Finally got up the courage to post a build thread!

[Freethenoise]

So I've lurked around here checking out builds (All of which are amazing) and I thought I might post one I've been working on myself.

The idea was to combine a Gretsch Corvette with a Gibson SG to stop myself from wanting both guitars in an attempt to save money and space!
Now, keep in mind this has been going for pretty much over a year, and I only have photos of the past. But I'll do my best to explain what I did.

The wood I used was macaray (Spelling?), the neck, forgive me, I am not very talented, I bought a paddle neck.

But here we go!

[Freethenoise]

So, the neck came first so that's what I used.
I decided that the Gretsch headstock appealed to me more than the gibson so I modeled it after that one.

http://www.tdpri.com/forum/attachmen...1&d=1357215390

http://www.tdpri.com/forum/attachmen...1&d=1357215527

http://www.tdpri.com/forum/attachmen...1&d=1357215527

[Freethenoise]

I then made a whole bunch of templates. I realized I shape wise I was going to go for a kind of two cutaway duo-jet.
So I printed out a template of that.
Meanwhile, this is when the pickups arrived. A Gretsch filtertron in the neck and a Bareknuckle Stormy Monday.

The Bigsby that I'm going to put there also arrived part way through my days work on it.

http://www.tdpri.com/forum/attachmen...1&d=1357215882


http://www.tdpri.com/forum/attachmen...1&d=1357215882

http://www.tdpri.com/forum/attachmen...1&d=1357215882

http://www.tdpri.com/forum/attachmen...1&d=1357215985

http://www.tdpri.com/forum/attachmen...1&d=1357215985

[Freethenoise]

Now, instead of putting a maple cap on it. Had such a lovely piece of wood that I decided that I would just split 10mm worth of wood off the top and hog it out and reattach it.
So that's what I did.

http://www.tdpri.com/forum/attachmen...1&d=1357217551

http://www.tdpri.com/forum/attachmen...1&d=1357217551

http://www.tdpri.com/forum/attachmen...1&d=1357217551

http://www.tdpri.com/forum/attachmen...1&d=1357217551

[Toriginal]

These posts should probably be in the "other guitars" section but it's looking real good so far.

[Freethenoise]

Oh, sorry. I checked the Tele depot one and I saw a Les Paul style build and I thought it was okay.
Umm, how do I move it exactly?

[kidmo]

Don't worry, a mod will move it if necessary. Looking good, that body style is one of my favorites, kind of like a Dano 59. What are you going for, scale length wise?

[Freethenoise]

Scale length I was going for full Tele/Strat length.
I got it off Hagstrom and how they make a Les Paul style with the full 25.5. Plus, it'll make it easier for me to jump from guitar to guitar. I find that when I switch to a Les Paul or even worse a Jag I over-bend like crazy.

[Rich Rice]

Originally Posted by Freethenoise

Oh, sorry. I checked the Tele depot one and I saw a Les Paul style build and I thought it was okay.
Umm, how do I move it exactly?

Don't sweat it.

Guitar looks great so far!

[Freethenoise]

Next I drew up the template I was going to use to make sure I got the neck route right.

http://www.tdpri.com/forum/attachmen...1&d=1357218980

I also noticed that the filtertrons I ordered have the little wings on them. In the picture I ordered them off they didn't. Oh well, it's why I have a hacksaw!

http://www.tdpri.com/forum/attachmen...1&d=1357218980

That'll be it for tonight. I don't think my internet can handle anymore right now. Keeps dropping out.

[jkingma]

Originally Posted by Toriginal

These posts should probably be in the "other guitars" section but it's looking real good so far.

Why? There are lots of "non Tele" builds in here. I would think all build threads should be in the same section.

Great start on your build, Freethenoise. It's looking very cool.

[Freethenoise]

Originally Posted by Rich Rice

Don't sweat it.

Guitar looks great so far!

Thank you very much! I've never done anything like this. But having basic wood working knowledge helps.
Consulting my semi-retired luthier grandfather helps a lot though!

[Jupiter]

You're in the right place. This looks great! I like the look of a Gretsch doublecut.

[davmac]

Originally Posted by Jupiter

You're in the right place. This looks great! I like the look of a Gretsch doublecut.

+1. This is turning out really well. Really looking forward to seeing/hearing the end result.

[RogerC]

Really like this! That's some gorgeous wood, and the whole concept is very appealing. Nice job.

[Freethenoise]

Originally Posted by RogerC

Really like this! That's some gorgeous wood, and the whole concept is very appealing. Nice job.

It certainly has a gorgeous grain.

Just as a side thing. Does anyone know anything additonal about mackarie (I have no idea how to spell it. Neither did the guy I got it off)? As a tonewood? My grandfather said it's a lot like Mahogany.
Which would explain why before I chambered it it was so heavy...

[fretman_2]

Yes...you're in the right place. The first order of business is always Tele's, but everyone seems to be very tolerant around here...you never know where your next idea or inspiration will come from!!!

[kwerk]

Only every other guitar I build is a tele. Go right ahead!

Most of the folks round here don't get hung up on "tonewoods". I wouldn't sweat it.
Pretty subjective and non-definable thing, "tone".

[crazydave911]

Originally Posted by Freethenoise

Just as a side thing. Does anyone know anything additonal about mackarie (I have no idea how to spell it. Neither did the guy I got it off)? As a tonewood?

Unless your building an acoustic, don't worry about the tonewood stuff , it will sound just fine

[Teleholder]

My guess on the wood is Makore.
How did you slice off the top? Is it a two piece body, or did you use a huge bandsaw? It's looking great so far.