1st tele build - pennycaster partscaster- on the cheap all input welcome!

[KCKC]

hey guys,

this is my first build and would welcome any and all input! It's called the penny caster project: a build on the cheap!

I made the body from Mahogany Scraps from the last deck job I did. It's a six piece lam 3 across, 2 deep and measures 1-7/8" thick. I roughed the shape tracing my squier 51 and "eyeballed" the top bout.

Rough cut with a bosch jig saw and sanded with a Ryobi spindle sander.

I had the winning bid of $21 for a "vintage series" SX rosewood tele neck with nut, tuners, string trees and pups. I couldn't pass up that one!

Here's what I have so far...



Again, budget is a major factor so here are my choices for the bridge assembly:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/380502101698...84.m1438.l2649

Control plate:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/280794778930...84.m1438.l2649

My plan is to go sans pickguard. I know my glue up could have been much better interms of matching grain/color. 20/20!!

I was going to use a 4' drywall sq. to get my bridge, pups and neck pocket all in line with eachother. I have to do a site search on measurments as to where the bridge, pups should be placed and for the length/depth of the neck pocket.

I know I still need strap buttons and jack/plate and find out if I should shield the cavities.

I'm off and running and will post as I progress!

Thanks for reading and any input you may have!

KC

[Bellybuster]

looks great, to carry on with the cheap theme, maybe a simple tung oil finish??

[RogerC]

looks good so far. I like cheap

[phoenixash]

Heres a loaded control plate that eats that one on ebay for a few extra bucks full size pots and Sprague Orange capacitor 0.022uF
http://www.eyguitarmusic.com/New-Qua...uF_p_1043.html
Great site I buy most of my parts from them if you don't mind waiting about 3 weeks to get them thats the only draw back. Looking good though

[KCKC]

Thanks for the feedback - - guys!

At BB - My thoughts exactly!

At Pheonix - Thanx for the lead! Just ordered!

[phoenixash]

Originally Posted by KCKC

Thanks for the feedback - - guys!

At BB - My thoughts exactly!

At Pheonix - Thanx for the lead! Just ordered!

Awesome mate let me know what it's like.

[KCKC]

Could someone tell me the difference between 500k and 250K pots and small and full size pots? I'm pulling the trigger and asking questions later!!

KC

[waparker4]

Don't cheap out on pots. Even the best are pretty inexpensive. Full size like CTS or alpha are the best imo, the minis come on cheap import guitars.

250k if you want to use single coils. 500k if you want to use humbuckers. 500k will sound brighter than 250k, usually too bright for an already bright tele pickup.

[KCKC]

Thanks W4! Good to know!

[KCKC]

To follow-up on my pots question

Is there a big difference between the brass barrel saddles and the brass compensated saddles that are found on bridges like wilkinson?

It's my understanding that the compensated saddles intonate better.

kc

[trev333]

I hope it turns out great...

my "raftercaster".... cheap as chips......sounds/plays great...

the neck cost more that the rest.... (MM).. and it's got... A MINI POT !.. up front........

I put the Volume hole too far forward by 1/4 inch and a full size pot hits the front of the rout... grrr...
I'm going to make another plate....a longboard... and re-arrange the controls...

cowabunga dudes...

[KCKC]

That looks great trev333! What type of finish did you use on the body?

For cabinets that I build I've been wiping on regular poly in super thin coats and using 0000 bronze wool to between each then finish with a light 0000 bronze wool and rub on a light coat of lemon oil and it comes out slick - no pun intended! Might give the tung oil a shot this project though.

kc

[trev333]

I just used Danish oil ... it's starting to mark up a bit from picking.. the Oregon is a bit soft.... and a spray enamel cream top...

maybe surfboard resin on top?.... that should toughen it up...;)

this one was my first body build, too... it's like a self imposed rite of passage around here...:)

[KCKC]

Bridge is on the way!

bridge assembly:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/380502101698...84.m1423.l2649

[Bellybuster]

This is really goin on the cheap, cool. What about pickups?

Bezdez on eBay sells cheap belcat pickups. I think they sound good.

[TubbyTone]

Originally Posted by phoenixash

Heres a loaded control plate that eats that one on ebay for a few extra bucks full size pots and Sprague Orange capacitor 0.022uF
http://www.eyguitarmusic.com/New-Qua...uF_p_1043.html
Great site I buy most of my parts from them if you don't mind waiting about 3 weeks to get them thats the only draw back. Looking good though

cool site, thanks for the link !!!

[OpenG Capo4]

Mahogany is used for decking? My mind is officially blown.

[TubbyTone]

Originally Posted by KCKC

Could someone tell me the difference between 500k and 250K pots and small and full size pots? I'm pulling the trigger and asking questions later!!

KC

the size of taper is the difference, you will get more high end out of a higher value and a mellow end out of the lower but, anything lower than 100K or higher than 1M is useless in my experience... I some times mix the two and use a 500K volume if my pick ups don`t have enough spank... as for the size, that`s debatable I find no difference... hope this helps

[TubbyTone]

Originally Posted by KCKC

To follow-up on my pots question

Is there a big difference between the brass barrel saddles and the brass compensated saddles that are found on bridges like wilkinson?

It's my understanding that the compensated saddles intonate better.

kc

you answered your own question here... nice job by the way, and good luck...

[KCKC]

Originally Posted by OpenG Capo4

Mahogany is used for decking? My mind is officially blown.

OGC4, It's the standard up here in MA. Standard deck project is all PT framing, Mahogany or Ipe decking and stainless fasteners if going the real wood route. The composite and plastic decking is becoming very popular in New England.

Again, there are a wide variety of Mahoganies and it's my understanding that what's imported for decking is farmed. Some of the wood afficianados like Colt might chime in here with better intell.

kc