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| Tele Home Depot Building a T-Style guitar? From scratch or from parts. This is the forum for you. |
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August 16th, 2012, 08:25 PM
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#1 (permalink) |
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TDPRI Member
Join Date: Jun 2012
Location: New York
Posts: 53
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Orange Vintage Hot Rod Telecaster Build
So, I decided I was going to attempt to build my own guitar for the first time ever. I've always been a huge tele fan, so I decided the "Hot Rod" model was the way to go (I already have a 2006 American Tele). I figured this would give me a more rockin' and different sound than my current one.
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August 16th, 2012, 08:31 PM
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#2 (permalink) |
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TDPRI Member
Join Date: Jun 2012
Location: New York
Posts: 53
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Found this body on ebay for real cheap (I hesitated at first).
It's a swamp ash body with humbucker neck cutout. Turns out it was a "Red Dirt" body. (I read after the fact that this was probably a brave choice to pick this body). Luckily, it turned out fine for me. I only had one minor setback, but I'll explain that later... |
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August 16th, 2012, 08:40 PM
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#3 (permalink) |
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TDPRI Member
Join Date: Jun 2012
Location: New York
Posts: 53
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Next, I began the task of collecting all the parts and hardware I'd need. Decided to go all "Fender" genuine parts here (where I could). Thanks to all the various posts and threads I referenced on TDPRI for information.
Vintage Tuners... Vintage String Tree... |
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August 16th, 2012, 09:00 PM
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#7 (permalink) |
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TDPRI Member
Join Date: Jun 2012
Location: New York
Posts: 53
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Vintage 3 saddle brass bridge...
Copper Shielding... SD Mini-hum SM-1 (This is what's in the orig. Hot Rod tele). I decided to go with a Jerry Donnahue model lead pickup. I was not disappointed! Warmoth custom pickguard. This little guy gave me all kinds of headaches when fitting. It was probably the body that was off, but we'll get to that later... |
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August 16th, 2012, 09:09 PM
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#8 (permalink) |
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TDPRI Member
Join Date: Jun 2012
Location: New York
Posts: 53
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For the neck, I ordered a Warmoth Vintage Modern. This neck is incredible! The best neck I've laid my hands on. I was going to cheap out and get some other brands that were a fraction of the cost; I am glad I didn't. Well worth the extra money for such an important piece of hardware on a guitar. I was going to try to do the work on a cheaper neck, but I don't think I could have done better finish work than these guys. No rework was needed before install.
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August 16th, 2012, 09:21 PM
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#12 (permalink) |
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TDPRI Member
Join Date: Jun 2012
Location: New York
Posts: 53
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Decided on going with a PPG orange color. I wanted something between the Fender "Candy Tangerine" and "Capri Orange." VERY pleased with the results!...
(These pictures don't do the color justice) |
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August 16th, 2012, 09:35 PM
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#14 (permalink) |
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TDPRI Member
Join Date: Jun 2012
Location: New York
Posts: 53
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I'll start with the neck...
I used a reamer to persuade the tuner bushings into place... Being very careful not to over-do it... I used a clamp and some coasters to gently get them into place. As you can see below, I may have gotten a tiny indent in the wood from one of the installs  . I decided to not try to fix it because I hear, sometimes, it can cause more harm than good with the wood finish.The dend isn't really that bad. It took several tries to even get the tiny dent to show up on the camera, and is only visable at certain angles. Nobody would notice it unless I point it out to them (But now I guess that you guys know). I decided to NOT try to use the soldering iron to steam it out. It adds character  .
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August 16th, 2012, 09:42 PM
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#16 (permalink) |
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Friend of Leo's
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: Quebec, Canada
Age: 63
Posts: 3,790
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OK, it is a partscaster and not a true build but the important things are that you are doing something you enjoy, you are learning a few things during the process and you will probably enjoy playing this guitar more than any other because you had to work on it.
The color isn't "conventional" but I like it just the same. |
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August 16th, 2012, 09:43 PM
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#17 (permalink) |
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TDPRI Member
Join Date: Jun 2012
Location: New York
Posts: 53
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Next was shielding. This stuff is a pain to install, but looks cool once done. I feel I would have destroyed the guitar if I used shielding paint.
Bridge... Neck... Control Cavity... And the back of the pickguard... |
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