50s Tele bodies, one peice or two?

[naja]

Hey,
This might seem like kind of a dumb question but were the ash Telecaster bodies of the 50s (particularly around '58-59) one peice or two peice bodies?

[Kevin]

Generally two, perhaps three, at times. Rarely one.

At least that's what I've heard.

[Xuzak]

I asked the same question sorta about a year or so ago. My question was about tele's in general. I wondered if it was better having a one piece or multiple piece body. He said that generally speaking they were mostly of the multiple piece variety, with a rare one piece. In fact, if I remember correctly, he said that he may have seen one or two one piece bodies in his time.

[Doc]

My MIJ 50's bigsby is 2, but not center joined (off 3/4" or so).

Dale

[happycat]

rare. but they do exist. i have one from 57.

Originally Posted by Kevin

Generally two, perhaps three, at times. Rarely one.

At least that's what I've heard.

[Kevin]

Speaking as someone who's made a body, or two... Whenever I find a piece of wood that I can make one piece bodies from, I snatch it up.

Two reasons: A) it's easier cos I don't have to make a joint; B) it's cheaper cos I don't waste as much wood.

A dirty little secret is that wood is sold by thickness and board foot (i.e. 1 board foot of 2" thick wood costs more than 1 board foot of 1" thick wood). It doesn't cost more per board foot just cos it's wide... So, if I buy a 13" wide 2" board, I can make a tele body from about 16" running of that board, which is 2.89 board feet. If I buy an 8" board, I have to join it (which takes time = money), and then I'm using 16"X16"X2", which is 3.56 board feet.

Not only do I save time and money, but I can usually get more $$ for the body if it's one piece.

Now Leo didn't charge more for a one-piece body, but I'm sure that he realized he'd save a few bucks if he could find wide wood.