Build advice please...

Mr. B · May 16th, 2008, 11:36 AM

I've always liked Telecasters, sound-wise, but I'm not the biggest fan of the shape of the upper bout. (Possibly a heretic comment on this forum, but I hopefully I won't be burnt at the stake

) I've been toying with the idea of building myself a tweaked version for a little while, and thought I'd run the sort of shape I was thinking of past you here, and see what you thought of it.

-My mangled version of the TDowns diagram -

If you want to tell me it looks good or bad, that's great, but I'm more interested in those of you with building/playing experience who could give me your opinions on the neck joint. With both cutaways joining quite low on the neck and forming quite a small pocket, will that make it weak, or compromise sustain, or is it just a cosmetic thing?

Any input would be much appreciated.

Mr. B

magicguitar · May 16th, 2008, 11:45 AM

There are Les Paul double cut-aways that look very close to your design. I haven't built a double cut-away Tele yet... but thinking about it. Just from the fact that it has been done before in a similar manner, I think it should work fine.

jwells393 · May 16th, 2008, 11:51 AM

Double post deleted.

jwells393 · May 16th, 2008, 11:53 AM

You could use the Telecaster lower horn shape on both sides of the neck. It's the screws that hold the neck on. I normally don't discuss sustain and tone but I doubt the body/neck contact on the bass side of a Telecaster has much affect on it.

You would have to use a modified pickguard shape however.

woodman · May 16th, 2008, 11:58 AM

looks to me like you'll be cheating yourself out of some room up the neck by pulling the horn toward the headstock ... not a problem if you don't play up high, but if you do, you'll have a hard time playing in A at the higher octave. like Jack, i'd give a look at using the horn shape on both sides if you want symmetry.

Ronkirn · May 16th, 2008, 12:01 PM

I did one just like that about 5 years ago, it actually came out quite nice... don't sweat it, the only criteria you gotta meet is your own. If ya like it, build it..

Ron Kirn

BAW4742 · May 16th, 2008, 12:03 PM

I like the look of your drawing.

Sort of reminds me of a squatty, squared off kind of ES335 body.

Not quite as sharp (pointy?) as the Les Paul DCs. Smoother looking.

To sum it up - COOL!

ehawley · May 16th, 2008, 12:04 PM

Hmmm....sort of looks like a "335" tele. There was another tele build on here somewhere that took the lower bout like Jack suggested and moved it to the upper side also. It didn't look bad. I'll have to search for it and link you to it.
cheers
ED

BAW4742 · May 16th, 2008, 12:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by woodman

looks to me like you'll be cheating yourself out of some room up the neck by pulling the horn toward the headstock

Hey Woodman - I didn't notice that at first. Guess I don't go that high myself.

Couldn't you regain a little of that area by scalloping (maybe not the right term) some of the top and/or back similar to a PRS?

BAW4742 · May 16th, 2008, 12:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ehawley

Hmmm....sort of looks like a "335" tele.

Great minds think alike

jwells393 · May 16th, 2008, 12:57 PM

The biggest problem I see is coming up with a good looking pickguard shape. Simple solution ......... no pickguard.

BAW4742 · May 16th, 2008, 01:05 PM

+1 no pick guard. Best idea I think.

Or go with one similar to the 335s.

Ron said he built something similar. What did he do for a guard?

Mr. B · May 16th, 2008, 01:07 PM

Thanks for the quick replies guys.

As far as using the Tele horn on both sides, I've looked at it, but it just seems a little loopy to my eyes. You make a good point about losing some room high up near the body, but I don't often find myself there so it won't spoil my party too much.

Quote:

Originally Posted by ehawley

Hmmm....sort of looks like a "335" tele.

Heh, yeah, I'm a big fan of the 335's aesthetics.

Quote:

Originally Posted by jwells393

You would have to use a modified pickguard shape however.

At the moment I'm thinking of something along these lines. Who knows where I'll end up though...
No pickguard is an option, since I plan on leaving the wood unpainted, I've got a nicely figured swamp ash plank sitting around waiting for me to play with it.

Colt W. Knight · May 16th, 2008, 01:10 PM

There are some double cut teles floating around this forum. I remember one thread about a double cut that belonged to a Texan. Big John or somehting like that. It was heavily worn and very cool looking. Does anyone remember the thread?

BAW4742 · May 16th, 2008, 01:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mr. B

At the moment I'm thinking of something along these lines. Who knows where I'll end up though...
No pickguard is an option, since I plan on leaving the wood unpainted, I've got a nicely figured swamp ash plank sitting around waiting for me to play with it.

Hmmm.... After seeing that I'm leaning more toward no guard. ESpecially with nice figured ash plank.

But hey, it's your party. I'm just straggeling along.

TELE_BLUES · May 16th, 2008, 01:36 PM

That design would be nice as a thinline semi hollow.

tuuur · May 16th, 2008, 01:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TELE_BLUES

That design would be nice as a thinline semi hollow.

+1. I'm considering building one of those as a next project. I've seen ES335 type guitars with a bolt on neck, and I suppose that's about the same amount of wood contact between the neck and body as a double cutaway tele would have. It's been done before.

Consider this Aria Diamond for example:

Mr. B · May 16th, 2008, 02:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Colt W. Knight

There are some double cut teles floating around this forum.

don't know if it's the one you're tihnking of, but I just turned up
this, which looks awesome.

boris bubbanov · May 16th, 2008, 03:03 PM

Check out the website at Lentz guitars for some creative denigration and corruption of our beloved Tele shape.

See if you can find yourself a Korean made "Fender" TC-90, in pictures or in the flesh, and see how the form works for you from different angles, etc.

Oh! The humanity!

jwells393 · May 16th, 2008, 03:23 PM

Here's the TC-90 ...........

......

.....and here's a giant view. That pickguard shape isn't bad.

http://cachepe.zzounds.com/media/qua...b813487f05.jpg

Nick JD · May 16th, 2008, 08:22 PM

If you offset the upper bout slightly forward, put some body contours in it, three pups and a tremolo - it'll need a slightly larger headstock to balance the aesthetics. I'd go for a 1/4" round over too.

BAW4742 · May 16th, 2008, 08:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jwells393

Here's the TC-90 ...........

......

I've never been crazy about the TC-90's design. I think Mr. B is onto something with the 335ish look.

The TC-90's pick guard is kinda cool though. I was thinking along the lines of a Merle Haggard style guard but not quite right. This looks much better. (man that"s a big picture Jack - works well for old eyes

)

Still thinking no guard if was mine though.

Wardpike · May 16th, 2008, 09:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jwells393

Here's the TC-90 ...........

......

I like it a lot! I can see this being tremendously useful to the tele player who wants to have a LP junior/special with dual P90s. Great for blues, slide and gutsier tele tones.

Cheers!

Ward

Mr. B · May 17th, 2008, 05:16 AM

Thanks to jwell's TC-90 picture, I've now revised my pickguard thoughts...

Still undecided, I'll have to wait and see how it looks in the flesh.
It's at that point I'll realise that I just can't decide if I want it or not, and will have to build another body so I can have both.

Jelly · May 18th, 2008, 02:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nick JD

If you offset the upper bout slightly forward, put some body contours in it, three pups and a tremolo - it'll need a slightly larger headstock to balance the aesthetics. I'd go for a 1/4" round over too.

I was thinking the exact same thing Nick!

May 16th, 2008, 11:36 AM	#1 (permalink)
Mr. B NEW MEMBER! Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Canterbury - UK Posts: 8	Build advice please... I've always liked Telecasters, sound-wise, but I'm not the biggest fan of the shape of the upper bout. (Possibly a heretic comment on this forum, but I hopefully I won't be burnt at the stake ) I've been toying with the idea of building myself a tweaked version for a little while, and thought I'd run the sort of shape I was thinking of past you here, and see what you thought of it. -My mangled version of the TDowns diagram - If you want to tell me it looks good or bad, that's great, but I'm more interested in those of you with building/playing experience who could give me your opinions on the neck joint. With both cutaways joining quite low on the neck and forming quite a small pocket, will that make it weak, or compromise sustain, or is it just a cosmetic thing? Any input would be much appreciated. Mr. B

May 16th, 2008, 11:51 AM	#3 (permalink)
jwells393 Doctor of Teleocity Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Albuquerque, USA Age: 64 Posts: 11,121 101 Photos	Double post deleted. __________________ 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.

May 16th, 2008, 11:53 AM	#4 (permalink)
jwells393 Doctor of Teleocity Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Albuquerque, USA Age: 64 Posts: 11,121 101 Photos	You could use the Telecaster lower horn shape on both sides of the neck. It's the screws that hold the neck on. I normally don't discuss sustain and tone but I doubt the body/neck contact on the bass side of a Telecaster has much affect on it. You would have to use a modified pickguard shape however. __________________ 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.

May 16th, 2008, 11:58 AM	#5 (permalink)
woodman Poster Extraordinaire Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Mint Hill, NC Age: 62 Posts: 5,362	looks to me like you'll be cheating yourself out of some room up the neck by pulling the horn toward the headstock ... not a problem if you don't play up high, but if you do, you'll have a hard time playing in A at the higher octave. like Jack, i'd give a look at using the horn shape on both sides if you want symmetry. __________________ Truth is stranger than fact ... www.myspace.com/woodymitchellmusic BAND PAGES: www.myspace.com/stragglerswing (Stragglers - Western Swing) www.myspace.com/loafersgloryband (Loafers Glory - '70s country-rock)

May 16th, 2008, 12:01 PM	#6 (permalink)
Ronkirn Friend of Leo's Join Date: May 2003 Location: Jacksonville, FL Age: 61 Posts: 2,130	I did one just like that about 5 years ago, it actually came out quite nice... don't sweat it, the only criteria you gotta meet is your own. If ya like it, build it.. Ron Kirn __________________ Lord, give me a sense of humor. Give me the grace to see a joke, To get some humor out of life, and pass it on to other folks. The only thing necessary for evil to triumph, is for good men to do nothing......

May 16th, 2008, 11:45 AM	#2 (permalink)
magicguitar Tele-Meister Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Fallon, Nevada Age: 60 Posts: 497	There are Les Paul double cut-aways that look very close to your design. I haven't built a double cut-away Tele yet... but thinking about it. Just from the fact that it has been done before in a similar manner, I think it should work fine.

May 16th, 2008, 12:03 PM	#7 (permalink)
BAW4742 Tele-Meister Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Maryland's Eastern Shore Age: 51 Posts: 445	I like the look of your drawing. Sort of reminds me of a squatty, squared off kind of ES335 body. Not quite as sharp (pointy?) as the Les Paul DCs. Smoother looking. To sum it up - COOL!

May 16th, 2008, 12:04 PM	#8 (permalink)
ehawley Tele-Holic Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Keyport, New Jersey Age: 55 Posts: 850 48 Photos	Hmmm....sort of looks like a "335" tele. There was another tele build on here somewhere that took the lower bout like Jack suggested and moved it to the upper side also. It didn't look bad. I'll have to search for it and link you to it. cheers ED

May 16th, 2008, 12:57 PM	#11 (permalink)
jwells393 Doctor of Teleocity Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Albuquerque, USA Age: 64 Posts: 11,121 101 Photos	The biggest problem I see is coming up with a good looking pickguard shape. Simple solution ......... no pickguard. __________________ 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.

May 16th, 2008, 01:05 PM	#12 (permalink)
BAW4742 Tele-Meister Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Maryland's Eastern Shore Age: 51 Posts: 445	+1 no pick guard. Best idea I think. Or go with one similar to the 335s. Ron said he built something similar. What did he do for a guard? Last edited by BAW4742 : May 16th, 2008 at 01:16 PM. Reason: typo

May 16th, 2008, 01:10 PM	#14 (permalink)
Colt W. Knight Tele-Afflicted Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Wyoming Age: 24 Posts: 1,420	There are some double cut teles floating around this forum. I remember one thread about a double cut that belonged to a Texan. Big John or somehting like that. It was heavily worn and very cool looking. Does anyone remember the thread?

May 16th, 2008, 01:36 PM	#16 (permalink)
TELE_BLUES Tele-Meister Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: new york Posts: 420 32 Photos	That design would be nice as a thinline semi hollow.

May 16th, 2008, 03:03 PM	#19 (permalink)
boris bubbanov Poster Extraordinaire Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: New Orleans, LA + in the past Posts: 6,397	Check out the website at Lentz guitars for some creative denigration and corruption of our beloved Tele shape. See if you can find yourself a Korean made "Fender" TC-90, in pictures or in the flesh, and see how the form works for you from different angles, etc. Oh! The humanity! __________________ Bubban0v

May 16th, 2008, 03:23 PM	#20 (permalink)
jwells393 Doctor of Teleocity Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Albuquerque, USA Age: 64 Posts: 11,121 101 Photos	Here's the TC-90 ........... ...... .....and here's a giant view. That pickguard shape isn't bad. http://cachepe.zzounds.com/media/qua...b813487f05.jpg __________________ 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.

May 16th, 2008, 08:22 PM	#21 (permalink)
Nick JD Tele-Afflicted Join Date: May 2007 Location: North NSW, Australia Age: 35 Posts: 1,766	If you offset the upper bout slightly forward, put some body contours in it, three pups and a tremolo - it'll need a slightly larger headstock to balance the aesthetics. I'd go for a 1/4" round over too. __________________ It was such a lovely day I thought it a pity to get up. W. Somerset Maugham

May 17th, 2008, 05:16 AM	#24 (permalink)
Mr. B NEW MEMBER! Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Canterbury - UK Posts: 8	Thanks to jwell's TC-90 picture, I've now revised my pickguard thoughts... Still undecided, I'll have to wait and see how it looks in the flesh. It's at that point I'll realise that I just can't decide if I want it or not, and will have to build another body so I can have both.