Grizzly Tele Kit Build

Goluphi · April 1st, 2008, 01:54 PM

Check out my Flickr album: http://www.flickr.com/photos/1017976...7604346814287/

New photos coming soon :).

This is my first real Tele kit build. I'm putting it together as a birthday surprise for my brother. I really wanted to build a guitar, but The Girlfriend does not want another guitar lying around the house.

Jelly · April 1st, 2008, 01:56 PM

Cool. How many bones did that kit set you back, and what do you think about the neck?

Goluphi · April 1st, 2008, 02:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jelly

Cool. How many bones did that kit set you back, and what do you think about the neck?

The kit was $130, with a fairly reasonable shipping cost (don't remember off hand). I got it here: http://grizzly.com/products/H8068

The neck is pretty nice. It's maple with a rosewood fretboard (near as I can tell, I'm no wood expert). The neck profile is fairly thin, and shaped like the MIM neck I had for a while. The radius is pretty flat (12" by my measure). The frets are decent, and there were no major flaws in the neck. There was quite a bit of figuring & flame in the wood (which isn't really my thing, but I know some people dig it). It has truss rod adjustment at the neck. The neck played pretty nice, in the short time that I had the guitar together.

Not an awe-inspiring neck by any means, but quite nice for the price.

robt57 · April 1st, 2008, 02:47 PM

I am liking the walnut fretboard.

I saw th epic of a painted body, but also a natural front... Whaz-sup?

I want to do one of those, but I got 4 tele projects going at once already. 2 pine, a top floral mod, and a walnut/cedar...

Lots of saw dust so far... ;)

I'd love to play and hear that neck!!

What is the radius and the width at the nut on the neck ??

Sparse details on the Grizzly site for such info. ;)

Goluphi · April 1st, 2008, 02:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by robt57

I am liking the walnut fretboard.

I saw th epic of a painted body, but also a natural front... Whaz-sup?

It was natural at first, but it's all painted now. Guitar's not done yet :). Work in progress.

Quote:

What is the radius and the width at the nut on the neck ??

Sparse details on the Grizzly site for such info. ;)

I measured a 12" radius, nut width is standard 1 5/8".

martino · April 1st, 2008, 08:38 PM

Goluphi

Nice Job!

I love the colors.
cool photo log

jwells393 · April 1st, 2008, 08:41 PM

What did you decide to do about the string through holes? Can that bridge be used as either toploader or string through?

Goluphi · April 1st, 2008, 10:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jwells393

What did you decide to do about the string through holes? Can that bridge be used as either toploader or string through?

Yep, the bridge is top loader or string through. I sealed up the string through holes, and painted over them.

kerc · April 3rd, 2008, 01:23 PM

I've been itchin' for a Tele build, and this seems to be way better than the Saga kits...

anfontan · April 5th, 2008, 06:20 PM

That manual is really great, its very exact in lots of details, even drilling for ferrules, I downloaded it for future reference. What is the body wood in that Grizzly kit, the soft Basswood in the Saga kits dings so easy.

Goluphi · April 5th, 2008, 11:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by anfontan

That manual is really great, its very exact in lots of details, even drilling for ferrules, I downloaded it for future reference. What is the body wood in that Grizzly kit, the soft Basswood in the Saga kits dings so easy.

It's supposed to be Alder, but I'm no expert. Check the pics I posted, you can see the grain fairly clearly.

Jelly · April 13th, 2008, 07:07 AM

By the look of the shine in those open-box pics I assume the body was already grain-filled or even finished with polyurethane or lacquer. Am I correct, or did the body come as just bare wood?

lacquerbreath · April 13th, 2008, 08:20 AM

Morning, yes it's sanding sealed already but it wouldn't keep you from going natural or putting an translucent finish on it. II'm in the middle of a Grizzly kit and the body is Alder, not Basswood. I chose this over the Saga for a lot of reasons. I just sprayed it Dakota Red last week and ready for the clearcoat. If I can figure out how to post pics here, I will. I think there is a pixel limitation because it keeps bombing. God Bless.

peteb · April 13th, 2008, 01:00 PM

dang those Grizzly kits look nice!

I cant wait to hear about how they sound

Are those ceramic pickups?

I have been thinking how I would finish one and I like the idea of a barely finished natural.

Thats great that they are sanded and sealed.

What would they seal it with?

Alder needs no grain filling because it is close grained

It would be fun to do a sunburst, I know I would mess it up though.

robt57 · April 13th, 2008, 01:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by peteb

It would be fun to do a sunburst, I know I would mess it up though.

Get some birch or ash veneer plywood and practice. I bet after 5-6 on plywood you would not say that!. You may be the next best hope for burst refinishes we all could have and not even know it. ;)

jwells393 · April 13th, 2008, 01:14 PM

lacquerbreath............... Before posting pictures you should resize them to 640 pixels wide. The forum software will automatically make them that size but if you post a large image, every bit of the picture must load. This can take a long time for anyone using dial-up. It also screws up the post that the large file picture is in requiring readers to scroll horizontally to read the text.

The best place for hosting pictures is www.photobucket.com . To post a picture hosted by photobucket all you have to do is left click the IMG line below the thumbnail ......... wait till you see the yellow "Copied" indicator, the paste into your post.

peteb · April 14th, 2008, 01:46 AM

thanks for the encouragement robt!

probably get the burst just right on the plywood and then when it counts...

andy__woods · April 14th, 2008, 08:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by peteb

thanks for the encouragement robt!

probably get the burst just right on the plywood and then when it counts...

Bursts are difficult, but not as hard as you might think. As long as you are patient with it, it can turn out pretty nice. I'm happy with the one I did:

peteb · April 14th, 2008, 10:00 AM

Nice job on that sunburst Andy

robt57 · April 14th, 2008, 10:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by peteb

thanks for the encouragement robt!

probably get the burst just right on the plywood and then when it counts...

LOL, I know the feeling...

I did my only burst, and on my first DIY guitar too about 5 years ago with Tung oil. I used darker/tinted oil for the edge and blended it into a oak colored oil to give the patina in the middle an age boost. Pro-active retro-ing?? [the Ash was too white when I started. ;)]

It was a PITA. It is not as pretty finish wise as a nice sprayed shinny spray job, not even close. But I use guitars like hammers, I care a whole lot less about looks as I do its use.

When first finished:

Five years later:

WisconsinStrings · April 15th, 2008, 12:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by peteb

dang those Grizzly kits look nice!

I cant wait to hear about how they sound

Are those ceramic pickups?

I have been thinking how I would finish one and I like the idea of a barely finished natural.

Thats great that they are sanded and sealed.

What would they seal it with?

Alder needs no grain filling because it is close grained

It would be fun to do a sunburst, I know I would mess it up though.

Shiraz Balolia (Grizzly founder and owner), is a guitar builder. He used to hang out over at the Sawmill Creek boards. I've sent him PMs in the past and he's gotten back to me fairly quickly.

Goluphi · August 20th, 2008, 12:46 AM

Just finished up this kit build. I've learned a lot about putting together guitars. Mainly, that I'm going to wait until after I move out of this apartment before I attempt another build.

Here's the finished product:

It sounds and plays really well, and my brother digs it, so it's all good!

lacquerbreath · August 20th, 2008, 07:24 AM

Good Job Goluphi. I started my Grizzly build in Feb. and just strung it up last week. The Dakota Red and finish clearcoat came out beautifully. I'll post pics soon. I actually measured the neck radius at 16" with the templates. I put a Graph Tech nut on, Grover Minis and installed high end pickups. And on and on. Yup, it sounds like a Telecaster.

April 1st, 2008, 01:54 PM	#1 (permalink)
Goluphi Tele-Meister Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Chicago Posts: 147	Grizzly Tele Kit Build Check out my Flickr album: http://www.flickr.com/photos/1017976...7604346814287/ New photos coming soon :). This is my first real Tele kit build. I'm putting it together as a birthday surprise for my brother. I really wanted to build a guitar, but The Girlfriend does not want another guitar lying around the house.

April 1st, 2008, 01:56 PM	#2 (permalink)
Jelly Tele-Afflicted Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Germany Posts: 1,423 10 Photos	Cool. How many bones did that kit set you back, and what do you think about the neck? __________________ "I got on a bus and I went to Fresno because I thought Merle Haggard lived there."

April 1st, 2008, 08:38 PM	#6 (permalink)
martino Tele-Meister Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: LA CA US Posts: 374	Goluphi Nice Job! I love the colors. cool photo log Last edited by martino; April 1st, 2008 at 08:39 PM. Reason: typo

April 1st, 2008, 08:41 PM	#7 (permalink)
jwells393 Doctor of Teleocity Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Albuquerque, USA Age: 64 Posts: 12,253 101 Photos	What did you decide to do about the string through holes? Can that bridge be used as either toploader or string through? __________________ Jack's Disclaimer: When I say something.... always ask yourself ..... "What the hell does he know?" _ Guys - learn to disable the flash on your digital cameras.

April 3rd, 2008, 01:23 PM	#9 (permalink)
kerc Tele-Holic Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: San Antonio, TX Age: 37 Posts: 591	I've been itchin' for a Tele build, and this seems to be way better than the Saga kits... __________________ Hey, try to play your guitar daily!

April 1st, 2008, 02:47 PM	#4 (permalink)
robt57 Friend of Leo's Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Lost Yankee in Nashville Age: 51 Posts: 3,740 21 Photos	I am liking the walnut fretboard. I saw th epic of a painted body, but also a natural front... Whaz-sup? I want to do one of those, but I got 4 tele projects going at once already. 2 pine, a top floral mod, and a walnut/cedar... Lots of saw dust so far... ;) I'd love to play and hear that neck!! What is the radius and the width at the nut on the neck ?? Sparse details on the Grizzly site for such info. ;)

April 5th, 2008, 06:20 PM	#10 (permalink)
anfontan Tele-Meister Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Southern Illinois Age: 52 Posts: 188 6 Photos	That manual is really great, its very exact in lots of details, even drilling for ferrules, I downloaded it for future reference. What is the body wood in that Grizzly kit, the soft Basswood in the Saga kits dings so easy.

April 13th, 2008, 07:07 AM	#12 (permalink)
Jelly Tele-Afflicted Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Germany Posts: 1,423 10 Photos	By the look of the shine in those open-box pics I assume the body was already grain-filled or even finished with polyurethane or lacquer. Am I correct, or did the body come as just bare wood? __________________ "I got on a bus and I went to Fresno because I thought Merle Haggard lived there."

April 13th, 2008, 08:20 AM	#13 (permalink)
lacquerbreath TDPRI Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Dumont, NJ Posts: 57	Morning, yes it's sanding sealed already but it wouldn't keep you from going natural or putting an translucent finish on it. II'm in the middle of a Grizzly kit and the body is Alder, not Basswood. I chose this over the Saga for a lot of reasons. I just sprayed it Dakota Red last week and ready for the clearcoat. If I can figure out how to post pics here, I will. I think there is a pixel limitation because it keeps bombing. God Bless.

April 13th, 2008, 01:00 PM	#14 (permalink)
peteb Tele-Meister Join Date: Apr 2003 Posts: 241	dang those Grizzly kits look nice! I cant wait to hear about how they sound Are those ceramic pickups? I have been thinking how I would finish one and I like the idea of a barely finished natural. Thats great that they are sanded and sealed. What would they seal it with? Alder needs no grain filling because it is close grained It would be fun to do a sunburst, I know I would mess it up though.

April 13th, 2008, 01:14 PM	#16 (permalink)
jwells393 Doctor of Teleocity Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Albuquerque, USA Age: 64 Posts: 12,253 101 Photos	lacquerbreath............... Before posting pictures you should resize them to 640 pixels wide. The forum software will automatically make them that size but if you post a large image, every bit of the picture must load. This can take a long time for anyone using dial-up. It also screws up the post that the large file picture is in requiring readers to scroll horizontally to read the text. The best place for hosting pictures is www.photobucket.com . To post a picture hosted by photobucket all you have to do is *left* click the IMG line below the thumbnail ......... wait till you see the yellow "Copied" indicator, the paste into your post. __________________ Jack's Disclaimer: When I say something.... always ask yourself ..... "What the hell does he know?" _ Guys - learn to disable the flash on your digital cameras.

April 14th, 2008, 01:46 AM	#17 (permalink)
peteb Tele-Meister Join Date: Apr 2003 Posts: 241	thanks for the encouragement robt! probably get the burst just right on the plywood and then when it counts...

April 14th, 2008, 10:00 AM	#19 (permalink)
peteb Tele-Meister Join Date: Apr 2003 Posts: 241	Nice job on that sunburst Andy

August 20th, 2008, 12:46 AM	#22 (permalink)
Goluphi Tele-Meister Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Chicago Posts: 147	Just finished up this kit build. I've learned a lot about putting together guitars. Mainly, that I'm going to wait until after I move out of this apartment before I attempt another build. Here's the finished product: It sounds and plays really well, and my brother digs it, so it's all good! __________________ Check out my band Wonderful Flying Machines - All licks proudly played on Fender Instruments!

August 20th, 2008, 07:24 AM	#23 (permalink)
lacquerbreath TDPRI Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Dumont, NJ Posts: 57	Good Job Goluphi. I started my Grizzly build in Feb. and just strung it up last week. The Dakota Red and finish clearcoat came out beautifully. I'll post pics soon. I actually measured the neck radius at 16" with the templates. I put a Graph Tech nut on, Grover Minis and installed high end pickups. And on and on. Yup, it sounds like a Telecaster.