My First Telecaster build

[MNTom]

Not from scratch, but a $30 body - 2 piece ash - that I had to rout, without templates or the correct tools. Guitar looks great, just do not look underneath the pickguard! Neck is a cheap one from Guitar Fetish, as are the tuners, bridge pickup and the Wilkenson bridge. Other parts were taken from my Mim Telecaster. This guitar sounds great, although it needs a proper setup. Color is golden pecan stain with one or two coats of laquer, sanded down to a matte finish.

I put about $150 into this. Plan to do more, but with pre-routed bodies. It was lots of fun, but it did take me about 2 years to actually finish.

[PaisleyIsGod]

Looks great. Love the finish. I'd love a shot of underneath the pickguard

[MNTom]

Thanks for the compliment on the guitar.

If I showed what was underneath the pickguard, it would quickly make the rounds as the worst routing ever done! I used a router and a drill with a spade bit - it is very ugly!

[guitarbuilder]

Looks like Alder to me... Alder is a cheaper substitute for Cherry and that sure looks like Cherry but maybe it's the pic.

[pilotfish]

Whatever it is, it looks really nice. And I'm glad to hear that I'm not the only one working slowly and without the proper tools.

[MNTom]

It look so long because I sliced a fingertip with a drill bit while doing the string holes. After that I did not even look at if for a year or so. Last December I got it done without the finish. Finally got motivated to do the rest.

It is probably ash, but maybe not. Thats what I was told.

[Meekster]

Originally Posted by MNTom

Thanks for the compliment on the guitar.

If I showed what was underneath the pickguard, it would quickly make the rounds as the worst routing ever done! I used a router and a drill with a spade bit - it is very ugly!

I always liked this quote from Ron Kirn's Strat tutorial

Originally Posted by Ron Kirn

here’s a tip how to achieve a true vintage appearance, make these routs as sloppy as possible.

http://www.ronkirn.com/tutorial/index.htm