Newbie-Just got a 1966 Tele Body/Neck... HELP

[keenanj]

Folks,
I just need a place to go to know where to start this project. I am a strat/gretsch guy with a G&L tele so I don't know much about Telecasters. I've been playing around 25 years. However, I just got this 1966 tele from a friend's attic (see below). It is beat up, no hardware other than tuners and (strangely) strap locks! I want to do it by hand for me to play. There is no chance I can find the original hardware that came with this guitar. The SN# is correct, its a classic, so I want to do it right. WHERE DO I START? Is there a good book or website to start?
Thanks. I know this sounds like 'my first post' and it is! Ha! Thanks again in advance.... julian

[ifallalot]

the pickguard is upside down :)

the question is whether you want true vintage hardware or repops.

[keenanj]

Ha-Yes, I didn't take the picture-I was laughing when I saw the pickguard. I want to make it playable, and as true to 1966 as possible. In other words, the right tuners, frets, wiring, harnesses, nut etc... for the guitar. However, I am not needing to put in actual 1966 parts. Repro is fine.

[GreenGuitarStar]

You could scour ebay for period correct parts - that'll take $$$ and getting the exact bits would probably take forever. Alternatively, buy some pre-relic'd, or relic them yourselves, components (plenty of advice on here if you search for how to make new stuff look old), get some good pickups (again, plenty of advice on here on what's suitable) lash it all together and let it rock. It IS a classic, but as you're adding all new parts, it probably won't ever be worth what a complete 66 would be*, so I'd just get it playing and enjoy it. Maybe get a good luthier/tech to set it all up properly after you've added the parts. Made all the difference to my home-build.

Brand-new parts would look a bit odd on that body and neck I think.
* - I'm sure there's guys on here who'll have more experience in the valuation, if that's important.

Good book: Guitar Player: Repair Guide by Dan Erlewine. Helped me no end.

[GreenGuitarStar]

...and good luck! Be great to see that thing come to life again.

[keenanj]

It's for playing, but I want to respect the guitar too. Putting in lace sensors and a floyd rose would be a tad disrespectful. I don't want to sell it ever, it's too cool.
I'll get the Erlewine book asap.

[Nick Fanis]

In other words, the right tuners,

http://www.guitarpartsresource.com/t...nlinegotoh.htm

the Gotoh 6 inline vintage tuner set. Nickel finish. is exactly like the original tuners of your guitar (only 10 times better...)

frets,

you REALLY don't want the original frets since they are really small and almost unplayable refret the guitar with some nice medium jumbos

wiring,

just check out the various wiring schematics at Seymour Duncan or Fender you want the "modern" or "after 66" wiring schematic.

as for parts just buy this

http://www.guitarpartsresource.com/e...l_kitstele.htm

the Vintage style wiring kit for Tele will be fine

nut

Fender used plastic nuts back in the 60s so just put a nice bone one in your "new" axe it surely deserves it!

you will also need a nice bridge and a bridge pickup

http://www.guitarpartsresource.com/g...fendertele.htm

The Genuine Fender '62 Reissue Tele Custom Bridge with threaded saddles and 62 bridge pup are very close to the originals (the bridge is exactly the same since in 66 teles had threaded saddles and the pup is quite close to an original Fender pup from that era)

a neck pup

http://www.guitarpartsresource.com/p...le62custom.htm

a pickguard

http://www.guitarpartsresource.com/p...nfentele62.htm

knobs

http://www.guitarpartsresource.com/g...obs_fender.htm

the Genuine Fender Original Series barrel knobs are exactly the same w/ your guitar's originals

a switch tip

http://www.guitarpartsresource.com/s...genfentele.htm

the Genuine Fender Original Series Tele® top hat is exactly the same w/ your guitar's original

a control plate

http://www.guitarpartsresource.com/p...platestele.htm

a string tree

http://www.guitarpartsresource.com/s...idesfender.htm

the 099-4910-000 is what you need

and a jack plate

http://www.guitarpartsresource.com/j..._genfender.htm

[Lost_N_Austin]

It doen't make sense that the person would get rid of the parts and keep the case and the guitar. Go back in that Attic. Turn the bright lights on for a bout 30 minutes to scare the black widow spiders back to their lair. Look for a Folgers coffiee can or an old tool box.

It looks like you guitar might have been flipped for a lefty or else the pickguard is just laying on the guitar wrong. If you are going to invest in parts, buy "aged" parts that match the original specs. Keep the case with the guitar.

Check under that pick guard to see if the neck route has been "hacked" on. If the body has not been cut up your options might change more toward a restoration. Pop the neck off and see what color the paint is underneath and pot a picture of the neck stamp date and look for Tadeo's initials. Is the neck plate stamped on the top or the bottom?

Have fun, do no harm. Post more picture from a real camera.

Lost_N_Austin

[GreenGuitarStar]

Great shopping list! :)

[keenanj]

Here are some pix

[keenanj]

Here are additional pix

[keenanj]

The story. The person that bought it died about 20 years ago. He had a son that mangled the guitar about 1975-1980. Painted, took the parts, put it on another guitar. All that's left is this. The information comes from the brother of the original owner. He said it was a 1966 and it checks out with the quick SN# search. I have owned it all of 2 days. It is from Delaware. The case looks almost certain to be original. There is nothing else in the attic or in anyone's memory.

[keenanj]

PS- The pickguard is also original. It was the wrong picture for me to post first SORRY!

[keenanj]

WOW! What a list of goods to get. THIS IS AWESOME! 2 hours and I have:
a) A world class list
b) You've spent about 2000$ for me :) Divorce coming or I have to match that in wifey gifts.
c) A killer group of people that know 200x more about tele's than me. This internet thing may actually be a good thing :)

[Joefish]

Awesome!

Welcome to TDPRI.

Although the only advice I give is to not take my advice, I would go slow.

before, I give you my two cents … is the truss rod there in the last photo?

[KevinB]

What a shame that the body has been routed for a neck pickup!

The tuners might just be salvageable.

I'd talk to Mark Jenny. It would cost about $400 for him to do a full refinish (aged to any degree you'd like) but - even with the routing - you'd have a very nice guitar.

[elmicko]

Oh man, I would love to have that guitar. Congratulations. It'll make a great player, but if it was me I would go for a cool mod rather than a restore. It would be a lot less expensive.

I'm a 66 model too...and really not in a lot better condition than that tele. LOL I've always wanted a tele that was born the same year as me.

[BopT]

What a great road you get to go down! If it were me I would see if that paint could be removed without damage to the finish underneath. Then get replacement parts so you can play it now and keep an eye open for origionals and get em when they show up. In a couple years it could be be restored with 66 era parts.
Congrats
B

[allen st. john]

Cool guitar.
Reissue parts won't be all that expensive actually.
The interesting challenge is going to be the body/neck.
If the original finish is under the black, that's a huge bonus.
The difference between a body with a compromised original finish and a refin can be several thousand dollars at least.
The key is going to be finding a luthier who can remove the black paint while preserving what's underneath it.
You'll only get one shot at this (removing the black paint) so have it done right.

[KokoTele]

If you send me an email, I can send you a spreadsheet with a parts list you can use to make sure you have everything.

I think you'll find that much of what you need isn't too expensive.