1950 Double Esquire Build

[preeb]

Neck pu bobbin on the winding machine set for TC



I stop at 8200 wounds



looks nice and even



Wire ends are passed through the eyelets

[preeb]

... and soldered



7.6K - beautiful



The neck pu will get a nitro bath (not Parafin/Wax!!!)



Nice deep color...

[preeb]

Time for the bridge pu



Same procedure at TC but a bit over 9200 wounds since it's a bigger bobbin with weaker magnets... and the original specs of course,,,



Nice and even as well



soldered... etc... and measured at 9.5K which is the lower range for the period with AWG43. It will have the same output as a 6K AWG42 but much warmer sounding like those early ones

[preeb]

Additional hardware includes a neck pu cover and zinc plated bridge elevator plate



Neck cover gently attached and legs are twisted lightly



If too much pressure on the legs... it will twist... got to keep it straight like that



Black ground wire is soldered to eyelet and cover

[preeb]

White hot cloth wire is soldered



And both are stranded together like this



Bridge pu magnets are isolated to avoid any contact with the elevator plate (a real tone killer situation)



White cotton wire ... it will get black in a second...

[preeb]

Black ground wire is soldered a little proud for connecting to the plate



The zinc plated steel plate is attached to the pu with temporary screws to hold it in position for soldering and potting



Like this



Yellow hot wire soldered

[preeb]

Dipped in a special black paraffin/wax 60/40 mixture instead of the standard 80/20



Much better... dark and ugly as it should be (-;



Note the yellow wire part that got in the wax turned dark... just like the old ones

[preeb]

pu set is complete along with its original blend circuit (-;










Next will be finding out about the black paint issue... I believe it was black lacquer but it was mentioned that it might have been something else. We'll see. if you can add any info regarding this issue... please do ASAP otherwise I'll just go with a single layer of black lacquer over thin sanding sealer.

[preeb]

Originally Posted by Lostheart

You have had a chance to check out a black pine two-pickup Esquire???
Or just early Teles in general?
If you did check out a pine Esquire did you take photos during the examination? I sure would love to see them and add them to my "collection" of Tele pics...

BTW...an interesting detail that I forgot to mention:
When I made my first Pine repro I was asking around and someone - I believe it was Nacho Banos if I'm not mistaken - told me that due to the slimmer thickness of the body the control cavity had a stepped rout to it.
It was routed at the regular depth of 1.5'' where the the CRL switch would sit and not so deep underneath in the area underneath where the pots would sit. That was probably made to keep as much wood as possible between the control cavity rout and the back.
Is that something you incorporated into your repro as well?

FAIK Nacho is one of the select few that had the chance to check out one of those pine beauties...and I was always under the impression that there is only one black pine Esquire still "alive" today - at least all the pics that show one, show the same guitar.

I wish...
Got some partial info on 2 early protos. One is white the other is stripped. Both have no truss rod necks. The guy who owns the white proto is my cos___er and a very cool guy... but wouldn't take the neck off or even remove a single screw... which is understandable of course. The other has gone through a lot of changes so I can't really trust it at all. I will ask the white Esquire owner for his permission to make the photos public before I do it. Will let you know soon.

Regarding the 1.5" rout... that would be impossible on a 1.5" body... I wouldn't even do it on a 1 9/16" body...
I went for 1 1/4" and the control circuit fits in perfectly.
Another thing is the 7/8" drill for the jack... that would also require at least a 1 1/4" rout... so I highly doubt that info. I guess that we'll have to put our hands on an original soon to get all the answers... If you know someone who might be able to help... do it! this is valuable information...

[preeb]

Originally Posted by storyboards27

Oh man, I love these! Gil, your builds are amazing!

Thank you storyboards27.

[preeb]

Originally Posted by irishtele

O yeah!! I finally get to see a Preeb build from the start!!
This has made my day! This is going to be a good thread! :)

Do you mean 'as it rolling' ?
Anyway... glad you're enjoying this. I do too.

[preeb]

Originally Posted by redddog

This is like christmas!

No... this is like Sukot (-;

[preeb]

Originally Posted by JohnPurdy

Great looking Gil, I love your threads.

Thanks!

[preeb]

Originally Posted by sebastian747

Hey Gil...did u find a water jet cutter? i have just had templates made from 15 mm Ali they are really good.
Also wondered if you can give me advice on a the best drill bit to use for dot makers you seem to be using something else in this thread. I have tried brad points...they tear and are messy crude things and normal timber drill bits are not accurate enough....or should I add to my order of custom bits and cutter....great build again x

It's not the drill bit.... it's the speed (and/or allignment) of your drill press.
Use the highest speed setting for the dots with a bradpoint. I have many sets, some are HSS and some are carbide. I use HSS for maple and rosewood and carbide for Ebony.
Didn't have the time to look for a water jet cutter yet... too many things to do so little time... the story of my life.

[preeb]

Originally Posted by Tonetele

Gil your work is simply amazing! I've saved pictures of your last Tele build and it's great to see hand workmanship in the 21st. century. I especially like your neck/pocket joint., perfect. It's a pleasure to see someone pay such close attention to detail.

Thanks... there's magic in the air when the neck joins its body for the first time. Need to make it tight for them to be happy (-;

[mgwhit]

Originally Posted by preeb

No... this is like Sukot (-;

Hag Sameach, Preeb!

[Texas Special]

HI ya Gil. I'm new to this so forgive me if I violate any protocols. I've watched your builds with much admiration, your attention to detail is beyond reproach and your representations of golden era Fenders is (in my humble opinion) without equal.
Right, to the point. With regards to the no truss rod stabillity.
I had a friend that was involved in music and also a journalist who once interviewed Leo Fender. Much of the conversation has been covered by the many other documented interviews, but! The question was asked about the early Esquires and the lack of truss rod. The answer - they didn't have any specific issues, but after the well documented meeting with Fred Martin (I believe?) about this, it was decided to fit/retrofit truss rods.
Apparently Leo didn't want people to feel like they'd got a bum deal if problems did develop, so offered a replacement neck. (one advantage of the modular approach)
I hope that this helps answer the question.

Regards, Paul.

[bossaholic]

This thread is porn

[Texas Special]

Whoops! Got it wrong - it was the guy from National Guitars, not Fred Martin.

[preeb]

Originally Posted by Texas Special

Whoops! Got it wrong - it was the guy from National Guitars, not Fred Martin.

Thank you for your input Texas Special!
True... Don Randall brought a sample of the new Fender Spanish guitar (black double Esquire...) to the July 50 NAMM show in Chicago. Charlie Hayes and Don Patton were also there as as a part of the distributors (Radio-Tel-Company) display room #795 at the Palmer House. It was there where Don Randall met Al Frost from National guitars.... Al said something about a need for a truss rod to get neck stability... and Don called Leo on the spot to tell him that he needs to add a truss rod (neck rod as it was called back then) or the guitar would not sell... Funny stuff. Don was also responsible for the 2 pu model as Leo didn't believe it was needed but Gibson came out with the ES-5 3 pu model and a few other manufacturers showed 2 pu models... so Leo had no choice. Don was the one who actually named the 'Esquire'. If it was up to Leo, the Tele would have been a non truss rod single pu till the end of time (-;

[preeb]

Originally Posted by mgwhit

Hag Sameach, Preeb!

חג שמח mgwhit

[preeb]

I believe I read about it in Richard Smiths book "Fender: The Sound Heard Around the World" and/or in an ancient issue of Vintage Guitar Gallery.

Regarding Sascha's input above about info he found on this model... Could one of you guys dig it up? (Sascha is away for a few days...) I don't have either. I just ordered the book in hardcover but it's backordered... so... to help resolve the issues and advance this build your help is required (-;

Thanks

[Mister B]

Gil, I’ve quickly checked through my copy of Richard Smith’s book and I can’t find any mention of either the type of black paint used on the early Esquires or an oversized headstock (the laminated pine body construction is mentioned). I don’t have time to read it cover to cover this morning so I could have missed it but I have looked at the relevant section. The only reference to the type of finish I could find referred to the white prototype (snakehead) model, apparently it was finished with “a heavy coat of white enamel”.

I also checked Forest White’s “The Fender Inside Story” but he doesn’t go into much detail on the black Esquire. He does recount the truss rod story as already discussed (Al Frost of Valco suggested that it was essential). There are references in Richard Smith’s book to early truss rod free necks warping almost immediately. According to Dale Hyatt (Fender employee), most pre-truss rod necks (approximately two dozen were made) warped and were replaced.

Perhaps Sascha found the info about the paint and headstock in the magazine article he mentions, unfortunately I don’t have a copy.

I hope this helps a little; the Richard Smith book is very good by-the-way. I can't wait to see the results of your build, great stuff as usual.

[Lostheart]

Originally Posted by Mister B

Gil, I’ve quickly checked through my copy of Richard Smith’s book and I can’t find any mention of either the type of black paint used on the early Esquires or an oversized headstock (the laminated pine body construction is mentioned). I don’t have time to read it cover to cover this morning so I could have missed it but I have looked at the relevant section. The only reference to the type of finish I could find referred to the white prototype (snakehead) model, apparently it was finished with “a heavy coat of white enamel”.

I would hate it if I would have gotten that mixed up but I'm sure I read about the acrylic lacquer somewhere. I checked wikipedia a minute ago to see if acrylic lacquer was even invented in the early 50's and it says "Lacquers using acrylic resin, a synthetic polymer, were developed in the 1950s..."
Nacho? 0le Fuzzy? Where are they? I'm sure they could shed some light on this...
Concerning the headstock....I believe the Richard Smith book - not having it in front of me - had a photo of the back of the headstock of the two-Pickup Esquire and the distance of the Kluson-plate to the curve of the headstock seemed to look a bit larger than on other old Teles I have inspected.
But that lacquer issue really annoys me to no extend and the worst bit is that I have to wait for days to get home and look it up in the mag...

[ShepBush]

As usual a completly enthralling thread, fantastic inspiration and attention to details....may I ask how its going with your re-disigned robosander ?
Mike

[chezdeluxe]

Originally Posted by preeb

Thank you for your input Texas Special!
True... Don Randall brought a sample of the new Fender Spanish guitar (black double Esquire...) to the July 50 NAMM show in Chicago. Charlie Hayes and Don Patton were also there as as a part of the distributors (Radio-Tel-Company) display room #795 at the Palmer House. It was there where Don Randall met Al Frost from National guitars.... Al said something about a need for a truss rod to get neck stability... and Don called Leo on the spot to tell him that he needs to add a truss rod (neck rod as it was called back then) or the guitar would not sell... Funny stuff. Don was also responsible for the 2 pu model as Leo didn't believe it was needed but Gibson came out with the ES-5 3 pu model and a few other manufacturers showed 2 pu models... so Leo had no choice. Don was the one who actually named the 'Esquire'. If it was up to Leo, the Tele would have been a non truss rod single pu till the end of time (-;

I think the record shows that Leo Fender was not only an innovator but extremely practical.He was into making reliable guitars for working musicians and responsive to issues affecting them.
It is a very big call to say that if it was up to Leo the tele would have been a non trussrod single pickup guitar till the end of time.
At the end of the day it was all up to Leo but he listened to good advice and made decisions as he saw fit.

[preeb]

Originally Posted by Mister B

Gil, I’ve quickly checked through my copy of Richard Smith’s book and I can’t find any mention of either the type of black paint used on the early Esquires or an oversized headstock ...

Thanks Mister B,
Your help is greatly appreciated.

[preeb]

Originally Posted by Lostheart

I would hate it if I would have gotten that mixed up but I'm sure I read about the acrylic lacquer somewhere...

Nacho? 0le Fuzzy? Where are they? I'm sure they could shed some light on this...
Concerning the headstock....I believe the Richard Smith book - not having it in front of me - had a photo of the back of the headstock of the two-Pickup Esquire and the distance of the Kluson-plate to the curve of the headstock seemed to look a bit larger than on other old Teles I have inspected.
But that lacquer issue really annoys me to no extend and the worst bit is that I have to wait for days to get home and look it up in the mag...

Thanks Sascha,
No presure... We can wait a couple of days for your input (-;
BTW, I cantacted Nacho and waiting for his reply.

[preeb]

Originally Posted by ShepBush

As usual a completly enthralling thread, fantastic inspiration and attention to details....may I ask how its going with your re-disigned robosander ?
Mike

Thanks Mike!

Ah... the improved Robosander drum... It's on my list... somewhere between lines 50 to 70... (-;
I will do it eventually... I promise, but not very soon as I need to design it first and cut/order a few metal parts... now is not a great time for this...

[preeb]

Originally Posted by chezdeluxe

I think the record shows that Leo Fender was not only an innovator but extremely practical.He was into making reliable guitars for working musicians and responsive to issues affecting them.
It is a very big call to say that if it was up to Leo the tele would have been a non trussrod single pickup guitar till the end of time.
At the end of the day it was all up to Leo but he listened to good advice and made decisions as he saw fit.

+1
I was only joking chezdeluxe... as the " (-; " icon at the end of that sentence indicates. You are right of course.

[Shepherd]

How about replacing the bearing on the robosander with something like this from a rollerblade.

[preeb]

The main issue with the Robosander is that it's made of rubber. It never stays true and swells unevenly as the heat builds up. I use it a lot and depend on it, but it took me a while to develop methods to bypass those problems.

[teleblues001]

Nice! Another great build from Gil!! For a minute there I thought it was my birthday again

As always Gil, your attention to detail and generous photos make your threads a fantastic read and a well of information and inspiration. Thanks for sharing, it is much appreciated.

.

[preeb]

Thanks teleblues001 !

The project is on hold until after I talk to Nacho tomorrow. He may have some answers.
stay tuned (-;

[Shepherd]

Ok, I thought you guys were having issues with the bearing. I only use mine for rough sanding so it doesn't have to perfect.

[olaftheholy]

*building tension*

Is'nt this Nacho himself playing one of the no truss Esquiers?

[preeb]

hmm..... yeah... Nacho Banos, John Beland, and Bill Hullett (-;

[Lostheart]

Originally Posted by olaftheholy

*building tension*

Is'nt this Nacho himself playing one of the no truss Esquiers?

I think that is Nacho's replica of the two Pickup Esquire that is showcased on www.telecasterplanet.com

[Lostheart]

Gil,
I finally have access to the book and magazine and - I couldn't find any mention of acrylic lacquer - yet I still swear that I heard/read it somewhere.

I quickly snapped a few photos of some pages of both the book and the mag (hope that's ok...it's just for evaluation).

[Lostheart]

And here's a bit from the magazine:



Could be that I was entirely wrong but I made me a spec sheet back when I was planning my first double Pickup Esquire and I wrote down acrylic lacquer but not where I got the info. Has Nacho gotten in touch with you yet?