http://i227.photobucket.com/albums/dd248/ehawley/tunersback.jpg

Here is the finished neck!

http://i227.photobucket.com/albums/dd248/ehawley/neckwhole.jpg

It's not a hard thing to do but it does take a lot of PRACTICE! If you are going to try this for the first time, practice on an old neck or one that is so bad it most likely needs a re-fret.
There are many ways to do a fret job and this is mine. It has always "done me good"! I guess you could call that a disclaimer!

I finished winding the neck pickup. It's basiclly the same as the bridge with a FEW changes. The neck pickup is not potted. It was polarized with north up. (opposite from the bridge pickup) so the black or ground wire was soldered on the END winding. Don't want it to "phase-out" the bridge pu!

Here is a picture of my winding setup.

http://i227.photobucket.com/albums/dd248/ehawley/pickupnecksetup.jpg

limiter view.

http://i227.photobucket.com/albums/dd248/ehawley/pickupnecklimiterview.jpg

As the wire comes off the END of the spool you guide it between your fingers through the limiter onto the pickup.
My right hand is guiding the wire and my left hand is holding the switch to activate the motor.

http://i227.photobucket.com/albums/dd248/ehawley/pickupwindingme.jpg

When the winding is done (about 8000 turns for a neck pickup) you tie off the end wind into the eyelet and take it off the winder. I hold it in a electronic board vise to solder on the lead wires. I use all cloth covered wire for all my work.

http://i227.photobucket.com/albums/dd248/ehawley/pickupneck1stwire.jpg

When the wires are soldered on I use a flat plier to flatten the leads on the pickup. Take care not to damage the 43 gauge leads!

http://i227.photobucket.com/albums/dd248/ehawley/pickup2ndwirepliers.jpg

Once the wires are soldered on I take a reading to make sure all is well

http://i227.photobucket.com/albums/dd248/ehawley/pickupneckfirstreading.jpg

I now seat the cover over the pick up and bend the two back tabs over. I file the chrome off the solder side of the front tab and solder the ground wire lead to it.

http://i227.photobucket.com/albums/dd248/ehawley/pickupneckcover1.jpg

http://i227.photobucket.com/albums/dd248/ehawley/pickupneckcoverbent.jpg

When this is done I take a final reading and magnetize it.

http://i227.photobucket.com/albums/dd248/ehawley/pickupneckfinalreading.jpg

Looks good!

http://i227.photobucket.com/albums/dd248/ehawley/pickupneckdone.jpg

All pickups are now done, boxed, and ready for action! Man...I'm getting itchy!

http://i227.photobucket.com/albums/dd248/ehawley/pickupsboxed.jpg

A little side note....I ordered Mohawk paint from here http://www.pondcovepaint.com/content/page/catalog_list/cat/73/Mohawk_Finishing_Products.html
Got them in 2 days from time of ordering!! Talk about fast!

This is what I'm going to use to TRY and achive my body color! We'll see!

http://i227.photobucket.com/albums/dd248/ehawley/mohawkpaints.jpg

I also did the control plate build up! pics to come later in the day.

Cheers
ED

Ed, others have said it better...but You Are THE Man!

:smile:

This build thread has me totally flabbergasted.


In fact, I don't think my flabber has ever been so gasted! :smile:

Hmm...I know this will be a question that will be asked so I will PRE- ANSWER it here:wink: :grin: .

Why are the bridge and neck pickups out of phase?
If you read this I-sheet from stewmac it helps to explain.
http://www.stewmac.com/printfreeinfo/I-5127.html

I guess because up until 67' (page 63, Duchossoir book) you didn't have the neck/bridge combo available, it didn't really matter much. First position was neck through the .1 cap for a bassy tone. Second position was neck with tone control. Third position was bridge with tone control. NO two pickup combo:shock: So no phase problems!
Since I'm going for that true 53' repro sound I stuck with the original wiring scheme! I will most likely change it (as many have) to go with the more "modern" two pickup combo. Thats why I soldered the black wire to the END of the wiring on the neck pickup, instead of the start. When I rewire (if I do!) the black would still be ground and the pickups would not be out of phase!

I hope this helps!
Cheers
ED

The control plate wiring is done. Like I said in my previous post I kept the 53 wiring authentic I. E. the .1 mfd cap at the first position and no two pickup option!
Here is a picture of the control plate in the vise ready to be wired up.

http://i227.photobucket.com/albums/dd248/ehawley/controlplatevise.jpg

Note the blackguard book in the background. This book has been invaluable to me! Thanks Nacho!
I used all Fender parts...CTS pots...Switchcraft jack...CRL switch.

Here are the tools I use when I'm soldering. I use them to bend wire and flatten and tweek connections.

http://i227.photobucket.com/albums/dd248/ehawley/solderingtools.jpg

Not much to show. Just a bunch of solder joints! Note the .1 mfd capacitor that I made to replicate the vintage model.

http://i227.photobucket.com/albums/dd248/ehawley/controlplateviselargecap.jpg

I've come to the conclusion that it is just too big and will replace it with the small modern "brown drop" one.

That's better!!

http://i227.photobucket.com/albums/dd248/ehawley/controlplateswitchsmallcap.jpg

Note the two knobs! They both came in the Fender pouch. One has a larger dome shape than the other. Lucky for me I have another set on another guitar with the same problem! I can switch and match both sets!

http://i227.photobucket.com/albums/dd248/ehawley/knobsize.jpg


Well....all that is left to do is polish the pickguard...Don't know why I'm waiting so long to do it!! :roll:
The body still has to be finished. I recieved the Mohawk shipment and it's only a matter of time now. Maybe 2 more weeks and It will be DONE!!:grin: I'm shooting for the look of telecaster # 2438 on page 298 of the Blackguard Book! Man.. I'm really starting to itch now.
Thanks all for your comments and help. This sure is a fun ride! The pictures of the finishing of the body should be up in the next week. I still have to do some testing with the Mohawk stuff. Again, thanks!!

cheers
ED

Ed,
I have been an avid reader of the tdpi for the last year or so. I have never joined to be a member as I would just sit back and read all the posts. I have always marveled at how much information the members would willingly share or reply with such positive encouragement to the other members.
Your 53 CNC build however has gotten me out of the closet to join just so I could tell you how much I have appreciated your efforts and sharing. This is a wonder to behold. I do not know if they hand out prizes on tdpi but if they do you sure have my vote. Somebody please give Ed another slice of Raisin. Pie !
I would also like to ask your wife a favor in that until you get this baby done _please _do not take anymore vacations. The last one even though it was just three days just about killed me waiting for you to get back and continue with your posts !
One word of caution, with all the talk of Pinecasters on this forum you might want to refrain from showing that pine table of yours in your pictures.
Take care and thanks again.

Hi Ed...everything looks awesome. I have a question...do you magnetize the neck pickup with the chrome cover on?

Ed,
I have been an avid reader of the tdpi for the last year or so. I have never joined to be a member as I would just sit back and read all the posts. I have always marveled at how much information the members would willingly share or reply with such positive encouragement to the other members.
Your 53 CNC build however has gotten me out of the closet to join just so I could tell you how much I have appreciated your efforts and sharing. This is a wonder to behold. I do not know if they hand out prizes on tdpi but if they do you sure have my vote. Somebody please give Ed another slice of Raisin. Pie !
I would also like to ask your wife a favor in that until you get this baby done _please _do not take anymore vacations. The last one even though it was just three days just about killed me waiting for you to get back and continue with your posts !
One word of caution, with all the talk of Pinecasters on this forum you might want to refrain from showing that pine table of yours in your pictures.
Take care and thanks again.

Thanks Taipan...This is the best place to be for telecaster info!! The greatest guitar made!!(IMHO) If I can get one person to start building because of these posts , I will be a happy man!! Thanks for your kind words and yes, my wife is a trooper!! She puts up with all my "TeleMania"..Some day I will take pictures of the pine table with all the building "relic" marks and post them here!! Welcome aboard and lets all have fun!!
cheers
ED


Hi Ed...everything looks awesome. I have a question...do you magnetize the neck pickup with the chrome cover on?

All the sites that Ive read says that the neck pickup is magnetized with the cover on...so I did it with the cover on...If some of the pickup winders do it differently I would love to hear from them...I'm new to this winding stuff and would love to hear from them!
Thanks Biblio and nice to hear from you again...I see that you are fairly new here also...Welcome!
Cheers
ED

P.S. Lets all thank Paul Green for keeping this site going!! Thanks Paul! I owe you something !!

nice work ed! i'm a bit late to this thread and it may be unnecessary now, but i have '53 if you need any updating. there are some peculiarities to my instrument. let me know if you want details.
charlie

nice work ed! i'm a bit late to this thread and it may be unnecessary now, but i have '53 if you need any updating. there are some peculiarities to my instrument. let me know if you want details.
charlie

Sure Thing!! Let me know! It's always better to get it right from someone that has one in their hands.
Thanks
Cheers
ED

Ed -- i am continually astonished by your skill set, patience and bag o' tricks! i'm looking at a new build between now and Christmas and soaking this thread up like a sponge.

Ed -- i am continually astonished by your skill set, patience and bag o' tricks! i'm looking at a new build between now and Christmas and soaking this thread up like a sponge.

I want to see alot of pictures!! Thanks! Hope I was a help somewhere!?
Cheers
ED
By the way....Loved your black and white pic...brought back memories!

ED, I don't know about everybody else, but I'm having withdraws from no more info on how your build is going. Hope things are fine? Give us a update as soon as you can.:mrgreen:

ED, I don't know about everybody else, but I'm having withdraws from no more info on how your build is going. Hope things are fine? Give us a update as soon as you can.:mrgreen:

Hi!...Things are going well!...I'm in the body finishing stage now so things are going slow!!:sad: As Bucko said....fill and sand....fill and sand..fill and... I've done tests with the mohawk finishing stuff and settled on the blonde coat under a misting of Reranch Fender neck amber! The mohawk amber was a bit to "red" for me. The reranch amber is more "yellow", like old lacquer! I really like Mohawks blonde! What a combo! Mohawk blonde and Reranch Fender neck amber...looks almost...real? I'm going to put an old pickguard, control plate, and a fake bridge on when I spray the fender neck amber to have it appear like "tinted" nitro from age.! Am I being too anal?? Yea...probably...but I'm having fun!:grin: Maybe I'll post pictures of the test strip!

Thanks for asking Superc 1...

I'm going to have to come up with a "Name" and logo for this beast! If anyone has any ideas, let me know... I'll send a pickguard, 20 picks with your initials in them, and a few caps to the one I use. Send them to my email..I don't want to use this thread for that. Lets' have fun!!

I can't wait to hear the pickups, so this weekend they are going in another guitar to test!! I'll let you all know!!

Cheers
ED

I can't wait to hear the pickups, so this weekend they are going in another guitar to test!!

I presume you've built the amp you'll be using?

Hey Ed, I've got a bunch of '50s (kind of dark brown bakelite, maybe could be stained) and '70s (black plastic) top hat switch knobs that I got off multi channel intercom systems at a school district auction. Can I send you one for this great project?

BTW guys, always go to school junk auctions in your area. I picked up the two intercom units for under $5 for both and got about 60 switch knobs from them. I also bought some sort of multi-something desk sized thing with a bunch of pairs of cheap headphones (probably for learning foreign languages). From this I gleaned about 25 black top hats and a bunch of chicken head knobs. Total cost $2.

I presume you've built the amp you'll be using?

I bet he did. He probably got out the aluminum foil and wax paper from the kitchen and rolled his own capacitors.

Did he make his own tubes? Doh...we may have found something Ed CAN'T do. :lol:

I bet he did. He probably got out the aluminum foil and wax paper from the kitchen and rolled his own capacitors.

LOL!!! :lol:

I'm going to have to come up with a "Name" and logo for this beast! If anyone has any ideas, let me know...

I'm still amazed. Superb effort.

Name = Hawley

Model = Blackguard

sort of like this here

http://www.backwaterpartymusic.com/DikkersBlackguardDecal400.jpg

I'd offer to do the artwork for you, but that would be like offering to walk on the moon for Neil Armstrong! :wink:

A possibility seen as you made it and all...."ED WOOD"

Regards

Vintage52

I'm still amazed. Superb effort.

Name = Hawley

Model = Blackguard

sort of like this here

http://www.backwaterpartymusic.com/DikkersBlackguardDecal400.jpg

I'd offer to do the artwork for you, but that would be like offering to walk on the moon for Neil Armstrong! :wink:

I always liked that logo!

Hi all!!....Thanks for all the suggestions on the name! I have a few favorites already! If you would though..PM me or send them to my email I don't want to hijack my own thread!! :grin: I'm going to end it the end of next week (Oct 12). Again, thanks.


I have the finishing almost done!! I'll post the picks up to the point that I'm at right now, which is.. "the color coat is on!!"

Let me say ....I really really love the Mohawk Blonde..(my wife shudders every time I say that!)

Speaking of my wife, here is a finishing project she has for me!!
Antique cast iron chairs!

http://i227.photobucket.com/albums/dd248/ehawley/castironchairs.jpg

Hmmm....keep my wife happy or work on guitars...hmmm...WORK ON GUITARS!!! (then buy my wife something)

Here's a picture of the "lazy susan" that I use for painting. It started life as a base for a rotating storage bin. I can stand on it and it still turns!.

http://i227.photobucket.com/albums/dd248/ehawley/lazysusan.jpg

The body has 3 coats of sanding sealer. I then sand that down to flat with 400 grit DRY and use (vintage!) 00 steel wool to "wipe" it down.
I like to keep my sanding sealer as thin as possible because it contains talc, wich makes it sand well and not load up the paper, but makes for a soft finish!

http://i227.photobucket.com/albums/dd248/ehawley/topsteelwool.jpg

The top is ready for color!

http://i227.photobucket.com/albums/dd248/ehawley/topsanded1.jpg

There are some areas that I have to watch out for when I spray...not really watch out for ,but pay attention to!
they are... A knot that is on the neck pocket area...

http://i227.photobucket.com/albums/dd248/ehawley/neckknot.jpg

And the "false" template holes on the back...

http://i227.photobucket.com/albums/dd248/ehawley/backplug1.jpg

http://i227.photobucket.com/albums/dd248/ehawley/backplug2.jpg

They seemed to soak up a lot of sealer and turned dark! In the future I'll turn them out of "face" grain!
You just have to spray a bit more on these areas to hide them. The end grain matches will also get abit more!

I had a small ding that I had to drop fill also...no problem!

http://i227.photobucket.com/albums/dd248/ehawley/dropfill.jpg

I sprayed the top flat on the lazy susan. When it was dry I inserted my nails. (just like the originals!) and flipped it on the turn table!

HOLY COW!!! I guess Fender knew where to put them to make it balance!! It's suprisingly sturdy!!

http://i227.photobucket.com/albums/dd248/ehawley/nailtop.jpg

http://i227.photobucket.com/albums/dd248/ehawley/nailbalance1.jpg

http://i227.photobucket.com/albums/dd248/ehawley/nailbalance2.jpg

With it sitting there like a rock , I sprayed the back and the sides...the nails work great!..They will stay in for the amber misting and finish coats of clear. I will remove them for sanding when needed, and replace them when I'm going to spray again. This is the first time I used the nails and I will use them from now on!!

http://i227.photobucket.com/albums/dd248/ehawley/grainback1.jpg

I really love that Mohawk Blonde!!

http://i227.photobucket.com/albums/dd248/ehawley/grainback2.jpg

I REALLY, REALLY Love that Mohawk Blonde!!

http://i227.photobucket.com/albums/dd248/ehawley/grainback3.jpg

REALLY!

The pictures don't do the grain justice. I don't know why that is, but I see that in all pictures...You have to see it in person!

Well...That's where I'm at now. It's really starting to come together. I'll let the color coat dry over night and then put the old pickguard, fake control plate and fake bridge on and give it a Reranch Fender neck amber misting. When that is done, I'll remove all the "fake" stuff and shoot the Deft clear. That should melt into the color coats and really make the grain POP!
I decided to keep the pickups "virgin" and not put them in another guitar to try...superstition???..maybe!

Thanks all....this is really fun!
Cheers
ED

I am honored to be the first to post after such a great update! Looking really REALLY good, No i mean REALLY good...
Keep up the great work!

Very Nice!!

Ed,
Only one coat of the Mohawk Blonde? Can you explain the paint process a bit more in detail?
I'm loving the way that the color is looking and the grain is showing through. In fact if those where my wifes Antique cast iron chairs, I 'm thinking that I would paint them Mohawk Blonde as well !

Absolutely the wildest ride I've ever been on! I don't think I've ever felt so incapable in my life! I don't even want to try to change strings anymore.
INCREDIBLE job, Ed.

Ed! Were you really able to spray that outside? If I had done that today, I would have had Box Elder Bugs and Japanese Beetles in the mix.

And not just a few of them!

Great job!

Those nails looks like they worked very well for you.

Great stuff Ed!

What's the body weight?

Ed,
Only one coat of the Mohawk Blonde? Can you explain the paint process a bit more in detail?
I'm loving the way that the color is looking and the grain is showing through. In fact if those where my wifes Antique cast iron chairs, I 'm thinking that I would paint them Mohawk Blonde as well !

HI...well..there's the grain filling that are in my previous post...then I use Deft sanding sealer...

http://i227.photobucket.com/albums/dd248/ehawley/deftsandingsealer.jpg

I use a foam brush to put on 2 coats. I don't sand between coats. I use the brush to start because it builds thickness fast. I paint the top first..let it dry..and then the back..dry..and then sides. Sand flat almost to the wood (to the wood in some spots!). I then throw some in a gun and spray the last coat. (This gives a nice flat surface for the color coats). I then wipe the whole body with 00 steel wool.

I then spray the color coat on the top. Hmm...one coat more or less...what's nice about the semi-transparent colors is that if you have a blemish you want to cover, just spray a little more in that area. It's all a matter of looks!
Take a look back at the "false" template holes in the previous post pictures. A little extra spray in that area and PRESTO, all gone!
Once the top is done I put my nails in. 4 nails go in the body.
Here's a picture of the location of the nails.The nail locations are in red.(more or less..Fender used to stick them in the general area!)

http://i227.photobucket.com/albums/dd248/ehawley/nailholes.jpg

The picture may be abit light, but if you print it out it looks ok.
I pre-drilled for the nail holes when I made the body. Flip it on a turn table and spray the sides first and then the back.

http://i227.photobucket.com/albums/dd248/ehawley/nailbalance1.jpg

It's now ready for clear coats or , in my case, misting with amber and then clear coats. That will happen today and if time I'll post those pictures tonight!
Thanks for asking!
Cheers
ED

Ed! Were you really able to spray that outside? If I had done that today, I would have had Box Elder Bugs and Japanese Beetles in the mix.

And not just a few of them!

Great job!

Those nails looks like they worked very well for you.

Hi Bucko...Yup...sprayed outside. It was a nice day, no wind (a big plus or I would have been spraying inside!) and no bugs! I like to spray outside when I can because of the lighting!...Hey....those japanese beetles outer wing casings would make a FINE irridescent sparkle finish on a guitar. OK..the gauntlet is thrown...I want to see an irridescent guitar from you sometime! :shock: You are the artist!!:grin:

Great stuff Ed!

What's the body weight?

Hi...well..it's not a light weight, nor is it a heavy weight, The body weighs 5.2 pounds, so the guitar may weigh around 8 lb when done! A trade-off between sustain and back pain...HEY...sounds like a title for a new song!

On another note.. I haven't polished the pickguards up yet:oops: But that will happen soon..When I polish up the guitar I'll do all. Hang in there!
Cheers
ED

...I ain't come up with a name yet but did come up with a theme song fer yer new CD that yer gonna make with all these pictures----

"Anythin yew kin dew wye kin dew better"

...Sub title-----

"CNC TELE Dream Machine"


http://pulsarco.com/~fuzzy/eh.jpg


0le FUZZY

Beautiful job!

Don't take this personally Ed, but I hate guys like you. Seems like several of my wife's girlfriends, married guys like you. Constantly renovating/upgrading the house, personally building additions, landscaping, build summer cottage, build own amp/guitar/bass...

http://www.tdpri.com/forum/images/smilies/icon_wink.gif

Anyways I'd like to toss this into the ring:

Hawley
Edsquire

cheers and great, great, inspiring, work. If I was Fender I'd make you head of manufacturing or QC.

cheers
Toronto Wayne

PS Happy Canadian Thanksgiving

Man Ed, that gitfiddle is really coming together! Outstanding job! Me thinks a certain "Engineer" would approve as well...and in that vein I would respectfully suggest the name:

HAWLEY
"Futurecaster"

Why Futurecaster? Because of the Space-Age Tech that went into this build...

Hawley '53 CADCaster

Ed,
Thanks for taking the time to explain explain the paint process a bit more in detail and explaining the Deft sanding sealer process.
As far as naming your baby, cminor7b5 took the words right out of my mouth
Edsquire all day long !

Eh, big deal... unless you felled the trees and mined and smelted the ores, I ain't impressed!:wink:

Seriously, this is mighty amazing work. I swear, in some of those pictures the plastic fixtures look like carved white chocolate. I'm just blown away.

Eh, big deal... unless you felled the trees and mined and smelted the ores, I ain't impressed!

Careful, next he's going to tell us how he drew the wire to make the strings.

Nice work, applying your skills to a new area and finding a talent - impressive.

Well, I don't know about drawing it, but he's already headed in that direction:

I orderd some music wire to play around with. We'll see!:lol: :wink:

Tel'ed'caster. Teledcaster. Get it?

I'm sorry, I'm not good at coming up with names.

Hawley "Dreamcaster"

ED
Hawleycaster

NOSCaster or NOS Caster?

"The MasterCaster"

I like 'Edsquire'.

Ed, its looking great. You need to write a book.

MikeY

Hi all...The names are really coming along. I like them all....Maybe a combo of a couple together...Hmm!

Ok...The body is finished! I had a major mishap at the 2nd to last finish coat!!! Always the case in "Murphys Law"...No big deal..You'll see in the next few pages..

Here is the body with the Reranch Fender neck amber misting..This is the way to go if you want that "vintage" look!!

http://i227.photobucket.com/albums/dd248/ehawley/graintop2.jpg

This is prior to the clear Deft finish coats

http://i227.photobucket.com/albums/dd248/ehawley/grainback3-1.jpg

I had the fake pickguard on when I misted to give it that yellowed lacquer look. Just for fun to see how it would look. I didn't put the fake control plate and bridge on...just too much work!

I was spraying the clear coats and a bug must have read Buckos' post and decided to have a look!!

Bucko..."This bugs for you!"...:grin:

http://i227.photobucket.com/albums/dd248/ehawley/bug1.jpg

Bugs are no problem. The problem came on the 2nd to last coat!!!

When I JUST finished the coat, a gust of wind came out of nowhere! It blew a paper towel onto the upper edge of the guitar!!! Can you believe it!!??! The rest of the body looks great but this spot!!:oops:

http://i227.photobucket.com/albums/dd248/ehawley/oops.jpg

http://i227.photobucket.com/albums/dd248/ehawley/oops2.jpg


Well....Being the easygoing guy that I am, and giving the location that the rag hit (the wear spot on the upper body where your arm will rest), I decieded to try my hand at a light "relic"...Just the wear spot....NO BIG DEAL!!

So .... after that happend it was not imperative that I really polish the body to a mirror finish...After all it's a RELIC!!
.
.
.So guess what.....THE GUITAR IS FINISHED!!!

I have some pictures here that I will post while I "assembled" everything. But because it was late (2am) and my wife was complaining and the neighbors were screaming "I'm mad as H***, and I can't take it anymore" I don't have pics of it completly finished, but let me tell you!!!! MAN o MAN do those pickups sound GREAT!!! I'll never buy again!!

Any how...here is some pics. I still haven't polished the pickguards yet. I was going to do that when I polished the body, but....


Neck pickup with springs...Notice my body "dating" in the cavity!

http://i227.photobucket.com/albums/dd248/ehawley/neckpickupandsprings.jpg

A picture of the body with neck on next to the very first guitar that I built..They almost look alike...but are totally different!

http://i227.photobucket.com/albums/dd248/ehawley/apair.jpg
You can see by the picture that my wife has put all the halloween stuff out!

All my screws have the "Irish Spring" treatment! You don't want anything binding and screws breaking! Also when your giging and start to sweat it helps to mask the odor!

http://i227.photobucket.com/albums/dd248/ehawley/irishspring.jpg

Here is a picture of the tool I made to insert the jack holder in the body. It works like the Stewmac unit.

http://i227.photobucket.com/albums/dd248/ehawley/jackcuptoolready.jpg

You insert it up to the o-ring and then tighten the inner screw.

http://i227.photobucket.com/albums/dd248/ehawley/jackcuptoolinserted.jpg

That flattens the retainer at the perfect depth!

http://i227.photobucket.com/albums/dd248/ehawley/jackcupretainerin.jpg

Ready for work!!

http://i227.photobucket.com/albums/dd248/ehawley/bodyandneck.jpg

Pickups added!

http://i227.photobucket.com/albums/dd248/ehawley/bridgepickup.jpg


These are all the pictures I have for now but there will be MANY MORE tonight!!
I can't believe how it turned out!:grin:
Stay tuned!
Thanks all
Cheers
ED

Great feeling, isn't it!? Beautiful job, Ed.

Arigatou!!!

http://i22.photobucket.com/albums/b345/c_e_n_t_a_u_r/Miscellaneous/Sensei.jpg

OK Ed, now what I'm I gonna do now that you're finished? Better start building another guit so we all have reading material.

Ed - great stuff..what will I do until tonight???

Fantastic build. Thanks for sharing your experience. Wonderful guitar.

...Same soap I use and a trick I been usin fer over 40 years now.

http://i227.photobucket.com/albums/dd248/ehawley/irishspring.jpg


...KOOL!


0.F.

Jes' postin' pics ain't agonna cut it my friend, not after this thread .....you're gonna hafta put up some you-tube clips !
An' don't try to tell us you can't, because we have proof that you can pretty much do any (and every) thing.

Seriously, i'm more than impressed here Ed, my gabber's been flasted too !
THANK YOU fer takin' us all along for the ride !

This is one of the best threads ever. I will be so disappointed if there isn't a youtube video or a mp3 of the pickups.

beautiful!!.......for a name?

AHaw Haw Haw Hawleycaster!

Mighty fine!

Mighty fine!

You've something to be proud of.

:smile:

Well...as promised here are the pictures..

first..the soldering iron ferrules trick everyone does! Heat them up and they slip right in!

http://i227.photobucket.com/albums/dd248/ehawley/ferruls.jpg

http://i227.photobucket.com/albums/dd248/ehawley/ferruls2.jpg

Now for the fun pics!!

Relic site!! (OOPS)

http://i227.photobucket.com/albums/dd248/ehawley/relicsite.jpg

And a whole bunch of the finished guitar!!!

http://i227.photobucket.com/albums/dd248/ehawley/frontstraight.jpg

http://i227.photobucket.com/albums/dd248/ehawley/controlselectorknob.jpg

http://i227.photobucket.com/albums/dd248/ehawley/bothpickups.jpg

http://i227.photobucket.com/albums/dd248/ehawley/nut.jpg

http://i227.photobucket.com/albums/dd248/ehawley/grain2.jpg

http://i227.photobucket.com/albums/dd248/ehawley/neckjoint.jpg

http://i227.photobucket.com/albums/dd248/ehawley/fronttuners.jpg

http://i227.photobucket.com/albums/dd248/ehawley/backtuners.jpg

http://i227.photobucket.com/albums/dd248/ehawley/backstraight.jpg

http://i227.photobucket.com/albums/dd248/ehawley/backdown.jpg

http://i227.photobucket.com/albums/dd248/ehawley/frontdown.jpg

Well..It seems almost....Hmm...can't think of a word!
The naming of the beast will continue until Friday 10/12
I'll now have time to put together all the files and other stuff I have been promising people..Jack ...the fixture files are coming, Arlo, the strat stuff will now happen (that will be fun)
Wait!!! I'll host all my files on my daughters webpage and post a link here!! Anyone who wants them can find them there. In a couple of days I'll post it! PDF, DXF, SOLIDWORKS, MASTERCAM, and PARASOLIDS files. I love to share!

A note about the pickguard on the guitar...I still haven't polished the real ones yet!!! Now I have time to, so , one more picture is coming with the "good" guard on it!

I also still have to put on the strap buttons!

Thank you all for a great experience. It has been a pleasure posting my first build thread on the TDPRI!. MP3 files for sure will be posted. I have to set up my Mackie Spike again and do some Bluesy stuff!! You tube...hmm...maybe!
Keep the names coming! Any questions or wants please ask!

http://i227.photobucket.com/albums/dd248/ehawley/me.jpg

Thank you all for your kind words!:grin:
Cheers
ED


PS....Watch for my double-neck build with a baritone lower!! In about a month!! ( If my wife lets me)!!!

next up -- soundcheck, right???

Great build!
We want a full tonal and playabilty report!

Can't wait to hear how she sounds, whatever her name may be.

This has been one of my favorite threads to watch. Great job.

Superb, it looks great & your pickups kick! What else could you ask for? What a bold undertaking...and to have it culminate into a recreation of a real classic. How does she play?

I'm glad you waited the minimum of 30 days for the Lacquer to cure...lol! Sounds like someone else I know! :grin: Contratulations Ed and thanks for the great thread!

Rich

Hawley Top Hatter
Hawley Hummer
Hawley FL
SuperLeo
Ed's Sonic Ribs
Hawley Electric 'the horseman'
Hawley's Trailburner
Hawley's ButterBlonde
Ed's Swooner
Hawley's kneebuckler
Fullertone 52
the Chief

you'll have to excuse a few of the Harley Puns from the early 50's!

I just went back and reread the entire thread.

I need a cigarette!

This was a great adventure you took us on.

Thank you kindly sir!

that's just gorgous , great job Ed.

Bravo!

Excellent...............http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v208/jwells393/Animations/ThumbsUp.gif

Ed - Thank you for all you have shared ! She is a beauty to behold ! Can't wait to hear how she sounds!

Hawley Threadecaster

She's beautiful Ed. I've really enjoyed this.

uhhh ...so where's the sound clip?:razz:

Thanks all...My pleasure indeed!!
I'll try and get the sound clips together by the weekend. I have to set up my Mackie again and my computer with audition on it ....On the way!!
Cheers
ED

Hawley Threadecaster

Hmmmm....!

[drooooooooooool] Oh my...

...thank you!

:grin: Peter

Great thread Ed - this is what the internet is all about for me :razz:

name - 'The Telemastered'

Cheers

ch

Stunning work. Sad to see it end, in a way! :cry:

You could call it a "Technocaster" - kind of: something old and something new....you know?

Interesting and ecouraging to see the last minute "relicing".
Nice to know you are still human! :rolleyes: There's hope for me, yet!

Great job.

Ed, thanks for taking the time to share your project. I imagine posting all that stuff was almost as much work as building the guitar! Truly a, if not THE, classic thread.
Looking forward to sound clips.


As for a name suggestion: Edster Edecadster......or Edster Telecadster ??

We're all very impressed buy your work and by your generosity for sharing and documenting the experience. You've had nearly 30,000 views on this thread (I peek everyday 2 - 3 times a day) and I can't wait for your next build. You've spoiled us rotten and I thank you for it.

Hi Ed!
This has been such a nice thread!
Been with it since the first post and really enjoyed it.I`m almost sorry that it`s coming to an end.
The final result is just beautiful.I`m so impressed by your craftmanship.
The homemade pickups was great.Thanks for letting me share your project from start to finish.Great job,well done!!
Cheers,Wikur!

Great work, great thread!

How about the Hawley "Maestro".

Ed, there is nothing that can be said that hasn't already been said. Mighty fine example of the original, and being so close in every detail I think I would go that extra step to complete this fine example with an original fender logo decal. I hope nobody shoots me for that and it deserves your name in everyway, but it being one of the finess examples I've seen you might want to finish it out as the perfect example. Hey, and see who you can fool out there on a gig!!:idea:

Ed, there is nothing that can be said that hasn't already been said. Mighty fine example of the original, and being so close in every detail I think I would go that extra step to complete this fine example with an original fender logo decal. I hope nobody shoots me for that and it deserves your name in everyway, but it being one of the finess examples I've seen you might want to finish it out as the perfect example. Hey, and see who you can fool out there on a gig!!:idea:


The Fender logo could be nice BUT even more nice with something like "´53 Replica by Ed Hawley" on the back.

Ed, there is nothing that can be said that hasn't already been said. Mighty fine example of the original, and being so close in every detail I think I would go that extra step to complete this fine example with an original fender logo decal. I hope nobody shoots me for that and it deserves your name in everyway, but it being one of the finess examples I've seen you might want to finish it out as the perfect example. Hey, and see who you can fool out there on a gig!!:idea:

Well...I think Fender would have a big issue with that:wink: And since it really isn't a Fender I would feel weird about putting the name on it. The only Fender parts on it are the hardware.....not enough to warrant a logo:shock: Besides...when my son inherits all my guitars I want him to think of me when he looks at it!!
cheers:smile:
ED

Well...I think Fender would have a big issue with that:wink: And since it really isn't a Fender I would feel weird about putting the name on it. The only Fender parts on it are the hardware.....not enough to warrant a logo:shock: Besides...when my son inherits all my guitars I want him to think of me when he looks at it!!
cheers:smile:
ED

perhaps you might consider having your portrait laser engraved on the rear of the headstock ? :wink:

No, I would definitely avoid the F word. It's way better on many levels. Need your name on there, Ed. It doesn't even have to be a "XXXCaster". Give it your personal touch, it will mean more to you, and to your son. Maybe put his name on it

How about "Dad's Dream Machine"?

You could borrow the logo from the root beer company.. I won't tell... :twisted:

perhaps you might consider having your portrait laser engraved on the rear of the headstock ? :wink:

:lol: :lol: GOOD ONE!!

No, I would definitely avoid the F word. It's way better on many levels. Need your name on there, Ed. It doesn't even have to be a "XXXCaster". Give it your personal touch, it will mean more to you, and to your son. Maybe put his name on it

His name's on it already!!! ED! (Eddies beget Eddies:wink: )

Ed--you, your guitar, and this thread are amazing. Thanks so much for sharing it. Perhaps for schooling us on how to make a Blackguard tele, you could name it the Educaster, or perhaps Ed-u-caster.

Superb, it looks great & your pickups kick! What else could you ask for? What a bold undertaking...and to have it culminate into a recreation of a real classic. How does she play?

I'm glad you waited the minimum of 30 days for the Lacquer to cure...lol! Sounds like someone else I know! Contratulations Ed and thanks for the great thread!

Rich

:shock: 30 days??:lol: :lol: :roll: Yea...That's a long time to wait.!! I agree!!
Thanks
ED

Thanks for giving us a part of your precious time (pics, posts...), sharing daily your guitar-making skills for the joy of tdpriers.

Your work is the perfect synthesis of old tricks and high-tech.

I wish you where here to have a pint :

-X30NAc8khc

You could proudly write on the headstock :
"Thanks Leo"

I'm thinking... skip the " caster". This is far above that. Maybe Ed Hawley Engineering using the similar F style font and black and silver colors.
Marty

I'm thinking... skip the " caster". This is far above that. Maybe Ed Hawley Engineering using the similar F style font and black and silver colors.
Marty

+1. From my previous post-"It's way better on many levels. Need your name on there, Ed. It doesn't even have to be a "XXXCaster"

Caster Schmaster

Caster Schmaster

Plaster Caster? http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v328/wildricechris/smilies/help.gif

Why not go with something like

Louise, or Sue, or Marilyn, or GiGI (Good Guitar) or something along those lines.

This is your own creation! albeit formed from an existing style, but noe-the-less your creation. Name it something that reflects it's heritage but retains the innovative creativity that developed it as it is. I think it much more than a "caster" maybe "laser" would be a good furtherance of the genre.

What do you think about "Blazer Lazer"

Ed, thanks for taking all of the time to post your pictures and details for us all. And the generous sharing of your CNC files bro. Great thread!!

congrats dad, the guitar is amazing. your a celebrity here. cant wait to play it.

congrats dad, the guitar is amazing. your a celebrity here. cant wait to play it.

He sure is .

Build another because I don't know what I'll do without this thread everyday.

I hope that this thread gets placed in the TDPRI "Hall of Fame!"

congrats dad, the guitar is amazing. your a celebrity here. cant wait to play it.

Welcome, Ed! Great to see another father/son member here! Your dad did a great job, for sure. :grin:

Maybe he should just call it "Junior" :idea:

congrats dad, the guitar is amazing. your a celebrity here. cant wait to play it.

HEY!!! You didn't tell me you were going to join!! Welcome son! Don't forget Kareoke (did I spell that right?) tonight!
Love
DAD

Thanks all again for all your kind words...I'll get my son to play some "METAL" on it so all the metal lovers can get a sense of the sound also! Cheez!! when I was young..:shock:..metal sounded different!
Sound is on the way along with the files link!!!
Cheers
ED

Welcome, Ed! Great to see another father/son member here! Your dad did a great job, for sure. :grin:

Maybe he should just call it "Junior" :idea:

Hmmm...Hawley "JUNIOR"...Hmmm:roll:

Amazing. Here's the name to use: Hawleywood.

Build another because I don't know what I'll do without this thread everyday.

I don't know what I WILL DO now!!:shock: ...Catch up on my work around the house.... and plan my next build..The double neck will start in a month:grin:
Thanks
ED

All I can say is, WOW! That was a great way to spend a slow morning at work. Ed, that is just beautiful, great job!

Amazing. Here's the name to use: Hawleywood.

Ding, ding, ding.. I think we have a winner here!!! :lol:

Amazing thread!... and splendid guitar!!! A big "thank you" for sharing all the details of this experience! And enjoy this piece of art!!!
Regards

Here's some quick slap-together photoshopping:

http://www.ryanadam.com/guitars/hawley-gtr.JPG


Ryan

Here's some quick slap-together photoshopping:

http://www.ryanadam.com/guitars/hawley-gtr.JPG


Ryan

I LOVE IT!!!

Ryan, I like that! That's cool.

Here's some quick slap-together photoshopping:

http://www.ryanadam.com/guitars/hawley-gtr.JPG (http://www.ryanadam.com/guitars/hawley-gtr.JPG)


Ryan

I LOVE IT!!!

Do a little anti-aliasing and make it a bordered font with a silver or gold shading and you're golden. :)

My humble contribution to an awesome guitar (and thread):

http://tonyscoffee.com/stuffie/hawley-01.gif

and this.

http://tonyscoffee.com/stuffie/hawley-01.jpg

I've been procrastinating at work. Gotta get back...

I'll host all my files on my daughters webpage and post a link here!! Anyone who wants them can find them there. In a couple of days I'll post it! PDF, DXF, SOLIDWORKS, MASTERCAM, and PARASOLIDS files. I love to share!

No kidding. Anyone who thinks there isn't kindness and generosity in the world needs to check out this thread.

Ed, the guitar and the thread is amazing - so much thanks for your generous gift.

For the logo, my vote goes to blacklove's contribution. It's superb.

Do a little anti-aliasing and make it a bordered font with a silver or gold shading and you're golden. :)

Yeah - maybe I should mention my idea of "quick slap-together" photoshopping means "using MS Paint while at work."

I can certainly colorize and de-pixellate it if Ed decides to go with the "Jersey Blonde" idea.

Ryan

Blacklove's design is great.

I think the guitar is a "seyensecaster", though.

My humble contribution to an awesome guitar (and thread):

http://www.tdpri.com/telephoto/uploads/13070/hawley-01.gif

and this.

http://www.tdpri.com/telephoto/uploads/13070/hawley-01.jpg

I've been procrastinating at work. Gotta get back...

My vote goes to this one with no doubt!!!

I think that Blacklove's design is destined to become almost as famous around the globe as Leo's original! - and it's so much more unique! :cool:
It is especially clever how he has paid respect to the Fender "F" in his neat design and is of a similar exceptional standard to Ed's own work.

The Hawley name is already revered around the world and the reasons for this are self evident! This is a great finale! :grin:

Cool!

Man!!! This Is Tough!!! It's down to two......Jersey Blonde AND/OR Hawleycaster! Maybe both!:?: I have to make a decision before 12:00 am EDT (or are we in EST...I'm moving to AZ! don't have to worry about it!)

Those are two great contributions! I love them both!!!

I'm thinkin':roll: :cool: :shock:

Well Ed, I would think that if you are moving to AZ...Then it's got to be " Jersey Blond "

Well Ed, I would think that if you are moving to AZ...Then it's got to be " Jersey Blond "

I was only kidding...I said AZ because the don't change from Daylight savings time to standard time(or visa-versa) ....although...when I retire it will be to the Adirondacks in NY or somewhere in AZ or NM! My wife likes the warm climates and I like the cold...guess it will be AZ or NM:wink: :lol: :shock:

Cheers
ED

Well...I've already sent PMs to Hourglass and Blacklove....We have TWO WINNERS!!:shock: :grin: I'll more than likely use elements from both of them...I like the name JERSEY BLONDE...being from Jersey and all ;-)...and the Hawley script is just great from blacklove! SO congratulations to both!!

Everyone had great names for the beast and I thank you all for making this fun! If I use any others in the future I'll PM that person and send some stuff along!

Sound room is setup again so the sound stuff will happen this weekend! (maybe Youtube! if I get brave!) I'll get my son to play some of his stuff also!

Link to files is coming..

"Centerfold shots" with the final pickguard and strap buttons on :oops: will be posted in the next few days...

I can't explain what a great time I had doing this and all the frendships I made around the globe in this forum! This is what life is all about!

Thank you all
ED Hawley
....I already told my wife the double-neck is coming!! SOON!!

"Centerfold shots"



I hope it's a Girl-Telecaster, Ed. :shock: :wink:

I think everybody really enjoyed this thread and if you are like me, you hate to see it end. I'm sitting here trying to figure how to do something that has a similar coolness and fun factor. So this may sound extremely stupid, or it may be do-able I don't know.
There are a bunch of talented people here. Around this neck of the woods when you go to a dinner party they sometimes say " bring a dish to pass" which means you prepare something for everyone to eat so the host doesn't get stuck with everything. I'm thinking wouldn't it be cool to pass around some parts and make an ultimate partscaster build out of it. Maybe it could be sold on ebay with the proceeds going to some charity or give it to some deserving person. This is just a brainstorm and it probably needs a new thread but I figured that everybody and their brother will read this one. This kind of thing has been done on the acoustic forum. I'll supply the pine blank if there is any interest. I will not however do any sanding.... I hate sanding..... I refuse to sand..... Any ideas to keep the momentum going? This is just a brainstorm.
Marty

Well...I've already sent PMs to Hourglass and Blacklove....We have TWO WINNERS!!:shock: :grin: I'll more than likely use elements from both of them...I like the name JERSEY BLONDE...being from Jersey and all ;-)...and the Hawley script is just great from blacklove! SO congratulations to both!!

Ed,

Thanks!! Both for picking my idea and for this great thread. I (like many others, I'm sure) will be anxiously awaiting the details of whatever you decide to do next.

Ryan

Here's the logo after I spent a little time cleaning it up. Still pending Ed's approval, of course:

http://tonyscoffee.com/stuffie/hawley-02.gif

The script is hand-drawn. As far as I know, there isn't a font for this kind of stuff!

Here's the logo after I spent a little time cleaning it up. Still pending Ed's approval, of course:

http://www.tdpri.com/telephoto/uploads/13070/hawley-02.gif

The script is hand-drawn. As far as I know, there isn't a font for this kind of stuff!

Great job and thanks! Your graphics and hourglasses name put a great finish to this build! Thanks guys!:grin: :grin:
Cheers
ED

Ed - I and I am sure thousands of others are anxiously awaiting Jersey Blonde's Centerfolds.....

I think a community build would be cool too. I've got some 5/4 maple for the neck. The pieces could be sent from one TDPRIer to the next for the next stage of construction.
Personally, I would want Ole Fuzzy to call the specs just so we're all working toward the same thing. Maybe Arlo could do a youtube with the finished instrument for advertisment...
My thought is that maybe we could auction it as a benefit for this forum.

You are right, this does need a thread of its own.

And we'd be supporting all the shipping services too! :-)
Marty

Hi all!! I've been catching up on work that I let slide during this build:roll: !
I've been playing the guitar for a good two weeks now and I REALLY love the sound of the pickups! It is a blues machine! I've hooked up the Mackie Spike again the other night just to throw a file or two on here of the sound.

http://i227.photobucket.com/albums/dd248/ehawley/mackie.jpg

Not my playing ability!!:shock: :cry: , but the sound!
I put together the files I've used also in different formats. The next few pages will be the files pages which I will continue to add to over time.
The fixture files and more sound files will be added over the next week! The body and neck files will be posted now.
Cheers
ED

Here is a 30 sec. mp3 of the neck pickup straight into the mackie with no effects at all! It's as clean as it can get... and the pickup still has a sweet growl to it!! The background guitar is this one also! As a matter of fact ,the picture of the computer is this mix.

NECK PICKUP MIX 1 (http://drivingblind.org/tdprimix1.mp3)

Here are the body and pickguard files in several formats:

BODY AND PICKGUARD DXF (http://www.drivingblind.org/53BODYMASTERNSNOFLAT1.DXF)
BODY AND PICKGUARD PDF (http://www.drivingblind.org/BODY.pdf)
BODY AND PICKGUARD CorelDRAW (http://www.drivingblind.org/BODY1.cdr)

Neck files on this page:

NECK 2D DXF (http://www.drivingblind.org/NECK50SFINAL2D.DXF)
NECK 2D PDF (http://www.drivingblind.org/NECK.pdf)
NECK 2D CorelDRAW (http://www.drivingblind.org/NECK1.cdr)

Neck solid files:
NECK PARASOLIDS (X_T) (http://www.drivingblind.org/NECKSOLIDS1.X_T)

Fixture files page:
Note all pdf files are 1:1

Input jack hole fixture:

Control cavity arm (http://www.drivingblind.org/JACKARM.pdf)
Fixture body (http://www.drivingblind.org/JACKBODY.pdf)
Body top cover (http://www.drivingblind.org/JACKBODYCOVER.pdf)

dxf files to come tonight

Headstock truss plug fixture:

Base (http://www.drivingblind.org/BASE1.pdf)

You are the man Ed...............

Ed -Yes you are the man -
Neck pickup sounds Sweeeet. Betcha your playing it with a big ol ear to ear grin on your face...
Well Done !! And Congratulations !!

Ed:

I want to send a great big THANK YOU!!! for the dxf files. I have access to a CNC machine through a luthier friend of mine.

Cheers

toronto Wayne

Wow! How did I miss this thread!? This is the first time I've seen it. Having built a few guitars from scratch myself, I must admit to being in awe of the workmanship, attention to detail and generosity of your sharing. What a fine piece of work. Thank you for putting up here!

Ed, that's really gracious to share these files with all of us.
Since you set out to make a period correct 53 Tele...mind if I ask you how you determined the body shape? Was it taken from a vintage Tele or a current production model or one of the readily available templates?

Ed, that's really gracious to share these files with all of us.
Since you set out to make a period correct 53 Tele...mind if I ask you how you determined the body shape? Was it taken from a vintage Tele or a current production model or one of the readily available templates?

Hi...The body itself was CMM'ed from a 1966 body I have. Since the early teles' didn't have an input jack flat I altered the drawing to reflect that. I also squared the control cavity to match the drawings in the Blackguard book. The body template (pin router) plugs on the back were in the 66 body so they were just copied over. They haven't changed from the 50's up to the late 60's. The paint nail hole locations were taken from the vintage Fender site. Once I had the drawing I refered to the Blackguard book extensively to check and double check known dimensions and the "look" of key aspecs of the body.

Same with the neck... I altered the headstock shape to match the look in the BG book. The markers and side dot dimensions were taken from the BG book. Same as skunk stripe (BG book) and faux template hole locations. ( they were actually in the 67 neck that I used as reference). In the neck drawing that I posted I included both 12th fret marker center distances. The inner dots are pre 53, the outer dots are 53 and later.

Hope this helps answer your questions!
Cheers
ED

...Hope this helps answer your questions!
Cheers
ED

Oh Yeah...and I'm still amazed by the amount of painstaking details this project has.
I bet you have a hard time putting the guitar down!

Sascha

Oh Yeah...and I'm still amazed by the amount of painstaking details this project has.
I bet you have a hard time putting the guitar down!

Sascha

Thank you... It plays great and the pickups sound GREAT! I have to put more sound bites up on the sound page to show the bridge pickup sound!...By the way... how did you do with the Garolite search? If you didn't find some maybe I could help you out!

cheers
ED

Hi everyone...I added pdf files to the Fixture Page of the headstock fixture and the input jack drill fixture...The neck heel fixture will be there tomorrow along with dxf files of the fixtures for you CNC folks! Please note that the pdf files are drawn 1:1 scale, so there are a couple of "B" size drawings in the mix!
When you print them make sure you DON'T fit to page. Print full scale.

I have the decal ready to make for the headstock! I'm going to do it the old fashioned way of SILK SCREENING! Just like Fender did. I'll show the process here also...some time next week!

Thanks again for all your comments...they mean a lot to me:grin:
Any questions..please ask!
Cheers
ED

I have the decal ready to make for the headstock! I'm going to do it the old fashioned way of SILK SCREENING! Just like Fender did. I'll show the process here also...some time next week!

Thanks again for all your comments...they mean a lot to me:grin:
Any questions..please ask!
Cheers
ED

Great Idea!

I just screen printed the board I use for a recent lap-steel build. The print turned out great.

http://bmlrock.com/guitar/lapsteel/DCP_1154.jpg
http://bmlrock.com/guitar/lapsteel/DCP_1182.jpg

Great Idea!

I just screen printed the board I use for a recent lap-steel build. The print turned out great.

http://bmlrock.com/guitar/lapsteel/DCP_1154.jpg
http://bmlrock.com/guitar/lapsteel/DCP_1182.jpg

Great looking lap steel!..Screen printing works great! I'm not screen printing directly on the headstock though... That would be too easy..I'm actually silk screening decals! Just like Fender did! Well, not really Fender but whoever screened them for them. Most people use the Alps printer for decal making but they just don't have the look of the true Fender style decal. The Blackguard book gives a pretty good description of the steps that were used.
Hey...I have two old lap steels from the 40s' here...I have to copy one of them for another project...You put the bug in me!!:grin:

Ed ................ if you're going to build a lap steel, make sure you look at some of the George Boards............ some real beauties.

http://www.georgeboards.com/2007-consoles/2007-Consoles.html

Ed ................ if you're going to build a lap steel, make sure you look at some of the George Boards............ some real beauties.

http://www.georgeboards.com/2007-consoles/2007-Consoles.html

Those are great!

Ed ................ if you're going to build a lap steel, make sure you look at some of the George Boards............ some real beauties.


Oh MAN!! Beautiful looking stuff!!:shock: Thanks Jack.

I can wait to see the screenprinted logo! You should make t-shirts too :)

you guys are killing me! my wife said my eyes just got huge... I cannot believe this thread Ed... I can only imagine being more amazed if an alien brought me a beer. Just amazing. Thanks so much! those lap steels are crazy!

Ed, Great work. It must be nice to have access to all the machines you do. In my case, I built a cnc router from components at my job. I work for a motion control/ motor manufacturer and with the obsolete motors and drives available to me, I was able to design and build a machine with a 17 inch x 17 inch working envelope. The machine uses a porter cable router and is controlled by a three axis step and direction controller connected to servos. I use Sheet Cam for my 2 1/2 d g code generation. This is working pretty good, until I started thinking about making necks. Does Mastercam do a good job on the the contouring of the neck radius'. I am thinking about how to machine the neck contours with a 2 1/2 d g code post processor. I could probably make steps with increasing height of cuts to make the curves, is there an easier way to do this?
I'll post a picture of the guitar, (Tele of course) and the machine which made it.

Ed- check your PM's :wink:

Frank, I did exactly the same thing as you mentioned, where I drew two curves, one representing the nut end and the other the 16th fret curve. I determined the tangent point of a half in radius cutter in 1/16" intervals across the neck. It worked out and it did leave steps. The issue was that it really needs a few roughing passes as the amount of material removed on the edges of the neck caused the cutter to burn the wood quite a bit. The other issue was that the transistions were a bit abrupt from the cutter diameter and would be better if they were a bigger radius.

Ed- check your PM's :wink:

Hmm..I'm not sure if my replies are getting through...Rich and Robbie let me know if you got them!
Thanks
ED

Frank, I did exactly the same thing as you mentioned, where I drew two curves, one representing the nut end and the other the 16th fret curve. I determined the tangent point of a half in radius cutter in 1/16" intervals across the neck. It worked out and it did leave steps. The issue was that it really needs a few roughing passes as the amount of material removed on the edges of the neck caused the cutter to burn the wood quite a bit. The other issue was that the transistions were a bit abrupt from the cutter diameter and would be better if they were a bigger radius.

Yup..I used a 3/4 ball endmill to shape the neck...Only 2500 rpm so burning wasn't an issue and I could take the full amount in one pass . CNC makes it easy!:wink:
ED

I always liked that logo!

I have done the sketch for my tele. It consists from a letter F (fender) and my name Edie (born as Edvard, but called Edie from the birth, not Eddy) = Fedie in the spaghetti logo type. This is the first sketch, it need to be more accurate. While I'm a DTP-man that's not a hard work. :) What do you think about it?

BUMP: just a friendly bump since this info is so valuable.

TY Ed you truly are the man bro!

Here are the body and pickguard files in several formats:

BODY AND PICKGUARD DXF (http://www.drivingblind.org/53BODYMASTERNSNOFLAT1.DXF)
BODY AND PICKGUARD PDF (http://www.drivingblind.org/BODY.pdf)
BODY AND PICKGUARD CorelDRAW (http://www.drivingblind.org/BODY1.cdr)

Neck files on this page:

NECK 2D DXF (http://www.drivingblind.org/NECK50SFINAL2D.DXF)
NECK 2D PDF (http://www.drivingblind.org/NECK.pdf)
NECK 2D CorelDRAW (http://www.drivingblind.org/NECK1.cdr)

Neck solid files:
NECK PARASOLIDS (X_T) (http://www.drivingblind.org/NECKSOLIDS1.X_T)



Fixture files page:
Note all pdf files are 1:1

Input jack hole fixture:

Control cavity arm (http://www.drivingblind.org/JACKARM.pdf)
Fixture body (http://www.drivingblind.org/JACKBODY.pdf)
Body top cover (http://www.drivingblind.org/JACKBODYCOVER.pdf)

dxf files to come tonight

Headstock truss plug fixture:

Base (http://www.drivingblind.org/BASE1.pdf)

I have done the sketch for my tele. It consists from a letter F (fender) and my name Edie (born as Edvard, but called Edie from the birth, not Eddy) = Fedie in the spaghetti logo type. This is the first sketch, it need to be more accurate. While I'm a DTP-man that's not a hard work. :) What do you think about it?
Looks good..I always liked the Fender script incorporated into other names!:wink: ...Keep me posted on the progress


BUMP: just a friendly bump since this info is so valuable.

TY Ed you truly are the man bro!

Thanks Arlo! Always a pleasure!:grin:
Cheers
ED

Frank, I did exactly the same thing as you mentioned, where I drew two curves, one representing the nut end and the other the 16th fret curve. I determined the tangent point of a half in radius cutter in 1/16" intervals across the neck. It worked out and it did leave steps. The issue was that it really needs a few roughing passes as the amount of material removed on the edges of the neck caused the cutter to burn the wood quite a bit. The other issue was that the transistions were a bit abrupt from the cutter diameter and would be better if they were a bigger radius.
Thanks Guitarbuilder,

I have some work to do to generate the gcode for the neck. My software simply takes care of that for me. However, I can edit it and test to see how it works. I have also asked Ed if he can share with me the gcode for his machine. It may give me ideas as to how to implement the process.
I appreciate your input, I need to better understand the anatomy of the neck and then do some math to help generate the toolpaths.

Hmm..I'm not sure if my replies are getting through...Rich and Robbie let me know if you got them!
Thanks
ED

I received mine Ed.

take care,
Robbie

Yeppers.. Appreciate your reply! Thanks:grin:

Hi Ed, just wondering how the decal work was going? I have a lapsteel that I would like to put a HIGH-END decal on and am looking forward to the process. THANKS!!

Hello
I am new on the forum and I want to thank you for the plans of this guitare, because since 1 month I was at the looking of that, so very big thank you !!!!!!!!!!!!

Bienvenue à bord! (Welcome on board!)
Il y a une poignée de français sur ce forum (there is a handful of french people on this forum).

Hello
I am new on the forum and I want to thank you for the plans of this guitare, because since 1 month I was at the looking of that, so very big thank you !!!!!!!!!!!!

Hello Chipo!! Welcome and THANK YOU! This is the best place to be for Telecaster info!:grin:
Be sure to pst pictures of your build!
Cheers
ED

Hi Ed, just wondering how the decal work was going? I have a lapsteel that I would like to put a HIGH-END decal on and am looking forward to the process. THANKS!!

Hello Biblio...Work has been crazy lately!!Sorry I didn't get back to you but I haven't done much on the decal side yet. I plan on doing stuff this weekend on it and will post the pics and process here.
The decal will be a silkscreened one. Remember when you were a kid in the 60's (I don't know how old you are, Maybe not!:grin: ) And you would make all those plane and car models? Well, the decals were silk screened back then. No laser printer, no Alps printer! The silkscreen process produces a superior decal!(IMHO) The clear coating was screened over the color coats that were screened on over the water soluble gelatin adhesive coating on the heavy bond paper!!! When you soaked the decal in warm water the shape just slid off the paper onto the surface. FLAT! NO WRINKLES! GREAT!!

So if you want to get a jump on the workings go buy some Elmers white glue. Has to be that because it is water soluble even AFTER it hardens. That is your gelatin base for the whole process. Mix 2 parts glue and 1 part water, put it in a mist sprayer, and put 4 coats on to heavy bond paper. Let the glue dry between coats! On to this we will silkscreen the color coat (silver or gold metallic acrylic ink), outline coat (black acrylic ink) and finally 2 coats of clear acrylic ink for the outline of the decal! Just the way the company(general screening ) did for Fender decals in the 50's.

Stay tuned for pics and info on where to buy silkscreen stuff! It is alot of fun!

Cheers
ED


NOTE: I just looked at your age,.....never mind the 60's comment!:oops:

Ed, this is a fabulous thread,, thanks for taking the time to post all of this. I must have missed it somewhere along the line but what make is your CNC machine?
Thanks,
Shannon

Ed, this is a fabulous thread,, thanks for taking the time to post all of this. I must have missed it somewhere along the line but what make is your CNC machine?
Thanks,
Shannon

Hi Shannon...It's a Webb Knee Mill with an Anilam 1100 3 axis controller.
Thanks
ED

I was trying to read the whole thread again but my mind started to blank out on the 7th page.

This thread is like a really great show and you're kinda sad the season's over 'cause you'll miss it.

But wait..... is there gonna more documented CNC build? A '69 Thinline maybe? A CS? A Limited Edition?

Just daydreaming here... :wink:

I know it's mentioned like a million times but AWESOME THREAD ED!!!

Thanks everybody for your welcom
I will built a telecaster after the chrismas' holyday with the CNC of my school, and your help was very appryciate for the preparating
Un grand salut à tout les français sur ce forum et aux autres évidement!
I don't have time to go reguliary on this forum, it's why I post a message occasionaly.
(Excuse my english, but I am learning english at school, so I am not exelent)
LONG LIFE TO THIS FORUM !!!

Thanks everybody for your welcom
I will built a telecaster after the chrismas' holyday with the CNC of my school, and your help was very appryciate for the preparating
Un grand salut à tout les français sur ce forum et aux autres évidement!
I don't have time to go reguliary on this forum, it's why I post a message occasionaly.
(Excuse my english, but I am learning english at school, so I am not exelent)
LONG LIFE TO THIS FORUM !!!

Great to see you! Alsace rules! You can thank Ed for the files by sending him a couple cases of Kronenbourg... :shock: :lol:

By the way, your english is better than many people I've met. Great to see you speak TELECASTER! :mrgreen:

Je suis pas français mais je parle français!!!

I'm one of those weirdos that speaks french in America...

Great post Ed you rock. I had to join the thread to just chime in!

Here is a great link for how to put a logo / graphic on the head stock!

http://www.projectguitar.com/tut/logo.htm

Peace out!
Baub

Great post Ed you rock. I had to join the thread to just chime in!

Here is a great link for how to put a logo / graphic on the head stock!

http://www.projectguitar.com/tut/logo.htm

Peace out!
Baub

Welcome! And thanks!!:grin:
Cheers
ED

WOW just read all 18 pages.
What an amazing thread.
Arlo Thanks for bumping it up.
Ed awesome job.
How did the silk screening(screen printing) go?
Have a Great Holiday and Happy "TELEFULL" New Year
Phil

Whoa !!!!!!!Gasp..........., Egad !! ..Gulp ! GREAT thread !

It's a Webb Knee Mill with an Anilam 1100 3 axis controller.

Available at Home Depot, 149.95 with a 50.00 Mail-in rebate.... Batteries not included....

Ron Kirn

You sir....are a MAAAADMAN! Unbelievable thread Ed!

...yet I had to join up here just to say: SIMPLY INCREDIBLE!

I just finished reading all 18 pages and I am simply in awe. Simply gorgeous work - Thank you for sharing this - I eagerly await your next build.

Scott

...yet I had to join up here just to say: SIMPLY INCREDIBLE!

I just finished reading all 18 pages and I am simply in awe. Simply gorgeous work - Thank you for sharing this - I eagerly await your next build.

Scott

Thanks Scott...Things have been hectic at work, so I haven't even looked at a guitar for almost a month!! I'm heading out to San Francisco at the end of the month to wrap up one of our projects. After that I'll be back into it again!
I'll finish off this thread with the decal work and then on to the next one! Either the double neck build or one that I saw Fuzzy post awhile back. Sort of a pecan body with black binding and a rosewood veneer (60's style) neck.
Thanks again and WELCOME ABOARD ! This is the best place to be!:grin:
Cheers
ED

Available at Home Depot, 149.95 with a 50.00 Mail-in rebate.... Batteries not included....Ron Kirn

Hey it just squeaks under Buckocasters self imposed $100 limit!!!

I hate to think how much they really cost.

Hi
I'm radiusing the edges with a standard router. My business partner is a fan of binding and we cut 2 bodies already with top and bottom binding! One was a standard body in ash and the other was a P90 build with top and bottom binding and a strat hardtail and control cavity cut out from back. Both are still sitting in various stages of completion!! I have dxf files if anyone would like them...I'll have to figure out how to post links to files and post all the dxf files here!!
On the CNC it's very easy to flip and cut the backside of a body. You just make fixtures like on my previous pics. Once you cut them and leave them in place on the machine you automatically have a ZERO point for programming your other cuts. I hope I explained that ok!?
Cheers
ED

Fantastic thread - I am a newcomer hear - anyway I would love to have any guitar related dxf files or gcode because I have just made a cnc machine and also I am a guitarist so the two things come together especially after just completing a couple of guitar build courses.I want to make telecasters first as to me they look the easiesy to start with and who knows after that.

I just love making things from wood - eventually I hope to start a business doing it for real.

Regards

TonyD

Fantastic thread - I am a newcomer hear - anyway I would love to have any guitar related dxf files or gcode because I have just made a cnc machine and also I am a guitarist so the two things come together especially after just completing a couple of guitar build courses.
TonyD

Hi Tony..Which CNC did you build? Did you build from a kit ,or from parts you cobbled together? I'd love to see some pictures. You could start a new thread on how you built it and its' operation! Fun..ain't it?
Welcome to the TDPRI. This is the best place to be for telecaster info and any help that you need! With that in mind... on page 17 of this thread is all the files that you will need. Any problems,PM me and I'll help where I can!
Cheers..and Welcome..:grin:
ED

Hi Tony..Which CNC did you build? Did you build from a kit ,or from parts you cobbled together? I'd love to see some pictures. You could start a new thread on how you built it and its' operation! Fun..ain't it?
Welcome to the TDPRI. This is the best place to be for telecaster info and any help that you need! With that in mind... on page 17 of this thread is all the files that you will need. Any problems,PM me and I'll help where I can!
Cheers..and Welcome..:grin:
ED

Hi Ed

Thanks for the kind words - will put up some info about the cnc machine - its a self build not a kit , I bought a steel frame of a guy on ebay who had started to make a cnc machine - and winged it from that point as all good musicians do (lol).
I want to make the 53 Tele cos I was born in 53 and it seems the right thing to do.
Will take a look at page 17 download the stuff and wing it from there

Cheers Tony D:lol:

Hi Tony..Which CNC did you build? Did you build from a kit ,or from parts you cobbled together? I'd love to see some pictures. You could start a new thread on how you built it and its' operation! Fun..ain't it?
Welcome to the TDPRI. This is the best place to be for telecaster info and any help that you need! With that in mind... on page 17 of this thread is all the files that you will need. Any problems,PM me and I'll help where I can!
Cheers..and Welcome..:grin:
ED


I am working on a project of cloning a guitar which plays and feels great I intend to laser scan this guitar.

Do you have any advice regarding computer hardware requirements??

My system is an athlon dual 5800 cpu with 2 gb of ram with 2 hardrives.

Do you recall how large your pointcloud was??

Hi Tony..Which CNC did you build? Did you build from a kit ,or from parts you cobbled together? I'd love to see some pictures. You could start a new thread on how you built it and its' operation! Fun..ain't it?
Welcome to the TDPRI. This is the best place to be for telecaster info and any help that you need! With that in mind... on page 17 of this thread is all the files that you will need. Any problems,PM me and I'll help where I can!
Cheers..and Welcome..:grin:
ED

Hi ED

Will eventually put up some pics re the cnc machine - but its very cold in my workshop etc.Do you ever make your bodies and ship them over to the UK ?
I have finally decided to start the guitar making business and I would like to have some good stock to start with.By the way got any information regarding making a thinline tele - I have a possible order

Regards

Tony

Nice to see you on the forum. This is a great thread. Tell Steve-O Larry says hi from Australia:cool:

Hi Ed! Your Tele blueprint is amazing.. I printed off a few copies and they're really great! I feel kind of selfish making this my first post coming in here and asking, but any chance you could add the measurements (mainly the depth of the truss rout) to the .pdf of the neck? I'm going to be building my own neck and that would be incredibly helpful.

Awesome build by the way!
Thanks big man,
John

Hi Ed! Your Tele blueprint is amazing.. I printed off a few copies and they're really great! I feel kind of selfish making this my first post coming in here and asking, but any chance you could add the measurements (mainly the depth of the truss rout) to the .pdf of the neck? I'm going to be building my own neck and that would be incredibly helpful.

Awesome build by the way!
Thanks big man,
John

Hi John
The truss rod slot on a tele neck is not a straight rout. If you look at the print it is a curved slot. The measurements from the back of the neck (from the zero plane of the heel and back of head stock to the bottom of the slot) to the outer ends of the skunk stripe are HEAD STOCK.....3/4" deep.....HEEL....41/64".....CENTER.....5/16". Jwells has a great thread on this rout that shows a fixture for this cut.By the way,the width of a vintage neck rout is .220".
I hope this helps you and keep me posted.
Cheers
ED

PS..I tried posting a link to Jwells build but for some reason it didn't work!? The name of his build on this site is "building a one piece neck.."

Yeah, that's exactly what I was looking for! To be quite honest I've been going back and forth between buying a prebuilt neck and making my own, and I think I might go ahead and make my own now. I found his thread by the way, it's great! With all the great information around here I'm sure it won't be too much of a problem. Thanks for the help! I'll put up a thread with my build when I start it sooner or later.

Thanks!

Edit: One thing after thinking about this a little more. The zero plane would be the part that lays flat on the headstock and heel if the fretboard is facing up, right? So I guess knowing those heights you gave me (and having the drawing) I could probably figure it out. But, assuming that the neck drawing is to scale, if I printed it out 1:1 could I use that as my outlines for the neck/fretboard and also for figuring out the depth of the truss slot?

Thanks a bunch, and sorry for all the questions! I'm new to this.

The zero plane would be the part that lays flat on the headstock and heel if the fretboard is facing up, right? So I guess knowing those heights you gave me (and having the drawing) I could probably figure it out. But, assuming that the neck drawing is to scale, if I printed it out 1:1 could I use that as my outlines for the neck/fretboard and also for figuring out the depth of the truss slot?

Thanks a bunch, and sorry for all the questions! I'm new to this.


Yup...you sure can! The drawing is 1:1. and yes...the zero plane is the flat part of the heel and headstock when you lay it on a table with the fret board up.:grin: Fun..ain't it? I'm looking forward to your build. Keep me posted!
Cheers
ED

It'l probably be a while before I get things started, but you'll see it soon enough!
Thanks,
John

I know this thread is from 2007, but I've only just discovered it.....

....and I'm lost for words. Which, bearing in mind I earn my living as a copywriter is something of a problem!

What a fantastic thread, actually thread doesn't do it justice, this is a quilt :lol:

Sir, I am simply not worthy :oops:

Hope you're loving your wonderful tele.

Ed ............. did you show how to make the vintage looking capacitors in this thread? When they get this large it's hard to find things.

I know this thread is from 2007, but I've only just discovered it.....

....and I'm lost for words. Which, bearing in mind I earn my living as a copywriter is something of a problem!

What a fantastic thread, actually thread doesn't do it justice, this is a quilt

Sir, I am simply not worthy :oops:

Hope you're loving your wonderful tele.

Hi...Thanks for the comments...They're really appreciated!:grin:

Ed ............. did you show how to make the vintage looking capacitors in this thread? When they get this large it's hard to find things.


Hi Jack...I had to search through myself to find it. :roll: They are on page 8. You're right. things are hard to find. There was someone else who did the same thing as me before me. It's after page 8 and he put a link in to his thread. Basicly the same procedure. I still haven't forgotten about the fixtures:shock: . ....SOON!
Cheers
ED

Ah ....... found it. Thanks Ed. Wasn't on page 8 for me because my forum settings show the last posts first. So I subtracted 8 from 19 and found it on page 11. It starts at Post 299 if anyone else is interested. Good job!

......http://i227.photobucket.com/albums/dd248/ehawley/cap7.jpg

The package from StewMac with my pickup parts came in today. I figured that I would work on them also!

Here are some pictures of the pickup winder I built. Pretty crude but it gets the job done.

http://i227.photobucket.com/albums/dd248/ehawley/winder.jpg

Pickup mounting fixture. Double faced tape holds the pickup on.

http://i227.photobucket.com/albums/dd248/ehawley/winderpickupholder.jpg

Simple LCD counter

http://i227.photobucket.com/albums/dd248/ehawley/windercounter.jpg


Sorry to digress, but my first thought after glancing at the first pic was "why does he have a Miller High-Life can sideways in that contraption!?"

2 more hours of work.

Sorry to digress, but my first thought after glancing at the first pic was "why does he have a Miller High-Life can sideways in that contraption!?"

2 more hours of work.

The Miller can was off camera!! After 10 mins of winding, I needed it!:grin:

Here's a front view of the saddles ready to drill the height adjustment screws.

http://i227.photobucket.com/albums/dd248/ehawley/saddlefrontview.jpg

I ran out of time so the set screws will be drilled on Monday

I made a fixture for drilling the side dots by hand.

http://i227.photobucket.com/albums/dd248/ehawley/sidedotfixture3.jpg

I made it out of plastic because I'm only going to use it for this neck. I have multiple drill locaters, so when one wears out I can use the one next to it. I'll mark the neck with a pencil central to the frets and line up the drill hole to that mark and drill in about 3/16". Fast and dirty!!

http://i227.photobucket.com/albums/dd248/ehawley/sidedotandme.jpg

With the side markers in I'll be ready to finish sand the neck, spray the fender neck amber to my desired darkness, Install the frets this weekend and be ready for nitro by mid week! I'll also start the pickup winding. It's starting to come together!!

Cheers
ED
R U going to date stamp it?

I don't know.... To deep for my knowledge. I'm just a tinkerer when it comes to pickups:sad:

When I make it and play it and it makes a noise I'm happy:grin:....It may not be the RIGHT noise that I want, and I am getting closer each time, but I'm still happy!

Cheers
ED
about -.041 guass should be about right. (about enough to pick up a paper clip from 1" away.) remember, that the temperature of the coil effects the reading...

R U going to date stamp it?

Welcome Axmaker...I penciled in my name and date before I finished it. Just like the old days!:wink:

I must have skipped a page becasue I never saw a pic of the guitar completed.
Guess I'll have to reread it all again.

I must have skipped a page becasue I never saw a pic of the guitar completed.
Guess I'll have to reread it all again.

Hi...If your browsers set from 1st to last, it is on page 15.:grin:
Cheers
ED

Another option: Search for Posts 583-585.

Thanks guys! I did miis that page.
Leo,..I mean Ed, you're a genious!
How is she doing after settleing in for a time now?

Thanks guys! I did miis that page.
Leo,..I mean Ed, you're a genious!
How is she doing after settleing in for a time now?

Thanks Bluesjuke!.....She sounds REAL SWEET! I've wound 3 more sets of pickups since this thread and I think I've got them where I like em! I will most likley rewire it modern style (eg. neck, neck bridge,bridge) I find myself playing more using the "in between trick" to get both pickups on. The "bass" position is just too bassy! I play mostly at home through a 1965 Gibson GA-5. In 65' they used 2 6BQ5s (EL84s) and a 12AU7. That guitar and that amp together are what I was striving for!
I still have to post the decal silkscreen work. Soon to come.
Cheers
ED

Hey Ed,

I figured I'd step out of lurk mode to say thanks for the inspiration and for being so gracious (just got meself some neck prints done up at Kinko's...).

Hope your enjoyin that tele. Sure is a beaut!

Thanks again,

Chris

18 pages...It was like reading a diary of a revolution.Ed,one more big "thank you" for this thread and all informations,ideas it contains!

Just got done reading all 18-19 pages and all I can say is WOW! This has been in my favorites on my computer and I just got to reading it all today.

BTW, Ed, thanks for posting the links for the drawings. :grin:

Hey Ed,

I figured I'd step out of lurk mode to say thanks for the inspiration and for being so gracious (just got meself some neck prints done up at Kinko's...).

Hope your enjoyin that tele. Sure is a beaut!

Thanks again,

Chris

18 pages...It was like reading a diary of a revolution.Ed,one more big "thank you" for this thread and all informations,ideas it contains!

Just got done reading all 18-19 pages and all I can say is WOW! This has been in my favorites on my computer and I just got to reading it all today.

BTW, Ed, thanks for posting the links for the drawings. :grin:


Thanks guys...I really appreciate all the comments. It was a lot of fun to do. I have to start something new soon, but my wife says I spend to much money on guitars!:shock: That reminds me of the Miller ad.
A girl tells a guy that he can't spend money on beer anymore because moneys tight! Then he catches her spending money on make-up! He says "how come you can buy make-up and I can't buy beer"? She says she needs the make-up to look pretty for him. He says "That's what the beer was for"! She won't be coming back!!!:lol:

Again, many thanks
Cheers
ED

Wow ......
jes' wow.....
This thread has me enthralled still....

Thanx again Ed ! you should be receivin' a lil' sumptin' soon !

Just wanted to say thank you for an amazing thread. On the other hand I also want to say you make me painfully aware of how much I miss the shop I had access to at university. Well done Mr. Hawley!

Just wanted to say thanks so much for this inspiring thread and for generously providing the templates. I've just started my first build using it.

Thank you.

Dave

Just wanted to say thanks so much for this inspiring thread and for generously providing the templates. I've just started my first build using it.

Thank you.

Dave

Thanks Dave...I just posted a reply on your thread right before I saw this. Great job on your build and thanks for your kind words. Anything I can help with please ask!
Cheers
ED

I rough sanded the body

http://i227.photobucket.com/albums/dd248/ehawley/bodyroughsand1.jpg




Hey Ed, just re-reading your thread for about the tenth time, superb! What's that sanding gizmo that you're using to sand the concave parts of the side?

Dave

Dave, the sanding block in Ed's thread is mostly found used in automotive refinishing over here.

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/RUBBER-SANDING-BLOCK-125MM-222804_W0QQitemZ220208817550QQihZ012QQcategoryZ149 312QQcmdZViewItem

Barry

Dave, the sanding block in Ed's thread is mostly found used in automotive refinishing over here.

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/RUBBER-SANDING-BLOCK-125MM-222804_W0QQitemZ220208817550QQihZ012QQcategoryZ149 312QQcmdZViewItem

Barry


Thanks mate. More shopping!

Dave, the sanding block in Ed's thread is mostly found used in automotive refinishing over here.

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/RUBBER-SANDING-BLOCK-125MM-222804_W0QQitemZ220208817550QQihZ012QQcategoryZ149 312QQcmdZViewItem

Barry

Good job Barry....That's the block!

Hey ......... I've got some of those sanding blocks. Never thought of using the curved side. Any day you learn something new is a good day.

Looks like Ed just set the block upside down just to rest it there for the photo as the paper seems to be on the flat side as it would normally be used.....but he may have inadvertently stumbled on to something...

this is the 5th time i've read this thread, and it is by far, the best way to kill a monday at work...